CPA / Accounting License from Illinois to Minnesota: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Minnesota Board of Accountancy ↗
Yes — Minnesota recognizes CPA licenses from all states, including Illinois. Apply to the Minnesota Board of Accountancy for a reciprocal license; you will not repeat the full exam or education.
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Verdict
Full reciprocity
Minnesota recognizes substantial equivalency, so your Illinois CPA license clears the bar on its own — the Minnesota Board of Accountancy cares that you are a CPA in good standing, not that your license came from Illinois. What remains is Minnesota-side: verification through CPAverify.org, the reciprocal application and fee, a background check, and any Minnesota ethics or rules-of-conduct exam. Do the mobility math first, though — if Minnesota is not becoming your principal place of business, practice privilege may let you work there without this application at all.
What changes, Illinois → Minnesota
| Illinois (current) | Minnesota (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Training hours | 150 | 150 |
| Application fee | $120 ($120 Licensed CPA application fee (same for all methods, including endorsement); non-refundable) | $150 (initial license application fee; the application expires if all required documents are not received within six months and the $150 must be paid again) |
| Processing time | IDFPR publishes no processing time; an application stays active for three years from receipt. | Board does not publish a processing time; all documents must be received within six months of the application/fee submission or the application expires |
| Licensing authority | Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Division of Professional Regulation | Minnesota Board of Accountancy |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Minnesota sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm Minnesota's current requirements on the Minnesota Board of Accountancy website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Minnesota Board of Accountancy (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
- Hold a CPA license in good standing in another US jurisdiction (substantial equivalency).
- Pass the AICPA Professional Ethics comprehensive course ('For Licensure') within the six months before or after application.
- Meet Minnesota's 150-hour education and experience requirements — OR, if licensed 4+ years, satisfy the education waiver by verifying four years of experience earned within the ten years preceding application.
- Have qualifying experience verified by a CPA.
- Pay the fees ($150 (initial license application fee; the application expires if all required documents are not received within six months and the $150 must be paid again)) and allow Board does not publish a processing time; all documents must be received within six months of the application/fee submission or the application expires.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Minnesota accept a Illinois CPA license?
Yes — Minnesota recognizes CPA licenses from all states, including Illinois. Apply to the Minnesota Board of Accountancy for a reciprocal license; you will not repeat the full exam or education.
Do I retake the CPA Exam moving from Illinois to Minnesota?
No — the Uniform CPA Exam transfers with your license. The Uniform CPA Examination is not retaken; a CPA already licensed elsewhere applies as a 'Non-Minnesota Exam Candidate' and passage is verified through the existing license. Minnesota separately requires passing the AICPA Professional Ethics 'For Licensure' comprehensive course within the six months before or after application..
Do I need a Minnesota license, or does mobility cover the move?
If Minnesota becomes your principal place of business, you apply to the Minnesota Board of Accountancy for a reciprocal license. If you are only serving Minnesota clients from Illinois, practice privilege usually covers you with no Minnesota license, notice, or fee.
What does the Illinois-to-Minnesota move cost?
$150 (initial license application fee; the application expires if all required documents are not received within six months and the $150 must be paid again) (initial license application fee; the application expires if all required documents are not received within six months and the $150 must be paid again).
Can I keep my Illinois CPA license after licensing in Minnesota?
Yes — CPA licenses stack, and many CPAs hold more than one. Keep the Illinois license active (its renewal and CPE run separately) and mobility covers the states where you hold none.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- Minnesota Board of Accountancy — Initial Licensing (Non-Minnesota Exam Candidate / reciprocity: 150 hours or 4-of-10 experience waiver, AICPA ethics, $150 fee) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Minnesota Board of Accountancy — homepage ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- IDFPR — (065) Licensed CPA Application Checklist / User Guide (Endorsement method; substantial equivalency OR 4 years in 10; $120 fee all methods; no ethics exam) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- IDFPR — License qualifications for Certified Public Accountant (065), revised 09/2025 (endorsement path; exam certification sent directly to IDFPR) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]