Montana Administrative Code

24.201.2122 STANDARDS FOR CPE PROGRAM PRESENTATION (REPEALED) Authorizing statute(s): 37-50-201, 37-50-203, MCA Implementing statute(s): 37-50-203, 37-50-314, MCA History: NEW, 1980 MAR p. 2971, Eff. 11/29/80; TRANS, from Dept. of Prof. & Occup. Lic., Ch. 274, L. 1981, Eff. 7/1/8…

24.201.2123 STANDARDS FOR CPE PROGRAM MEASUREMENT (REPEALED) Authorizing statute(s): 37-50-201, 37-50-203, MCA Implementing statute(s): 37-50-203, 37-50-314, MCA History: NEW, 1980 MAR p. 2971, Eff. 11/29/80; TRANS, from Dept. of Prof. & Occup. Lic., Ch. 274, L. 1981, Eff. 7/1/81…

24.201.2124 STANDARDS FOR CPE REPORTING Licensees are responsible for accurately reporting CPE and must retain appropriate documentation of their participation in learning activities. Participants in group, self-study, nano-learning, or blended learning programs must obtain a cer…

24.201.2130 PROGRAMS WHICH QUALIFY (REPEALED) Authorizing statute(s): 37-50-201, 37-50-203, MCA Implementing statute(s): 37-50-203, 37-50-314, MCA History: NEW, 1980 MAR p. 2971, Eff. 11/29/80; TRANS, from Dept. of Prof. and Occup. Lic., Ch. 274, L. 1981, Eff. 7/1/81; AMD, 1984 M…

24.201.2131 ACCEPTABLE SUBJECT MATTER FOR QUALIFYING PROGRAMS (REPEALED) Authorizing statute(s): 37-50-201, 37-50-203, MCA Implementing statute(s): 37-50-203, 37-50-314, MCA History: NEW, 1980 MAR p. 2971, Eff. 11/29/80; TRANS, from Dept. of Prof. & Occup. Lic., Ch. 274, L. 1981,…

24.201.2132 ACCEPTABLE PROGRAMS (REPEALED) Authorizing statute(s): 37-50-201, 37-50-203, MCA Implementing statute(s): 37-50-203, 37-50-314, MCA History: NEW, 1980 MAR p. 2971, Eff. 11/9/80; TRANS, from Dept. of Prof. & Occup. Lic., Ch. 274, L. 1981, Eff. 7/1/81; TRANS, from Comme…

24.201.2136 CREDIT HOURS GRANTED Group programs and blended learning programs must be a minimum of one hour, but credit may be earned in one-fifth or one-half hour increments after the first full hour credit is earned. Self-study programs must be a minimum of one-half hour credit…

24.201.2137 CREDIT FOR FORMAL SELF-STUDY AND NANO-LEARNING PROGRAMS Formal self-study and nano-learning programs shall receive continuing education credit equal to the amount granted by the sponsor, if the sponsor is recognized by the NASBA National Registry of CPE Sponsors. Self…

24.201.2138 CREDIT FOR SERVICE AS LECTURER, INSTRUCTOR, TECHNICAL REVIEWER, SPEAKER, OR REPORT REVIEWER Lecturers, instructors, and speakers may claim continuing education credit for both preparation and presentation time for a course once during a three-year reporting period onl…

24.201.2139 CREDIT FOR PUBLISHED ARTICLES, BOOKS, ETC. Credit may be claimed for published articles, books, and other publications relevant to maintaining professional competence. Credit for preparation of such publications may not exceed 25 percent (or 30 hours) of the basic req…

24.201.2140 CREDIT FOR BLENDED LEARNING Any pre-program, post-program, and/or homework assignments must relate to the defined learning objectives of the program. Course sponsors must provide clear instruction and information that summarize the components of the program and what m…

24.201.2145 REPORTING REQUIREMENTS Reporting of actual courses/credits is not required, unless the individual is selected for a random CPE audit as outlined in ARM 24.201.2148, or the individual must otherwise prove compliance for licensure purposes (i.e., restoring a license to …

