(Effective until July 1, 2024)
Definitions.
For purposes of these rules the following terms have the meanings indicated unless a different meaning is otherwise clearly provided in these rules:
"Act" means the Public Accountancy Act codified as chapter
18.04 RCW.
"Active individual participant" means an individual whose primary occupation is at the firm or affiliated entity's business. An individual whose primary source of income from the business entity is provided as a result of passive investment is not an active individual participant.
"Applicant" means an individual who has applied:
(a) To take the national uniform CPA examination;
(b) For an initial individual license, an initial firm license, or initial registration as a resident nonlicensee owner;
(c) To renew an individual license, a CPA-Inactive certificate, a CPA firm license, or registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner;
(d) To reinstate an individual license, a CPA-Inactive certificate, registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner, or practice privileges.
"Attest" means providing the following services:
(a) Any audit or other engagement to be performed in accordance with the statements on auditing standards;
(b) Any review of a financial statement to be provided in accordance with the statements on standards for accounting and review services;
(c) Any engagement to be performed in accordance with the statements on standards for attestation engagements; and
(d) Any engagement to be performed in accordance with the public company accounting oversight board auditing standards.
"Audit," "review," and "compilation" are terms reserved for use by licensees, as defined in this section.
"Board" means the board of accountancy created by RCW
18.04.035.
"Breach of fiduciary responsibilities/duties" means when a person who has a fiduciary responsibility or duty acts in a manner adverse or contrary to the interests of the person to whom they owe the fiduciary responsibility or duty. Such actions would include profiting from their relationship without the express informed consent of the beneficiary of the fiduciary relationship, or engaging in activities that represent a conflict of interest with the beneficiary of the fiduciary relationship.
"Certificate" means a certificate as a CPA-Inactive issued in the state of Washington prior to July 1, 2001, as authorized by the act, unless otherwise defined in rule.
"Certificate holder" means the holder of a valid CPA-Inactive certificate where the individual is not a licensee and is prohibited from practicing public accounting.
"Client" means the person or entity that retains a licensee, as defined in this section, a CPA-Inactive certificate holder, a nonlicensee firm owner of a licensed firm, or an entity affiliated with a licensed firm to perform professional services through other than an employer/employee relationship.
"Compilation" means providing a service to be performed in accordance with statements on standards for accounting and review services that is presenting in the form of financial statements, information that is the representation of management (owners) without undertaking to express any assurance on the statements.
"CPA" or
"certified public accountant" means an individual holding a license to practice public accounting under chapter
18.04 RCW or recognized by the board in the state of Washington, including an individual exercising practice privileges pursuant to RCW
18.04.350(2).
"CPA-Inactive" means an individual holding a CPA-Inactive certificate recognized in the state of Washington. An individual holding a CPA-Inactive certificate is prohibited from practicing public accounting and may only use the CPA-Inactive title if they are not offering accounting, tax, tax consulting, management advisory, or similar services to the public.
"CPE" means continuing professional education.
"Fiduciary responsibility/duty" means a relationship wherein one person agrees to act solely in another person's interests. Persons having such a relationship are fiduciaries and the persons to whom they owe the responsibility are principals. A person acting in a fiduciary capacity is held to a high standard of honesty and disclosure in regard to a principal. Examples of fiduciary relationships include those between broker and client, trustee and beneficiary, executors or administrators and the heirs of a decedent's estate, and an officer or director and the owners of the entity.
"Firm" means a sole proprietorship, a corporation, or a partnership. "Firm" also means a limited liability company or partnership formed under chapters
25.15 and
18.100 RCW and a professional service corporation formed under chapters
23B.02 and
18.100 RCW.
"Firm mobility" means an out-of-state firm that is not licensed by the board and meets the requirements of RCW
18.04.195 (1)(a)(iii)(A) through (D) exercising practice privileges in this state.
"Generally accepted accounting principles" (GAAP) is an accounting term that encompasses the conventions, rules, and procedures necessary to define accepted accounting practice at a particular time. It includes not only broad guidelines of general application, but also detailed practices and procedures. Those conventions, rules, and procedures provide a standard by which to measure financial presentations.
"Generally accepted auditing standards" (GAAS) are guidelines and procedures, promulgated by the AICPA, for conducting individual audits of historical financial statements.
"Holding out" means any representation to the public by the use of restricted titles as set forth in RCW
18.04.345 by a person that the person holds a license or practice privileges under the act and that the person offers to perform any professional services to the public. "Holding out" shall not affect or limit a person not required to hold a license under the act from engaging in practices identified in RCW
18.04.350.
"Inactive" means the individual held a valid certificate on June 30, 2001, has not met the current requirements of licensure and has been granted CPA-Inactive certificate holder status through the renewal process established by the board. A CPA-Inactive may not practice public accounting nor may the individual use the CPA-Inactive title if they are offering accounting, tax, tax consulting, management advisory, or similar services to the public.
"Individual" means a living, human being.
"Independence" means an absence of relationships that impair a licensee's impartiality and objectivity in rendering professional services for which a report expressing assurance is prescribed by professional standards.
"Interactive self-study program" means a CPE program that provides feedback throughout the course.
"IRS" means Internal Revenue Service.
"License" means a license to practice public accounting issued to an individual or a firm under the act or the act of another state.
"Licensee" means an individual or firm holding a valid license to practice public accounting issued under the act, including out-of-state individuals exercising practice privileges in this state under RCW
18.04.350(2) and out-of-state firms permitted to offer or render certain professional services in this state under the conditions prescribed in RCW
18.04.195 (1)(a) and (b).
"Manager" means a manager of a limited liability company licensed as a firm under the act.
"Nano learning" is a stand-alone continuing professional education (CPE) course that is a minimum of 10 minutes (0.2 CPE credit hours) consisting of electronic self-study with a stated learning objective and a minimum of two final assessment questions.
"NASBA" means the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy.
"Nonlicensee firm owner" means an individual, not licensed in any state to practice public accounting, who holds an ownership interest in a firm permitted to practice public accounting in this state.
"PCAOB" means Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.
"Peer review" means a study, appraisal, or review of one or more aspects of the attest or compilation work of a licensee or licensed firm in the practice of public accounting, by a person or persons who hold licenses and who are not affiliated with the person or firm being reviewed, including a peer review, or any internal review or inspection intended to comply with quality control policies and procedures, but not including the "quality assurance review" under this section.
"Person" means any individual, nongovernmental organization, or business entity regardless of legal form, including a sole proprietorship, firm, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, association, or not-for-profit organization, and including the sole proprietor, partners, members, and, as applied to corporations, the officers.
"Practice privileges" are the rights granted by chapter
18.04 RCW to a person who:
(a) Has a principal place of business outside of Washington state;
(b) Is licensed to practice public accounting in another substantially equivalent state;
(c) Meets the statutory criteria for the exercise of privileges as set forth in RCW
18.04.350(2) for individuals or RCW
18.04.195 (1)(b) for firms;
(d) Exercises the right to practice public accounting in this state individually or on behalf of a firm;
(e) Is subject to the personal and subject matter jurisdiction and disciplinary authority of the board in this state;
(f) Must comply with the act and all board rules applicable to Washington state licensees to retain the privilege; and
(g) Consents to the appointment of the issuing state board of another state as agent for the service of process in any action or proceeding by this state's board against the certificate holder or licensee.
"Principal place of business" means the office location designated by the licensee for purposes of substantial equivalency and reciprocity.
"Professional services" include all services requiring accountancy or related skills that are performed for a client, an employer, or on a volunteer basis. These services include, but are not limited to, accounting, audit and other attest services, tax, bookkeeping, management consulting, financial management, corporate governance, personal financial planning, business valuation, litigation support, educational, and those services for which standards are promulgated by the appropriate body for each services undertaken.
"Public practice" or the
"practice of public accounting" means performing or offering to perform by a person or firm holding itself out to the public as a licensee, or as an individual exercising practice privileges, for a client or potential client, one or more kinds of services involving the use of accounting or auditing skills, including the issuance of "reports," or one or more kinds of management advisory, or consulting services, or the preparation of tax returns, or the furnishing of advice on tax matters. The "practice of public accounting" shall not include practices that are permitted under the provisions of RCW
18.04.350(10) by persons or firms not required to be licensed under the act.
"Quality assurance review or QAR" is the process, established by and conducted at the direction of the board, to study, appraise, or review one or more aspects of the audit, compilation, review, and other professional services for which a report expressing assurance is prescribed by professional standards of a licensee or licensed firm in the practice of public accounting, by a person or persons who hold licenses and who are not affiliated with the person or firm being reviewed.
"Reciprocity" means board recognition of licenses, permits, certificates or other public accounting credentials of another jurisdiction that the board will rely upon in full or partial satisfaction of licensing requirements.
"Report," when used with reference to any attest or compilation service, means an opinion, report, or other form of language that states or implies assurance as to the reliability of the attested information or compiled financial statements and that also includes or is accompanied by any statement or implication that the person or firm issuing it has special knowledge or competence in the practice of public accounting. Such a statement or implication of special knowledge or competence may arise from use by the issuer of the report of names or titles indicating that the person or firm is involved in the practice of public accounting, or from the language of the report itself. "Report" includes any form of language which disclaims an opinion when such form of language is conventionally understood to imply any positive assurance as to the reliability of the attested information or compiled financial statements referred to and/or special competence of the part of the person or firm issuing such language; and it includes any other form of language that is conventionally understood to imply such assurance and/or such special knowledge or competence. "Report" does not include services referenced in RCW
18.04.350 (10) or (11) provided by persons not holding a license under this chapter as provided in RCW
18.04.350(14).
"Representing oneself" means having a license, practice privilege, certificate or registration that entitles the holder to use the title "CPA," "CPA-Inactive," or be a nonlicensee firm owner.
"Rules of professional conduct" means rules adopted by the board to govern the conduct of licensees, as defined in this section, while representing themselves to others as licensees. These rules also govern the conduct of CPA-Inactive certificate holders, nonlicensee firm owners, and persons exercising practice privileges pursuant to RCW
18.04.350(2).
"SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
"Sole proprietorship" means a legal form of organization owned by one person meeting the requirements of RCW
18.04.195.
"State" includes the states and territories of the United States, including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the United States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands at such time as the board determines that the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands is issuing licenses under the substantially equivalent standards of RCW
18.04.350 (2)(a).
"Statements on auditing standards (SAS)" are interpretations of the generally accepted auditing standards and are issued by the Auditing Standards Board of the AICPA. Licensees are required to adhere to these standards in the performance of audits of financial statements.
"Statements on standards for accounting and review services (SSARS)" are standards, promulgated by the AICPA, to give guidance to licensees who are associated with the financial statements of nonpublic companies and issue compilation or review reports.
"Statements on standards for attestation engagements (SSAE)" are guidelines, promulgated by the AICPA, for use by licensees in attesting to assertions involving matters other than historical financial statements and for which no other standards exist.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055. WSR 23-04-085, § 4-30-010, filed 1/31/23, effective 3/3/23; WSR 19-16-074, § 4-30-010, filed 7/31/19, effective 1/1/20. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055 and 2017 c 304. WSR 18-04-071, § 4-30-010, filed 2/2/18, effective 3/5/18. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055. WSR 16-17-036, § 4-30-010, filed 8/9/16, effective 9/9/16. Statutory Authority: 18.04.055,
18.04.025,
18.04.350. WSR 10-24-009, amended and recodified as § 4-30-010, filed 11/18/10, effective 12/19/10. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055,
18.04.025. WSR 08-18-016, § 4-25-410, filed 8/25/08, effective 9/25/08. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055. WSR 05-01-137, § 4-25-410, filed 12/16/04, effective 1/31/05; WSR 03-24-033, § 4-25-410, filed 11/25/03, effective 12/31/03. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055(16). WSR 02-04-064, § 4-25-410, filed 1/31/02, effective 3/15/02. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055(11). WSR 01-11-124, § 4-25-410, filed 5/22/01, effective 6/30/01; WSR 98-12-020, § 4-25-410, filed 5/27/98, effective 6/27/98; WSR 94-23-071, § 4-25-410, filed 11/15/94, effective 12/16/94.]
(Effective July 1, 2024)
Definitions.
For purposes of these rules the following terms have the meanings indicated unless a different meaning is otherwise clearly provided in these rules:
"Act" means the Public Accountancy Act codified as chapter
18.04 RCW.
"Active individual participant" means an individual whose primary occupation is at the firm or affiliated entity's business. An individual whose primary source of income from the business entity is provided as a result of passive investment is not an active individual participant.
"Applicant" means an individual who has applied:
(a) To take the national uniform CPA examination;
(b) For an initial individual license, an initial firm license, or initial registration as a resident nonlicensee owner;
(c) To renew an individual license, a CPA firm license, or registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner;
(d) To reinstate an individual license or registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner;
(e) To convert an inactive license to an active license.
"Attest" means providing the following services:
(a) Any audit or other engagement to be performed in accordance with the statements on auditing standards;
(b) Any review of a financial statement to be provided in accordance with the statements on standards for accounting and review services;
(c) Any engagement to be performed in accordance with the statements on standards for attestation engagements; and
(d) Any engagement to be performed in accordance with the public company accounting oversight board auditing standards.
"Audit," "review," and "compilation" are terms reserved for use by licensees, as defined in this section.
"Board" means the board of accountancy created by RCW
18.04.035.
"Breach of fiduciary responsibilities/duties" means when a person who has a fiduciary responsibility or duty acts in a manner adverse or contrary to the interests of the person to whom they owe the fiduciary responsibility or duty. Such actions would include profiting from their relationship without the express informed consent of the beneficiary of the fiduciary relationship, or engaging in activities that represent a conflict of interest with the beneficiary of the fiduciary relationship.
"Certificate" issued under this act means an alternative license type previously issued by the board indicating that the certificate holder had passed the CPA examination, but had no verified experience, and was not fully licensed to practice public accounting. Certificates remained valid until June 30, 2024, at which time they convert to a CPA license in an inactive status. This definition does not include certificates issued by other jurisdictions which may be substantially equivalent to a Washington CPA license.
"Client" means the person or entity that retains a licensee, as defined in this section, a nonlicensee firm owner of a licensed firm or an entity affiliated with a licensed firm to perform professional services through other than an employer/employee relationship.
"Compilation" means providing a service to be performed in accordance with statements on standards for accounting and review services that is presenting in the form of financial statements, information that is the representation of management (owners) without undertaking to express any assurance on the statements.
"CPA" or
"certified public accountant" means an individual holding a license to practice public accounting under chapter
18.04 RCW or recognized by the board in the state of Washington, including an individual exercising practice privileges pursuant to RCW
18.04.350(2).
"CPE" means continuing professional education.
"Fiduciary responsibility/duty" means a relationship wherein one person agrees to act solely in another person's interests. Persons having such a relationship are fiduciaries and the persons to whom they owe the responsibility are principals. A person acting in a fiduciary capacity is held to a high standard of honesty and disclosure in regard to a principal. Examples of fiduciary relationships include those between broker and client, trustee and beneficiary, executors or administrators and the heirs of a decedent's estate, and an officer or director and the owners of the entity.
"Firm" means a sole proprietorship, a corporation, or a partnership. "Firm" also means a limited liability company or partnership formed under chapters
25.15 and
18.100 RCW and a professional service corporation formed under chapters
23B.02 and
18.100 RCW.
"Firm mobility" means an out-of-state firm that is not licensed by the board and meets the requirements of RCW
18.04.195 (1)(a)(iii)(A) through (D) exercising practice privileges in this state.
"Generally accepted accounting principles" (GAAP) is an accounting term that encompasses the conventions, rules, and procedures necessary to define accepted accounting practice at a particular time. It includes not only broad guidelines of general application, but also detailed practices and procedures. Those conventions, rules, and procedures provide a standard by which to measure financial presentations.
"Generally accepted auditing standards" (GAAS) are guidelines and procedures, promulgated by the AICPA, for conducting individual audits of historical financial statements.
"Holding out" means any representation to the public by the use of restricted titles as set forth in RCW
18.04.345 by a person that the person holds a license or practice privileges under the act and that the person offers to perform any professional services to the public. "Holding out" shall not affect or limit a person not required to hold a license under the act from engaging in practices identified in RCW
18.04.350.
"Inactive" means a status of a license which prohibits a licensee from practicing public accounting. A person holding an inactive license may apply to the board to convert the license to an active status through an approval process established by the board.
