Illinois 2025-2026 Regular Session

Illinois House Bill HB2459 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

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1		-	HB2459 EngrossedLRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b HB2459 Engrossed LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
2		-	HB2459 Engrossed LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
	1	+	104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026 HB2459 Introduced , by Rep. Natalie A. Manley SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: See Index Amends the Illinois Public Accounting Act. Changes the definition of "CPA firm" to remove a reference to limited liability companies and to include professional limited liability companies. Changes references from "substantial equivalency" to "enhanced mobility". Changes provisions regarding substantial equivalency for an individual whose principal place of business is not in the State but who has a valid CPA license issued by another state to require that the licensure requirements of the issuing state must be equivalent to the criteria in the Act or, if the licensure requirements of the issuing state are not equivalent, to require that the individual must petition the Public Accountant Registration and Licensure Committee for, and obtain from the Public Accountant Registration and Licensure Committee, an equivalency determination (instead of requiring a verification of the criteria by the National Qualification Appraisal Service of the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy). Provides that, on and after January 1, 2027, the Department may license as licensed CPAs, individuals who have received a bachelor's degree in accounting from an accredited college or university and an exam certificate or certification from the Board and have had at least 2 years of experience as defined by Department of Financial and Professional Regulation rule. Provides that, on and after January 1, 2027, the Department may license as licensed CPAs individuals who have received a master's degree, a bachelor's degree with 30 hours of accounting from an accredited college or university and an exam certificate or certification from the Board, and at least one year of experience as defined by Department rule. Changes the organization that the Department may rely on for enhanced mobility determinations from the National Qualification Appraisal Service of the National Association of State Board of Accountancy to the Public Accountant Registration and Licensure Committee. Makes conforming and other changes. LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b A BILL FOR 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026 HB2459 Introduced , by Rep. Natalie A. Manley SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: See Index See Index Amends the Illinois Public Accounting Act. Changes the definition of "CPA firm" to remove a reference to limited liability companies and to include professional limited liability companies. Changes references from "substantial equivalency" to "enhanced mobility". Changes provisions regarding substantial equivalency for an individual whose principal place of business is not in the State but who has a valid CPA license issued by another state to require that the licensure requirements of the issuing state must be equivalent to the criteria in the Act or, if the licensure requirements of the issuing state are not equivalent, to require that the individual must petition the Public Accountant Registration and Licensure Committee for, and obtain from the Public Accountant Registration and Licensure Committee, an equivalency determination (instead of requiring a verification of the criteria by the National Qualification Appraisal Service of the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy). Provides that, on and after January 1, 2027, the Department may license as licensed CPAs, individuals who have received a bachelor's degree in accounting from an accredited college or university and an exam certificate or certification from the Board and have had at least 2 years of experience as defined by Department of Financial and Professional Regulation rule. Provides that, on and after January 1, 2027, the Department may license as licensed CPAs individuals who have received a master's degree, a bachelor's degree with 30 hours of accounting from an accredited college or university and an exam certificate or certification from the Board, and at least one year of experience as defined by Department rule. Changes the organization that the Department may rely on for enhanced mobility determinations from the National Qualification Appraisal Service of the National Association of State Board of Accountancy to the Public Accountant Registration and Licensure Committee. Makes conforming and other changes. LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b A BILL FOR
	2	+	104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026 HB2459 Introduced , by Rep. Natalie A. Manley SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
	3	+	See Index See Index
	4	+	See Index
	5	+	Amends the Illinois Public Accounting Act. Changes the definition of "CPA firm" to remove a reference to limited liability companies and to include professional limited liability companies. Changes references from "substantial equivalency" to "enhanced mobility". Changes provisions regarding substantial equivalency for an individual whose principal place of business is not in the State but who has a valid CPA license issued by another state to require that the licensure requirements of the issuing state must be equivalent to the criteria in the Act or, if the licensure requirements of the issuing state are not equivalent, to require that the individual must petition the Public Accountant Registration and Licensure Committee for, and obtain from the Public Accountant Registration and Licensure Committee, an equivalency determination (instead of requiring a verification of the criteria by the National Qualification Appraisal Service of the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy). Provides that, on and after January 1, 2027, the Department may license as licensed CPAs, individuals who have received a bachelor's degree in accounting from an accredited college or university and an exam certificate or certification from the Board and have had at least 2 years of experience as defined by Department of Financial and Professional Regulation rule. Provides that, on and after January 1, 2027, the Department may license as licensed CPAs individuals who have received a master's degree, a bachelor's degree with 30 hours of accounting from an accredited college or university and an exam certificate or certification from the Board, and at least one year of experience as defined by Department rule. Changes the organization that the Department may rely on for enhanced mobility determinations from the National Qualification Appraisal Service of the National Association of State Board of Accountancy to the Public Accountant Registration and Licensure Committee. Makes conforming and other changes.
