Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 160
By the Committee on Regulated Industries; and Senators Gruters
and Boyd
580-02000-25 2025160c1
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to public accountancy; amending s.
3 473.301, F.S.; making a technical change regarding the
4 purpose of ch. 473, F.S.; amending s. 473.302, F.S.;
5 deleting the definition of the term “Uniform
6 Accountancy Act”; amending s. 473.3035, F.S.;
7 authorizing the Board of Accountancy to contract with
8 certain corporations not for profit for the
9 performance of certain duties assigned to the Division
10 of Certified Public Accounting of the Department of
11 Business and Professional Regulation; amending s.
12 473.306, F.S.; conforming a cross-reference; making a
13 technical change; amending s. 473.308, F.S.; revising
14 the education and work experience requirements for a
15 certified public accountant license; directing the
16 board to prescribe specified coursework for licensure;
17 revising requirements for licensure by endorsement;
18 revising requirements for licensure of international
19 applicants; deleting obsolete language; amending s.
20 473.312, F.S.; revising requirements for the approval
21 of providers who administer continuing education on
22 ethics for certified public accountants; requiring the
23 board to give preference to certain providers;
24 amending s. 473.3141, F.S.; revising requirements for
25 certified public accountants licensed in another state
26 or a territory of the United States to practice in
27 this state without obtaining a license; reenacting s.
28 473.311(1)(b), F.S., relating to renewal of license,
29 to incorporate the amendment made to s. 473.312, F.S.,
30 in references thereto; providing effective dates.
31
32 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
33
34 Section 1. Section 473.301, Florida Statutes, is amended to
35 read:
36 473.301 Purpose.—The Legislature recognizes that there is a
37 public need for independent and objective certified public
38 accountants and that it is necessary to regulate the practice of
39 public accounting to assure the minimum competence of
40 practitioners and the accuracy of audit statements upon which
41 the public relies and to protect the public from dishonest
42 practitioners and, therefore, deems it necessary in the interest
43 of public welfare to regulate the practice of public accountancy
44 in this state.
45 Section 2. Subsection (9) of section 473.302, Florida
46 Statutes, is amended to read:
47 473.302 Definitions.—As used in this chapter, the term:
48 (9) “Uniform Accountancy Act” means the Uniform Accountancy
49 Act, Eighth Edition, dated January 2018 and published by the
50 American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the
51 National Association of State Boards of Accountancy.
52
53 However, these terms shall not include services provided by the
54 American Institute of Certified Public Accountants or the
55 Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants, or any full
56 service association of certified public accounting firms whose
57 plans of administration have been approved by the board, to
58 their members or services performed by these entities in
59 reviewing the services provided to the public by members of
60 these entities.
61 Section 3. Subsection (1) of section 473.3035, Florida
62 Statutes, is amended to read:
63 473.3035 Division of Certified Public Accounting.—
64 (1) All services concerning this chapter, including, but
65 not limited to, recordkeeping services, examination services,
66 legal services, and investigative services, and those services
67 in chapter 455 necessary to perform the duties of this chapter
68 are assigned to shall be provided by the Division of Certified
69 Public Accounting. The board may, by majority vote, delegate
70 such a duty or duties to the appropriate division within the
71 department or contract pursuant to part I of chapter 287 for the
72 performance of such duties by corporations not for profit
73 organized before 2024 under chapter 617. The board may, by
74 majority vote, rescind any such delegation of duties at any
75 time.
76 Section 4. Effective January 1, 2026, subsection (3) of
77 section 473.306, Florida Statutes, is amended, and subsection
78 (4) of that section is republished, to read:
79 473.306 Examinations.—
80 (3) An applicant is entitled to take the licensure
81 examination to practice in this state as a certified public
82 accountant if:
83 (a) The applicant has completed 120 semester hours or 180
84 quarter hours from an accredited college or university with a
85 concentration in accounting and business courses as prescribed
86 specified by the board by rule; and
87 (b) The applicant shows that she or he has good moral
88 character. For purposes of this paragraph, the term “good moral
89 character” has the same meaning as provided in s. 473.308(6)(a)
90 s. 473.308(7)(a). The board may refuse to allow an applicant to
91 take the licensure examination for failure to satisfy this
92 requirement if:
93 1. The board finds a reasonable relationship between the
94 lack of good moral character of the applicant and the
95 professional responsibilities of a certified public accountant;
96 and
97 2. The finding by the board of lack of good moral character
98 is supported by competent substantial evidence.