"Individual" means a living, human being.
"Independence" means an absence of relationships that impair a licensee's impartiality and objectivity in rendering professional services for which a report expressing assurance is prescribed by professional standards.
"Interactive self-study program" means a CPE program that provides feedback throughout the course.
"IRS" means Internal Revenue Service.
"License" means a license to practice public accounting issued to an individual or a firm under the act, or a license or certificate to practice public accounting in another state or jurisdiction.
"Licensee" means an individual or firm holding a valid license to practice public accounting issued under the act, and individuals holding licenses or certificates to practice public accounting granted by out-of-state jurisdiction who are allowed to exercise practice privileges in this state under RCW
18.04.350(2) and out-of-state firms permitted to offer or render certain professional services in this state under the conditions prescribed in RCW
18.04.195 (1)(a) and (b).
"Manager" means a manager of a limited liability company licensed as a firm under the act.
"Nano learning" is a stand-alone continuing professional education (CPE) course that is a minimum of 10 minutes (0.2 CPE credit hours) consisting of electronic self-study with a stated learning objective and a minimum of two final assessment questions.
"NASBA" means the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy.
"Nonlicensee firm owner" means an individual, not licensed in any state to practice public accounting, who holds an ownership interest in a firm permitted to practice public accounting in this state.
"PCAOB" means Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.
"Peer review" means a study, appraisal, or review of one or more aspects of the attest or compilation work of a licensee or licensed firm in the practice of public accounting, by a person or persons who hold licenses and who are not affiliated with the person or firm being reviewed, including a peer review, or any internal review or inspection intended to comply with quality control policies and procedures, but not including the "quality assurance review" under this section.
"Person" means any individual, nongovernmental organization, or business entity regardless of legal form, including a sole proprietorship, firm, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, association, or not-for-profit organization, and including the sole proprietor, partners, members, and, as applied to corporations, the officers.
"Practice privileges" are the rights granted by chapter
18.04 RCW to a person who:
(a) Has a principal place of business outside of Washington state;
(b) Is licensed to practice public accounting in another substantially equivalent state;
(c) Meets the statutory criteria for the exercise of privileges as set forth in RCW
18.04.350(2) for individuals or RCW
18.04.195 (1)(b) for firms;
(d) Exercises the right to practice public accounting in this state individually or on behalf of a firm;
(e) Is subject to the personal and subject matter jurisdiction and disciplinary authority of the board in this state;
(f) Must comply with the act and all board rules applicable to Washington state licensees to retain the privilege; and
(g) Consents to the appointment of the issuing state board of another state as agent for the service of process in any action or proceeding by this state's board against the certificate holder or licensee.
"Principal place of business" means the office location designated by the licensee for purposes of substantial equivalency and reciprocity.
"Professional services" include all services requiring accountancy or related skills that are performed for a client, an employer, or on a volunteer basis. These services include, but are not limited to, accounting, audit and other attest services, tax, bookkeeping, management consulting, financial management, corporate governance, personal financial planning, business valuation, litigation support, educational, and those services for which standards are promulgated by the appropriate body for each services undertaken.
"Public practice" or the
"practice of public accounting" means performing or offering to perform by a person or firm holding itself out to the public as a licensee, or as an individual exercising practice privileges, for a client or potential client, one or more kinds of services involving the use of accounting or auditing skills, including the issuance of "reports," or one or more kinds of management advisory, or consulting services, or the preparation of tax returns, or the furnishing of advice on tax matters. The "practice of public accounting" shall not include practices that are permitted under the provisions of RCW
18.04.350(10) by persons or firms not required to be licensed under the act.
"Quality assurance review or QAR" is the process, established by and conducted at the direction of the board, to study, appraise, or review one or more aspects of the audit, compilation, review, and other professional services for which a report expressing assurance is prescribed by professional standards of a licensee or licensed firm in the practice of public accounting, by a person or persons who hold licenses and who are not affiliated with the person or firm being reviewed.
"Reciprocity" means board recognition of licenses, permits, certificates or other public accounting credentials of another jurisdiction that the board will rely upon in full or partial satisfaction of licensing requirements.
"Report," when used with reference to any attest or compilation service, means an opinion, report, or other form of language that states or implies assurance as to the reliability of the attested information or compiled financial statements and that also includes or is accompanied by any statement or implication that the person or firm issuing it has special knowledge or competence in the practice of public accounting. Such a statement or implication of special knowledge or competence may arise from use by the issuer of the report of names or titles indicating that the person or firm is involved in the practice of public accounting, or from the language of the report itself. "Report" includes any form of language which disclaims an opinion when such form of language is conventionally understood to imply any positive assurance as to the reliability of the attested information or compiled financial statements referred to and/or special competence of the part of the person or firm issuing such language; and it includes any other form of language that is conventionally understood to imply such assurance and/or such special knowledge or competence. "Report" does not include services referenced in RCW
18.04.350 (10) or (11) provided by persons not holding a license under this chapter as provided in RCW
18.04.350(14).
"Representing oneself" means having a license, practice privilege, or registration that entitles the holder to use the title "CPA," "CPA-Inactive," or be a nonlicensee firm owner.
"Rules of professional conduct" means rules adopted by the board to govern the conduct of licensees, as defined in this section, while representing themselves to others as licensees. These rules also govern the conduct of licensees with an inactive status, nonlicensee firm owners, and persons exercising practice privileges pursuant to RCW
18.04.350(2).
"SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
"Sole proprietorship" means a legal form of organization owned by one person meeting the requirements of RCW
18.04.195.
"State" includes the states and territories of the United States, including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the United States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands at such time as the board determines that the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands is issuing licenses under the substantially equivalent standards of RCW
18.04.350 (2)(a).
"Statements on auditing standards (SAS)" are interpretations of the generally accepted auditing standards and are issued by the Auditing Standards Board of the AICPA. Licensees are required to adhere to these standards in the performance of audits of financial statements.
"Statements on standards for accounting and review services (SSARS)" are standards, promulgated by the AICPA, to give guidance to licensees who are associated with the financial statements of nonpublic companies and issue compilation or review reports.
"Statements on standards for attestation engagements (SSAE)" are guidelines, promulgated by the AICPA, for use by licensees in attesting to assertions involving matters other than historical financial statements and for which no other standards exist.
"Substantial equivalency" or "substantially equivalent" means a determination by the board or its designee that the education, examination, and experience requirements contained in the statutes and administrative rules of another jurisdiction are comparable to or exceed those listed in this chapter.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055. WSR 24-04-024, § 4-30-010, filed 1/29/24, effective 7/1/24; WSR 23-04-085, § 4-30-010, filed 1/31/23, effective 3/3/23; WSR 19-16-074, § 4-30-010, filed 7/31/19, effective 1/1/20. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055 and 2017 c 304. WSR 18-04-071, § 4-30-010, filed 2/2/18, effective 3/5/18. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055. WSR 16-17-036, § 4-30-010, filed 8/9/16, effective 9/9/16. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055,
18.04.025,
18.04.350. WSR 10-24-009, amended and recodified as § 4-30-010, filed 11/18/10, effective 12/19/10. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055,
18.04.025. WSR 08-18-016, § 4-25-410, filed 8/25/08, effective 9/25/08. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055. WSR 05-01-137, § 4-25-410, filed 12/16/04, effective 1/31/05; WSR 03-24-033, § 4-25-410, filed 11/25/03, effective 12/31/03. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055(16). WSR 02-04-064, § 4-25-410, filed 1/31/02, effective 3/15/02. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055(11). WSR 01-11-124, § 4-25-410, filed 5/22/01, effective 6/30/01; WSR 98-12-020, § 4-25-410, filed 5/27/98, effective 6/27/98; WSR 94-23-071, § 4-25-410, filed 11/15/94, effective 12/16/94.]
(Effective until July 1, 2024)
What are the authority for and the purpose of the board's rules?
The Public Accountancy Act (act), chapter
18.04 RCW, establishes the board as the licensing and disciplinary agency for certified public accountants (CPA), CPA-Inactive certificate holders, CPA firms, and owners of CPA firms. The act authorizes the board to promulgate rules to carry out the purpose of the act, which include:
• Protecting the public interest;
• Enhancing the reliability of information used for guidance in financial transactions or for accounting for or assessing financial status or performance;
• Establishing one set of qualifications to be a licensee of this state;
• Assuring that CPAs practicing in Washington have substantially equivalent qualifications to those practicing in other states;
• Regulating ownership of CPA firms;
• Publishing consumer alerts and public protection information regarding persons and firms who violate the act or board rules; and
• Providing general consumer protection information to the public.
The board's rules, contained in Title 4 WAC, encompass these subjects:
• Definitions;
• Administration of the board;
• Ethics and prohibited practices;
• Entry and renewal requirements;
• Continuing competency; and
• Regulation and enforcement.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055. WSR 11-07-070, § 4-30-020, filed 3/22/11, effective 4/22/11; WSR 10-24-009, recodified as § 4-30-020, filed 11/18/10, effective 12/19/10; WSR 08-18-016, § 4-25-400, filed 8/25/08, effective 9/25/08; WSR 05-01-137, § 4-25-400, filed 12/16/04, effective 1/31/05; WSR 01-22-036, § 4-25-400, filed 10/30/01, effective 12/1/01; WSR 00-11-067, § 4-25-400, filed 5/15/00, effective 6/30/00; WSR 93-12-063, § 4-25-400, filed 5/27/93, effective 7/1/93.]
(Effective July 1, 2024)
Authority and purpose of the board's rules.
The Public Accountancy Act (act), chapter
18.04 RCW, establishes the board as the licensing and disciplinary agency for certified public accountants (CPA), CPA firms, and owners of CPA firms. The act authorizes the board to promulgate rules to carry out the purpose of the act, which include:
• Protecting the public interest;
• Enhancing the reliability of information used for guidance in financial transactions or for accounting for or assessing financial status or performance;
• Establishing one set of qualifications to be a licensee of this state;
• Assuring that CPAs practicing in Washington have substantially equivalent qualifications to those practicing in other states;
• Regulating ownership of CPA firms;
• Publishing consumer alerts and public protection information regarding persons and firms who violate the act or board rules; and
• Providing general consumer protection information to the public.
The board's rules, contained in Title 4 WAC, encompass these subjects:
• Definitions;
• Administration of the board;
• Ethics and prohibited practices;
• Entry and renewal requirements;
• Continuing competency; and
• Regulation and enforcement.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055. WSR 24-04-024, § 4-30-020, filed 1/29/24, effective 7/1/24; WSR 11-07-070, § 4-30-020, filed 3/22/11, effective 4/22/11; WSR 10-24-009, recodified as § 4-30-020, filed 11/18/10, effective 12/19/10; WSR 08-18-016, § 4-25-400, filed 8/25/08, effective 9/25/08; WSR 05-01-137, § 4-25-400, filed 12/16/04, effective 1/31/05; WSR 01-22-036, § 4-25-400, filed 10/30/01, effective 12/1/01; WSR 00-11-067, § 4-25-400, filed 5/15/00, effective 6/30/00; WSR 93-12-063, § 4-25-400, filed 5/27/93, effective 7/1/93.]
(Effective until July 1, 2024)
Rules governing the formal adjudicative proceedings and the brief adjudicative proceedings before the board.
Except where they are inconsistent with the rules in this chapter and subject to additional rules that the board may adopt from time to time, adjudicative proceedings in and before the board are governed by the Administrative Procedure Act, chapter
34.05 RCW, and the uniform procedural rules codified in the Washington Administrative Code, chapter
10-08 WAC.
For certain types of decisions, the board has adopted an appeal process authorized by RCW
34.05.482 through
34.05.494 which is called a brief adjudicative proceeding. Decisions to which this appeal process will be applied are:
(1) Denials of initial individual license applications, renewals, or applications for reinstatement;
(2) Denials of CPA-Inactive certificate renewals or applications for reinstatement;
(3) Denials of initial resident nonlicensee firm owner registration applications, renewals, or applications or requests for reinstatement;
(4) Denials of initial firm license applications, renewals, and amendments;
(5) Denials of exam applications;
(6) A proposed suspension as a result of a determination by a lending agency of nonpayment or default on a federally or state-guaranteed student loan or service conditional scholarship; and
(7) Lifts of stays of suspension from a board order.
To appeal a decision you must submit your request for a brief adjudicative proceeding, in writing, to the board within 30 days after the decision by board staff is posted in the U.S. mail. The board chair or the board vice chair, if the board chair is unavailable, will appoint one member of the board as the presiding officer for brief adjudicative proceedings. The presiding officer renders a decision either upholding or overturning the denial. This decision, called an order, will be provided to you at the last address you furnished to the board.
If you are dissatisfied with the order in the brief adjudicative proceeding, you may appeal to the board's vice chair, or designee. This appeal process is called an administrative review. Your appeal must be received by the board, orally or in writing, within 21 days after the brief adjudicative proceedings order is posted in the U.S. mail. The vice chair, or designee, considers your appeal and either upholds or overturns the brief adjudicative proceeding order. The vice chair's, or designee's, decision, also called an order, will be provided to you at the last address you furnished to the board.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055. WSR 22-04-074, § 4-30-028, filed 1/31/22, effective 3/3/22. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055(1),
34.05.220, and
34.05.482. WSR 10-24-009, amended and recodified as § 4-30-028, filed 11/18/10, effective 12/19/10; WSR 08-18-016, § 4-25-540, filed 8/25/08, effective 9/25/08; WSR 05-01-137, § 4-25-540, filed 12/16/04, effective 1/31/05; WSR 02-04-064, § 4-25-540, filed 1/31/02, effective 3/15/02. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055(1) and
34.05.482. WSR 00-11-070, § 4-25-540, filed 5/15/00, effective 6/30/00; WSR 98-12-022, § 4-25-540, filed 5/27/98, effective 6/27/98. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055. WSR 93-12-074, § 4-25-540, filed 5/27/93, effective 7/1/93.]
(Effective July 1, 2024)
Formal adjudicative proceedings and brief adjudicative proceedings before the board.
Except where they are inconsistent with the rules in this chapter and subject to additional rules that the board may adopt from time to time, adjudicative proceedings in and before the board are governed by the Administrative Procedure Act, chapter
34.05 RCW, and the uniform procedural rules codified in the Washington Administrative Code, chapter 10-08 WAC.
For certain types of decisions, the board has adopted an appeal process authorized by RCW
34.05.482 through
34.05.494 which is called a brief adjudicative proceeding. Decisions to which this appeal process will be applied are:
(1) Denials of initial individual license, renewal, conversion, or reinstatement applications;
(2) Denials of initial resident nonlicensee firm owner registration applications, renewals, or applications or requests for reinstatement;
(3) Denials of initial firm license applications, renewals, and amendments;
(4) Denials of exam applications;
(5) A proposed suspension as a result of a determination by a lending agency of nonpayment or default on a federally or state-guaranteed student loan or service conditional scholarship; and
(6) Lifts of stays of suspension from a board order.
To appeal a decision you must submit your request for a brief adjudicative proceeding, in writing, to the board within 30 days after the decision by board staff is posted in the U.S. mail. The board chair or the board vice chair, if the board chair is unavailable, will appoint one member of the board as the presiding officer for brief adjudicative proceedings. The presiding officer renders a decision either upholding or overturning the denial. This decision, called an order, will be provided to you at the last address you furnished to the board.
If you are dissatisfied with the order in the brief adjudicative proceeding, you may appeal to the board's vice chair, or designee. This appeal process is called an administrative review. Your appeal must be received by the board, orally or in writing, within 21 days after the brief adjudicative proceedings order is posted in the U.S. mail. The vice chair, or designee, considers your appeal and either upholds or overturns the brief adjudicative proceeding order. The vice chair's, or designee's, decision, also called an order, will be provided to you at the last address you furnished to the board.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055. WSR 24-04-024, § 4-30-028, filed 1/29/24, effective 7/1/24; WSR 22-04-074, § 4-30-028, filed 1/31/22, effective 3/3/22. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055(1),
34.05.220, and
34.05.482. WSR 10-24-009, amended and recodified as § 4-30-028, filed 11/18/10, effective 12/19/10; WSR 08-18-016, § 4-25-540, filed 8/25/08, effective 9/25/08; WSR 05-01-137, § 4-25-540, filed 12/16/04, effective 1/31/05; WSR 02-04-064, § 4-25-540, filed 1/31/02, effective 3/15/02. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055(1) and
34.05.482. WSR 00-11-070, § 4-25-540, filed 5/15/00, effective 6/30/00; WSR 98-12-022, § 4-25-540, filed 5/27/98, effective 6/27/98. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055. WSR 93-12-074, § 4-25-540, filed 5/27/93, effective 7/1/93.]
