Chapter 4701-7 | CPA Certificate and Licenses

Rule 4701-7-01 | Certificate of certified public accountant.

• Effective: September 6, 2024
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) The board may issue an original CPA certificate to any person who:

(1) Does not hold a foreign certificate issued by any other state, territory, or political subdivision of the United States;

(2) Is eighteen years of age;

(3) Has successfully completed the education requirement described by division (A)(2)(a) of section 4701.06 of the Revised Code; or successfully completed the special examination to qualify to take the CPA examination under division (B)(2) of section 4701.06 of the Revised Code.

(4) Has successfully completed at least thirty semester credits or equivalent in accounting courses and at least twenty-four credits in business courses.

(5) Has successfully completed the CPA examination required by division (A)(3) of section 4701.06 of the Revised Code as an Ohio candidate;

(6) Has completed within the previous twelve months a course in professional standards and responsibilities approved by the board that emphasizes Chapter 4701. of the Revised Code and agency 4701 of the Administrative Code;

(7) Has completed the experience requirement described in rule 4701-7-05 of the Administrative Code, and division (A)(2)(b) of section 4701.06 of the Revised Code or division (B)(1) of section 4701.06 of the Revised Code; and

(8) Completes a criminal records check in accordance with section 4701.08 of the Revised Code.

(B) The board may issue an original CPA certificate by transfer of grades to any person who:

(1) Does not hold a foreign certificate issued by any other state, territory, or political subdivision of the United States;

(2) Is eighteen years of age;

(3) Has successfully completed the CPA examination required by division (A)(3) of section 4701.06 of the Revised Code as a candidate of another state;

(4) Has completed within the previous twelve months a course in professional standards and responsibilities approved by the board that emphasizes Chapter 4701. of the Revised Code and agency 4701 of the Administrative Code;

(5) Has completed the experience requirement described in rule 4701-7-05 of the Administrative Code, and division (A)(2)(b) of section 4701.06 of the Revised Code;

(6) Completes a criminal records check in accordance with section 4701.08 of the Revised Code; and

(7) Has completed the academic requirements in accordance with rule 4701-3-03 of the Administrative Code.

(C) The board may issue a CPA certificate by reciprocity to the holder of any valid and unrevoked foreign certificate issued by another state, territory, or political subdivision of the United States, who:

(1) Is eighteen years of age;

(2) Meets the education and experience requirements in effect in Ohio at the time of application for the CPA certificate, or who meets substantially equivalent requirements as determined by the board;

(3) Has completed within the previous twelve months a course in professional standards and responsibilities approved by the board that emphasizes Chapter 4701. of the Revised Code and agency 4701 of the Administrative Code;

(4) Completes a criminal records check in accordance with section 4701.08 of the Revised Code.

(D) The board may issue a CPA certificate by substantial equivalency to the holder of any valid and unrevoked foreign certificate issued by another state, territory, or political subdivision of the United States, who:

(1) Is eighteen years of age;

(2) Meets education and experience requirements that are substantially equivalent to those in Ohio either at the time of application for the foreign certificate or at the time of application for the CPA certificate;

(3) Has completed within the previous twelve months a course in professional standards and responsibilities approved by the board that emphasizes Chapter 4701. of the Revised Code and agency 4701 of the Administrative Code;

(4) Completes a criminal records check in accordance with section 4701.08 of the Revised Code, and

(5) Complies with the provisions of division (I) of section 4701.14 of the Revised Code.

Last updated October 8, 2024 at 11:25 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4701.03, 4701.06
Amplifies: 4701.06
Five Year Review Date: 9/6/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 9/19/1994, 12/9/1997, 7/1/2022

Rule 4701-7-02 | Substantial equivalency; comparability.

• Effective: September 6, 2024
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) The board may rely on the "National Qualifications Appraisal Service" of the "National Association of State Boards of Accountancy" to assist it in determining the states that have, with respect to Ohio, substantially equivalent requirements for the CPA certificate in accordance with the provisions of division (J) of section 4701.06 of the Revised Code.

(B) The board may rely on the "International Qualifications Appraisal Board" to assist it in determining the countries that have, with respect to Ohio, comparable requirements for the CPA certificate in accordance with the provisions of division (I) of section 4701.06 of the Revised Code. The board shall maintain a list of countries meeting the requirements.

Last updated September 10, 2024 at 11:27 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4701.06, 4701.14
Amplifies: 4701.06, 4701.14
Five Year Review Date: 9/6/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 8/5/1999, 5/16/2021

Rule 4701-7-04 | Practice of public accounting and regulated services.

• Effective: September 7, 2019
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) "Practice of public accounting" means either of the following:

(1) The performance of or offering to perform any engagement that will result in the issuance of any report in accordance with the professional standards defined in rule 4701-9-03, 4701-9-04, 4701-9-05, or 4701-9-06 of the Administrative Code.