99
100 If an applicant is found pursuant to this paragraph to be
101 unqualified to take the licensure examination because of a lack
102 of good moral character, the board must shall furnish to the
103 applicant a statement containing the findings of the board, a
104 complete record of the evidence upon which the determination was
105 based, and a notice of the rights of the applicant to a
106 rehearing and appeal.
107 (4) The board shall have the authority to establish the
108 standards for determining and shall determine:
109 (a) What constitutes a passing grade for each subject or
110 part of the licensure examination;
111 (b) Which educational institutions, in addition to the
112 universities in the State University System of Florida, shall be
113 deemed to be accredited colleges or universities;
114 (c) What courses and number of hours constitute a major in
115 accounting; and
116 (d) What courses and number of hours constitute additional
117 accounting courses acceptable under s. 473.308(4).
118 Section 5. Effective January 1, 2026, subsections (4)
119 through (10) of section 473.308, Florida Statutes, are amended
120 to read:
121 473.308 Licensure.—
122 (4)(a) An applicant for licensure must do at least one of
123 the following:
124 1. Complete have at least 150 semester hours of college
125 education, including a baccalaureate or higher degree conferred
126 by an accredited college or university, with a concentration in
127 accounting and business as prescribed by the board in the total
128 educational program to the extent specified by the board.
129 2. Hold a master’s degree in accounting or finance
130 conferred by an accredited college or university with a
131 concentration in accounting and business as prescribed by the
132 board.
133 3. Hold a baccalaureate degree in accounting or finance
134 conferred by an accredited college or university with a
135 concentration in accounting and business as prescribed by the
136 board.
137 4. Hold a baccalaureate degree in any major course of study
138 conferred by an accredited college or university and have
139 completed coursework required for a concentration in accounting
140 and business as prescribed by the board.
141 (b) The board shall prescribe the coursework required for a
142 concentration in accounting and business. The board may deem an
143 applicant to have satisfied requirements for such coursework if
144 the applicant receives a baccalaureate or higher degree in
145 accounting or finance conferred by an accredited college or
146 university in a state or territory of the United States. An
147 applicant receiving a baccalaureate or higher degree with a
148 major course of study other than accounting or finance must
149 complete the coursework required for a concentration in
150 accounting and business as prescribed by the board.
151 (5)(a) An applicant for licensure who completes the
152 education requirements under subparagraph (4)(a)1. or
153 subparagraph (4)(a)2. after December 31, 2008, must show that he
154 or she has had 1 year of work experience. An applicant who
155 completes the education requirements under subparagraph (4)(a)3.
156 or subparagraph (4)(a)4. must show 2 years of work experience.
157 (b) Such work This experience includes shall include
158 providing any type of service or advice involving the use of
159 accounting, attest, compilation, management advisory, financial
160 advisory, tax, or consulting skills, all of which must be
161 verified by a certified public accountant who is licensed by a
162 state or territory of the United States. This experience is
163 acceptable if it was gained through employment in government,
164 industry, academia, or public practice; constituted a
165 substantial part of the applicant’s duties; and was verified by
166 a certified public accountant licensed by a state or territory
167 of the United States. The board shall adopt rules specifying
168 standards and providing for the review and approval of the work
169 experience required by this subsection section.
170 (b) However, an applicant who completed the requirements of
171 subsection (4) on or before December 31, 2008, and who passes
172 the licensure examination on or before June 30, 2010, is exempt
173 from the requirements of this subsection.