(Effective until July 1, 2024)
What enforcement actions must be reported to the board?
(1) A licensee, CPA-Inactive certificate holder, or nonlicensee firm owner must notify the board, of the following matters, in the manner prescribed by the board, within thirty days of the issuance of:
(a) A sanction, order, suspension, revocation, or modification of a license, certificate, permit or practice rights by the SEC, PCAOB, IRS, or another state board of accountancy for any cause other than failure to pay a professional license fee by the due date or failure to meet the continuing professional education requirements of another state board of accountancy; or
(b) Charges filed by the SEC, IRS, PCAOB, another state board of accountancy, or a federal or state taxing, insurance or securities regulatory body that the licensee, CPA-Inactive certificate holder, or nonlicensee firm owner committed a prohibited act that would be a violation of board ethical or technical standards.
(2) Licensed CPA firms with more than one licensed owner are not required to report on action taken against owners, principals, partners, or employees.
(3) If you hold a license or CPA-Inactive certificate issued through the foreign reciprocity provisions of the act, you must notify the board of any investigations undertaken, or sanctions imposed, by a foreign credentialing body against your foreign credential within thirty days of receiving notice that an investigation has begun or a sanction was imposed.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.195 (13)(b) and
18.04.215 (9)(b). WSR 11-06-062, amended and recodified as § 4-30-036, filed 3/2/11, effective 4/2/11; WSR 08-18-016, § 4-25-670, filed 8/25/08, effective 9/25/08. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.195 (10)(b) and
18.04.215 (9)(b). WSR 05-01-137, § 4-25-670, filed 12/16/04, effective 1/31/05; WSR 03-24-033, § 4-25-670, filed 11/25/03, effective 12/31/03.]
(Effective July 1, 2024)
Enforcement actions reportable to the board.
(1) A licensee or nonlicensee firm owner must notify the board, of the following matters, in the manner prescribed by the board, within 30 days of the issuance of:
(a) A sanction, order, suspension, revocation, or modification of a license, certificate, permit or practice rights by the SEC, PCAOB, IRS, or another state board of accountancy for any cause other than failure to pay a professional license fee by the due date or failure to meet the continuing professional education requirements of another state board of accountancy; or
(b) Charges filed by the SEC, IRS, PCAOB, another state board of accountancy, or a federal or state taxing, insurance or securities regulatory body that the licensee, or nonlicensee firm owner committed a prohibited act that would be a violation of board ethical or technical standards.
(2) Licensed CPA firms with more than one licensed owner are not required to report on action taken against owners, principals, partners, or employees.
(3) If you hold a license issued through the foreign reciprocity provisions of the act, you must notify the board of any investigations undertaken, or sanctions imposed, by a foreign credentialing body against your foreign credential within 30 days of receiving notice that an investigation has begun or a sanction was imposed.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055. WSR 24-04-024, § 4-30-036, filed 1/29/24, effective 7/1/24. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.195 (13)(b) and
18.04.215 (9)(b). WSR 11-06-062, amended and recodified as § 4-30-036, filed 3/2/11, effective 4/2/11; WSR 08-18-016, § 4-25-670, filed 8/25/08, effective 9/25/08. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.195 (10)(b) and
18.04.215 (9)(b). WSR 05-01-137, § 4-25-670, filed 12/16/04, effective 1/31/05; WSR 03-24-033, § 4-25-670, filed 11/25/03, effective 12/31/03.]
(Effective until July 1, 2024)
Fees.
RCW
18.04.065 provides that the board shall set fees related to licensure at a level adequate to pay the costs of administering chapter
18.04 RCW. The board has established the following fee schedule:
(1) | Initial application for individual license, individual license through reciprocity, CPA firm license (sole proprietorships with no employees are exempt from the fee), or registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner . . . . | $330 |
(2) | Renewal of individual license, CPA-Inactive certificate, CPA firm license (sole proprietorships with no employees are exempt from the fee), or registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner . . . . | $230 |
(3) | Application for CPA-Inactive certificate holder to convert to a license . . . . | $0 |
(4) | Application for reinstatement of license, CPA-Inactive certificate, or registration as a resident nonlicensee owner . . . . | $480 |
(5) | Quality assurance review (QAR) program fee (includes monitoring reviews for up to two years) | |
| Firm submits reports for review . . . . | $400 |
| Firm submits a peer review report for review . . . . | $60 |
| Firm is exempted from the QAR program because the firm did not issue attest reports . . . . | $0 |
(6) | Late fee * . . . . | $100 |
(7) | Amendment to firm license except for a change of firm address (there is no fee for filing a change of address) . . . . | $35 |
(8) | Replacement CPA wall document . . . . | $50 |
(9) | Dishonored check fee (including, but not limited to, insufficient funds or closed accounts) . . . . | $35 |
(10) | CPA examination. Exam fees are comprised of section fees plus administrative fees. The total fee is contingent upon which section(s) is/are being applied for and the number of sections being applied for at the same time. The total fee is the section fee(s) for each section(s) applied for added to the administrative fee for the number of section(s) applied for. | |
(a) | Section fees: Section fees for the computerized uniform CPA examination are set by third-party providers for the development and delivery of the exam. These fees are collected and retained by the third-party provider. | |
(b) | Administrative fees: Administrative fees for the qualification and application processes are set by a third-party provider. These fees are collected and retained by the third-party provider. | |
* | The board may waive late filing fees for individual hardship including, but not limited to, financial hardship, critical illness, or active military deployment. |
[Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055 and 2017 c 304. WSR 18-04-071, § 4-30-038, filed 2/2/18, effective 3/5/18. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.065 and
18.04.215(5). WSR 14-04-086, § 4-30-038, filed 2/3/14, effective 3/6/14. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055,
18.04.065,
18.04.105 (1)(e), (3), and (4)(e),
18.04.195(10),
18.04.205(4),
18.04.215 (3), (4), and (8),
42.56.120. WSR 10-24-009, recodified as § 4-30-038, filed 11/18/10, effective 12/19/10. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.065,
18.04.105 (2) and (3). WSR 09-24-055, § 4-25-530, filed 11/24/09, effective 12/25/09. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.065,
18.04.105(3). WSR 09-10-019, § 4-25-530, filed 4/27/09, effective 8/1/09; WSR 08-14-152 and 08-15-018, § 4-25-530, filed 7/1/08 and 7/8/08, effective 8/1/08 and 8/8/08; WSR 07-14-035, § 4-25-530, filed 6/26/07, effective 8/1/07; WSR 06-14-030, § 4-25-530, filed 6/27/06, effective 8/1/06; WSR 05-10-046, § 4-25-530, filed 4/29/05, effective 6/2/05. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.065,
18.04.105(3),
18.04.205. WSR 05-01-136, § 4-25-530, filed 12/16/04, effective 1/31/05. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.065, [18.04.]105(3), [18.04.]195(7), [18.04.]205(4), [18.04.]215(8), [18.04.]350 (2)(a), and
42.17.260(8). WSR 04-01-076, § 4-25-530, filed 12/15/03, effective 1/15/04. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055, [18.04].065, [18.04].105 (1)(e) and (3). WSR 02-22-083, § 4-25-530, filed 11/5/02, effective 12/31/02. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055,
18.04.065,
18.04.105(3),
18.04.195(7),
18.04.205(4),
18.04.215(8), and
18.04.350(2). WSR 01-22-036, § 4-25-530, filed 10/30/01, effective 12/1/01. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055,
18.04.065,
18.04.105(7),
18.04.195(6) and
18.04.205(4). WSR 99-18-112, § 4-25-530, filed 9/1/99, effective 1/1/00. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055,
18.04.065 and
18.04.195(b). WSR 99-02-009, § 4-25-530, filed 12/24/98, effective 5/7/99. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055,
18.04.065 and
18.04.195(6). WSR 96-12-060, § 4-25-530, filed 5/31/96, effective 7/1/96. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055. WSR 93-12-075, § 4-25-530, filed 5/27/93, effective 7/1/93.]
(Effective July 1, 2024)
Fees.
RCW
18.04.065 provides that the board shall set fees related to licensure at a level adequate to pay the costs of administering chapter
18.04 RCW. The board has established the following fee schedule:
(1) | Initial application for individual license, individual license through reciprocity, CPA firm license (sole proprietorships with no employees are exempt from the fee), or registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner . . . . | $330 |
(2) | Renewal of individual license, CPA firm license (sole proprietorships with no employees are exempt from the fee), or registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner . . . . | $230 |
(3) | Application for a licensee to convert from an inactive to an active status . . . . | $0 |
(4) | Application for reinstatement of license or registration as a resident nonlicensee owner . . . . | $480 |
(5) | Quality assurance review (QAR) program fee (includes monitoring reviews for up to two years) | |
| Firm submits reports for review . . . . | $400 |
| Firm submits a peer review report for review . . . . | $60 |
| Firm is exempted from the QAR program because the firm did not issue attest reports . . . . | $0 |
(6) | Late fee * . . . . | $100 |
(7) | Amendment to firm license except for a change of firm address (there is no fee for filing a change of address) . . . . | $35 |
(8) | Replacement CPA wall document . . . . | $50 |
(9) | Dishonored check fee (including, but not limited to, insufficient funds or closed accounts) . . . . | $35 |
(10) | CPA examination. Exam fees are comprised of section fees plus administrative fees. The total fee is contingent upon which section(s) is/are being applied for and the number of sections being applied for at the same time. The total fee is the section fee(s) for each section(s) applied for added to the administrative fee for the number of section(s) applied for. | |
(a) | Section fees: Section fees for the computerized uniform CPA examination are set by third-party providers for the development and delivery of the exam. These fees are collected and retained by the third-party provider. | |
(b) | Administrative fees: Administrative fees for the qualification and application processes are set by a third-party provider. These fees are collected and retained by the third-party provider. | |
* | The board may waive late filing fees for individual hardship including, but not limited to, financial hardship, critical illness, or active military deployment. |
[Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055. WSR 24-04-024, § 4-30-038, filed 1/29/24, effective 7/1/24. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055 and 2017 c 304. WSR 18-04-071, § 4-30-038, filed 2/2/18, effective 3/5/18. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.065 and
18.04.215(5). WSR 14-04-086, § 4-30-038, filed 2/3/14, effective 3/6/14. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055,
18.04.065,
18.04.105 (1)(e), (3), and (4)(e),
18.04.195(10),
18.04.205(4),
18.04.215 (3), (4), and (8),
42.56.120. WSR 10-24-009, recodified as § 4-30-038, filed 11/18/10, effective 12/19/10. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.065,
18.04.105 (2) and (3). WSR 09-24-055, § 4-25-530, filed 11/24/09, effective 12/25/09. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.065,
18.04.105(3). WSR 09-10-019, § 4-25-530, filed 4/27/09, effective 8/1/09; WSR 08-14-152 and 08-15-018, § 4-25-530, filed 7/1/08 and 7/8/08, effective 8/1/08 and 8/8/08; WSR 07-14-035, § 4-25-530, filed 6/26/07, effective 8/1/07; WSR 06-14-030, § 4-25-530, filed 6/27/06, effective 8/1/06; WSR 05-10-046, § 4-25-530, filed 4/29/05, effective 6/2/05. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.065,
18.04.105(3),
18.04.205. WSR 05-01-136, § 4-25-530, filed 12/16/04, effective 1/31/05. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.065, [18.04.]105(3), [18.04.]195(7), [18.04.]205(4), [18.04.]215(8), [18.04.]350 (2)(a), and
42.17.260(8). WSR 04-01-076, § 4-25-530, filed 12/15/03, effective 1/15/04. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055, [18.04].065, [18.04].105 (1)(e) and (3). WSR 02-22-083, § 4-25-530, filed 11/5/02, effective 12/31/02. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055,
18.04.065,
18.04.105(3),
18.04.195(7),
18.04.205(4),
18.04.215(8), and
18.04.350(2). WSR 01-22-036, § 4-25-530, filed 10/30/01, effective 12/1/01. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055,
18.04.065,
18.04.105(7),
18.04.195(6) and
18.04.205(4). WSR 99-18-112, § 4-25-530, filed 9/1/99, effective 1/1/00. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055,
18.04.065 and
18.04.195(b). WSR 99-02-009, § 4-25-530, filed 12/24/98, effective 5/7/99. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055,
18.04.065 and
18.04.195(6). WSR 96-12-060, § 4-25-530, filed 5/31/96, effective 7/1/96. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055. WSR 93-12-075, § 4-25-530, filed 5/27/93, effective 7/1/93.]
(Effective until July 1, 2024)
How does a CPA-Inactive certificate holder apply for licensure?
CPA-Inactive certificate holders are individuals who held a valid certificate on June 30, 2001, but did not hold a valid Washington state license to practice public accounting on that date. Individuals who did not hold a valid certificate on June 30, 2001 and current licensees are not eligible for CPA-Inactive certificate holder status.
(1) To qualify for licensure a CPA-Inactive certificate holder must meet the:
(a) Good character requirements of RCW
18.04.105 (1)(a);
(b) Experience requirements of WAC
4-30-070 within the eight-year period immediately preceding your application; and
(c) CPE requirements of WAC
4-30-134(5).
(2) To apply for a license, you must also submit to the board a certification that you meet the requirements of subsection (1) of this section and:
(a) Have not held out in public practice during the time in which you were a CPA-Inactive certificate holder; and
(b) Other required documentation or information deemed necessary by the board.
(3) You must provide the required information, documents, and fees (if applicable) to the board either by making application through the board's online application system or on a form provided upon request.
(4) You must submit all requested information, documents, and fees (if applicable) to the board before the application will be evaluated.
(5) Upon assessment of your qualifications and approval of your application, your license status will be posted in the board's licensee database and, therefore, made publicly available for confirmation. A hard copy of your credential can be provided upon request.
(6) Your CPE reporting period and your renewal cycle will remain the same.
(7) You may not use the title "CPA" or "Certified Public Accountant" until the date the approval of your license is posted in the board's licensee database and, therefore, made publicly available for confirmation.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055(12),
18.04.105(4). WSR 10-24-009, amended and recodified as § 4-30-082, filed 11/18/10, effective 12/19/10; WSR 08-18-016, § 4-25-735, filed 8/25/08, effective 9/25/08; WSR 05-01-137, § 4-25-735, filed 12/16/04, effective 1/31/05; WSR 02-04-064, § 4-25-735, filed 1/31/02, effective 3/15/02.]
(Effective July 1, 2024)
Certificate holder applying for initial licensure.
Certificate holders who did not hold a valid certificate on the conversion date of June 30, 2024, must apply for a license and meet the requirements for initial licensure.
(1) To qualify for licensure you must meet the following criteria and requirements:
(a) Good character requirements of RCW
18.04.105 (1)(a);
(b) Experience requirements of WAC 4-30-070 within the eight-year period immediately preceding your application; and
(c) CPE requirements of WAC 4-30-134(5).
(2) You must submit the required information, documents, and fees (if applicable) to the board either by making application through the board's online application system or on a form provided upon request.
(3) Upon assessment of your qualifications and approval of your application, your license status will be posted in the board's licensee database and, therefore, made publicly available for confirmation. A hard copy of your license can be provided upon request.
(4) Your license will expire on June 30th of the third calendar year following initial licensure.
(5) You may not use the title "CPA" or "Certified Public Accountant" until the date the approval of your license is posted in the board's licensee database and, therefore, made publicly available for confirmation.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055. WSR 24-04-024, § 4-30-082, filed 1/29/24, effective 7/1/24. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055(12),
18.04.105(4). WSR 10-24-009, amended and recodified as § 4-30-082, filed 11/18/10, effective 12/19/10; WSR 08-18-016, § 4-25-735, filed 8/25/08, effective 9/25/08; WSR 05-01-137, § 4-25-735, filed 12/16/04, effective 1/31/05; WSR 02-04-064, § 4-25-735, filed 1/31/02, effective 3/15/02.]
(Effective until July 1, 2024)
What is the effect on a Washington individual licensee or CPA-inactive certificateholder in the armed forces, reserves, or National Guard if the individual receives orders to deploy for active military duty?
