PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 4-25-780 Reciprocity for accountants from foreign countries.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.04.055, 18.04.183.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The 1999 legislature is considering legislation related to continuing professional education and licensing requirements for certified public accountants that will amend the Public Accountancy Act, chapter 18.04 RCW. If passed as drafted the legislation will require individuals applying for a Washington state certified public accountant (CPA) certificate by foreign reciprocity to complete one hundred twenty hours of continuing professional education (CPE) in the prior thirty-six months. The drafted legislation will also require individuals desiring to renew a CPA certificate and/or individual license to complete one hundred twenty hours of continuing professional education (CPE) during the preceding three years. The board wishes to take proactive measures to begin the rule review process if necessary. The board anticipates changing its rule to align with the change in statute (reflect the change from eighty hours of CPE within a two year period to one hundred twenty hours of CPE within a three year period) both for the issuance of a certificate by foreign reciprocity and the renewal of a CPA certificate granted by foreign reciprocity.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: Agency study.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by writing to Dana M. McInturff, Executive Director, Washington State Board of Accountancy, P.O. Box 9131, Olympia, WA 98507-9131, (360) 664-9194, fax (360) 664-9190, e-mail 103124.2013@compuserve.com.
February 4, 1999
Dana M. McInturff, CPA
Executive Director