24.201.2146 CONTINUING EDUCATION REPORTING FOR PERMIT TO PRACTICE (REPEALED) Authorizing statute(s): 37-50-201, 37-50-203, MCA Implementing statute(s): 37-50-203, 37-50-314, MCA History: NEW, 1980 MAR p. 2971, Eff. 11/29/80; TRANS, from Dept. of Prof. & Occup. Lic., Ch. 274, L. 1…

24.201.2147 EVIDENCE OF COMPLETION - RETENTION (REPEALED) Authorizing statute(s): 37-50-201, 37-50-203, MCA Implementing statute(s): 37-50-203, 37-50-314, MCA History: NEW, 1980 MAR p. 2971, Eff. 11/29/80; TRANS, from Dept. of Prof. & Occup. Lic., Ch. 274, L. 1981, Eff. 7/1/81; T…

24.201.2148 VERIFICATION Licensees notified that they have been selected for an audit of their basic CPE requirement must submit all courses and appropriate documentation using the NASBA CPE audit service and comply with the deadline for submitting documentation. Only documentati…

24.201.2154 EXTENSION OR HARDSHIP EXCEPTION The board or its designee may grant, for a specific period of time, an extension in order to complete the basic CPE requirement, or grant a written hardship exception for reasons of individual hardship (i.e. health or military service).…

24.201.2155 OTHER EXCEPTIONS (REPEALED) Authorizing statute(s): 37-50-201, 37-50-203, MCA Implementing statute(s): 37-50-203, 37-50-314, MCA History: NEW, 1980 MAR p. 2971, Eff. 11/29/80; TRANS, from Dept. of Prof. & Occup. Lic., Ch. 274, L. 1981, Eff. 7/1/81; TRANS, from Commerc…

24.201.2161 REINSTATEMENT (REPEALED) Authorizing statute(s): 37-50-201, 37-50-203, MCA Implementing statute(s): 37-50-203, 37-50-314, MCA History: NEW, 1980 MAR p. 2971, Eff. 11/29/80; TRANS, from Dept. of Prof. & Occup. Lic., Ch. 274, L. 1981, Eff. 7/1/81; AMD, 1984 MAR p. 961, …

24.201.2401 ANONYMOUS COMPLAINTS The board may accept anonymous complaints. Authorizing statute(s): 37-50-203, MCA Implementing statute(s): 37-1-307, 37-1-308, MCA History: NEW, 1997 MAR p. 540, Eff. 3/25/97; TRANS, from Commerce, 2005 MAR p. 2668; AMD, 2009 MAR p. 9, Eff. 1/16/0…

24.201.2402 EXERCISE OF PRACTICE PRIVILEGE IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS Any registered firm or licensee of this board offering or rendering services in or to another jurisdiction pursuant to practice privilege, based upon their registration or license from this board, is deemed to have…

24.201.2410 ENFORCEMENT AGAINST LICENSE HOLDERS AND PRACTICE PRIVILEGE HOLDERS The following terms may be cause for imposition of disciplinary action: continues to practice public accounting, or uses the designation CPA or LPA, after failure to comply with the requirements for an…

24.201.2411 ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES - INVESTIGATIONS AND PROFESSION MONITORING PROGRAM (PMP) REVIEW (REPEALED) Authorizing statute(s): 37-1-136, 37-1-319, 37-50-203, MCA Implementing statute(s): 37-1-136, 37-1-316, 37-1-319, MCA History: NEW, 1984 MAR p. 961, Eff. 6/29/84; AMD, 19…

24.201.301 DEFINITIONS "AICPA" means the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. "Blended learning program" means an educational program incorporating multiple learning formats, different delivery methods, and is synchronous and asynchronous. "Client" means the person…