(1) Definitions. For purposes of this rule:
(a) "Active military duty" means:
(i) Deployed upon order of the President of the United states, the U.S. Secretary of Defense or Homeland Security in the case of a member of the armed forces or armed force reserves; or
(ii) Deployed upon order of the governor of this state in the case of the National Guard.
(b) "Armed forces" means the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard and reserves of each branch of the armed forces.
(c) "Active duty" means full-time employment in the armed forces of the United States. Such term does not include National Guard duty.
(d) "Military individual" means a living human being serving full time in the United States armed forces.
(e) "Military spouse" means the husband, wife, or registered domestic partner of a military individual.
(2) Active military duty.
(a) An individual fully employed on active duty in the armed forces of the United States applying for an initial license in this state shall receive priority processing of the application for initial licensing.
(b) A military applicant who obtains an initial license or a military individual holding a current license issued by this board, will be classified as "military" if the services provided to the armed forces include services within the definition of the practice of public accounting.
(c) An individual in the armed forces, reserves or National Guard and called to "active military duty" while holding an active license or CPA-Inactive certificate issued by this board may apply for a waiver of renewal fees and continuing professional education (CPE):
(i) The request for waiver of renewal fees and continuing professional education may be made through the board's online application and payment system or on a form provided by the board upon request;
(ii) The request for waiver must be supported by submitting documentation to substantiate the military individual's "active military duty" status;
(iii) Upon approval the waiver will serve to classify the individual as "military inactive";
(iv) The CPE reporting period and renewal year will not be affected by this reclassification of status;
(v) The waiver will continue to maintain an individual's military inactive status without fee or CPE until the individual is released from active military duty or discharged from the armed forces, reserves, or National Guard;
(vi) The board must be notified within six months after the date of release from active military duty or discharge from the armed forces. The board must be notified within six months of the date of release from a treatment facility if the individual is or has been in a treatment facility and a discharge was the result of injury or other reasons.
(3) Return to previously held status after release from "active military duty" or discharge from the armed forces.
(a) If a military individual desires to return to a previously held status after release from active military duty or discharge from the armed forces, all required information, documents, and fees must be submitted to the board before the application will be evaluated. An application for return to previously held status may be made through the board's online application and payment system or on a form provided by the board upon request and must include the following:
(i) Documentation to substantiate:
• Release from "active military duty"; or
• Type of discharge from the armed forces.
(ii) Documentation to substantiate completion of the following qualified CPE:
• If the application is submitted in the last year of the previous CPE reporting period the individual must have completed four CPE credit hours in ethics and regulation in Washington state and receive a passing grade of ninety percent on the board prepared examination available on the board's website. The renewal fee is waived in this circumstance;
• If the application is submitted in the second year of the previous CPE reporting period the individual must have completed forty CPE credit hours including four CPE credit hours in ethics and regulation in Washington state and receive a passing grade of ninety percent on the board prepared examination available on the board's website;
• If the application is submitted in the first year of the previous CPE reporting period the individual must have completed eighty CPE credit hours including four CPE credit hours in ethics and regulation in Washington state and receive a passing grade of ninety percent on the board prepared examination available on the board's website.
(iii) A military individual may receive an expedited license while completing any specific requirements that are not related to CPE or other board rules.
(b) The previously held status will not become effective until the status has been posted to the board's database and, therefore, made available to the general public.
(4) Military spouses.
(a) A military spouse or state registered domestic partner of an individual in the military may receive an expedited license while completing any specific additional requirements that are not related to training or practice standards for the profession, provided the military spouse or state registered domestic partner:
(i) Holds an unrestricted, active license in another state that has substantially equivalent licensing standards for the same profession to those in Washington; and
(ii) Is not subject to any pending investigation, charges, or disciplinary action by the regulatory body of another state or jurisdiction of the United States.
(b) To receive expedited license treatment, the military spouse or state registered domestic partner of an individual in the military must provide all required information, documents, and fees to the board either by making application through the board's online application and payment system or on a form provided by the board upon request before the application will be evaluated.
(c) The application for expedited licensing will not be processed until the applicant submits copies to the board of the military individual's orders and official documents to establish the applicant's relationship to the military individual, such as one or more following documents:
(i) The military issued identification card showing the individual's military information and the applicant's relationship to that individual;
(ii) A marriage license; or
(iii) Documentation verifying a state registered domestic partnership.
(d) A military spouse or state registered domestic partner may only use a restricted title and practice public accounting under another state's license without an expedited license issued by this board for ninety days from the date the spouse entered this state for temporary residency during the military individual's transfer to this state.
(Effective July 1, 2024)
Military service.
(1) Definitions. For purposes of this rule:
(a) "Active military duty" means:
(i) Deployed upon order of the President of the United states, the U.S. Secretary of Defense or Homeland Security in the case of a member of the armed forces or armed force reserves; or
(ii) Deployed upon order of the governor of this state in the case of the National Guard.
(b) "Armed forces" means the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard and reserves of each branch of the armed forces.
(c) "Active duty" means full-time employment in the armed forces of the United States. Such term does not include National Guard duty.
(d) "Military individual" means a living human being serving full time in the United States armed forces.
(e) "Military spouse" means the husband, wife, or registered domestic partner of a military individual.
(2) Active military duty.
(a) An individual fully employed on active duty in the armed forces of the United States applying for an initial license in this state shall receive priority processing of the application for initial licensing.
(b) A military applicant who obtains an initial license or a military individual holding a current license issued by this board, will be classified as "military" if the services provided to the armed forces include services within the definition of the practice of public accounting.
(c) An individual in the armed forces, reserves or National Guard and called to "active military duty" while holding an active or inactive license issued by this board may apply for a waiver of renewal fees and continuing professional education (CPE):
(i) The request for waiver of renewal fees and continuing professional education may be made through the board's online application and payment system or on a form provided by the board upon request;
(ii) The request for waiver must be supported by submitting documentation to substantiate the military individual's "active military duty" status;
(iii) Upon approval the waiver will serve to classify the individual as "military inactive";
(iv) The CPE reporting period and renewal year will not be affected by this reclassification of status;
(v) The waiver will continue to maintain an individual's military inactive status without fee or CPE until the individual is released from active military duty or discharged from the armed forces, reserves, or National Guard;
(vi) The board must be notified within six months after the date of release from active military duty or discharge from the armed forces. The board must be notified within six months of the date of release from a treatment facility if the individual is or has been in a treatment facility and a discharge was the result of injury or other reasons.
(3) Return to previously held status after release from "active military duty" or discharge from the armed forces.
(a) If a military individual desires to return to a previously held status after release from active military duty or discharge from the armed forces, all required information, documents, and fees must be submitted to the board before the application will be evaluated. An application for return to previously held status may be made through the board's online application and payment system or on a form provided by the board upon request and must include the following:
(i) Documentation to substantiate:
• Release from "active military duty"; or
• Type of discharge from the armed forces.
(ii) Documentation to substantiate completion of the following qualified CPE:
• If the application is submitted in the last year of the previous CPE reporting period the individual must have completed four CPE credit hours in ethics and regulation in Washington state and receive a passing grade of 90 percent on the board prepared examination available on the board's website. The renewal fee is waived in this circumstance;
• If the application is submitted in the second year of the previous CPE reporting period the individual must have completed 40 CPE credit hours including four CPE credit hours in ethics and regulation in Washington state and receive a passing grade of 90 percent on the board prepared examination available on the board's website;
• If the application is submitted in the first year of the previous CPE reporting period the individual must have completed 80 CPE credit hours including four CPE credit hours in ethics and regulation in Washington state and receive a passing grade of 90 percent on the board prepared examination available on the board's website.
(iii) A military individual may receive an expedited license while completing any specific requirements that are not related to CPE or other board rules.
(b) The previously held status will not become effective until the status has been posted to the board's database and, therefore, made available to the general public.
(4) Military spouses.
(a) A military spouse or state registered domestic partner of an individual in the military may receive an expedited license while completing any specific additional requirements that are not related to training or practice standards for the profession, provided the military spouse or state registered domestic partner:
(i) Holds an unrestricted, active license in another state that has substantially equivalent licensing standards for the same profession to those in Washington; and
(ii) Is not subject to any pending investigation, charges, or disciplinary action by the regulatory body of another state or jurisdiction of the United States.
(b) To receive expedited license treatment, the military spouse or state registered domestic partner of an individual in the military must provide all required information, documents, and fees to the board either by making application through the board's online application and payment system or on a form provided by the board upon request before the application will be evaluated.
(c) The application for expedited licensing will not be processed until the applicant submits copies to the board of the military individual's orders and official documents to establish the applicant's relationship to the military individual, such as one or more following documents:
(i) The military issued identification card showing the individual's military information and the applicant's relationship to that individual;
(ii) A marriage license; or
(iii) Documentation verifying a state registered domestic partnership.
(d) A military spouse or state registered domestic partner may only use a restricted title and practice public accounting under another state's license without an expedited license issued by this board for 90 days from the date the spouse entered this state for temporary residency during the military individual's transfer to this state.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055. WSR 24-04-024, § 4-30-088, filed 1/29/24, effective 7/1/24. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055,
14.04.105(1) [
18.04.105(1)], and
18.04.215(1). WSR 14-22-033, § 4-30-088, filed 10/28/14, effective 11/28/14.]
(Effective until July 1, 2024)
How do I renew my individual license, CPA-Inactive certificate, or registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner?
A licensee may not renew as a CPA-Inactive certificate holder.
To renew your individual license, CPA-Inactive certificate, or registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner, you must by April 30th of the year of expiration make application through the board's online application system or on a form provided by the board upon request and provide the board with:
(1) Complete renewal information including:
(a) Your certification that you have complied with the CPE requirements of WAC
4-30-134(1) and the supporting documentation requirements of WAC
4-30-138; and
(b) A listing of all states and foreign jurisdictions in which you hold or have applied for a license, certificate, or permit to practice;
(2) All required documentation, required information, and other documentation deemed necessary by the board; and
(3) All applicable fees.
A renewal application is not complete and cannot be processed until all required information, documents, and all applicable fees are submitted to the board.
Upon assessment of your continued qualifications and approval of your application, your status will be posted in the board's licensee database and, therefore, made publicly available for confirmation. A hard copy of your credential can be provided upon request.
An individual license, CPA-Inactive certificate, or registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner renewal expires on June 30 of the third calendar year following the calendar year of renewal.
Late renewal application: Failure to file a complete application for renewal of an individual license, CPA-Inactive certificate, or registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner by April 30 of the year of expiration will result in late fees. The board may waive, reduce, or extend the due date of renewal and/or late fees based on individual hardship including, but not limited to, financial hardship, critical illness, or active military deployment.
Failure to file a renewal application: If you fail to file a complete application for renewal of an individual license, CPA-Inactive certificate, or registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner by June 30 of the year of renewal, your individual license, CPA-Inactive certificate, or registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner will lapse.
Failure to complete CPE: If you did not complete the credit hours of continuing professional education (CPE) required to renew your credential or did not submit a timely extension request and/or was not granted an extension of time for reasonable cause within which to complete the deficiency, your individual license, CPA-Inactive certificate, or registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner will lapse on June 30th of the year of renewal.
Lapsed credentials: A lapsed credential is subject to reinstatement.
If your individual license, CPA-Inactive certificate, or registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner has lapsed, you may not use the restricted title(s) or exercise other privileges that are dependent upon the renewal of your credential.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.215 (2) and (4). WSR 10-24-009, amended and recodified as § 4-30-094, filed 11/18/10, effective 12/19/10; WSR 05-01-137, § 4-25-790, filed 12/16/04, effective 1/31/05; WSR 02-04-064, § 4-25-790, filed 1/31/02, effective 3/15/02. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.105 and
18.04.215. WSR 99-18-120, § 4-25-790, filed 9/1/99, effective 1/1/00.]
(Effective July 1, 2024)
Renewals.
To renew your individual license or registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner, you must by April 30th of the year of expiration make application through the board's online application system or on a form provided by the board upon request and provide the board with:
(1) Complete renewal information including:
(a) Your certification that you have complied with the CPE requirements of WAC 4-30-134 and the supporting documentation requirements of WAC 4-30-138; and
(b) A listing of all states and foreign jurisdictions in which you hold or have applied for a license, certificate, or permit to practice;
(2) All required documentation, required information, and other documentation deemed necessary by the board; and
(3) All applicable fees.
A renewal application is not complete and cannot be processed until all required information, documents, and all applicable fees are submitted to the board.
Upon assessment of your continued qualifications and approval of your application, your status will be posted in the board's licensee database and, therefore, made publicly available for confirmation. A hard copy of your credential can be provided upon request.
An individual license or registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner renewal expires on June 30 of the third calendar year following the calendar year of renewal.
Late renewal application: Failure to file a complete application for renewal of an individual license or registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner by April 30th of the year of expiration will result in late fees. The board may waive, reduce, or extend the due date of renewal and/or late fees based on individual hardship including, but not limited to, financial hardship, critical illness, or active military deployment.
Failure to file a renewal application: If you fail to file a complete application for renewal of an individual license or registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner by June 30th of the year of renewal, your individual license or registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner will lapse.
Failure to complete CPE: If you did not complete the credit hours of continuing professional education (CPE) required to renew, or did not submit an extension request, and/or were not granted an extension of time to complete the deficiency, your individual license or registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner will lapse on June 30th of the year of renewal.
Lapsed credentials: A lapsed credential is subject to reinstatement.
If your individual license or registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner has lapsed, you may not use the restricted title(s) or exercise other privileges that are dependent upon the renewal.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055. WSR 24-04-024, § 4-30-094, filed 1/29/24, effective 7/1/24. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.215 (2) and (4). WSR 10-24-009, amended and recodified as § 4-30-094, filed 11/18/10, effective 12/19/10; WSR 05-01-137, § 4-25-790, filed 12/16/04, effective 1/31/05; WSR 02-04-064, § 4-25-790, filed 1/31/02, effective 3/15/02. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.105 and
18.04.215. WSR 99-18-120, § 4-25-790, filed 9/1/99, effective 1/1/00.]
(Effective until July 1, 2024)
I am a CPA-Inactive certificate holder—Prior to July 1, 2001, I held a license—How do I apply to return to my previous status as a licensee?
CPA-Inactive certificate holders who held a license at any time prior to July 1, 2001, may apply to return to their previous status as a licensee. If you are a CPA-Inactive certificate holder, you may not use the title "CPA" or "Certified Public Accountant" until you return to your previous status as a licensee.
If you hold a valid CPA-Inactive certificate, you must provide certain information to the board either by making application through the board's online application system or on a form provided by the board upon request. An application is not complete and cannot be processed until all required information, required documentation, fees, and other documentation deemed necessary by the board are submitted to the board.
To apply to return to your previous status as a licensee you must submit to the board:
(1) Complete application information including your certification that you have:
(a) Not held out in public practice during the time in which you were a CPA-Inactive certificate holder; and
(b) Met the CPE requirements of WAC
4-30-134(5);
(2) All other required information, documents, and all fees.
Upon assessment of your continued qualifications and approval of your application, your status will be posted in the board's licensee database and, therefore, made publicly available for confirmation. A hard copy of your license can be provided upon request.
You may not use the title CPA until your status as a licensee is posted in the board's licensee database.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.215 (2) and (4). WSR 10-24-009, amended and recodified as § 4-30-120, filed 11/18/10, effective 12/19/10. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.215(2). WSR 09-01-166, § 4-25-791, filed 12/23/08, effective 1/23/09. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.215 (2), (4). WSR 05-01-137, § 4-25-791, filed 12/16/04, effective 1/31/05; WSR 02-04-064, § 4-25-791, filed 1/31/02, effective 3/15/02. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055(11) and
18.04.215 (2), (4). WSR 99-18-121, § 4-25-791, filed 9/1/99, effective 1/1/00.]
(Effective July 1, 2024)
Converting license status from inactive to active.
To convert to an active status as a licensee you must submit to the board:
(1) Complete application information including your certification that you have:
(a) Not held out or practiced public accounting during the time in which you were inactive; and
(b) Met the CPE requirements of WAC 4-30-134(5).
(2) The required information, documents, and fees (if applicable) to the board either by making application through the board's online application system or on a form provided upon request.
