The proposed bill would significantly update the statutes governing Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) in Arizona by revising the requirements for applicants and the responsibilities of the Arizona State Board of Accountancy. It would remove the requirement for applicants to have at least 2,000 hours of experience in accounting practice and the completion of 150 semester hours of specified accounting courses, replacing it with new criteria that require either a baccalaureate degree with two years of experience, a baccalaureate degree plus 30 additional semester hours with one year of experience, or a postbaccalaureate degree with one year of experience. The bill would also eliminate the alternative certification requirement for applicants with a certificate or license from another jurisdiction and introduce new criteria based on their employment history as a CPA. Additionally, it would revise the Board's responsibilities to include investigating complaints and approving inactive status requests. Moreover, the bill would clarify definitions related to accounting practice, adjust the registration fee structure, and establish conditions for fee waivers for individuals with disabilities. It would also modify the language regarding relinquishment and reinstatement of certificates, emphasizing the board's authority in disciplinary proceedings and the confidentiality of investigations. The effective date for these changes would be December 31, 2026, and the act would be formally titled the "Certified Public Accounting Act of 2026." Overall, these updates aim to modernize the regulatory framework for CPAs in Arizona, ensuring clarity and efficiency in the certification process.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 32-701, 32-703, 32-721, 32-723, 32-725, 32-729, 32-730, 32-730.02, 32-730.06, 32-731, 32-732, 32-741, 32-741.01, 32-741.02, 32-742, 32-743, 32-749, 32-702, 32-730.04, 32-730.01, 41-1080, 32-4302, 32-4301, 41-1092.08
House Engrossed Version: 32-701, 32-703, 32-721, 32-723, 32-725, 32-729, 32-730, 32-730.02, 32-730.06, 32-731, 32-732, 32-741, 32-741.01, 32-741.02, 32-742, 32-743, 32-749, 32-702, 32-730.04, 32-730.01, 41-1080, 32-4302, 32-4301, 41-1092.08