Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 4-25-782 How do I apply for an initial Washington state license through foreign reciprocity?, 4-25-791 I am a CPA-Inactive certificateholder. Prior to July 1, 2001, I held a license. How do I apply to return to my previous status as a licensee?, 4-25-792 How do I reinstate a lapsed individual license, CPA-Inactive certificate, or registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner?, 4-25-793 If I retire my license or CPA-Inactive certificate, how do I apply to return to my previous status as a licensee or a CPA-Inactive certificateholder?, and 4-25-795 How do I reinstate a revoked or suspended license, CPA-Inactive certificate, or registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner?

     Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: To amend rules containing a reference to a repealed rule.

     Reasons Supporting Proposal: The board repealed WAC 4-25-756 effective September 25, 2008. The references to a repealed rule make this portion of these rules ineffective. Additionally, the board's goal with all of its rule proposals is to:

•     Promote clarity.

•     Ensure effective communication.

•     Ensure fairness in interpretation and application of the rules.

•     Promote efficiencies through minimizing gray areas.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: For WAC 4-25-782 is RCW 18.04.183; for WAC 4-25-791 and 4-25-792 is RCW 18.04.215(2); for WAC 4-25-793 is RCW 18.04.215(7); and for WAC 4-25-795 is RCW 18.04.215(2), 18.04.335.

     Statute Being Implemented: Same as above.

     Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

     Name of Proponent: Washington state board of accountancy, governmental.

     Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: Richard C. Sweeney, Olympia, WA, (360) 586-0163.

     Agency Comments or Recommendations, if any, as to Statutory Language, Implementation, Enforcement, and Fiscal Matters: The language being eliminated is not essential to the main topic, context or impact of the rule either before or after this amendment.

October 6, 2008

Richard C. Sweeney

Executive Director

OTS-1976.1

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 05-01-135, filed 12/16/04, effective 1/31/05)

WAC 4-25-782   How do I apply for an initial Washington state license through foreign reciprocity?   Pursuant to RCW 18.04.183 the board may issue a license through foreign reciprocity provided you meet the requirements for application through foreign reciprocity established by the act, WAC 4-25-781 and 4-25-830(7).

     To apply for an initial Washington state CPA license, you must use the foreign reciprocity application form(s) provided by the board.

     You need to fully complete the form(s), and submit the form(s), all applicable fees, required information, required documentation, or other documentation deemed necessary by the board to the board's office.

     An application is not complete and cannot be processed until all fees, required information, required documentation, or other documentation deemed necessary by the board are received by the board. When the processing of your application is complete, your license will be mailed to the last address you provided to the board.

     Your Washington state CPA license will expire on June 30 of the third calendar year following initial licensure.

     You may not use the title CPA until you have received notice from the board that your Washington state license has been approved. ((With the exception of out-of-state sole practitioning CPAs holding valid practice privileges in Washington state under WAC 4-25-756, attest services may only be offered or performed in a CPA firm licensed by the board and meeting the requirements of WAC 4-25-750.))

[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.04.183. 05-01-135, § 4-25-782, filed 12/16/04, effective 1/31/05; 01-22-036, § 4-25-782, filed 10/30/01, effective 12/1/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.04.055 and 18.04.183. 00-11-076, § 4-25-782, filed 5/15/00, effective 6/30/00.]

OTS-1977.1

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 05-01-137, filed 12/16/04, effective 1/31/05)

WAC 4-25-791   I am a CPA-Inactive certificateholder -- Prior to July 1, 2001, I held a license -- How do I apply to return to my previous status as a licensee?   CPA-Inactive certificateholders who held a license at any time prior to July 1, 2001, may apply to return to their previous status as a licensee. If you are a CPA-Inactive certificateholder, you may not use the title "CPA" or "Certified Public Accountant" until you return to your previous status as a licensee.

     If you hold a valid CPA-Inactive certificate, to apply to return to your previously held status as a licensee, you must use the form provided by the board and satisfy CPE requirements in WAC 4-25-830(5). An application is not complete and cannot be processed until all required information, required documentation, and other documentation deemed necessary by the board are received by the board.

     To apply to return to your previous status as a licensee you must submit to the board:

     (1) A complete application form including your certification, under the penalty of perjury, that you have:

     (a) Not held out in public practice during the time in which you were a CPA-Inactive certificateholder; and

     (b) Met the CPE requirements of WAC 4-25-830(5);

     (2) Other required documentation, required information, and other documentation deemed necessary by the board.

     Upon approval of your application, your license will be mailed to the last address you provided to the board.

     You may not use the title CPA until you receive notice from the board that your CPA license has been approved. ((With the exception of out-of-state sole practitioning CPAs holding valid practice privileges in Washington state under WAC 4-25-756, a licensee may only offer to provide attest services in a licensed CPA firm meeting the requirements of WAC 4-25-750.))

[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.04.215 (2), (4). 05-01-137, § 4-25-791, filed 12/16/04, effective 1/31/05; 02-04-064, § 4-25-791, filed 1/31/02, effective 3/15/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.04.055(11) and 18.04.215 (2), (4). 99-18-121, § 4-25-791, filed 9/1/99, effective 1/1/00.]