Upon assessment of your continued qualifications and approval of your application, your active status will be posted in the board's licensee database and, therefore, made publicly available for confirmation. A hard copy of your license can be provided upon request.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055. WSR 24-04-024, § 4-30-120, filed 1/29/24, effective 7/1/24. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.215 (2) and (4). WSR 10-24-009, amended and recodified as § 4-30-120, filed 11/18/10, effective 12/19/10. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.215(2). WSR 09-01-166, § 4-25-791, filed 12/23/08, effective 1/23/09. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.215 (2), (4). WSR 05-01-137, § 4-25-791, filed 12/16/04, effective 1/31/05; WSR 02-04-064, § 4-25-791, filed 1/31/02, effective 3/15/02. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055(11) and
18.04.215 (2), (4). WSR 99-18-121, § 4-25-791, filed 9/1/99, effective 1/1/00.]
(Effective until July 1, 2024)
If I retire my license or CPA-Inactive certificate, how do I apply to renew my license or a CPA-Inactive certificate out of retirement?
If you notify the board that you wish to retire your license or CPA-Inactive certificate prior to the end of your renewal cycle, pursuant to RCW
18.04.215, you may renew your license or CPA-Inactive certificate out of retirement at a later date and are not subject to the requirements of reinstatement; however, you may not use the title CPA or CPA-Inactive or exercise the privileges related to those titles until you renew out of retirement.
If you previously held a license and requested that the license be retired, you are not eligible to apply for CPA-Inactive certificate holder status.
To apply to renew a license or a CPA-Inactive certificate out of retirement, you must provide certain information to the board either by making application through the board's online application system or on a form provided by the board upon request. An application is not complete and cannot be processed until all required information, documents, and fees are submitted to the board.
To apply to renew out of retirement, you must submit to the board:
(1) Complete application information including your certification that you have:
(a) Not used the title CPA or CPA-Inactive during the time in which your license or CPA-Inactive certificate was retired; and
(b) Met the CPE requirements to renew out of retirement in WAC
4-30-134(5); and
(2) All applicable fees.
Upon assessment of your continued qualifications and approval of your application, your status will be posted in the board's licensee database and, therefore, made publicly available for confirmation. A hard copy of your credential can be provided upon request.
Your license or CPA-Inactive certificate will expire on June 30th of the third calendar year following the calendar year of the renewal out of retirement. The CPE reporting period for your next renewal begins on January 1st of the calendar year in which the renewal of your retired license or CPA-Inactive certificate was approved by the board and ends on December 31st of the second calendar year following approval of the renewal out of retirement. CPE credit hours utilized to qualify for renewal of a retired license or CPA-Inactive certificate cannot be utilized for subsequent renewal of your credential renewed out of retirement.
You may not use the title CPA or CPA-Inactive until your renewal out of retirement application has been approved.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055. WSR 20-02-059, § 4-30-122, filed 12/24/19, effective 1/24/20. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.215(7). WSR 10-24-009, amended and recodified as § 4-30-122, filed 11/18/10, effective 12/19/10; WSR 09-01-166, § 4-25-793, filed 12/23/08, effective 1/23/09; WSR 05-01-137, § 4-25-793, filed 12/16/04, effective 1/31/05; WSR 02-04-064, § 4-25-793, filed 1/31/02, effective 3/15/02.]
(Effective July 1, 2024)
Renewal out of retirement.
If you notify the board that you wish to retire your license prior to the end of your renewal cycle, pursuant to RCW
18.04.215, you may renew your license out of retirement at a later date and are not subject to the requirements of reinstatement; however, you may not use the title CPA or CPA-Inactive or exercise the privileges related to those titles until you renew out of retirement.
To apply to renew a license out of retirement, you must provide certain information to the board either by making application through the board's online application system or on a form provided by the board upon request. An application is not complete and cannot be processed until all required information, documents, and fees are submitted to the board.
To apply to renew out of retirement, you must submit to the board:
(1) Complete application information including your certification that you have:
(a) Not used the title CPA or CPA-Inactive during the time in which your license was retired; and
(b) Met the CPE requirements to renew out of retirement in WAC 4-30-134(5).
(2) The required information, documents, and fees (if applicable) to the board either by making application through the board's online application system or on a form provided upon request.
Upon assessment of your continued qualifications and approval of your application, your status will be posted in the board's licensee database and, therefore, made publicly available for confirmation. A hard copy of your credential can be provided upon request.
Your license will expire on June 30th of the third calendar year following the calendar year of the renewal out of retirement. The CPE reporting period for your next renewal begins on January 1st of the calendar year in which the renewal of your retired license was approved by the board and ends on December 31st of the second calendar year following approval of the renewal out of retirement. CPE credit hours utilized to qualify for renewal of a retired license cannot be utilized for subsequent renewal.
You may not use the title CPA until your renewal out of retirement application has been approved.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055. WSR 24-04-024, § 4-30-122, filed 1/29/24, effective 7/1/24; WSR 20-02-059, § 4-30-122, filed 12/24/19, effective 1/24/20. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.215(7). WSR 10-24-009, amended and recodified as § 4-30-122, filed 11/18/10, effective 12/19/10; WSR 09-01-166, § 4-25-793, filed 12/23/08, effective 1/23/09; WSR 05-01-137, § 4-25-793, filed 12/16/04, effective 1/31/05; WSR 02-04-064, § 4-25-793, filed 1/31/02, effective 3/15/02.]
(Effective until July 1, 2024)
How do I reinstate a lapsed individual license, CPA-Inactive certificate, or registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner?
If your individual license, CPA-Inactive certificate, or registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner has lapsed, you may not use the restricted title(s) until your individual credential has been reinstated by the board.
Individuals who held a valid license on June 30, 2001, and individuals obtaining a license after June 30, 2001, are not eligible to reinstate as CPA-Inactive certificate holders.
To reinstate a lapsed individual license, CPA-Inactive certificate, or registration as a nonlicensee firm owner you must provide certain information to the board either by making application through the board's online application system or on a form provided by the board upon request. An application is not complete and cannot be processed until all required information and documents, and fees have been submitted to the board.
To reinstate, you must submit to the board:
(1) Complete reinstatement information including your certification that you have:
(a) For those who wish to reinstate a license or CPA-Inactive certificate: Not used the title CPA or CPA-Inactive during the time in which your individual license or CPA-Inactive certificate was lapsed; or
(b) For those who wish to reinstate a registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner: Not participated as an owner in a CPA firm during the time in which your registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner was suspended or revoked; and
(c) Met the CPE requirements for reinstatement in WAC
4-30-134(5); and
(d) Met the CPE supporting documentation requirements in WAC
4-30-138;
(2) Source documents as evidence of eligibility for CPE credit for all courses claimed in order to meet CPE requirements as defined by WAC
4-30-138;
(3) A listing of all states and foreign jurisdictions in which you hold or have applied for a license, certificate, or practice privileges;
(4) Other required documents; and
(5) All applicable fees.
Upon approval of your reinstatement application, your status will be posted in the board's licensee database and, therefore, made publicly available for confirmation. A hard copy of your credential can be provided upon request.
Your license, CPA-Inactive certificate, or registration as a nonlicensee firm owner will expire on June 30th of the third calendar year following approval of the reinstatement. The CPE reporting period for your next renewal begins on January 1st of the calendar year in which the reinstatement of your license, CPA-Inactive certificate, or registration as a nonlicensee firm owner was approved by the board and ends on December 31st of the second calendar year following approval of the reinstatement. CPE credit hours utilized to qualify for reinstatement cannot be utilized for subsequent renewal of your reinstated credential.
You may not use the restricted title(s) until your reinstatement application has been approved and posted to the board's database.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055. WSR 20-02-059, § 4-30-124, filed 12/24/19, effective 1/24/20. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.215 (2) and (4). WSR 10-24-009, amended and recodified as § 4-30-124, filed 11/18/10, effective 12/19/10. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.215(2). WSR 09-01-166, § 4-25-792, filed 12/23/08, effective 1/23/09. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.215 (2), (4). WSR 05-01-137, § 4-25-792, filed 12/16/04, effective 1/31/05; WSR 02-04-064, § 4-25-792, filed 1/31/02, effective 3/15/02. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055(11) and
18.04.215 (2), (4). WSR 99-18-122, § 4-25-792, filed 9/1/99, effective 1/1/00.]
(Effective July 1, 2024)
Reinstatements.
If your individual license or registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner has lapsed, you may not use the restricted title(s) until your individual credential has been reinstated by the board.
To reinstate a lapsed individual license or registration as a nonlicensee firm owner you must provide certain information to the board either by making application through the board's online application system or on a form provided by the board upon request. An application is not complete and cannot be processed until all required information and documents, and fees have been submitted to the board.
To reinstate, you must submit to the board:
(1) Complete reinstatement information including your certification that you have:
(a) For those who wish to reinstate a license: Not used the title CPA or CPA-Inactive during the time in which your individual license was lapsed; or
(b) For those who wish to reinstate a registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner: Not participated as an owner in a CPA firm during the time in which your registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner was lapsed; and
(c) Met the CPE requirements for reinstatement in WAC 4-30-134(5); and
(d) Met the CPE supporting documentation requirements in WAC 4-30-138;
(2) Provide documents as evidence of eligibility for CPE credit for all courses claimed in order to meet CPE requirements as defined by WAC 4-30-138;
(3) A listing of all states and foreign jurisdictions in which you hold or have applied for a license, certificate, or practice privileges;
(4) Other required documents; and
(5) All applicable fees.
Upon approval of your reinstatement application, your status will be posted in the board's licensee database and, therefore, made publicly available for confirmation. A hard copy of your credential can be provided upon request.
Your license or registration as a nonlicensee firm owner will expire on June 30th of the third calendar year following approval of the reinstatement. The CPE reporting period for your next renewal begins on January 1st of the calendar year in which the reinstatement of your license or registration as a nonlicensee firm owner was approved by the board and ends on December 31st of the second calendar year following approval of the reinstatement. CPE credit hours utilized to qualify for reinstatement cannot be utilized for subsequent renewal.
You may not use the title CPA or CPA-Inactive or hold an interest in a licensed CPA firm as a resident licensee firm owner until your reinstatement application has been approved.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055. WSR 24-04-024, § 4-30-124, filed 1/29/24, effective 7/1/24; WSR 20-02-059, § 4-30-124, filed 12/24/19, effective 1/24/20. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.215 (2) and (4). WSR 10-24-009, amended and recodified as § 4-30-124, filed 11/18/10, effective 12/19/10. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.215(2). WSR 09-01-166, § 4-25-792, filed 12/23/08, effective 1/23/09. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.215 (2), (4). WSR 05-01-137, § 4-25-792, filed 12/16/04, effective 1/31/05; WSR 02-04-064, § 4-25-792, filed 1/31/02, effective 3/15/02. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055(11) and
18.04.215 (2), (4). WSR 99-18-122, § 4-25-792, filed 9/1/99, effective 1/1/00.]
(Effective until July 1, 2024)
How do I reinstate a revoked or suspended license, CPA-Inactive certificate, or registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner?
If your license or CPA-Inactive certificate was revoked or suspended by the board pursuant to the act, you may not use the title CPA or CPA-Inactive until your license or CPA-Inactive certificate is reinstated by the board.
If your registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner was revoked or suspended by the board pursuant to the act, you may not be a firm owner until your registration is reinstated by the board.
You may request that the board modify the suspension or revocation after three years have elapsed from the effective date of the board's order revoking or suspending your license, CPA-Inactive certificate, or registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner unless the board sets some other period by order. However, if you made a previous request with respect to the same order, no additional request will be considered before the lapse of an additional three years following the board's decision on the last such previous application for reinstatement.
To request reinstatement of a revoked or suspended license, CPA-Inactive certificate, or registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner you must provide the board with certain information either by making application through the board's online application system or on a form provided by the board upon request. An application is not complete and cannot be processed until all required information, documents, and fees are submitted to the board.
To request reinstatement, you must submit to the board:
(1) Complete information including your certification that you have:
(a) For those who wish to reinstate a license or CPA-Inactive certificate: Not used the title CPA during the time in which your license or CPA-Inactive certificate was suspended or revoked; or
(b) For those who wish to reinstate a registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner: Not participated as an owner in a CPA firm during the time in which your registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner was suspended or revoked; and
(c) Met the CPE requirements for reinstatement in WAC
4-30-134(6), by submitting the documentation to support the CPE claimed;
(2) A listing of all states and foreign jurisdictions in which you hold or have applied for a license, CPA-Inactive certificate, permit, or practice privilege under substantial equivalence;
(3) All applicable fees;
(4) Written substantiation of the reasons constituting good cause for the reinstatement; and
(5) Two supporting recommendations from licensees who have personal knowledge of your activities since the suspension or revocation was imposed.
In considering the reinstatement application, the board may consider all relevant factors, including but not limited to:
(a) The offense for which you were disciplined;
(b) Your activities since the disciplinary penalty was imposed;
(c) Your activities during the time the license, CPA-Inactive certificate, or registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner was in good standing;
(d) Your rehabilitative efforts;
(e) Restitution to damaged parties in the matter for which the penalty was imposed; and
(f) Your general reputation for integrity, objectivity, and ethical commitment.
If the board decides to consider the merits of your application for reinstatement, in the board's discretion, a hearing may be held following such procedures as the board deems suitable for the particular case. If the board decides that it will not consider the merits of your application for reinstatement, then this constitutes final agency action and there is no further administrative review available to you. As a condition of reinstatement, the board may impose such terms and conditions as it deems suitable.
The board will not consider a request for reinstatement while you are under sentence for any criminal offense, including any period during which you are on court-imposed probation or parole.
If the board approves your application, your status will be posted in the board's licensee database and, therefore, made publicly available for confirmation. A hard copy of your reinstated credential can be provided upon request.
Your reinstated license, CPA-Inactive certificate, or registration will expire on June 30th of the third calendar year following approval of the reinstatement. The CPE reporting period for your next renewal begins on January 1 of the calendar year in which the reinstatement of your license, CPA-Inactive certificate, or registration was approved by the board and ends on December 31 of the second calendar year following approval of the reinstatement. CPE credit hours utilized to qualify for reinstatement of a license, CPA-Inactive certificate, or registration cannot be utilized for subsequent renewal of your credential.
You may not use the title CPA or CPA-Inactive or hold an interest in a licensed CPA firm as a resident nonlicensee firm owner until your reinstatement application has been approved.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.215(2),
18.04.335,
34.05.220. WSR 10-24-009, amended and recodified as § 4-30-126, filed 11/18/10, effective 12/19/10. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.215(2),
18.04.335. WSR 09-01-166, § 4-25-795, filed 12/23/08, effective 1/23/09. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.215(2),
18.04.335, and
34.05.220. WSR 05-01-137, § 4-25-795, filed 12/16/04, effective 1/31/05; WSR 02-04-064, § 4-25-795, filed 1/31/02, effective 3/15/02. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055(11),
18.04.335 and
34.05.220. WSR 99-18-123, § 4-25-795, filed 9/1/99, effective 1/1/00.]
(Effective July 1, 2024)
Reinstatement of a revoked or suspended license or registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner.
If your license was revoked or suspended by the board pursuant to the act, you may not use the title CPA or CPA-Inactive until your license is reinstated by the board.
If your registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner was revoked or suspended by the board pursuant to the act, you may not be a firm owner until your registration is reinstated by the board.
You may request that the board modify the suspension or revocation after three years have elapsed from the effective date of the board's order revoking or suspending your license or registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner unless the board sets some other period by order. However, if you made a previous request with respect to the same order, no additional request will be considered before the lapse of an additional three years following the board's decision on the last such previous application for reinstatement.
To request reinstatement of a revoked or suspended license or registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner you must provide the board with certain information either by making application through the board's online application system or on a form provided by the board upon request. An application is not complete and cannot be processed until all required information, documents, and fees are submitted to the board.
To request reinstatement, you must submit to the board:
(1) Complete information including your certification that you have:
(a) For those who wish to reinstate a license: Not used the title CPA or CPA-Inactive during the time in which your license was suspended or revoked; or
(b) For those who wish to reinstate a registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner: Not participated as an owner in a CPA firm during the time in which your registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner was suspended or revoked; and
(c) Met the CPE requirements for reinstatement in WAC 4-30-134 (5), by submitting the documentation to support the CPE claimed;
(2) A listing of all states and foreign jurisdictions in which you hold or have applied for a license, certificate, permit, or practice privilege under substantial equivalence;
(3) All applicable fees;
(4) Written substantiation of the reasons constituting good cause for the reinstatement; and
(5) Two supporting recommendations from licensees who have personal knowledge of your activities since the suspension or revocation was imposed.
