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Committee advances HB 236 to allow 'CPA (Retired)' designation for former licensees
Summary
House Bill 236 would permit individuals who previously held a Certified Public Accountant license and meet an age threshold to use the honorific 'CPA (Retired)'; the committee approved the change after testimony from the Board of Accountancy and professional organizations.
Representative Chris Muns introduced House Bill 236 to authorize OPLC to grant an honorific "CPA (Retired)" designation to individuals who previously held a certified public accountant certificate and meet an age threshold. The bill sets a minimum age and requires prior licensure in good standing; it prohibits retired-status holders from performing services that require an active license such as signing audited financial statements.
Richard Silverman, a long-time licensee and member of the New Hampshire Board of Accountancy, told the committee the change follows a 2018 Uniform Accountancy Act provision allowing retired status and noted 22 states have adopted a similar designation. He said retired status enables CPAs to volunteer, provide pro bono tax help, mentor, serve on nonprofit boards and assist firms with non-attest staffing without carrying continuing-professional-education obligations.
Robin Houston, CEO of the New Hampshire Society of CPAs, and other board members testified in support, saying retired CPAs are a source of mentoring and seasonal capacity for nonprofits and small organizations. Committee members debated whether to add a minimum active-service threshold in addition to the bill's age requirement; sponsors and witnesses said the combination of age (55) and prior licensure in good standing provides a reasonable safeguard. The committee voted to report HB 236 out of committee; later roll-call discussion in executive session recorded a committee vote of 4–1 in favor to pass the bill.
