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, including an accounting concentration, or a baccalaureate degree with an accounting concentration. Additionally, for those with a baccalaureate degree, the bill introduces a requirement to complete two years of experience as determined by board rule. Other existing requirements, such as passing the uniform CPA examination and meeting work experience criteria, remain unchanged.

The bill also modifies provisions regarding the acceptance of CPA examination results from other states. It allows 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 another state if the standards are equal to or higher than Texas's standards. 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)