S.B. No. 262 amends the eligibility requirements for individuals seeking to practice public accountancy in Texas. The bill specifies that to receive a certificate, applicants must complete either at least 150 semester hours or quarter-hour equivalents in board-recognized courses with an accounting concentration or a baccalaureate degree with an accounting concentration, both of which must meet the education requirements established under Section 901.254. Additionally, for those with a baccalaureate degree, the bill introduces a new requirement that they must complete two years of experience as determined by board rule.

The bill also modifies the acceptance criteria for the uniform CPA examination from other states, allowing the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy to accept examination results if the applicant met the requirements in effect in Texas at the time the credit was earned. Furthermore, it clarifies that the board may accept partial completion of the CPA examination from other states if the standards are equal to or higher than those prescribed by Texas law or its rules. The Texas State Board of Public Accountancy is tasked with adopting necessary rules to implement these changes, which will take effect on August 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Occupations Code 901.252, Occupations Code 901.256, Occupations Code 901.258, Occupations Code 901.312 (Occupations Code 901)
Senate Committee Report: Occupations Code 901.252, Occupations Code 901.256, Occupations Code 901.258, Occupations Code 901.312 (Occupations Code 901)
Engrossed: Occupations Code 901.252, Occupations Code 901.256, Occupations Code 901.258, Occupations Code 901.312 (Occupations Code 901)
House Committee Report: Occupations Code 901.252, Occupations Code 901.256, Occupations Code 901.258, Occupations Code 901.312 (Occupations Code 901)
Enrolled: Occupations Code 901.252, Occupations Code 901.256, Occupations Code 901.258, Occupations Code 901.312 (Occupations Code 901)