	6	+	LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
	7	+	LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
	8	+	A BILL FOR
	9	+	HB2459LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b HB2459 LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
	10	+	HB2459 LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
3	11		1 AN ACT concerning regulation.
4	12		2 Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
5	13		3 represented in the General Assembly:
6	14		4 Section 5. The Illinois Public Accounting Act is amended
7	15		5 by changing Sections 0.03, 3, 5.2, 8, 14, 14.2, and 28 as
8	16		6 follows:
9	17		7 (225 ILCS 450/0.03) (from Ch. 111, par. 5500.03)
10	18		8 (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2029)
11	19		9 Sec. 0.03. Definitions. As used in this Act, unless the
12	20		10 context otherwise requires:
13	21		11 "Accountancy activities" means the services as set forth
14	22		12 in Section 8.05 of this Act.
15	23		13 "Address of record" means the designated address recorded
16	24		14 by the Department in the applicant's, licensee's, or
17	25		15 registrant's application file or license file maintained by
18	26		16 the Department's licensure maintenance unit. It is the duty of
19	27		17 the applicant, licensee, or registrant to inform the
20	28		18 Department of any change of address, and those changes must be
21	29		19 made either through the Department's website or by directly
22	30		20 contacting the Department.
23	31		21 "Certification" means certification by the Board or
24	32		22 University or similar jurisdictions specifying an individual
25	33		23 has successfully passed all sections and requirements of the
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	37	+	104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026 HB2459 Introduced , by Rep. Natalie A. Manley SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
	38	+	See Index See Index
	39	+	See Index
	40	+	Amends the Illinois Public Accounting Act. Changes the definition of "CPA firm" to remove a reference to limited liability companies and to include professional limited liability companies. Changes references from "substantial equivalency" to "enhanced mobility". Changes provisions regarding substantial equivalency for an individual whose principal place of business is not in the State but who has a valid CPA license issued by another state to require that the licensure requirements of the issuing state must be equivalent to the criteria in the Act or, if the licensure requirements of the issuing state are not equivalent, to require that the individual must petition the Public Accountant Registration and Licensure Committee for, and obtain from the Public Accountant Registration and Licensure Committee, an equivalency determination (instead of requiring a verification of the criteria by the National Qualification Appraisal Service of the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy). Provides that, on and after January 1, 2027, the Department may license as licensed CPAs, individuals who have received a bachelor's degree in accounting from an accredited college or university and an exam certificate or certification from the Board and have had at least 2 years of experience as defined by Department of Financial and Professional Regulation rule. Provides that, on and after January 1, 2027, the Department may license as licensed CPAs individuals who have received a master's degree, a bachelor's degree with 30 hours of accounting from an accredited college or university and an exam certificate or certification from the Board, and at least one year of experience as defined by Department rule. Changes the organization that the Department may rely on for enhanced mobility determinations from the National Qualification Appraisal Service of the National Association of State Board of Accountancy to the Public Accountant Registration and Licensure Committee. Makes conforming and other changes.
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	42	+	LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
	43	+	A BILL FOR
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34	68		1 Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination and
35	69		2 verification of completion of the academic requirements for
36	70		3 licensure under Sections 3 and 14 of 150 credit hours.
37	71		4 Certification by the Board or University or similar
38	72		5 jurisdiction does not confer the ability to use the CPA title
39	73		6 and is not equivalent to a registration or license under this
40	74		7 Act.
41	75		8 "Compilation" means providing a service to be performed in
42	76		9 accordance with Statements on Standards for Accounting and
43	77		10 Review Services that is presented in the form of financial
44	78		11 statements or information that is the representation of
45	79		12 management or owners without undertaking to express any
46	80		13 assurance on the statements.
47	81		14 "Coordinator" means the CPA Coordinator.
48	82		15 "CPA" or "C.P.A." means a certified public accountant who
49	83		16 holds a license or registration issued by the Department or an
50	84		17 individual authorized to use the CPA title under Section 5.2
51	85		18 of this Act.
