The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) are seeking public comment over the next 60 days on proposed changes to the accounting profession’s model law, the Uniform Accountancy Act, that would create an additional path to CPA licensure.
Comments on the proposed changes are due May 3, 2025, and can be submitted through this form. All comments will be published following the 60-day exposure period.
The proposed changes to the Uniform Accountancy Act would:
- Enable states to adopt a third licensure pathway that requires earning a bachelor’s degree with an accounting concentration, completing two years of professional experience as defined by state board rule, and passing the CPA exam.
- Shift to an “individual-based” mobility model, which allows CPAs to practice in other states with just one license.
- Add safe harbor language to ensure CPAs who meet existing licensure requirements preserve practice privileges.
“These updates reflect feedback gathered during a late 2024 exposure draft period and forward-looking solutions being advanced by state CPA societies and boards of accountancy to increase flexibility for licensure candidates while maintaining the integrity of the CPA license,” the AICPA and NASBA said in a press release on March 4.
The Uniform Accountancy Act provides state legislatures and boards of accountancy with a national model that can be adopted in full or in part to meet the licensure needs of each jurisdiction.
The proposal would maintain the existing two pathways to CPA licensure:
- Earning a master’s degree with an accounting concentration, completing one year of professional experience as defined by state board rule, and passing the CPA exam.
- Earning a bachelor’s degree with an accounting concentration, plus an additional 30 semester credit hours, completing one year of professional experience as defined by state board rule, and passing the CPA exam.
The proposal from the AICPA and NASBA, which was introduced last month, comes at a time when discussions have heated up about whether the 150-hour rule for CPA licensure has contributed to the pipeline of accountants drying up in recent years. Because CPA candidates must complete 150 semester credit hours of education—30 credits beyond the typical 120 credit hours earned in a four-year undergraduate degree—many CPAs end up spending five years in college instead of four.
Several states have laid out their own legislative proposals on alternate pathways for CPA licensure. In early January, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed legislation that provides two alternate pathways for accountants pursuing the credential and improves existing CPA interstate mobility laws. And in February, the Virginia House and Senate passed legislation that introduces a new pathway to CPA licensure, set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2026.
Related article:
AICPA, NASBA Share Plans for Additional Pathway to CPA Licensure
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Tags: Accounting, accounting education, AICPA, CPA exam, CPA licensure, NASBA
