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CBA committee approves recognized certificate pathway that can substitute six months of experience
Summary
The Committee approved staff recommendations to allow board‑recognized certificates (documented on transcripts) to substitute for six months of general accounting experience and to set provider and curriculum standards for such certificates.
The California Board of Accountancy Committee on Professional Conduct on May 15 approved staff recommendations to recognize certain post‑secondary certificate programs as meeting the accounting concentration and to allow completion of a recognized certificate to substitute for six months of the general accounting experience required for CPA licensure under AB 11 75.
Staff presented a model in which a community college develops a board‑recognized accounting certificate aligned with the required accounting concentration. The certificate example used in staff materials was a 51‑unit program; staff recommended that recognized certificates must include the accounting concentration and core subject areas tied to the Uniform CPA Examination — accounting and data analytics, auditing and accounting information systems, and tax — and that the certificate be recorded on the student's official certified transcript.
Other administrative recommendations approved by the committee include limiting initial provider eligibility to California community colleges and California public or private university extension programs; capping transfer‑in units for a certificate at 12 units; prohibiting recognition of a certificate issued in conjunction with a recognized degree (so the certificate adds curricular units above the degree); setting a six‑year recognition term; requiring an online self‑certification application; periodic staff review; and authority for the board to remove recognition when specified conditions occur. Staff recommended, and the committee approved, granting a six‑month reduction in the general accounting experience requirement for candidates who complete a recognized certificate in addition to a qualifying bachelor’s degree.
Public commenters including Jason Fox of Cal CPA expressed support for the framework as an avenue to expand candidate pathways. Staff told the committee that the six‑month credit is limited to candidates who already hold a qualifying bachelor’s degree and that the certificate is additional education, not a replacement for the degree requirement.
The committee approved the staff recommendations by roll call; all members present voted yes: Doug Aguilera; Nancy Corrigan; Carrie Ann Ferrell Hines; Christian Latta; Tony Lin; and Pinyan Tu.
Next steps: staff will draft regulatory language incorporating the 12 policy recommendations and return for regulatory review and public notice in the coming months.