52	86		19 "CPA firm" means a sole proprietorship, a corporation,
53	87		20 registered limited liability partnership, limited liability
54	88		21 company, professional limited liability company, partnership,
55	89		22 professional service corporation, or any other form of
56	90		23 organization issued a license in accordance with this Act or a
57	91		24 CPA firm authorized to use the CPA firm title under Section 5.2
58	92		25 of this Act.
59	93		26 "CPA (inactive)" means a licensed certified public
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70	104		1 accountant who elects to have the Department place the
71	105		2 licensee's license on inactive status pursuant to Section 17.2
72	106		3 of this Act.
73	107		4 "Email address of record" means the designated email
74	108		5 address recorded by the Department in the applicant's
75	109		6 application file or the licensee's license file, as maintained
76	110		7 by the Department's licensure maintenance unit.
77	111		8 "Exam certificate" means an exam certificate issued by the
78	112		9 Board, the University, or a similar jurisdiction specifying
79	113		10 that an individual has successfully passed all sections and
80	114		11 requirements of the Uniform Certified Public Accountant
81	115		12 Examination. An exam certificate issued by the Board, the
82	116		13 University, or a similar jurisdiction does not confer the
83	117		14 ability to use the CPA title and is not equivalent to a
84	118		15 registration or license under this Act.
85	119		16 "Financial statement" means a structured presentation of
86	120		17 historical financial information, including, but not limited
87	121		18 to, related notes intended to communicate an entity's economic
88	122		19 resources and obligations at a point in time or the changes
89	123		20 therein for a period of time in accordance with generally
90	124		21 accepted accounting principles (GAAP) or other comprehensive
91	125		22 basis of accounting (OCBOA).
92	126		23 "Other attestation engagements" means an engagement
93	127		24 performed in accordance with the Statements on Standards for
94	128		25 Attestation Engagements.
95	129		26 "Registered Certified Public Accountant" or "registered
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106	140		1 CPA" means any person who has been issued a registration under
107	141		2 this Act as a Registered Certified Public Accountant.
108	142		3 "Report", when used with reference to financial
109	143		4 statements, means an opinion, report, or other form of
110	144		5 language that states or implies assurance as to the
111	145		6 reliability of any financial statements and that also includes
112	146		7 or is accompanied by any statement or implication that the
113	147		8 person or firm issuing it has special knowledge or competence
114	148		9 in accounting or auditing. Such a statement or implication of
115	149		10 special knowledge or competence may arise from use by the
116	150		11 issuer of the report of names or titles indicating that the
117	151		12 person or firm is an accountant or auditor, or from the
118	152		13 language of the report itself. "Report" includes any form of
119	153		14 language that disclaims an opinion when the form of language
120	154		15 is conventionally understood to imply any positive assurance
121	155		16 as to the reliability of the financial statements referred to
122	156		17 or special competence on the part of the person or firm issuing
123	157		18 such language; it includes any other form of language that is
124	158		19 conventionally understood to imply such assurance or such
125	159		20 special knowledge or competence.
126	160		21 "Licensed Certified Public Accountant" or "licensed CPA"
127	161		22 means any person licensed under this Act as a Licensed
128	162		23 Certified Public Accountant.
129	163		24 "Committee" means the Public Accountant Registration and
130	164		25 Licensure Committee appointed by the Secretary.
131	165		26 "Department" means the Department of Financial and
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142	176		1 Professional Regulation.
143	177		2 "License", "licensee", and "licensure" refer to the
144	178		3 authorization to practice under the provisions of this Act.
145	179		4 "Peer review" means a study, appraisal, or review of one
146	180		5 or more aspects of a CPA firm's or sole practitioner's
147	181		6 compliance with applicable accounting, auditing, and other
148	182		7 attestation standards adopted by generally recognized
149	183		8 standard-setting bodies.
150	184		9 "Principal place of business" means the office location
151	185		10 designated by the licensee from which the person directs,
152	186		11 controls, and coordinates one's professional services.
153	187		12 "Review committee" means any person or persons conducting,
154	188		13 reviewing, administering, or supervising a peer review
155	189		14 program.
156	190		15 "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Department of
157	191		16 Financial and Professional Regulation.
158	192		17 "University" means the University of Illinois.
159	193		18 "Board" means the Board of Examiners established under
160	194		19 Section 2.
161	195		20 "Registration", "registrant", and "registered" refer to
162	196		21 the authorization to hold oneself out as or use the title
163	197		22 "Registered Certified Public Accountant" or "Certified Public
164	198		23 Accountant", unless the context otherwise requires.