In considering the reinstatement application, the board may consider all relevant factors, including but not limited to:
(a) The offense for which you were disciplined;
(b) Your activities since the disciplinary penalty was imposed;
(c) Your activities during the time the license or registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner was in good standing;
(d) Your rehabilitative efforts;
(e) Restitution to damaged parties in the matter for which the penalty was imposed; and
(f) Your general reputation for integrity, objectivity, and ethical commitment.
If the board decides to consider the merits of your application for reinstatement, in the board's discretion, a hearing may be held following such procedures as the board deems suitable for the particular case. If the board decides that it will not consider the merits of your application for reinstatement, then this constitutes final agency action and there is no further administrative review available to you. As a condition of reinstatement, the board may impose such terms and conditions as it deems suitable.
The board will not consider a request for reinstatement while you are under sentence for any criminal offense, including any period during which you are on court-imposed probation or parole.
If the board approves your application, your status will be posted in the board's licensee database and, therefore, made publicly available for confirmation. A hard copy of your reinstated credential can be provided upon request.
Your reinstated license or registration will expire on June 30th of the third calendar year following approval of the reinstatement. The CPE reporting period for your next renewal begins on January 1st of the calendar year in which the reinstatement of your license or registration was approved by the board and ends on December 31st of the second calendar year following approval of the reinstatement. CPE credit hours utilized to qualify for reinstatement of a license or registration cannot be utilized for subsequent renewal.
You may not use the title CPA or CPA-Inactive or hold an interest in a licensed CPA firm as a resident nonlicensee firm owner until your reinstatement application has been approved.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055. WSR 24-04-024, § 4-30-126, filed 1/29/24, effective 7/1/24. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.215(2),
18.04.335,
34.05.220. WSR 10-24-009, amended and recodified as § 4-30-126, filed 11/18/10, effective 12/19/10. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.215(2),
18.04.335. WSR 09-01-166, § 4-25-795, filed 12/23/08, effective 1/23/09. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.215(2),
18.04.335, and
34.05.220. WSR 05-01-137, § 4-25-795, filed 12/16/04, effective 1/31/05; WSR 02-04-064, § 4-25-795, filed 1/31/02, effective 3/15/02. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055(11),
18.04.335 and
34.05.220. WSR 99-18-123, § 4-25-795, filed 9/1/99, effective 1/1/00.]
Quality assurance review (QAR) requirements for licensed CPA firms.
(1)
Purpose. The Washington state board of accountancy is charged with protection of the public interest and ensuring the dependability of information used for guidance in financial transactions or for accounting for or assessing the status or performance of commercial and noncommercial enterprises, whether public, private or governmental. The purpose of the QAR program, such as peer review, is to monitor licensees' compliance with audit, compilation, review, and other attestation standards. If the board becomes aware that a firm's performance and/or reporting practices for audit, review, compilation, and other engagements covered by relevant recognized professional standards as delineated in WAC
4-30-048, may not be in accordance with said professional standards, the board will take appropriate action to protect the public interest.
(2)
Peer review. Generally, all firms licensed in Washington state offering and/or performing attest services or compilation services, as defined by WAC
4-30-010, or other professional services for which a report expressing assurance is prescribed by professional standards, are required to participate in a board-approved peer review program as a condition of renewing each CPA firm license under RCW
18.04.215 and WAC
4-30-114. However, certain exemptions are listed in subsection (10) of this section. Board-approved peer review programs include:
(a) The inspection processes of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB);
(b) Peer review programs administered by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and/or their assigned administering entities (AE); and
(c) Other programs recognized and approved by the board.
(3) Enrollment in peer review: A licensed firm must enroll in a board-approved peer review program before issuing a report for each of the following types of service:
(a) Compilation on historical financial statements;
(b) Review on historical financial statements;
(c) Audit report on financial statements, performance audit reports, or examination reports on internal controls for nonpublic enterprises;
(d) Other professional services subject to Statements on Standards for Attestation Engagements.
The schedule for the firm's peer review shall be established according to the peer review program's standards. The board does not require any licensee to become a member of any organization administering a peer review program.
(4) Participation in peer review. Every firm that is required to participate in a peer review program shall have a peer review in accordance with the peer review program standards.
(a) It is the responsibility of the firm to anticipate its needs for review services in sufficient time to enable the reviewer to complete the review by the assigned review date.
(b) Any firm that is dropped or terminated by a peer review program for any reason shall have twenty-one days to provide written notice to the board of such termination or drop and to request authorization from the board to enroll in another board-approved peer review program.
(c) In the event a firm is merged, otherwise combined, dissolved or separated, the peer review program shall determine which firm is considered the succeeding firm. The succeeding firm shall retain its peer review status and the review due date.
(d) A firm choosing to change to another peer review program may do so only if there is not an open active peer review and if the peer review is performed in accordance with the minimum standards for performing and reporting on peer reviews.
(5) Reporting requirements. Every firm must provide the following information, along with the appropriate fees, with every application for renewal of a firm license by April 30th of the renewal year:
(a) Certify whether the firm does or does not perform attest services or compilation services as defined by WAC
4-30-010, or other professional services for which a report expressing assurance is prescribed by professional standards in Washington state;
(b) If the firm is subject to the peer review requirements, provide the name of the approved peer review program in which the firm is enrolled, and the period covered by the firm's most recent peer review;
(c) Certify the result of the firm's most recent peer review.
Failure to timely submit complete information and the related fee by the April 30th due date can result in the assessment of late fees. The board may waive late fees based on individual hardship including, but not limited to, financial hardship, critical illness, or active military deployment.
(6) Documents required. Any firm required to undergo peer review per subsection (2) of this section is required to participate in the AICPA Facilitated State Board Access (FSBA). Other information the board deems important, may be requested for understanding the information submitted.
(7)
Document retention. RCW
18.04.390(4) and WAC
4-30-051(11) require a firm to retain audit and review records and documentation for a period of seven years after the firm concludes an audit or review of a client's financial statements.
(8) Extensions. The board may grant an extension of time for submission of the peer review report to the board. Extensions will be determined by the board on a case-by-case basis.
(9) Verification. The board may verify the certifications of peer review reports that firms provide.
(10) Exemption from peer review.
(a) Out-of-state firms that do not have a physical location in this state, but perform attest or compilation services in this state, and are otherwise qualified for practice privileges under RCW
18.04.195 (1)(a)(iii)(A) through (D) or (b) are not required to participate in the board's program if the out-of-state firm participates in a board-approved peer review program or similar program approved or sponsored by another state's board of accountancy.
(b) Firms that do not perform attest services or compilation services, as defined by WAC
4-30-010, or other professional services for which a report expressing assurance is prescribed by professional standards are not required to participate in a peer review program, and shall request exemption on each firm license renewal application.
(c) Firms that prepare financial statements which do not require reports under Statements on Standards for Accounting and Review Services (management use only compilation reports) and that perform no other attest or compilation services, are not required to participate in a peer review program; however, any such engagements performed by a firm that is otherwise required to participate in a peer review program shall be included in the selection of engagements subject to peer review.
(11) Quality assurance oversight.
(a) The board will:
(i) Annually appoint a peer review oversight committee, and such other committees as the board, in its discretion deems necessary, to provide oversight of the administration of approved peer review programs in order to provide reasonable assurance that peer reviews are being conducted and reported on in accordance with the minimum standards for performing and reporting on peer reviews;
(ii) Consider reports from the peer review oversight committee;
(iii) Direct the evaluation of peer review reports and related documents submitted by firms;
(iv) Determine the appropriate action for firms that have unresolved matters relating to the peer review process or that have not complied with, or acted in disregard of the peer review requirements;
(v) Determine appropriate action for firms when issues with a peer review report may warrant further action; and
(vi) Take appropriate actions the board, in its discretion, deems appropriate to carry out the functions of the quality assurance review program and achieve the purpose of the peer review requirement.
(b) The peer review oversight committee shall conduct oversight of approved peer review programs at least semiannually to provide reasonable assurance that such programs are in compliance with the minimum standards for performing and reporting on peer reviews.
(i) The peer review oversight committee's oversight procedures may consist of, but are not limited to:
(A) Attending the peer review program's report acceptance body (RAB) meetings during consideration of peer review documents;
(B) Observing the peer review program administrator's internal review of program and quality control compliance;
(C) Observing the peer review program's review of the administrator's process.
(ii) The peer review oversight committee shall report to the board any modifications to approved peer review programs and shall make recommendations regarding the continued approval of peer review programs.
(12) Remedies. The board will take appropriate action to protect the public's interest if the board determines through the peer review process or otherwise that a firm's performance and/or reporting practices are not or may not be in accordance with applicable professional standards, the firm does not comply with peer review program requirements, or the firm does not comply with all or some of the reporting, remedial action, and/or fee payment requirements of subsection (5) of this section. The board's actions may include, but are not limited to:
(a) Require the firm to develop quality control procedures to provide reasonable assurance that similar occurrences will not occur in the future;
(b) Require any individual licensee who had responsibility for, or who substantially participated in the engagement(s), to successfully complete specific courses or types of continuing education as specified by the board;
(c) Require that the reviewed firm responsible for engagement(s) submit all or specified categories of its compilation or attest working papers and reports to a preissuance evaluation performed by a board-approved licensee in a manner and for a duration prescribed by the board. Prior to the firm issuing the reports on the engagements reviewed, the board-approved licensee shall submit to the board for board acceptance a report of the findings, including the nature and frequency of recommended actions to the firm. The cost of the board-approved preissuance evaluation will be at the firm's expense;
(d) Require the reviewed firm to engage a board-approved licensee to conduct a board-prescribed on-site field review of the firm's work product and practices or perform other investigative procedures to assess the degree or pervasiveness of nonconforming work product. The board-approved licensee engaged by the firm shall submit a report of the findings to the board within thirty days of the completion of the services. The cost of the board-prescribed on-site review or other board-prescribed procedures will be at the firm's expense; or
(f) Absent an investigation the specific rating of a single peer review report is not a sufficient basis to warrant disciplinary action.
(13) The board may solicit and review licensee reports and/or other information covered by the reports from clients, public agencies, banks, and other users of such information.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055. WSR 19-22-005, § 4-30-130, filed 10/24/19, effective 1/1/20; WSR 16-17-036, § 4-30-130, filed 8/9/16, effective 9/9/16. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055(9). WSR 14-16-102, § 4-30-130, filed 8/5/14, effective 9/5/14; WSR 12-17-054, § 4-30-130, filed 8/10/12, effective 9/10/12. WSR 10-24-009, amended and recodified as § 4-30-130, filed 11/18/10, effective 12/19/10; WSR 08-18-016, § 4-25-820, filed 8/25/08, effective 9/25/08; WSR 07-14-036, § 4-25-820, filed 6/26/07, effective 7/27/07; WSR 05-01-135, § 4-25-820, filed 12/16/04, effective 1/31/05; WSR 02-04-064, § 4-25-820, filed 1/31/02, effective 3/15/02. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055. WSR 94-02-071, § 4-25-820, filed 1/4/94, effective 2/4/94.]
Qualifying continuing professional education (CPE) activities.
(1) CPE activities are learning opportunities that contribute directly to an individual's knowledge, ability, and/or competence to perform his or her professional responsibilities. CPE activities should:
(a) Address the individual's current and future work environment, current knowledge and skills, and desired or needed knowledge and skills to meet future opportunities and/or professional responsibilities; and
(b) Maintain knowledge of current ethical and other regulatory requirements.
(2) An activity qualifies as acceptable CPE, under RCW
18.04.215, if it follows one of the following formats:
(a)
Nano learning format – As defined in WAC
4-30-010. A nano learning course shall be considered a qualifying activity once a minimum of ten minutes (0.2 credit hours) but less than fifty minutes (1.0 credit hour) has been completed; or
(b) Formal learning format – Defined herein, as a formal activity of learning that is:
• A minimum of fifty minutes of continuous instruction in length with participants signing in to record attendance;
• If the program exceeds four credit hours, participants must also sign out; and
• Attendees are provided a certificate of completion.
(3) Formal learning formats can include:
(a) Professional, technical, or education sessions of national, state, and local organizations and their chapters;
(b) Programs of other organizations (accounting, industrial, professional, etc.);
(c) Formal employer education programs;
(d) Dinner, luncheon, and breakfast meetings which are structured as formal education programs;
(e) Undergraduate and graduate courses. For both undergraduate and graduate courses one quarter credit equals ten CPE credit hours and one semester credit equals fifteen CPE credit hours;
(f) Interactive and noninteractive self-study programs;
(g) Instructor/developer of a college or university course;
(h) Instructor/developer of a CPE course;
(i) Authorship of published articles, books, and other publications relevant to maintaining or improving professional competence;
(j) Group study;
(k) Service on the Washington state board of accountancy, the board's committees, or volunteer service on one of the board approved peer review committees;
(l) CPE credit may not be claimed for CPA examination review courses; and
(m) You may not claim CPE credit for preparing for or taking a credential examination unless you complete a formal review course and receive a certificate of completion meeting the requirements of WAC
4-30-138.
(4) Formats other than those listed may be approved by the executive director provided you can demonstrate they contribute to your professional competence.
(5) Subject areas: Activities relating to the following subjects are acceptable for all formats provided they follow the standards of this section:
(a) Technical subjects include:
(i) Auditing standards or procedures;
(ii) Compilation and review of financial statements;
(iii) Financial statement preparation and disclosures;
(iv) Attestation standards and procedures;
(v) Projection and forecast standards or procedures;
(vi) Accounting and auditing;
(vii) Management advisory services;
(viii) Personal financial planning;
(ix) Taxation;
(x) Management information services;
(xi) Budgeting and cost analysis;
(xii) Asset management;
(xiii) Professional ethics;
(xiv) Specialized areas of industry;
(xv) Human resource management;
(xvi) Economics;
(xvii) Business law;
(xviii) Mathematics, statistics, and quantitative applications in business;
(xix) Business management and organization;
(xx) General computer skills, computer software training, information technology planning and management; and
(xxi) Negotiation or dispute resolution courses;
(b) Nontechnical subjects include:
(i) Communication skills;
(ii) Interpersonal management skills;
(iii) Leadership and personal development skills;
(iv) Client and public relations;
(v) Practice development;
(vi) Motivational and behavioral courses; and
(vii) Speed reading and memory building.
(6) Subjects other than those listed above may be acceptable provided you can demonstrate they contribute to your professional competence.
(7) Washington state board approved ethics. Courses must meet the following requirements:
(a) The content of the course, which shall be approved by the board, must be specific to the laws and rules applicable to the regulatory framework in Washington state including the administrative requirements for an individual's initial and continued use of restricted titles in this state;
(b) All CPE authors must submit course materials for this course to the executive director of the board for approval prior to delivery of the content for credit;
(c) The ethics and regulations course material must cover all of the following topics, and instructors of approved courses must substantially address these topics in their presentations:
(i) General level information on the AICPA code of conduct.
(ii) General level information on the Public Accountancy Act, the board's rules, policies, including recent or pending changes therein, and the rule-making process.
(iii) Emphasis must be placed on key differences between Washington state law (chapter
18.04 RCW), this board's rules (Title 4 WAC), and the AICPA code of conduct.
(iv) Detailed information on the following:
(A) WAC
4-30-026 How can I contact the board?
(B) WAC
4-30-032 Do I need to notify the board if I change my address?
(C) WAC
4-30-034 Must I respond to inquiries from the board?
(D) WAC
4-30-040 through
4-30-058 ethics and prohibited practices, including related board policies, if any.
(E) WAC
4-30-130 series - Continuing competency, including related board policies, if any.
(F) WAC
4-30-142 What are the bases for the board to impose discipline?
(G) Other topics or information as defined by board policy;
(d) The course must also include case study scenarios demonstrating how to comply with the relevant provisions of the AICPA code of conduct and the board's statutory or regulatory framework when faced with ethical situations that might occur when offering or performing a specific type of professional service in the practice of public accounting or as a professionally regulated person not in the practice of public accounting; and
(e) At least sixty percent of the course material content, presentation time, and commentary must include general level information on the Public Accountancy Act, the board's rules and policies, including recent or pending changes thereto, variances of key differences between Washington state law (chapter
18.04 RCW), the board's rules (Title 4 WAC), and the AICPA code of conduct, and scenarios demonstrating the different compliance outcomes that might result because the board's rules prevail when the board's rules vary from the AICPA code of professional conduct and/or related official AICPA interpretations.