(2) The performance of or offering to perform services in accordance with applicable professional standards defined in Chapter 4701-9 of the Administrative Code, other than those described in paragraph (A)(1) of this rule, such as consulting services, personal financial planning services, or the preparation of tax returns or the furnishing of advice on tax matters by a proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, professional association, corporation or other business organization, that advertises to the public as a "certified public accountant," "CPA," "public accountant," or "PA."

(B) A certified public accountant or public accountant who performs or offers to perform any services described in paragraph (A) of this rule must hold an Ohio permit and be affiliated with a registered firm.

(C) "Regulated services" means the performance of or offering to perform any of the following services by a certified public accountant or public accountant who uses the designation "certified public accountant," "CPA," "public accountant," or "PA" in association with those services and who is not affiliated with a registered firm:

(1) Consulting services in accordance with the professional standards defined in rule 4701-9-08 of the Administrative Code.

(2) Tax services in accordance with the professional standards defined in rule 4701-9-09 of the Administrative Code.

(3) Preparing financial reports, signing financial reports, preparing reports on internal controls, or signing reports on internal controls.

(D) A certified public accountant or public accountant who performs or offers to perform any services described in paragraph (C) of this rule must hold an Ohio permit.

(E) A certified public accountant or public accountant whose license status is expired, suspended, or retired is not deemed to hold an Ohio permit for purposes of paragraph (A) or (D) of this rule.

Last updated July 17, 2024 at 2:04 PM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4701.03
Amplifies: 4701.03
Five Year Review Date: 6/14/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 11/4/1994, 8/25/2005, 7/27/2006

Rule 4701-7-05 | Experience for the CPA certificate.

• Effective: September 7, 2019
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) A candidate for the CPA certificate must fulfill the experience requirement by performing one or more types of services specified in paragraph (A) or paragraph (C) of rule 4701-7-04 of the Administrative Code.

(B) The required experience may be earned in Ohio or in any other state or country. Experience earned outside the United States may be submitted to the board for evaluation.

(C) A certified public accountant or a comparably qualified accountant from another country must verify the candidate's experience. The accountant from the other country must hold a credential that has been determined by the board to be comparable to the certified public accountant certificate. The accountant may be a present employer, former employer, or a person who is familiar with the candidate's experience. In addition, the accountant must indicate the exact length of the qualifying experience on a record of experience form in a manner specified by the board. If the candidate's authorized supervisor is a certified public accountant or holds a comparable credential from another country, then no additional verification of the candidate's experience is required.

(D) If the candidate's supervisor is not a certified public accountant and does not hold a comparable credential from another country, then a certified public accountant or comparably qualified accountant must verify the candidate's experience in addition to the accountant described in paragraph (C) of this rule. In addition, the certified public accountant or comparably qualified accountant verifying the candidate's experience must indicate the exact length of the candidate's qualifying experience on a record of experience form in a manner specified by the board.

(E) The record of experience form must contain signatures from the candidate, the candidate's authorized supervisor, and the accountant verifying the candidate's experience, if applicable.

(F) If a record of experience form is submitted by a candidate who is attesting to self employment experience, the form must include notarized statements from three of the candidate's largest clients, in addition to verification by a certified public accountant or the holder of a comparable credential from another country as required by paragraph (C) of this rule. The notarized statements must contain the length of time the candidate performed services for the client, the inclusive dates of such services, the approximate time spent performing such services, and the nature of the services performed.

Last updated July 17, 2024 at 2:04 PM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4701.03, 4701.06
Amplifies: 4701.06
Five Year Review Date: 6/14/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 9/22/1993, 7/16/2009

Rule 4701-7-06 | Exemptions from the Ohio permit requirement.

• Effective: September 6, 2024
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) Pursuant to division (A) of section 4701.14 of the Revised Code, a certified public accountant who meets any of the criteria described in paragraph (C), (E), or (F) of this rule may use the term "certified public accountant" as outlined in the applicable rule paragraph without holding an Ohio permit or an Ohio registration as required by section 4701.10 of the Revised Code.

(B) Pursuant to division (B) of section 4701.14 of the Revised Code, a public accountant who meets any of the criteria described in paragraph (C), (D), or (F) of this rule may use the term "public accountant" without holding an Ohio permit or an Ohio registration as required by section 4701.10 of the Revised Code.

(C) A certified public accountant or public accountant who requests a waiver of the requirements due to retirement must submit to the board an affidavit that the certified public accountant or public accountant is retired from public accounting practice. A certified public accountant or public accountant who receives a waiver of the requirements due to retirement must use the term "retired" after the CPA or PA designation. The qualification must be displayed adjacent to the designation, in a font size and style at least as prominent as that used for the designation itself.

(1) The status of "CPA Retired" or "PA Retired" requires the holder of an Ohio CPA certificate or PA registration to be at least fifty-five years of age, and not performing or offering to perform services for the public as defined in rule 4701-7-04 of the Administrative Code, including but not limited to the use of accounting or auditing skills; issuance of reports on financial statements; or one or more types of management advisory, financial advisory, or consulting services; the preparation of tax returns; or the furnishing of advice on tax matters.

