Anyone intended to provide financial services, including preparation and examination of tax records or financial statements in the State of New York, must obtain a Certified Public Accountant license from the Board of Regents. The Board is under the direction of the Office of the Professions, and is tasked with handling the CPA licensing process, maintaining professional standards and pursuing disciplinary matters. Candidates must meet educational and experience requirements, and then pass an exam to obtain the CPA license; however, licensure by endorsement may apply for qualified applicants. Recently passed Mobility Legislation does allow for CPAs licensed in another state to provide limited services in New York under designated circumstances.

Obtaining a license

General

All individuals seeking to be licensed as a Certified Public Accountant must meet the minimum requirements as established by the Board, which include:

• Possessing good moral character;
• Having attained the age of 21 or older;
• Meeting education requirements;
• Acquiring proper experience; and,
• Filing an application.

Education requirements

To meet the education requirements for a CPA license, you must complete:

• An accounting program that qualifies as being Board-approved;
• An accounting program that is accredited by an accrediting institution approved by the Board (Refer to the Inventory of Registered Programs to determine whether a particular program is acceptable);
• A program approved by the Board as being the equivalent of an approved accounting program, after thorough review of official transcripts;

OR,

• At least 15 years of experience as a public accountant, as determined by the Board.

Examination requirements

Candidates for CPA licensure must complete one of the examinations approved by the Board.

• The Board recognizes the Uniform CPA Examination, as administered and graded by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
• The New York examination, administered by a division of the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy, which consists of four parts:
• Auditing and attestation of documents;
• Financial reporting;
• Professional regulation; and,
• Business concepts.

Each of the test portions can be taken individually; however, all sections must be completed within a rolling 18 months period. Candidates must apply to sit for the NYS exam by submitting an application with proper fees, and must supply documentation to support completion of the educational requirements.

Experience requirements

Those applicants for a CPA license who achieved educational requirements through a Board-approved accounting program must complete minimum experience levels. Candidates must submit evidence establishing one year of full time experience, or the part time equivalent, in providing accounting services involving the principles of accounting, attestation, financial advisory, tax, consulting, or other related concepts. Experience may be obtained at a public accounting firm, government agency, private entity or educational institution.

CPA license candidates who qualify under the 15 years of experience educational requirement do not need to supply any additional experience.

Maintaining a license

Renewal

Once a CPA license has been issued by the Board, it will be considered valid forever unless revoked or annulled for disciplinary reasons. However, the license must still be registered every three years so long as the licensee is still providing public accounting services. In order to renew registration applicants must:

• Complete the proper application;
• Submit a fee in the amount of $210 dollars; and,
• Supply proof of mandatory education requirements.

Mandatory education requirements

CPA license holders must complete minimum mandatory education requirements in order to renew their registration:

• Attend acceptable formal continuing education hours in each of the three calendar years prior to their renewal period; and,
• Complete four hours of acceptable professional ethics training during the three year period prior to renewal.

Disciplinary actions

The Board has established a set of rules regarding Unprofessional Conduct, violations of which may be subject to discipline. Misconduct can result in license probation, suspension or revocation.

Mobility legislation

A law that went into effect in November 2011 provides a “practice privilege” for CPAs who are licensed in other states if the other state maintains substantially equivalent licensing mandates as New York. The exception applies to CPAs whose primary place of business is in another state, and services must be provided through registered accounting firm holding the proper license issued by the Board. Services are limited to compilation or attest services performed in the state. Prior to the enactment of the mobility legislation, CPAs with out-of-state licenses were required to apply for a temporary permit to perform these services.