165	199		24 "Peer Review Administrator" means an organization
166	200		25 designated by the Department that meets the requirements of
167	201		26 subsection (f) of Section 16 of this Act and other rules that
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178	212		1 the Department may adopt.
179	213		2 (Source: P.A. 102-222, eff. 1-1-22; 103-309, eff. 1-1-24.)
180	214		3 (225 ILCS 450/3) (from Ch. 111, par. 5504)
181	215		4 (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2029)
182	216		5 Sec. 3. Qualifications of applicants. The Board shall
183	217		6 certify applicants who successfully complete all portions of
184	218		7 the examination and verify completion of 150 or 120 semester
185	219		8 credit hours, whichever applies to the applicant.
186	220		9 (a) To be admitted to take the examination after the year
187	221		10 2000 and before January 1, 2023, for the purpose of
188	222		11 determining the qualifications of applicants for certificates
189	223		12 as certified public accountants under this Act, the applicants
190	224		13 shall be required to present proof of the successful
191	225		14 completion of 150 college or university semester hours of
192	226		15 study or the applicant's quarter-hour or other academic credit
193	227		16 unit equivalent, to include a baccalaureate or higher degree
194	228		17 conferred by a college or university acceptable to the Board,
195	229		18 the total educational program to include an accounting
196	230		19 concentration or equivalent as determined by Board rule. In
197	231		20 adopting those rules, the Board shall consider, among other
198	232		21 things, any impediments to the interstate practice of public
199	233		22 accounting that may result from differences in the
200	234		23 requirements in other states.
201	235		24 (b) Beginning January 1, 2023, an applicant for the
202	236		25 examination shall be required to present proof of 120 college
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213	247		1 or university semester hours of study or the applicant's
214	248		2 quarter-hour or other academic credit unit equivalent, to
215	249		3 include a baccalaureate or higher degree conferred by a
216	250		4 college or university acceptable to the Board, the total
217	251		5 education program to include an accounting concentration or
218	252		6 equivalent as determined by Board rule. Applicants shall
219	253		7 receive certification by the Board upon successful passage of
220	254		8 all sections and requirements of the Uniform Certified Public
221	255		9 Accountant Examination and verification of completion of
222	256		10 educational requirements as determined by rule.
223	257		11 (c) In adopting rules, the Board shall consider, among
224	258		12 other things, any impediments to the interstate practice of
225	259		13 public accounting that may result from differences in the
226	260		14 requirements in other states.
227	261		15 (Source: P.A. 102-222, eff. 1-1-22; 103-309, eff. 1-1-24.)
228	262		16 (225 ILCS 450/5.2)
229	263		17 (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2029)
230	264		18 Sec. 5.2. Enhanced mobility Substantial equivalency.
231	265		19 (a) An individual whose principal place of business is not
232	266		20 in this State shall have all the privileges of a person
233	267		21 licensed under this Act as a licensed CPA without the need to
234	268		22 obtain a license from the Department or to file notice with the
235	269		23 Department, if the individual:
236	270		24 (1) holds a valid license as a certified public
237	271		25 accountant issued by another state if the licensure
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248	282		1 requirements of the issuing state are equivalent to the
249	283		2 criteria outlined in Section 14 that the National
250	284		3 Qualification Appraisal Service of the National
251	285		4 Association of State Boards of Accountancy has verified to
252	286		5 be in substantial equivalence with the CPA licensure
253	287		6 requirements of the Uniform Accountancy Act of the
254	288		7 American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the
255	289		8 National Association of State Boards of Accountancy; or
256	290		9 (2) holds a valid license as a certified public
257	291		10 accountant issued by another state that is not equivalent
258	292		11 to the criteria outlined in Section 14 and petitions the
259	293		12 Committee for, and obtains from the Committee, an
260	294		13 equivalency determination of education, exam, and
261	295		14 experience and obtains from the National Qualification
262	296		15 Appraisal Service of the National Association of State
263	297		16 Boards of Accountancy verification that the individual's
264	298		17 CPA qualifications are substantially equivalent to the CPA
265	299		18 licensure requirements of the Uniform Accountancy Act of
266	300		19 the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and
267	301		20 the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy;
268	302		21 however, any individual who has passed the Uniform CPA
269	303		22 Examination and holds a valid license issued by any other
270	304		23 state prior to January 1, 2012 shall be exempt from the
271	305		24 education requirements of Section 3 of this Act for the
272	306		25 purposes of this item (2).