OTS-1978.1

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 05-01-137, filed 12/16/04, effective 1/31/05)

WAC 4-25-792   How do I reinstate a lapsed individual license, CPA-Inactive certificate, or registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner?   If your individual license or CPA-Inactive certificate has lapsed, you may not use the title CPA or CPA-Inactive until your individual license or CPA-Inactive certificate is reinstated by the board.

     Individuals who held a valid license on June 30, 2001, and individuals obtaining a license after June 30, 2001, are not eligible to reinstate as CPA-Inactive certificateholders.

     If your registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner has lapsed, you may not be an owner of a CPA firm until your registration is reinstated by the board.

     To reinstate a lapsed individual license, CPA-Inactive certificate, or registration as a nonlicensee firm owner you must use the form provided by the board and satisfy CPE requirements in WAC 4-25-830(6). An application is not complete and cannot be processed until all fees, required information, required documentation, and other documentation deemed necessary by the board are received by the board.

     To reinstate, you must submit to the board:

     (1) A complete reinstatement form including your certification, under the penalty of perjury, that you have:

     (a) For those who wish to reinstate a license or CPA-Inactive certificate: Not used the title CPA or CPA-Inactive during the time in which your individual license or CPA-Inactive certificate was lapsed; or

     (b) For those who wish to reinstate a registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner: Not participated as an owner in a CPA firm during the time in which your registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner was suspended or revoked; and

     (c) Met the CPE requirements for reinstatement in WAC 4-25-830(6); and

     (d) Met the CPE supporting documentation requirements in WAC 4-25-833;

     (2) Source documents as evidence of eligibility for CPE credit for all courses claimed in order to meet CPE requirements as defined by WAC 4-25-833;

     (3) A listing of all states and foreign jurisdictions in which you hold or have applied for a license, certificate, or practice privileges;

     (4) All applicable fees; and

     (5) Other required documents, required information, and other documentation deemed necessary by the board.

     Upon approval of your reinstatement, notice that your license, registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner, or CPA-Inactive certification has been reinstated will be mailed to the last address you provided to the board. Your license, CPA-Inactive certificate, or registration as a nonlicensee firm owner will expire on June 30th of the third calendar year following approval of the reinstatement. The CPE reporting period for your next renewal begins on January 1 of the calendar year in which the reinstatement of your license, CPA-Inactive certificate, or registration as a nonlicensee firm owner was approved by the board and ends on December 31 of the second calendar year following approval of the reinstatement. CPE credit hours utilized to qualify for reinstatement cannot be utilized for this CPE reporting period.

     You may not use the title CPA or CPA-Inactive until your reinstatement application has been approved.

     ((With the exception of out-of-state sole practitioning CPAs holding valid practice privileges in Washington state under WAC 4-25-756, attest services may only be performed in a CPA firm licensed by the board and meeting the requirements of WAC 4-25-750.))

[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.04.215 (2), (4). 05-01-137, § 4-25-792, filed 12/16/04, effective 1/31/05; 02-04-064, § 4-25-792, filed 1/31/02, effective 3/15/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.04.055(11) and 18.04.215 (2), (4). 99-18-122, § 4-25-792, filed 9/1/99, effective 1/1/00.]

OTS-1979.1

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 05-01-137, filed 12/16/04, effective 1/31/05)

WAC 4-25-793   If I retire my license or CPA-Inactive certificate, how do I apply to return to my previous status as a licensee or a CPA-Inactive certificateholder?   If you notified the board that you wish to retire your license or CPA-Inactive certificate prior to the end of your renewal cycle, pursuant to RCW 18.04.215(7), you may renew your license or CPA-Inactive certificate at a later date and are not subject to the requirements of reinstatement; however, you may not use the title CPA or CPA-Inactive or exercise the privileges related to those titles until you return to your previous status.

     To apply to return to your previously held status as either a licensee or a CPA-Inactive certificateholder you must use the form(s) provided by the board and satisfy CPE requirements in WAC 4-25-830(4). An application is not complete and cannot be processed until all fees, required information, required documentation, or other documentation deemed necessary by the board are received by the board.

     If you previously held a license, you are not eligible to apply for CPA-Inactive certificateholder status.

     To apply to return to your previous status, you must submit to the board:

     (1) A complete application form including your certification, under the penalty of perjury, that you have:

     (a) Not used the title CPA or CPA-Inactive during the time in which your license or CPA-Inactive certificate was retired; and

     (b) Met the CPE requirements to return to your previous status in WAC 4-25-830(4);

     (2) All applicable fees; and

     (3) Other required documentation, required information, or other documentation deemed necessary by the board.

     Upon approval of your application, your license or notification of your status as a CPA-Inactive certificateholder will be mailed to the last address you provided to the board. Your license or CPA-Inactive certificate will expire on June 30th of the third calendar year following approval of the renewal. The CPE reporting period for your next renewal begins on January 1 of the calendar year in which the renewal of your retired license or CPA-Inactive certificate was approved by the board and ends on December 31 of the second calendar year following approval of the renewal. CPE credit hours utilized to qualify for renewal of a retired license or CPA-Inactive certificate cannot be utilized for this CPE reporting period.