174 (6)(a) An applicant for licensure must shall show that he
175 or she the applicant has good moral character. For purposes of
176 this paragraph, the term
177 (7)(a) “good moral character” means a personal history of
178 honesty, fairness, and respect for the rights of others and for
179 the laws of this state and nation.
180 (b) The board may refuse to certify an applicant for
181 failure to satisfy this requirement if:
182 1. The board finds a reasonable relationship between the
183 lack of good moral character of the applicant and the
184 professional responsibilities of a certified public accountant;
185 and
186 2. The finding by the board of lack of good moral character
187 is supported by competent substantial evidence.
188 (c) When an applicant is found to be unqualified for a
189 license because of a lack of good moral character, the board
190 shall furnish to the applicant a statement containing the
191 findings of the board, a complete record of the evidence upon
192 which the determination was based, and a notice of the rights of
193 the applicant to a rehearing and appeal.
194 (7)(8) The board shall certify as qualified for a license
195 by endorsement an applicant who:
196 (a) Is not licensed and has not been licensed in any state
197 or territory and who has met the requirements of this section
198 for education, work experience, and good moral character and has
199 passed a national, regional, state, or territorial licensing
200 examination that is substantially equivalent to the examination
201 required by s. 473.306; or
202 (b)1. holds an active a valid license in good standing to
203 practice public accounting issued by another state or a
204 territory of the United States, if the applicant has maintained
205 good moral character and, at the time of licensure by such other
206 state or territory, the applicant was required to show evidence
207 of having obtained at least a baccalaureate degree from an
208 accredited college or university and having passed the Uniform
209 CPA Examination criteria for issuance of such license were
210 substantially equivalent to the licensure criteria that existed
211 in this state at the time the license was issued;
212 2. Holds a valid license to practice public accounting
213 issued by another state or territory of the United States but
214 the criteria for issuance of such license did not meet the
215 requirements of subparagraph 1.; has met the requirements of
216 this section for education, work experience, and good moral
217 character; and has passed a national, regional, state, or
218 territorial licensing examination that is substantially
219 equivalent to the examination required by s. 473.306; or
220 3. Holds a valid license to practice public accounting
221 issued by another state or territory of the United States for at
222 least 10 years before the date of application; has passed a
223 national, regional, state, or territorial licensing examination
224 that is substantially equivalent to the examination required by
225 s. 473.306; and has met the requirements of this section for
226 good moral character.
227 (8)(9) An international applicant who seeks licensure as a
228 certified public accountant in this state must do at least one
229 of the following:
230 (a) Hold an active license in good standing to If the
231 applicant has at least 5 years of experience in the practice of
232 public accountancy in the United States or in the practice of
233 public accountancy or its equivalent in a foreign country that
234 the International Qualifications Appraisal Board of the National
235 Association of State Boards of Accountancy has determined has
236 licensure standards that are substantially equivalent to those
237 in the United States, or has at least 5 years of work experience
238 that meets the requirements of subsection (5), the board must
239 waive the requirements of subsection (4) which are in excess of
240 a baccalaureate degree. All experience that is used as a basis
241 for waiving the requirements of subsection (4) must be while
242 licensed as a certified public accountant by another state or
243 territory of the United States or while licensed in the practice
244 of public accounting, accountancy or its equivalent, in a
245 foreign country that the International Qualifications Appraisal
246 Board of the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy
247 has determined has licensure standards equal that are
248 substantially equivalent to those in the United States and has
249 passed an exam pursuant to s. 473.306(5).
250 (b) Hold an active license in good standing to practice
251 public accounting, or its equivalent, in a foreign country that
252 the International Qualifications Appraisal Board of the National
253 Association of State Boards of Accountancy has not determined
254 has licensure standards equal to those in the United States and
255 has met the requirements for education, work experience, and
256 good moral character under subsections (4), (5), and (6) and has
257 passed the Uniform CPA exam. The board shall have the authority
258 to establish the standards for experience that meet this
259 requirement.