273	307		26 (a-5) A CPA firm whose principal place of business is not
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284	318		1 in this State shall have all the privileges of a CPA firm
285	319		2 licensed under this Act without the need to obtain a license
286	320		3 from the Department or to file notice with the Department if
287	321		4 the CPA firm complies with the requirements outlined in
288	322		5 Sections 14.4 and 16 through enhanced mobility substantial
289	323		6 equivalency of the firm's licensed state.
290	324		7 (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an
291	325		8 individual or CPA firm who offers or renders professional
292	326		9 services under this Section, whether in person or by mail,
293	327		10 telephone, or electronic means, shall be granted practice
294	328		11 privileges in this State and no notice or other submission
295	329		12 must be provided by any such individual or CPA firm.
296	330		13 (c) An individual licensee or CPA firm of another state
297	331		14 exercising the privilege afforded under this Section and the
298	332		15 CPA firm that employs such individual licensee, if any, as a
299	333		16 condition of the grant of this privilege, hereby
300	334		17 simultaneously consents:
301	335		18 (1) to the personal and subject matter jurisdiction
302	336		19 and disciplinary authority of the Department;
303	337		20 (2) to comply with this Act and the Department's rules
304	338		21 adopted under this Act;
305	339		22 (3) that in the event that the license from the state
306	340		23 of the individual's or CPA firm's principal place of
307	341		24 business is no longer valid, the individual or CPA firm
308	342		25 shall cease offering or rendering accountancy activities
309	343		26 as outlined in paragraphs (1) and (2) of Section 8.05 in
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314	348
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	349	+	HB2459 - 9 - LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
316	350
317	351
318		-	HB2459 ~~Engrossed~~- 10 -LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b HB2459 ~~Engrossed~~ - 10 - LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
319		-	HB2459 ~~Engrossed~~ - 10 - LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
	352	+	HB2459- 10 -LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b HB2459 - 10 - LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
	353	+	HB2459 - 10 - LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
320	354		1 this State individually or on behalf of a CPA firm; and
321	355		2 (4) to the appointment of the state board that issued
322	356		3 the individual's or the CPA firm's license as the agent
323	357		4 upon which process may be served in any action or
324	358		5 proceeding by the Department against the individual or CPA
325	359		6 firm.
326	360		7 (d) An individual licensee who qualifies for practice
327	361		8 privileges under this Section who, for any entity
328	362		9 headquartered in this State, performs (i) a financial
329	363		10 statement audit or other engagement in accordance with
330	364		11 Statements on Auditing Standards; (ii) an examination of
331	365		12 prospective financial information in accordance with
332	366		13 Statements on Standards for Attestation Engagements; or (iii)
333	367		14 an engagement in accordance with Public Company Accounting
334	368		15 Oversight Board Auditing Standards may only do so through a
335	369		16 CPA firm licensed under this Act or a CPA firm with practice
336	370		17 privileges under this Section.
337	371		18 (e) A CPA firm that qualifies for practice privileges
338	372		19 under this Section and, for any entity headquartered in this
339	373		20 State, performs the following may only do so through an
340	374		21 individual or individuals licensed under this Act or an
341	375		22 individual or individuals with practice privileges under this
342	376		23 Section:
343	377		24 (1) a financial statement audit or other engagement in
344	378		25 accordance with Statements on Auditing Standards;
345	379		26 (2) an examination of prospective financial
346	380
347	381
348	382
349	383
350	384
351		-	HB2459 ~~Engrossed~~ - 10 - LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
	385	+	HB2459 - 10 - LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
352	386
353	387
354		-	HB2459 ~~Engrossed~~- 11 -LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b HB2459 ~~Engrossed~~ - 11 - LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
355		-	HB2459 ~~Engrossed~~ - 11 - LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
	388	+	HB2459- 11 -LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b HB2459 - 11 - LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
	389	+	HB2459 - 11 - LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
356	390		1 information in accordance with Statements on Standards for
357	391		2 Attestation Engagements; or
358	392		3 (3) an engagement in accordance with Public Company
359	393		4 Accounting Oversight Board auditing standards.
360	394		5 (Source: P.A. 103-309, eff. 1-1-24.)