     You may not use the title CPA or CPA-Inactive until your renewal application has been approved.

     ((With the exception of out-of-state sole practitioning CPAs holding valid practice privileges in Washington state under WAC 4-25-756, attest services may only be performed in a CPA firm licensed by the board and meeting the requirements of WAC 4-25-750.))

[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.04.215(7). 05-01-137, § 4-25-793, filed 12/16/04, effective 1/31/05; 02-04-064, § 4-25-793, filed 1/31/02, effective 3/15/02.]

OTS-1980.1

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 05-01-137, filed 12/16/04, effective 1/31/05)

WAC 4-25-795   How do I reinstate a revoked or suspended license, CPA-Inactive certificate, or registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner?   If your license or CPA-Inactive certificate was revoked or suspended by the board pursuant to the act, you may not use the title CPA or CPA-Inactive until your license or CPA-Inactive certificate is reinstated by the board.

     If your registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner was revoked or suspended by the board pursuant to the act, you may not be a firm owner until your registration is reinstated by the board.

     You may request that the board modify the suspension or revocation after three years have elapsed from the effective date of the board's order revoking or suspending your license or CPA-Inactive certificate unless the board sets some other period by order. However, if you made a previous request with respect to the same order, no additional request will be considered before the lapse of an additional three years following the board's decision on the last such previous application.

     To request reinstatement of a revoked or suspended license, CPA-Inactive certificate, or registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner you must use the form provided by the board and satisfy CPE requirements in WAC 4-25-830(6). A request is not complete and cannot be processed until all fees, required information, required documentation, and other documentation deemed necessary by the board are received by the board.

     To request reinstatement, you must submit to the board:

     (1) A complete reinstatement form including your certification under the penalty of perjury, that you have:

     (a) For those who wish to reinstate a license or CPA-Inactive certificate: Not used the title CPA during the time in which your license or CPA-Inactive certificate was suspended or revoked; or

     (b) For those who wish to reinstate a registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner: Not participated as an owner in a CPA firm during the time in which your registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner was suspended or revoked; and

     (c) Met the CPE requirements for reinstatement in WAC 4-25-830(6); and

     (d) Met the CPE supporting documentation requirements in WAC 4-25-833;

     (2) A listing of all states and foreign jurisdictions in which you hold or have applied for a license, CPA-Inactive certificate, permit, or practice privilege under substantial equivalence;

     (3) All applicable fees;

     (4) Source documents as evidence of eligibility for CPE credit for all courses claimed in order to meet CPE requirements as defined by WAC 4-25-833;

     (5) Written substantiation of the reasons constituting good cause for the reinstatement;

     (6) Two supporting recommendations, under penalty of perjury, from licensees who have personal knowledge of your activities since the suspension or revocation was imposed; and

     (7) Other required documentation, required information, and other documentation deemed necessary by the board.

     In considering the reinstatement application, the board may consider all relevant factors, including but not limited to:

     (a) The offense for which you were disciplined;

     (b) Your activities since the disciplinary penalty was imposed;

     (c) Your activities during the time the license, CPA-Inactive certificate, or registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner was in good standing;

     (d) Your rehabilitative efforts;

     (e) Restitution to damaged parties in the matter for which the penalty was imposed; and

     (f) Your general reputation for truth and professional ethics.

     If the board decides to consider the merits of your application for reinstatement, in the board's discretion, a hearing may be held following such procedures as the board deems suitable for the particular case. If the board decides that it will not consider the merits of your application for reinstatement, then this constitutes final agency action and there is no further administrative review available to you. As a condition of reinstatement, the board may impose such terms and conditions as it deems suitable.

     The board will not consider a request for reinstatement while you are under sentence for any criminal offense, including any period during which you are on court-imposed probation or parole.

     Upon approval of your application, your license, notification of your status as a CPA-Inactive certificateholder, or registration as a resident nonlicensee firm owner will be mailed to the last address you provided to the board. Your license, CPA-Inactive certificate, or registration will expire on June 30th of the third calendar year following approval of the reinstatement. The CPE reporting period for your next renewal begins on January 1 of the calendar year in which the reinstatement of your license, CPA-Inactive certificate, or registration was approved by the board and ends on December 31 of the second calendar year following approval of the reinstatement. CPE credit hours utilized to qualify for reinstatement of a license, CPA-Inactive certificate, or registration cannot be utilized for this CPE reporting period.

     You may not use the title CPA or CPA-Inactive until your reinstatement application has been approved.

     ((With the exception of out-of-state sole practitioning CPAs holding valid practice privileges in Washington state under WAC 4-25-756, attest services may only be performed in a CPA firm licensed by the board and meeting the requirements of WAC 4-25-750.))

[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.04.215(2), 18.04.335, and 34.05.220. 05-01-137, § 4-25-795, filed 12/16/04, effective 1/31/05; 02-04-064, § 4-25-795, filed 1/31/02, effective 3/15/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.04.055(11), 18.04.335 and 34.05.220. 99-18-123, § 4-25-795, filed 9/1/99, effective 1/1/00.]

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