24.201.401 BOARD MEETINGS (REPEALED) Authorizing statute(s): 37-50-201, 37-50-203, MCA Implementing statute(s): 37-50-201, 37-50-203, MCA History: Eff. 12/31/72; TRANS, from Dept. of Prof. & Occup. Lic., Ch. 274, L. 1981, Eff. 7/1/81; AMD, 1984 MAR p. 961, Eff. 6/29/84; AMD, 1990…

24.201.405 COMMITTEES (REPEALED) Authorizing statute(s): 37-50-201, MCA Implementing statute(s): 37-50-201, MCA History: NEW, 1980 MAR p. 2971, Eff. 11/29/80; TRANS, from Dept. of Prof. & Occup. Lic. , Ch. 274, L. 1981, Eff. 7/1/81; TRANS, from Commerce, 2005 MAR p. 2668; REP, 20…

24.201.410 FEE SCHEDULE The following fees have been established by the board for services or privileges rendered by the board, or for services rendered by contractors of the board: License by credentialing application Additional standardized fees are specified in ARM 24.101.403.…

24.201.412 FEE ABATEMENT (REPEALED) Authorizing statute(s): 37-1-131, 37-17-202, MCA Implementing statute(s): 17-2-302, 17-2-303, 37-1-134, MCA History: NEW, 2005 MAR p. 2671, Eff. 12/23/05; REP, 2016 MAR p. 1016, Eff. 6/4/16.

24.201.415 USE OF CPA/LPA DESIGNATION An individual whose principal place of business is in Montana, who is not otherwise in the practice of public accounting, but providing financial or consulting services to the public, must have an active license if they hold themselves out to…

24.201.501 EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS TO SIT FOR EXAM To qualify to sit for the Uniform CPA Exam as a Montana candidate the candidate must have: completed the following education from an accredited four-year institution at the time of applying to sit for the exam: at least 24 semeste…

24.201.502 ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS To be issued a license, an applicant must provide evidence of acceptable accounting and/or auditing experience. Acceptable experience is performing accounting and/or auditing functions ordinarily required in the practice …

24.201.503 APPLICANT FOR INITIAL LICENSE All applicants for a license must: meet the requirements of 37-50-302, MCA; submit a complete application and pay all fees; meet one of the following education and experience requirements: a post-baccalaureate degree with a concentration i…

24.201.504 MILITARY TRAINING OR EXPERIENCE Pursuant to 37-1-145, MCA, the board shall accept relevant military training, service, or education toward the requirements for licensure. Relevant military training, service, or education must be completed by an applicant while a member…

24.201.505 FIRMS – REGISTRATION New firms, firms that have a name change, or firms that are merged or otherwise combined or separated must immediately file a new firm registration application with the board. New firm registrations must include: a completed firm registration appli…

24.201.506 PREVIOUS APPLICATIONS IN EFFECT (REPEALED) Authorizing statute(s): 37-50-203, MCA Implementing statute(s): 37-50-311, 37-50-312, MCA History: NEW, 1980 MAR p. 2971, Eff. 11/29/80; TRANS, from Dept. of Prof. & Occup. Lic., Ch. 274, L. 1981, Eff. 7/1/81; TRANS, from Comm…

24.201.510 CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT EXAMINATION Prior to submitting an application to sit for the examination, the examination candidate must meet the educational requirements of ARM 24.201.501. All examination candidates must be approved by the board or its designee to sit fo…

24.201.511 IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMPUTER-BASED UNIFORM CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT EXAMINATION (REPEALED) Authorizing statute(s): 37-50-204, 37-50-308, MCA Implementing statute(s): 37-50-204, 37-50-302, 37-50-303, 37-50-308, MCA History: NEW, 2004 MAR p. 643, Eff. 3/26/04; TRANS…

24.201.512 TRANSITION RULE FOR APPLICANTS WHO HAVE PRE-COMPUTER-BASED EXAMINATION CONDITIONAL CREDIT (REPEALED) Authorizing statute(s): 37-50-204, 37-50-308, MCA Implementing statute(s): 37-50-204, 37-50-302, 37-50-303, 37-50-308, MCA History: NEW, 2004 MAR p. 643, Eff. 3/26/04; …