361	395		6 (225 ILCS 450/8) (from Ch. 111, par. 5509)
362	396		7 (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2029)
363	397		8 Sec. 8. Practicing as a licensed CPA. Persons, either
364	398		9 individually, as members of a partnership or limited
365	399		10 liability company, or as officers of a corporation, who sign,
366	400		11 affix, or associate names or any trade or assumed names used by
367	401		12 the persons in a profession or business to any report
368	402		13 expressing or disclaiming an opinion on a financial statement
369	403		14 based on an audit or examination of that statement, or
370	404		15 expressing assurance on a financial statement, shall be deemed
371	405		16 to be in practice as licensed CPAs and are performing
372	406		17 accountancy activities as outlined in paragraph (1) of
373	407		18 subsection (a) of Section 8.05.
374	408		19 (Source: P.A. 103-309, eff. 1-1-24.)
375	409		20 (225 ILCS 450/14) (from Ch. 111, par. 5515)
376	410		21 (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2029)
377	411		22 Sec. 14. Qualifications for licensure as a licensed CPA.
378	412		23 The Department may license as licensed CPAs individuals
379	413		24 meeting the following requirements:
380	414
381	415
382	416
383	417
384	418
385		-	HB2459 ~~Engrossed~~ - 11 - LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
	419	+	HB2459 - 11 - LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
386	420
387	421
388		-	HB2459 ~~Engrossed~~- 12 -LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b HB2459 ~~Engrossed~~ - 12 - LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
389		-	HB2459 ~~Engrossed~~ - 12 - LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
	422	+	HB2459- 12 -LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b HB2459 - 12 - LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
	423	+	HB2459 - 12 - LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
390	424		1 (a) All persons who have received exam certificates or
391	425		2 certifications as certified public accountants from the Board
392	426		3 or who hereafter received registrations as registered CPAs
393	427		4 from the Department who have had at least one year of full-time
394	428		5 experience, or its equivalent, providing any type of service
395	429		6 or advice involving the use of accounting, audit, management
396	430		7 advisory, financial advisory, tax, consulting skills, or other
397	431		8 attestation engagements which may be gained through employment
398	432		9 in government, industry, academia, or public practice.
399	433		10 (a-5) If the applicant's exam certificate or certification
400	434		11 as a certified public accountant from the Board or the
401	435		12 applicant's registration as a registered CPA from the
402	436		13 Department was issued more than 4 years prior to the
403	437		14 application for a license as a licensed CPA under this
404	438		15 Section, the applicant shall submit any evidence the
405	439		16 Department may require showing the applicant has completed not
406	440		17 less than 90 hours of continuing professional education
407	441		18 acceptable to the Department within the 3 years immediately
408	442		19 preceding the date of application.
409	443		20 (b) (Blank).
410	444		21 (c) On and after January 1, 2027, all persons who have
411	445		22 received a bachelor's degree in accounting from an accredited
412	446		23 college or university and an exam certificate or certification
413	447		24 from the Board and who have had at least 2 years of experience
414	448		25 as defined by Department rule.
415	449		26 (d) On and after January 1, 2027, all persons who have
416	450
417	451
418	452
419	453
420	454
421		-	HB2459 ~~Engrossed~~ - 12 - LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
	455	+	HB2459 - 12 - LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
422	456
423	457
424		-	HB2459 ~~Engrossed~~- 13 -LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b HB2459 ~~Engrossed~~ - 13 - LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
425		-	HB2459 ~~Engrossed~~ - 13 - LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
	458	+	HB2459- 13 -LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b HB2459 - 13 - LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
	459	+	HB2459 - 13 - LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
426	460		1 received a master's degree, a bachelor's degree with 30 hours
427	461		2 of accounting from an accredited college or university, and an
428	462		3 exam certificate or certification from the Board and who have
429	463		4 had at least one year of experience as defined by Department
430	464		5 rule.
431	465		6 (Source: P.A. 102-222, eff. 1-1-22.)
432	466		7 (225 ILCS 450/14.2)
433	467		8 (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2029)
434	468		9 Sec. 14.2. Licensure by endorsement.