Limits on total hours that can be earned during any single renewal cycle for specified formats are detailed in WAC 4-30-133. [Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055. WSR 19-16-074, § 4-30-132, filed 7/31/19, effective 1/1/20. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055(7) and
18.04.215(5). WSR 12-17-053, § 4-30-132, filed 8/10/12, effective 9/10/12. WSR 10-24-009, amended and recodified as § 4-30-132, filed 11/18/10, effective 12/19/10. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055(7) and
18.04.215. WSR 09-17-044, § 4-25-831, filed 8/11/09, effective 9/11/09. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055(7),
18.04.215(5). WSR 05-01-137, § 4-25-831, filed 12/16/04, effective 1/31/05; WSR 01-22-036, § 4-25-831, filed 10/30/01, effective 12/1/01. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055 and
18.04.105(8). WSR 99-23-046, § 4-25-831, filed 11/15/99, effective 1/1/00.]
(Effective until July 1, 2024)
Continuing professional education (CPE) requirements.
(1) Renewal.
(a) CPE requirements for renewal are pursuant to RCW
18.04.215(5).
(b) An individual seeking renewal shall assert in a manner acceptable to the board that they met all of the CPE requirements for renewal during their CPE reporting period ending December 31st of the year prior to their license expiration date.
(c) CPA licensee.
(i) Completion of a minimum of one hundred twenty CPE credit hours within the three-year CPE reporting period;
(ii) Completion of a four credit hour Washington state board approved ethics course meeting the requirements of WAC
4-30-132;
(iii) Completion of a minimum of twenty CPE credit hours during each calendar year included in the three-year CPE reporting period. Restrictions on the type of CPE credit hours qualifying to meet the twenty credit hour minimum are specified in WAC
4-30-133; and
(iv) Completion of no more than sixty CPE credit hours in nontechnical subject areas as specified in WAC
4-30-132.
Exception: If the licensee qualifies for CPE reciprocity, see the CPE requirements under the provisions of subsection (7) of this section.
(d)
CPA-Inactive certificate holder ornonlicensee firm owner. Completion of a four credit hour Washington state board approved ethics course meeting the requirements of WAC
4-30-132.
(2) First renewal cycle.
(a) After license issuance:
(i) CPE credit is allowable only for those programs taken in time periods after the first CPA license is issued pursuant to the authority of the board under chapter
18.04 RCW.
(ii) Credit is not allowed for programs taken to prepare an applicant for the CPA examination or the AICPA ethics examination as a requirement for initial licensure.
(b) After conversion of a CPA-Inactive to a CPA license.
(i) If your license was issued during the
first calendar year of your CPE reporting period, you must have completed eighty CPE credit hours which is limited to forty CPE credit hours in nontechnical subject areas and must include a four credit hour Washington state board approved ethics course meeting the requirements of WAC
4-30-132.
(ii) If your license was issued during the
second calendar year of your CPE reporting period, you must have completed forty CPE credit hours which is limited to twenty CPE credit hours in nontechnical subject areas and must include a four credit hour Washington state board approved ethics course meeting the requirements of WAC
4-30-132.
(iii) If your license was issued during the
third calendar year of your CPE reporting period, you must have completed a four credit hour Washington state board approved ethics course meeting the requirements of WAC
4-30-132.
(3) Extension requests for renewal.
(a) If an individual has failed to complete the required CPE as defined in WAC 4-30-134 by December 31st of the last year of their three-year CPE reporting period, the individual must notify the board prior to their expiration date to request an extension of time to complete their CPE requirement by their expiration date.
(b) Credits earned during the interim period between January 1st and June 30th of the individual's renewal year that are used to meet the prior reporting period's CPE requirement will be carried back to the CPE reporting period ended December 31st. These credits cannot be counted towards the requirement for the individual's current CPE reporting period.
(c) An individual is allowed only one CPE extension in any two consecutive CPE reporting periods (six year period).
(4) Failure to obtain required CPE for renewal. Under the following circumstances the board will serve notice that a license, CPA-Inactive certificate, or nonlicensee firm owner registration will lapse and the individual will have an opportunity to request a brief adjudicative proceeding:
(a) An individual who applied for renewal and failed to obtain the required CPE credit hours by December 31st of the last year of their CPE reporting period and failed to request an extension by their expiration date;
(b) An individual who applied for renewal and failed to obtain the required CPE credit hours by December 31st for the second time in any two consecutive CPE reporting periods; or
(c) An individual who applied for renewal and failed to obtain the necessary CPE credit hours by June 30th of their renewal year after submitting an extension request.
(5) Applications other than renewal.
(a) For the following applications, you must have completed the requirements of this section within the thirty-six-month period immediately preceding the date an application is submitted to the board; however, the completion of a four credit hour Washington state board approved ethics course must be within the six-month period immediately preceding the date your application and the CPE documentation are submitted to the board:
(i) You are applying to renew a license out of retirement;
(ii) You are a CPA-Inactive certificate holder applying for a license; or
(iii) You are applying for reinstatement of a lapsed, suspended, or revoked license.
(b) For the following applications, you must have completed a four credit hour Washington state board approved ethics course within the six-month period immediately preceding the date your application and the CPE documentation are submitted to the board:
(i) You are applying to renew a CPA-Inactive certificate out of retirement;
(ii) You are applying to reinstate a lapsed, suspended, or revoked CPA-Inactive certificate; or
(iii) You are applying to reinstate a lapsed, suspended, or revoked registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner.
(6)
Individuals operating under mobility. Licensees from other substantially equivalent U.S. states or jurisdictions, eligible to exercise practice privileges under RCW
18.04.195, are exempt from the CPE requirements of this section provided that they have met the CPE requirements of the state in which they are licensed.
(7) CPE reciprocity.
(a) A nonresident licensee seeking renewal of a license in this state shall be determined to have met the CPE requirements of this rule by meeting the CPE requirements for renewal of a license in the state in which the licensee's principal place of business is located.
(b) Nonresident applicants for renewal shall demonstrate compliance with the CPE renewal requirements of the state in which the licensee's principal place of business is located by signing a statement on the renewal application of this state.
(c) If the state of residence has no CPE requirements for renewal, the nonresident licensee must comply with all CPE requirements for this state.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055. WSR 19-16-074, § 4-30-134, filed 7/31/19, effective 1/1/20. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.065 and
18.04.215(5). WSR 14-04-086, § 4-30-134, filed 2/3/14, effective 3/6/14. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055 (7), (14),
18.04.215(5). WSR 13-17-094, § 4-30-134, filed 8/20/13, effective 1/1/14. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055(7),
18.04.215(5). WSR 11-07-070, § 4-30-134, filed 3/22/11, effective 4/22/11; WSR 10-24-009, amended and recodified as § 4-30-134, filed 11/18/10, effective 12/19/10. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055(7) and
18.04.215. WSR 09-17-044, § 4-25-830, filed 8/11/09, effective 9/11/09. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055(7),
18.04.215(5). WSR 08-18-016, § 4-25-830, filed 8/25/08, effective 9/25/08; WSR 05-01-137, § 4-25-830, filed 12/16/04, effective 1/31/05; WSR 02-04-064, § 4-25-830, filed 1/31/02, effective 3/15/02. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055(7),
18.04.104(8),
18.04.215(4). WSR 00-11-077, § 4-25-830, filed 5/15/00, effective 6/30/00. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055(7),
18.04.215(4) and
18.04.105(8). WSR 99-23-045, § 4-25-830, filed 11/15/99, effective 1/1/00.]
(Effective July 1, 2024)
Continuing professional education (CPE) requirements.
(1) Renewal.
(a) CPE requirements for renewal are pursuant to RCW
18.04.215(5).
(b) An individual seeking renewal shall assert in a manner acceptable to the board that they met all of the CPE requirements for renewal during their CPE reporting period ending December 31st of the year prior to their license expiration date.
(c) CPA license in an active status.
(i) Completion of a minimum of 120 CPE credit hours within the three-year CPE reporting period;
(ii) Completion of a four credit hour Washington state board approved ethics course meeting the requirements of WAC 4-30-132;
(iii) Completion of a minimum of 20 CPE credit hours during each calendar year included in the three-year CPE reporting period. Restrictions on the type of CPE credit hours qualifying to meet the 20 credit hour minimum are specified in WAC 4-30-133; and
(iv) Completion of no more than 60 CPE credit hours in nontechnical subject areas as specified in WAC 4-30-132.
Exception: If the licensee qualifies for CPE reciprocity, see the CPE requirements under the provisions of subsection (7) of this section.
(d) CPA license in an inactive status or nonlicensee firm owner. Completion of a four credit hour Washington state board approved ethics course meeting the requirements of WAC 4-30-132.
(2) First renewal cycle.
(a) After license issuance:
(i) CPE credit is allowable only for those programs taken in time periods after the first CPA license is issued pursuant to the authority of the board under chapter
18.04 RCW.
(ii) Credit is not allowed for programs taken to prepare an applicant for the CPA examination or the AICPA ethics examination as a requirement for initial licensure.
(b) After conversion of a license from an inactive to an active status.
(i) If your active status was issued during the first calendar year of your CPE reporting period, you must have completed 80 CPE credit hours which is limited to 40 CPE credit hours in nontechnical subject areas and must include a four credit hour Washington state board approved ethics course meeting the requirements of WAC 4-30-132.
(ii) If your active status was issued during the second calendar year of your CPE reporting period, you must have completed 40 CPE credit hours which is limited to 20 CPE credit hours in nontechnical subject areas and must include a four credit hour Washington state board approved ethics course meeting the requirements of WAC 4-30-132.
(iii) If your active status was issued during the third calendar year of your CPE reporting period, you must have completed a four credit hour Washington state board approved ethics course meeting the requirements of WAC 4-30-132.
(3) Extension requests for renewal.
(a) If an individual has failed to complete the required CPE as defined in WAC 4-30-134 by December 31st of the last year of their three-year CPE reporting period, the individual must notify the board prior to their expiration date to request an extension of time to complete their CPE requirement by their expiration date.
(b) Credits earned during the interim period between January 1st and June 30th of the individual's renewal year that are used to meet the prior reporting period's CPE requirement will be carried back to the CPE reporting period ended December 31st. These credits cannot be counted towards the requirement for the individual's current CPE reporting period.
(c) An individual is allowed only one CPE extension in any two consecutive CPE reporting periods (six year period).
(4) Failure to obtain required CPE for renewal. Under the following circumstances the board will serve notice that a license or nonlicensee firm owner registration will lapse and the individual will have an opportunity to request a brief adjudicative proceeding:
(a) An individual who applied for renewal and failed to obtain the required CPE credit hours by December 31st of the last year of their CPE reporting period and failed to request an extension by their expiration date;
(b) An individual who applied for renewal and failed to obtain the required CPE credit hours by December 31st for the second time in any two consecutive CPE reporting periods; or
(c) An individual who applied for renewal and failed to obtain the necessary CPE credit hours by June 30th of their renewal year after submitting an extension request.
(5) Applications other than renewal.
(a) For the following applications, you must have completed the requirements of this section within the 36-month period immediately preceding the date an application is submitted to the board; however, the completion of a four credit hour Washington state board approved ethics course must be within the six-month period immediately preceding the date your application and the CPE documentation are submitted to the board:
(i) You are applying to renew a license out of retirement;
(ii) You are applying to convert your inactive status to active;
(iii) You are a certificate holder applying for an initial license; or
(iv) You are applying for reinstatement of a lapsed, suspended, or revoked license.
(b) For the following applications, you must have completed a four credit hour Washington state board approved ethics course within the six-month period immediately preceding the date your application and the CPE documentation are submitted to the board:
You are applying to reinstate a lapsed, suspended, or revoked registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner.
(6)
Individuals operating under mobility. Licensees from other substantially equivalent U.S. states or jurisdictions, eligible to exercise practice privileges under RCW
18.04.195, are exempt from the CPE requirements of this section provided that they have met the CPE requirements of the state in which they are licensed.
(7) CPE reciprocity.
(a) A nonresident licensee seeking renewal of a license in this state shall be determined to have met the CPE requirements of this rule by meeting the CPE requirements for renewal of a license in the state in which the licensee's principal place of business is located.
(b) Nonresident applicants for renewal shall demonstrate compliance with the CPE renewal requirements of the state in which the licensee's principal place of business is located by signing a statement on the renewal application of this state.
(c) If the state of residence has no CPE requirements for renewal, the nonresident licensee must comply with all CPE requirements for this state.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055. WSR 24-04-024, § 4-30-134, filed 1/29/24, effective 7/1/24; WSR 19-16-074, § 4-30-134, filed 7/31/19, effective 1/1/20. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.065 and
18.04.215(5). WSR 14-04-086, § 4-30-134, filed 2/3/14, effective 3/6/14. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055 (7), (14),
18.04.215(5). WSR 13-17-094, § 4-30-134, filed 8/20/13, effective 1/1/14. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055(7),
18.04.215(5). WSR 11-07-070, § 4-30-134, filed 3/22/11, effective 4/22/11; WSR 10-24-009, amended and recodified as § 4-30-134, filed 11/18/10, effective 12/19/10. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055(7) and
18.04.215. WSR 09-17-044, § 4-25-830, filed 8/11/09, effective 9/11/09. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055(7),
18.04.215(5). WSR 08-18-016, § 4-25-830, filed 8/25/08, effective 9/25/08; WSR 05-01-137, § 4-25-830, filed 12/16/04, effective 1/31/05; WSR 02-04-064, § 4-25-830, filed 1/31/02, effective 3/15/02. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055(7),
18.04.104(8),
18.04.215(4). WSR 00-11-077, § 4-25-830, filed 5/15/00, effective 6/30/00. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055(7),
18.04.215(4) and
18.04.105(8). WSR 99-23-045, § 4-25-830, filed 11/15/99, effective 1/1/00.]
(Effective until July 1, 2024)
What are the bases for the board to impose discipline?
RCW
18.04.055,
18.04.295,
18.04.305, and
18.04.350 authorize the board to revoke, suspend, refuse to issue, renew, or reinstate an individual or firm license, CPA-Inactive certificate, the right to exercise practice privileges in this state, or registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner; impose a fine not to exceed thirty thousand dollars; recover investigative and legal costs; impose full restitution to injured parties; impose remedial sanctions; impose conditions precedent to renew; or prohibit a resident nonlicensee from holding an ownership interest in a firm licensed in this state for the specific acts listed below.
The following are specific examples of prohibited acts that constitute grounds for discipline under RCW
18.04.295,
18.04.305, and
18.04.350. The board does not intend this listing to be all inclusive.
(1) Fraud or deceit in applying for the CPA examination, obtaining a license, registering as a resident nonlicensee firm owner, or in any filings with the board.
(2) Fraud or deceit in renewing or requesting reinstatement of a license, CPA-Inactive certificate, registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner.
(3) Cheating on the CPA exam.
(4) Making a false or misleading statement in support of another person's application or request to:
(a) Take the national uniform CPA examination;
(b) Obtain a license or registration required by the act or board;
(c) Reinstate or modify the terms of a revoked or suspended license, certificate, or registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner in this state;
(d) Reinstate revoked or suspended practice privileges of an individual or firm licensed in another state.
(5) Dishonesty, fraud, or negligence while representing oneself as a licensee, CPA-Inactive certificate holder, or a resident nonlicensee firm owner including, but not limited to:
(a) Practicing public accounting in Washington state prior to obtaining a license required per RCW
18.04.215, obtaining a firm license as required by RCW
18.04.195, or without qualifying to operate under firm mobility;
(b) Offering or rendering public accounting services in this state by an out-of-state individual not qualified for practice privileges under RCW
18.04.350(2);
(c) Offering or rendering public accounting services in this state by an out-of-state firm not qualified for practice privileges under firm mobility per RCW
18.04.195.
(d) Making misleading, deceptive, or untrue representations;
(e) Engaging in acts of fiscal dishonesty;
(f) Purposefully, knowingly, or negligently failing to file a report or record, or filing a false report or record, required by local, state, or federal law;
(g) Unlawfully selling unregistered securities;
(h) Unlawfully acting as an unregistered securities salesperson or broker-dealer;
(i) Discharging a trustee's duties in a negligent manner or breaching one's fiduciary duties, acting in a manner not in compliance with chapter
11.96A RCW; or
(j) Withdrawing or liquidating, as fees earned, funds received by a licensee, CPA-Inactive certificate holder, or a resident nonlicensee firm owner from a client as a deposit or retainer when the client contests the amount of fees earned, until such time as the dispute is resolved.