260 (9)(10) The board may refuse to certify for licensure any
261 applicant who is under investigation in another state for any
262 act that would constitute a violation of this act or chapter
263 455, until such time as the investigation is complete and
264 disciplinary proceedings are have been terminated.
265 Section 6. Paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of section
266 473.312, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
267 473.312 Continuing education.—
268 (1)
269 (c) At least Not less than 5 percent of the total hours
270 required by the board must shall be in ethics applicable to the
271 practice of public accounting. This requirement shall be
272 administered by providers approved by the board, and a majority
273 of the hours must shall include a review of the provisions of
274 chapter 455 and this chapter and the related administrative
275 rules. Such requirement must be administered by reputable
276 providers determined by the board. The board shall give
277 preference to corporations not for profit organized under
278 chapter 617 who are exempt from taxation under s. 501(c)(6) of
279 the Internal Revenue Code and who demonstrate their experience,
280 integrity, knowledge, practice, professional responsibility, and
281 representation of the largest numbers of certified public
282 accountants in this state.
283 Section 7. Effective January 1, 2026, subsections (1) and
284 (3) of section 473.3141, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
285 473.3141 Certified public accountants licensed in other
286 states.—
287 (1) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, An
288 individual who holds an active license in good standing to
289 practice public accounting in another state or a territory of
290 the United States and who does not have an office in this state
291 has the privileges of Florida certified public accountants and
292 may provide public accounting services in this state without
293 obtaining a license under this chapter or notifying or
294 registering with the board or paying a fee if, at the time of
295 licensure by such other state or territory, the individual was
296 required to show evidence of having obtained at least a
297 baccalaureate degree and having passed the Uniform CPA
298 Examination:
299 (a) Holds a valid license as a certified public accountant
300 from a state that the board or its designee has determined by
301 rule to have adopted standards that are substantially equivalent
302 to the certificate requirements in s. 5 of the Uniform
303 Accountancy Act in the issuance of licenses; or
304 (b) Holds a valid license as a certified public accountant
305 from a state that has not been approved by the board as having
306 adopted standards in substantial equivalence with s. 5 of the
307 Uniform Accountancy Act, but obtains verification from the
308 board, or its designee, as determined by rule, that the
309 individual’s certified public accountant qualifications are
310 substantially equivalent to the certificate requirements in s. 5
311 of the Uniform Accountancy Act.
312
313 The board shall define by rule what constitutes an office.
314 (3) An individual certified public accountant from another
315 state or a territory of the United States who practices pursuant
316 to this section, and the firm that employs that individual, must
317 shall both consent, as a condition of the privilege of
318 practicing in this state:
319 (a) To the personal and subject matter jurisdiction and
320 disciplinary authority of the board;
321 (b) To comply with this chapter and the applicable board
322 rules;
323 (c) That if the individual’s license as a certified public
324 accountant from another the state or a territory of the United
325 States becomes invalid of the individual’s principal place of
326 business is no longer valid, the individual must will cease
327 offering or rendering public accounting services in this state,
328 individually and on behalf of a firm; and
329 (d) To the appointment of the state board that issued the
330 individual’s license as the agent upon whom process may be
331 served in any action or proceeding by the board or department
332 against the individual or firm.
333 Section 8. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
334 made by this act to section 473.312, Florida Statutes, in
335 references thereto, paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section
336 473.311, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
337 473.311 Renewal of license.—
338 (1)
339 (b) A nonresident licensee seeking renewal of a license in
340 this state shall be determined to have met the continuing
341 education requirements in s. 473.312, except for the
342 requirements in s. 473.312(1)(c), if the licensee has complied
343 with the continuing education requirements applicable in the
344 state in which his or her office is located. If the state in
345 which the nonresident licensee’s office is located has no
346 continuing education requirements for license renewals, the
347 nonresident licensee must comply with the continuing education
348 requirements in s. 473.312.
349 Section 9. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this
350 act, this act shall take effect July 1, 2025.