(2) The restriction of services shall not preclude a certified public accountant or public accountant who has submitted an affidavit of retired status from providing volunteer, uncompensated tax preparation services; participating in a government-sponsored business mentoring program; or serving on the board of directors for a non-profit or government-appointed advisory body.

(3) A certified public accountant or public accountant who has submitted an affidavit of retired status and seeks to reestablish their Ohio CPA or PA license must complete the continuing education requirements as outlined in rule 4701-15-09 of the Administrative Code and request a reinstatement hearing before the Board.

(D) A certified public accountant or public accountant who requests a waiver of the requirements due to health reasons, military service, or foreign residence must submit appropriate documentation to the board supporting the request.

(E) A certified public accountant who holds a CPA certificate who resides outside Ohio and is employed outside Ohio may request a waiver of the requirements if the certified public accountant is licensed to practice public accounting in another state at the time of the request.

(F) A certified public accountant or public accountant may request a waiver of the requirements for a reason not specified in paragraph (C), (D), (or (E) of this rule by stating the reasons why fulfillment of the requirements would result in a hardship. If the board grants a waiver based upon the provisions of this paragraph, it may require that the certified public accountant or public accountant place the term "inactive" after the CPA or PA designation. The qualification must be displayed adjacent to the designation, in a font size and style at least as prominent as that used for the designation itself.

Last updated October 8, 2024 at 11:25 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4701.14
Amplifies: 4701.14
Five Year Review Date: 9/6/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 7/31/2003, 7/16/2009

Rule 4701-7-07 | International reciprocity.

• Effective: July 16, 2009
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) The board may determine that the holder of an accounting credential issued outside the United States meets the CPA certification requirements if:

(1) A private or governmental body recognized by the board issued the accounting credential, and the holder of the credential met the issuing body's education requirement and passed the issuing body's examination used to qualify its own domestic candidates.

(2) The accounting credential holder's education and the issuing body's examination are comparable to the Ohio education and examination requirements for the CPA certificate.

(3) The accounting credential is valid and in good standing at the time the holder applies for the CPA certificate.

(B) An applicant for renewal of a CPA certificate originally issued in reliance on an accounting credential issued outside the United States shall present appropriate documentation from the credential issuing body that the applicant's credential has not been suspended or revoked as a result of disciplinary proceedings conducted by the issuing body.

Last updated July 17, 2024 at 2:04 PM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4701.06
Amplifies: 4701.06
Five Year Review Date: 6/14/2029

Rule 4701-7-08 | License qualification.

• Effective: September 6, 2024
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) For purposes of this chapter, "designation" refers to any written, verbal, or electronic form of use or disclosure.

(B) A holder of a CPA certificate who holds an Ohio registration must use the qualification "inactive" after the designation "certified public accountant" or "CPA" each time the designation is used. The qualification must be displayed adjacent to the designation, in a font size and style at least as prominent as that used for the designation itself.

(C) A holder of a PA registration who holds an Ohio registration must use the qualification "inactive" after the designation "public accountant" or "PA" each time the designation is used. The qualification must be displayed adjacent to the designation, in a font size and style at least as prominent as that used for the designation itself.

(D) A certified public accountant or public accountant who holds an Ohio registration may not perform any public accounting services defined in paragraph (A) of rule 4701-7-04 of the Administrative Code or any regulated services defined in paragraph (C) of rule 4701-7-04 of the Administrative Code.

Last updated October 8, 2024 at 11:39 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4701.14
Amplifies: 4701.14
Five Year Review Date: 9/6/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 9/7/2019

Rule 4701-7-09 | Internet practice.

• Effective: July 16, 2009
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) A firm that provides public accounting services to Ohio clients electronically shall provide, on the home page of the firm's website, a means for regulators and the public to contact a responsible licensed CPA in that firm regarding complaints, questions, or the firm's compliance with applicable statutes and administrative regulations.

(B) The board may either bring an action or file a complaint with the appropriate state accountancy board against any certified public accountant or public accounting firm located and licensed in another state who is not in compliance with paragraph (A) of this rule in accordance with the provisions of division (A)(3) of section 4701.16 of the Revised Code.

Last updated July 24, 2023 at 8:16 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4701.03
Amplifies: 4701.03
Five Year Review Date: 9/1/2024
Prior Effective Dates: 7/31/2003

Rule 4701-7-10 | Surrender of a CPA certificate.

• Effective: September 7, 2019
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) Subject to board approval, an individual who holds a CPA certificate may surrender the certificate to the board at any time and for any reason. The individual must file an affidavit with the board to surrender the CPA certificate. The affidavit shall state that the individual is aware that surrender of the CPA certificate is a final act and that the board is under no obligation to reinstate a surrendered CPA certificate.

(B) An individual who surrenders a CPA certificate may not apply for reinstatement of the certificate without board approval. At the board's discretion, the individual may be required to comply with specified requirements for issuance of an original CPA certificate described in section 4701.06 of the Revised Code prior to reinstatement.

Last updated July 17, 2024 at 2:04 PM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4701.03
Amplifies: 4701.03
Five Year Review Date: 6/14/2029