(6) The following shall be prima facie evidence that a licensee, as defined in WAC
4-30-010, CPA-Inactive certificate holder, a nonlicensee firm owner, or the employees of such persons has engaged in dishonesty, fraud, or negligence while representing oneself as a licensee, as defined in WAC
4-30-010, CPA-Inactive certificate holder, a nonlicensee firm owner, or an employee of such persons:
(a) An order of a court of competent jurisdiction finding that the person or persons committed an act of negligence, fraud, or dishonesty or other act reflecting adversely on the person's fitness to represent himself, herself, or itself as a licensee, as defined in WAC
4-30-010, CPA-Inactive certificate holder, or a nonlicensee firm owner;
(b) An order of a federal, state, local or foreign jurisdiction regulatory body, or a PCAOB, finding that the licensee, as defined in WAC
4-30-010, CPA-Inactive certificate holder, or nonlicensee firm owner, or employee of such persons committed an act of negligence, fraud, or dishonesty or other act reflecting adversely on the person's fitness to represent himself, herself, or itself as a licensee, as defined in WAC
4-30-010, a CPA-Inactive certificate holder, or a nonlicensee firm owner;
(c) Cancellation, revocation, suspension, or refusal to renew the right to practice as a licensee, certificate holder, or a nonlicensee firm owner by any other state for any cause other than failure to pay a fee or to meet the requirements of continuing education in the other state; or
(d) Suspension or revocation of the right to practice before any state agency, federal agency, or the PCAOB.
(7) Sanctions and orders entered by a nongovernmental professionally related standard-setting body for violation of ethical or technical standards in the practice of public accounting by a licensee, CPA-Inactive certificate holder, or nonlicensee firm owner;
(8) Any state or federal criminal conviction or commission of any act constituting a crime under the laws of this state, or of another state, or of the United States.
(9) A conflict of interest such as:
(a) Self dealing as a trustee, including, but not limited to:
(i) Investing trust funds in entities controlled by or related to the trustee;
(ii) Borrowing from trust funds, with or without disclosure; and
(iii) Employing persons related to the trustee or entities in which the trust has a beneficial interest to provide services to the trust (unless specifically authorized by the trust creation document).
(b) Borrowing funds from a client unless the client is in the business of making loans of the type obtained by the licensee, as defined in WAC
4-30-010, CPA-Inactive certificate holder, or nonlicensee firm owner and the loan terms are not more favorable than loans extended to other persons of similar credit worthiness.
(10) A violation of the Public Accountancy Act or failure to comply with a board rule contained in Title 4 WAC, by a licensee, defined in WAC
4-30-010, CPA-Inactive certificate holder, or employees of such persons of this state or a licensee of another substantially equivalent state qualified for practice privileges, including but not limited to:
(a) An out-of-state individual exercising the practice privileges authorized by RCW
18.04.350(2) when not qualified;
(b) Submission of an application for firm license on behalf of a firm licensed in another state that does not meet the firm mobility requirements under RCW
18.04.195 (1)(a)(iii)(A) through (D) by an out-of-state individual not qualified under RCW
18.04.350(2) or authorized by the firm to make such application;
(c) Failure of an out-of-state individual exercising the practice privileges authorized under RCW
18.04.350(2) to cease offering or performing professional services in this state, individually or on behalf of a firm, when the license from the state of the out-of-state individual's principal place of business is no longer valid;
(d) Failure of an out-of-state individual exercising the practice privileges authorized under RCW
18.04.350(2) to cease offering or performing specific professional services in this state, individually or on behalf of a firm, when the license from the state of the out-of-state individual's principal place of business has been restricted from performing those specific services;
(e) Failure of an out-of-state firm operating under firm mobility per RCW
18.04.195 (1)(a)(iii), in this state to cease offering or performing professional services in this state through one or more out-of-state individuals whose license from the state of those individuals' principal place(s) of business is (are) no longer valid or is (are) otherwise restricted from performing the specific engagement services;
(f) Failure of a firm licensed in this state, or a firm operating under firm mobility to comply with the ownership requirements of RCW
18.04.195 within a reasonable time period, as determined by the board;
(g) Failure of a firm licensed in this state or another state to comply with the board's quality assurance program requirements, when applicable.
(11) Violation of one or more of the rules of professional conduct included in Title 4 WAC.
(12) Concealing another's violation of the Public Accountancy Act or board rules.
(13) Failure to cooperate with the board by failing to:
(a) Furnish any papers or documents requested or ordered to produce by the board;
(b) Furnish in writing a full and complete explanation related to a complaint as requested by the board;
(c) Respond to an inquiry of the board;
(d) Respond to subpoenas issued by the board, whether or not the recipient of the subpoena is the accused in the proceeding.
(14) Failure to comply with an order of the board.
(15) Adjudication of a licensee, as defined by WAC
4-30-010, CPA-Inactive certificate holder, or a nonlicensee firm owner as mentally incompetent is prima facie evidence that the person lacks the professional competence required by the rules of professional conduct.
(16) Failure of a licensee, as defined by WAC
4-30-010, CPA-Inactive certificate holder, nonlicensee firm owner, or out-of-state person exercising practice privileges authorized by RCW
18.04.195 and
18.04.350 to timely notify the board, in the manner prescribed by the board, of any of the following:
(a) A sanction, order, suspension, revocation, or modification of a license, certificate, permit or practice rights by the SEC, PCAOB, IRS, or another state board of accountancy for any cause other than failure to pay a professional license fee by the due date or failure to meet the continuing professional education requirements of another state board of accountancy;
(b) Charges filed by the SEC, IRS, PCAOB, another state board of accountancy, or a federal or state taxing, insurance or securities regulatory body that the licensee, CPA-Inactive certificate holder, or nonlicensee firm owner committed a prohibited act that would be a violation of board ethical or technical standards;
(c) Sanctions or orders entered against such persons by a nongovernmental professionally related standard-setting body for violation of ethical or technical standards in the practice of public accounting by a licensee, CPA-Inactive certificate holder, or nonlicensee firm owner.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055. WSR 16-17-036, § 4-30-142, filed 8/9/16, effective 9/9/16. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055(16),
18.04.195 (11)(d),
18.04.295,
18.04.305,
18.04.350(2). WSR 11-07-070, § 4-30-142, filed 3/22/11, effective 4/22/11; WSR 10-24-009, amended and recodified as § 4-30-142, filed 11/18/10, effective 12/19/10; WSR 08-18-016, § 4-25-910, filed 8/25/08, effective 9/25/08. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055(16),
18.04.295, and
18.04.305. WSR 05-01-137, § 4-25-910, filed 12/16/04, effective 1/31/05; WSR 03-24-033, § 4-25-910, filed 11/25/03, effective 12/31/03. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055(11),
18.04.295, and
18.04.305. WSR 02-04-064, § 4-25-910, filed 1/31/02, effective 3/15/02; WSR 00-11-078, § 4-25-910, filed 5/15/00, effective 6/30/00. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055 and
18.04.295. WSR 94-23-070, § 4-25-910, filed 11/15/94, effective 12/16/94.]
(Effective July 1, 2024)
Disciplinary actions.
RCW
18.04.055,
18.04.295,
18.04.305, and
18.04.350 authorize the board to revoke, suspend, refuse to issue, renew, or reinstate an individual or firm license the right to exercise practice privileges in this state, or registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner; impose a fine not to exceed $30,000; recover investigative and legal costs; impose full restitution to injured parties; impose remedial sanctions; impose conditions precedent to renew; or prohibit a resident nonlicensee from holding an ownership interest in a firm licensed in this state for the specific acts listed below.
The following are specific examples of prohibited acts that constitute grounds for discipline under RCW
18.04.295,
18.04.305, and
18.04.350. The board does not intend this listing to be all inclusive.
(1) Fraud or deceit in applying for the CPA examination, obtaining a license, registering as a resident nonlicensee firm owner, or in any filings with the board.
(2) Fraud or deceit in renewing or requesting reinstatement of a license or registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner.
(3) Cheating on the CPA exam.
(4) Making a false or misleading statement in support of another person's application or request to:
(a) Take the national uniform CPA examination;
(b) Obtain a license or registration required by the act or board;
(c) Reinstate or modify the terms of a revoked or suspended license or registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner in this state;
(d) Reinstate revoked or suspended practice privileges of an individual or firm licensed in another state.
(5) Dishonesty, fraud, or negligence while representing oneself as a licensee or a resident nonlicensee firm owner including, but not limited to:
(a) Practicing public accounting in Washington state prior to obtaining a license required per RCW
18.04.215, obtaining a firm license as required by RCW
18.04.195, or without qualifying to operate under firm mobility;
(b) Offering or rendering public accounting services in this state by an out-of-state individual not qualified for practice privileges under RCW
18.04.350(2);
(c) Offering or rendering public accounting services in this state by an out-of-state firm not qualified for practice privileges under firm mobility per RCW
18.04.195.
(d) Making misleading, deceptive, or untrue representations;
(e) Engaging in acts of fiscal dishonesty;
(f) Purposefully, knowingly, or negligently failing to file a report or record, or filing a false report or record, required by local, state, or federal law;
(g) Unlawfully selling unregistered securities;
(h) Unlawfully acting as an unregistered securities salesperson or broker-dealer;
(i) Discharging a trustee's duties in a negligent manner or breaching one's fiduciary duties, acting in a manner not in compliance with chapter
11.96A RCW; or
(j) Withdrawing or liquidating, as fees earned, funds received by a licensee or a resident nonlicensee firm owner from a client as a deposit or retainer when the client contests the amount of fees earned, until such time as the dispute is resolved.
(6) The following shall be prima facie evidence that a licensee, as defined in WAC 4-30-010, a nonlicensee firm owner, or the employees of such persons has engaged in dishonesty, fraud, or negligence while representing oneself as a licensee, as defined in WAC 4-30-010, a nonlicensee firm owner, or an employee of such persons:
(a) An order of a court of competent jurisdiction finding that the person or persons committed an act of negligence, fraud, or dishonesty or other act reflecting adversely on the person's fitness to represent himself, herself, or itself as a licensee, as defined in WAC 4-30-010, or a nonlicensee firm owner;
(b) An order of a federal, state, local or foreign jurisdiction regulatory body, or a PCAOB, finding that the licensee, as defined in WAC 4-30-010, or nonlicensee firm owner, or employee of such persons committed an act of negligence, fraud, or dishonesty or other act reflecting adversely on the person's fitness to represent himself, herself, or itself as a licensee, as defined in WAC 4-30-010, or a nonlicensee firm owner;
(c) Cancellation, revocation, suspension, or refusal to renew the right to practice as a licensee or a nonlicensee firm owner by any other state for any cause other than failure to pay a fee or to meet the requirements of continuing education in the other state; or
(d) Suspension or revocation of the right to practice before any state agency, federal agency, or the PCAOB.
(7) Sanctions and orders entered by a nongovernmental professionally related standard-setting body for violation of ethical or technical standards in the practice of public accounting by a licensee or nonlicensee firm owner;
(8) Any state or federal criminal conviction or commission of any act constituting a crime under the laws of this state, or of another state, or of the United States.
(9) A conflict of interest such as:
(a) Self dealing as a trustee, including, but not limited to:
(i) Investing trust funds in entities controlled by or related to the trustee;
(ii) Borrowing from trust funds, with or without disclosure; and
(iii) Employing persons related to the trustee or entities in which the trust has a beneficial interest to provide services to the trust (unless specifically authorized by the trust creation document).
(b) Borrowing funds from a client unless the client is in the business of making loans of the type obtained by the licensee, as defined in WAC 4-30-010, or nonlicensee firm owner and the loan terms are not more favorable than loans extended to other persons of similar credit worthiness.
(10) A violation of the Public Accountancy Act or failure to comply with a board rule contained in Title 4 WAC, by a licensee, defined in WAC 4-30-010, or employees of such persons of this state or a licensee of another substantially equivalent state qualified for practice privileges, including but not limited to:
(a) An out-of-state individual exercising the practice privileges authorized by RCW
18.04.350(2) when not qualified;
(b) Submission of an application for firm license on behalf of a firm licensed in another state that does not meet the firm mobility requirements under RCW
18.04.195 (1)(a)(iii)(A) through (D) by an out-of-state individual not qualified under RCW
18.04.350(2) or authorized by the firm to make such application;
(c) Failure of an out-of-state individual exercising the practice privileges authorized under RCW
18.04.350(2) to cease offering or performing professional services in this state, individually or on behalf of a firm, when the license from the state of the out-of-state individual's principal place of business is no longer valid;
(d) Failure of an out-of-state individual exercising the practice privileges authorized under RCW
18.04.350(2) to cease offering or performing specific professional services in this state, individually or on behalf of a firm, when the license from the state of the out-of-state individual's principal place of business has been restricted from performing those specific services;
(e) Failure of an out-of-state firm operating under firm mobility per RCW
18.04.195 (1)(a)(iii), in this state to cease offering or performing professional services in this state through one or more out-of-state individuals whose license from the state of those individuals' principal place(s) of business is (are) no longer valid or is (are) otherwise restricted from performing the specific engagement services;
(f) Failure of a firm licensed in this state, or a firm operating under firm mobility to comply with the ownership requirements of RCW
18.04.195 within a reasonable time period, as determined by the board;
(g) Failure of a firm licensed in this state or another state to comply with the board's quality assurance program requirements, when applicable.
(11) Violation of one or more of the rules of professional conduct included in Title 4 WAC.
(12) Concealing another's violation of the Public Accountancy Act or board rules.
(13) Failure to cooperate with the board by failing to:
(a) Furnish any papers or documents requested or ordered to produce by the board;
(b) Furnish in writing a full and complete explanation related to a complaint as requested by the board;
(c) Respond to an inquiry of the board;
(d) Respond to subpoenas issued by the board, whether or not the recipient of the subpoena is the accused in the proceeding.
(14) Failure to comply with an order of the board.
(15) Adjudication of a licensee, as defined by WAC 4-30-010, or a nonlicensee firm owner as mentally incompetent is prima facie evidence that the person lacks the professional competence required by the rules of professional conduct.
(16) Failure of a licensee, as defined by WAC 4-30-010, nonlicensee firm owner, or out-of-state person exercising practice privileges authorized by RCW
18.04.195 and
18.04.350 to timely notify the board, in the manner prescribed by the board, of any of the following:
(a) A sanction, order, suspension, revocation, or modification of a license, certificate, permit or practice rights by the SEC, PCAOB, IRS, or another state board of accountancy for any cause other than failure to pay a professional license fee by the due date or failure to meet the continuing professional education requirements of another state board of accountancy;
(b) Charges filed by the SEC, IRS, PCAOB, another state board of accountancy, or a federal or state taxing, insurance or securities regulatory body that the licensee or nonlicensee firm owner committed a prohibited act that would be a violation of board ethical or technical standards;
(c) Sanctions or orders entered against such persons by a nongovernmental professionally related standard-setting body for violation of ethical or technical standards in the practice of public accounting by a licensee or nonlicensee firm owner.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055. WSR 24-04-024, § 4-30-142, filed 1/29/24, effective 7/1/24; WSR 16-17-036, § 4-30-142, filed 8/9/16, effective 9/9/16. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055(16),
18.04.195 (11)(d),
18.04.295,
18.04.305,
18.04.350(2). WSR 11-07-070, § 4-30-142, filed 3/22/11, effective 4/22/11; WSR 10-24-009, amended and recodified as § 4-30-142, filed 11/18/10, effective 12/19/10; WSR 08-18-016, § 4-25-910, filed 8/25/08, effective 9/25/08. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055(16),
18.04.295, and
18.04.305. WSR 05-01-137, § 4-25-910, filed 12/16/04, effective 1/31/05; WSR 03-24-033, § 4-25-910, filed 11/25/03, effective 12/31/03. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055(11),
18.04.295, and
18.04.305. WSR 02-04-064, § 4-25-910, filed 1/31/02, effective 3/15/02; WSR 00-11-078, § 4-25-910, filed 5/15/00, effective 6/30/00. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.04.055 and
18.04.295. WSR 94-23-070, § 4-25-910, filed 11/15/94, effective 12/16/94.]