435	469		10 (a) The Department shall issue a license as a licensed CPA
436	470		11 to any applicant who holds a current, valid, and unrevoked
437	471		12 license as a certified public accountant issued from another
438	472		13 state with equivalent educational requirements and examination
439	473		14 standards, applies to the Department on forms supplied by the
440	474		15 Department, and pays the required fee, provided:
441	475		16 (1) the individual applicant is determined by the
442	476		17 Department to possess qualifications substantially
443	477		18 equivalent to this State's current licensing requirements;
444	478		19 (2) at the time the applicant became licensed, the
445	479		20 applicant possessed qualifications substantially
446	480		21 equivalent to the qualifications for licensure then in
447	481		22 effect in this State; or
448	482		23 (3) the applicant has, after passing the examination
449	483		24 upon which licensure to practice was based, satisfied
450	484		25 experience requirements not less than 4 years of
451	485
452	486
453	487
454	488
455	489
456		-	HB2459 ~~Engrossed~~ - 13 - LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
	490	+	HB2459 - 13 - LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
457	491
458	492
459		-	HB2459 ~~Engrossed~~- 14 -LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b HB2459 ~~Engrossed~~ - 14 - LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
460		-	HB2459 ~~Engrossed~~ - 14 - LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
	493	+	HB2459- 14 -LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b HB2459 - 14 - LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
	494	+	HB2459 - 14 - LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
461	495		1 experience as outlined in Section 14 of this Act within
462	496		2 the 10 years immediately before the application.
463	497		3 (b) In determining the enhanced mobility substantial
464	498		4 equivalency of any state's requirements to Illinois'
465	499		5 requirements, the Department may rely on the determinations by
466	500		6 the Committee of the National Qualification Appraisal Service
467	501		7 of the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy or
468	502		8 such other qualification appraisal service as it deems
469	503		9 appropriate.
470	504		10 (c) Applicants have 3 years from the date of application
471	505		11 to complete the application process. If the process has not
472	506		12 been completed in 3 years, the application shall be denied,
473	507		13 the fee shall be forfeited, and the applicant must reapply and
474	508		14 meet the requirements in effect at the time of reapplication.
475	509		15 (d) Any individual who is the holder of a current, valid,
476	510		16 and not previously disciplined license as a certified public
477	511		17 accountant of any state and has applied in writing to the
478	512		18 Department in form and substance satisfactory to the
479	513		19 Department for a license as a licensed CPA may perform
480	514		20 accountancy activities as set forth in Section 8.05 until the
481	515		21 earlier of the following dates:
482	516		22 (1) the expiration of 6 months after filing the
483	517		23 written application; or
484	518		24 (2) the denial of the application by the Department.
485	519		25 Any individual performing accountancy activities under
486	520		26 this subsection (d) shall be subject to discipline in the same
487	521
488	522
489	523
490	524
491	525
492		-	HB2459 ~~Engrossed~~ - 14 - LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
	526	+	HB2459 - 14 - LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
493	527
494	528
495		-	HB2459 ~~Engrossed~~- 15 -LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b HB2459 ~~Engrossed~~ - 15 - LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
496		-	HB2459 ~~Engrossed~~ - 15 - LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
	529	+	HB2459- 15 -LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b HB2459 - 15 - LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
	530	+	HB2459 - 15 - LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
497	531		1 manner as an individual licensed under this Act.
498	532		2 (Source: P.A. 103-309, eff. 1-1-24.)
499	533		3 (225 ILCS 450/28) (from Ch. 111, par. 5534)
500	534		4 (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2029)
501	535		5 Sec. 28. Criminal penalties. Each of the following acts
502	536		6 perpetrated in the State of Illinois is a Class A misdemeanor:
503	537		7 (a) the practice of accountancy activities as defined
504	538		8 in paragraph (1) of subsection (a) of Section 8.05 without
505	539		9 an active CPA license in violation of the provisions of
506	540		10 this Act;
507	541		11 (b) the obtaining or attempting to obtain licensure as
508	542		12 a licensed CPA or registration as a registered CPA by
509	543		13 fraud;
510	544		14 (c) the use of the title "Certified Public
511	545		15 Accountant", "public accountant", or the abbreviation
512	546		16 "C.P.A.", "RCPA", "LCPA", "PA" or use of any similar words
513	547		17 or letters indicating the user is a certified public
514	548		18 accountant, or the title "Registered Certified Public
515	549		19 Accountant";
516	550		20 (c-5) (blank);
517	551		21 (d) the use of the title "Certified Public
518	552		22 Accountant", "public accountant", or the abbrevi ation
519	553		23 "C.P.A.", "RCPA", "LCPA", "PA" or any similar words or
520	554		24 letters indicating that the members are certified public
521	555		25 accountants, by any partnership, limited liability
522	556
523	557
524	558
525	559
526	560
527		-	HB2459 ~~Engrossed~~ - 15 - LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
	561	+	HB2459 - 15 - LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
528	562
529	563
530		-	HB2459 ~~Engrossed~~- 16 -LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b HB2459 ~~Engrossed~~ - 16 - LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
531		-	HB2459 ~~Engrossed~~ - 16 - LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
	564	+	HB2459- 16 -LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b HB2459 - 16 - LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
	565	+	HB2459 - 16 - LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
532	566		1 company, corporation, or other entity in violation of this
533	567		2 Act;
534	568		3 (e) the unauthorized practice in the performance of
535	569		4 accountancy activities as defined in Section 8.05 and in
536	570		5 violation of this Act;
537	571		6 (f) (blank);
538	572		7 (g) making false statements to the Department
539	573		8 regarding compliance with continuing professional
540	574		9 education or peer review requirements;
541	575		10 (h) (Blank).
