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Committee recommends ‘CPA retired’ designation for former certified public accountants, 11‑1
Summary
House Bill 236 would allow former CPAs to obtain a one‑time certificate and use the honorific "CPA retired"; the EDNA committee voted 11‑1 to report the bill out as "ought to pass."
The EDNA committee voted 11‑1 to recommend passage of House Bill 236, a bill drafted at the request of the Board of Accountancy to permit a one‑time certificate allowing a formerly licensed certified public accountant to use the honorific “CPA retired.”
Sponsor Rep. Chris Munz said the change recognizes a lifetime of professional training and permits retired CPAs to indicate the honorific on business cards, nonprofit boards and other volunteer activities while explicitly prohibiting use of the designation to imply a current license or to perform services requiring an active CPA license. Richard Silverman, a long‑time active CPA and board member, said the retired designation is in model Uniform Accountancy Act language and has been adopted by several states; it enables former licensees (commonly age 55 or older in the model) to provide unpaid volunteer services without maintaining continuing professional education requirements.
Committee discussion focused on whether OPLC should collect a small administrative fee for issuing a retired‑CPA certificate and whether statutory authorization of the category is necessary given existing restrictions on use of the CPA title. OPLC staff confirmed authority to set an administrative fee under existing fee statutes; the committee said a modest one‑time fee would be appropriate to cover processing. Representative Pearson moved the “ought to pass” committee recommendation; Representative Sellers seconded. The roll call recorded 11 yes votes and 1 no vote (the committee chair), and the motion carried.
What the bill would do: HB 236 would create a certificate status allowing a former licensee who meets board criteria to identify as "CPA retired" on business cards, letterhead and related materials, while prohibiting use of the title to provide services that require active licensure, such as auditing and signing financial attestations. A retired status would spare eligible CPAs from continuing education and allow limited uncompensated volunteer activity.
Next steps: OPLC and the Board of Accountancy will handle implementation and fee setting; the bill will be reported to the full House with an "ought to pass" recommendation.