24.201.516 GRANTING OF EXAMINATION CREDIT An examination candidate may take test sections individually and in any order. Any test section passed is valid for 30 months from the date the passing score is released by NASBA to the candidate or the board, as the case may be. Candidat…

24.201.517 ACCEPTANCE OF EXAMINATION CREDITS An applicant who has never held a license as a certified public accountant in any jurisdiction must have passed the examination under circumstances comparable to those applicable to Montana applicants at the time of examination. Author…

24.201.518 EXAMINATION CREDITS - OUT-OF-STATE APPLICANTS SEEKING A CERTIFICATE/LICENSE IN MONTANA (REPEALED) Authorizing statute(s): 37-50-204, MCA Implementing statute(s): 37-50-204, 37-50-302, 37-50-303, 37-50-309, MCA History: NEW, 2004 MAR p. 643, Eff. 3/26/04; AMD, 2004 MAR …

24.201.524 CHEATING (REPEALED) Authorizing statute(s): 37-50-204, MCA Implementing statute(s): 37-50-204, 37-50-302, 37-50-303, MCA History: NEW, 2004 MAR p. 643, Eff. 3/26/04; TRANS, from Commerce, 2005 MAR p. 2668; AMD, 2009 MAR p. 9, Eff. 1/16/09; AMD, 2014 MAR p. 2849, Eff. 1…

24.201.527 SUBSTANTIAL EQUIVALENCY The board adopts and incorporates by reference the 2025 substantial equivalency list for the Board of Public Accountants publication. The publication is available on the board’s website. The board intends to review the publication annually. Howe…

24.201.528 OUT-OF-STATE LICENSEES SEEKING A MONTANA LICENSE The board may issue a license to a license holder of an active, current, and unrestricted license from a substantially equivalent jurisdiction who: files a complete application; provides verification of licensure from ju…

24.201.529 FOREIGN LICENSEES SEEKING A MONTANA LICENSE A foreign-licensed applicant must meet the requirements established under ARM 24.201.503, or for those applicants holding a foreign accounting credential that is covered by a currently valid MRA with IQAB, meet the following …

24.201.531 PRACTICE PRIVILEGE A certified public accountant who is licensed in a jurisdiction that has licensing standards that are substantially equivalent to Montana's standards, or who meets the individual substantial equivalent standards, may practice under the practice privi…

24.201.532 NONROUTINE APPLICATIONS For the purpose of processing nonroutine applications, the board incorporates the definitions of routine and nonroutine at ARM 24.101.402 by reference. Further, applications in which staff is unable to determine whether the experience requiremen…

24.201.533 APPLICANTS WITH CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS The board incorporates ARM 24.101.406 byreference with no modifications. Authorizing statute(s): 37-1-131, MCA Implementing statute(s): 37-1-101, 37-1-131, MCA History: NEW, 2021 MAR p. 556, Eff. 5/15/21.

24.201.535 INACTIVE TO ACTIVE LICENSE - RESTORATION A licensee who holds a license in good standing but is not currently practicing public accounting may place the license on inactive status by informing the board office, in writing, that an inactive status is desired. It is the …

24.201.536 REQUIREMENTS FOR PREVIOUSLY HELD CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, AND/OR PERMITS TO PRACTICE (REPEALED) Authorizing statute(s): 37-50-203, MCA Implementing statute(s): 37-1-141, 37-50-310, 37-50-314, MCA History: NEW, 2009 MAR p. 9, Eff. 1/16/09; REP, 2014 MAR p. 2849, Eff. 11/…

24.201.537 RETIRED STATUS A licensee who is fully retired from active employment in the practice of public accounting may submit a retired status request to the board if the licensee: holds a license in good standing; and is at least 60 years of age; or has held a license in good…