542	576		11 (Source: P.A. 98-254, eff. 8-9-13; 98-756, eff. 7-16-14.)
543		-	HB2459 ~~Engrossed~~- 17 -LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b 1 INDEX 2 Statutes amended in order of appearance 3 225 ILCS 450/0.03from Ch. 111, par. 5500.034 225 ILCS 450/3from Ch. 111, par. 55045 225 ILCS 450/5.26 225 ILCS 450/8from Ch. 111, par. 55097 225 ILCS 450/14from Ch. 111, par. 55158 225 ILCS 450/14.29 225 ILCS 450/28from Ch. 111, par. 5534 HB2459 ~~Engrossed~~- 17 -LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b HB2459 ~~Engrossed~~ - 17 - LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b 1 INDEX 2 Statutes amended in order of appearance 3 225 ILCS 450/0.03 from Ch. 111, par. 5500.03 4 225 ILCS 450/3 from Ch. 111, par. 5504 5 225 ILCS 450/5.2 6 225 ILCS 450/8 from Ch. 111, par. 5509 7 225 ILCS 450/14 from Ch. 111, par. 5515 8 225 ILCS 450/14.2 9 225 ILCS 450/28 from Ch. 111, par. 5534
544		-	HB2459 ~~Engrossed~~- 17 -LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b HB2459 ~~Engrossed~~ - 17 - LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
545		-	HB2459 ~~Engrossed~~ - 17 - LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
	577	+	HB2459- 17 -LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b 1 INDEX 2 Statutes amended in order of appearance HB2459- 17 -LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b HB2459 - 17 - LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b 1 INDEX 2 Statutes amended in order of appearance
	578	+	HB2459- 17 -LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b HB2459 - 17 - LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
	579	+	HB2459 - 17 - LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
546	580		1 INDEX
547	581		2 Statutes amended in order of appearance
548		-	3 225 ILCS 450/0.03 from Ch. 111, par. 5500.03
549		-	4 225 ILCS 450/3 from Ch. 111, par. 5504
550		-	5 225 ILCS 450/5.2
551		-	6 225 ILCS 450/8 from Ch. 111, par. 5509
552		-	7 225 ILCS 450/14 from Ch. 111, par. 5515
553		-	8 225 ILCS 450/14.2
554		-	9 225 ILCS 450/28 from Ch. 111, par. 5534
555	582
556	583
557	584
558	585
559	586
560		-	HB2459 ~~Engrossed~~ - 16 - LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
	587	+	HB2459 - 16 - LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
561	588
562	589
563	590
564		-	HB2459 ~~Engrossed~~- 17 -LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b HB2459 ~~Engrossed~~ - 17 - LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
565		-	HB2459 ~~Engrossed~~ - 17 - LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
	591	+	HB2459- 17 -LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b HB2459 - 17 - LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
	592	+	HB2459 - 17 - LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
566	593		1 INDEX
567	594		2 Statutes amended in order of appearance
568		-	3 225 ILCS 450/0.03 from Ch. 111, par. 5500.03
569		-	4 225 ILCS 450/3 from Ch. 111, par. 5504
570		-	5 225 ILCS 450/5.2
571		-	6 225 ILCS 450/8 from Ch. 111, par. 5509
572		-	7 225 ILCS 450/14 from Ch. 111, par. 5515
573		-	8 225 ILCS 450/14.2
574		-	9 225 ILCS 450/28 from Ch. 111, par. 5534
575	595
576	596
577	597
578	598
579	599
580		-	HB2459 ~~Engrossed~~ - 17 - LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b
	600	+	HB2459 - 17 - LRB104 08234 AAS 18284 b