2005 Arizona Revised Statutes - Revised Statutes §32-721  Certified public accountants; qualifications

A. The board shall issue a certificate of certified public accountant to any person who:

1. Meets the requirement to take the examination pursuant to section 32-723.

2. Within a period of time prescribed by the rules of the board, has obtained a passing grade in each subject of the examination for certified public accountant in this state, or in any other state, territory or possession of the United States that uses the questions and grading facilities of the American institute of certified public accountants or any other institution approved by the board.

3. Meets the following character and fitness requirements:

(a) Is at least eighteen years of age.

(b) Is of good moral character.

(c) Has not engaged in any conduct that would constitute grounds for revocation or suspension of a certificate or other disciplinary action pursuant to section 32-741.

4. Meets the additional experience and educational requirements prescribed by either subsection B or C of this section, as applicable.

B. In addition to the requirements prescribed by subsection A of this section, through June 30, 2004, the applicant must meet the experience and education requirements prescribed by either paragraph 1 or 2 of this subsection as follows:

1. The applicant must have been employed full time, either before or after passing each section of the examination for certified public accountant, for a period of at least two years in the office of a certified public accountant or public accountant, in private industry or in a government agency that has exposed the applicant to and provided the applicant with experience in the practice of accounting. The board may accept part-time employment as a substitute for the requirement of two years of full-time employment if the part-time employment provides the applicant with equivalent experience in the practice of accounting.

2. The applicant must have completed one year of the experience described by paragraph 1 of this subsection and hold a master's or more advanced degree in accounting, tax or business administration from an accredited institution or a college or university maintaining standards comparable to those of an accredited institution. The academic transcript showing completion of the degree program must include at least thirty semester hours in accounting and related courses, of which at least twelve semester hours of credit must be in graduate level accounting courses.

C. In addition to the requirements prescribed by subsection A of this section, from and after June 30, 2004, the applicant must meet both of the following requirements:

1. Have been employed full time, either before or after passing each section of the examination for certified public accountant, for at least one year in the office of a certified public accountant or public accountant, in private industry or with a government agency that has exposed the applicant to and provided the applicant with experience in the practice of accounting. The board may accept part-time employment as a substitute for the requirement of one year of full-time employment if the part-time employment provides the applicant with equivalent experience in the practice of accounting.

2. Present satisfactory evidence from an accredited institution or a college or university maintaining standards comparable to those of an accredited institution that the applicant has completed at least one hundred fifty semester hours of education of which:

(a) At least thirty-six semester hours are accounting courses of which at least thirty semester hours are upper level courses.

(b) At least thirty semester hours are related courses.

D. For the purpose of transition to educational requirements described in subsection C, paragraph 2 of this section, the board shall issue a certificate of certified public accountant to any person who:

1. Meets the requirements of subsection A, paragraphs 1 and 3 of this section.

2. Has completed the requirements of subsection A, paragraph 2 of this section by June 30, 2004.

3. Has completed the requirements of subsection B, paragraph 1 or 2 of this section by November 30, 2005.

4. On or before December 31, 2005, submits a completed application and all required documentation for the issuance of a certificate.