The Tennessee Society of CPAs (TSCPA) took to the state Capitol in Nashville this week to lobby for updates to CPA licensing and mobility laws, according to a report by Accounting Today.

At the third annual Day on the Hill event, TSCPA members met with lawmakers to discuss House Bill 1330/Senate Bill 1316, which aims to expand licensure pathways while maintaining interstate practice privileges. 

With CPA numbers declining due to demographic shifts and demand for accounting services increasing, TSCPA sees these changes as essential. “To ensure our profession continues providing critical services to Tennessee individuals and businesses, we must broaden pathways to CPA licensure while preserving professional integrity,” said TSCPA president and CEO Kara Fitzgerald.

Tennessee is not alone in this effort. Florida, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Minnesota and Ohio have all introduced or passed legislation to modernize CPA licensing, addressing concerns about accessibility and workforce shortages.

The AICPA and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) are also working on changes to the Uniform Accountancy Act (UAA) to support mobility across states. The UAA, which is jointly published by the AICPA and NASBA, offers state legislatures and Boards of Accountancy a national model that can be adopted as is or adapted to the needs of every individual jurisdiction. 

TSCPA continues advocating for the profession by meeting with 38 lawmakers this week. The association's efforts highlight the urgency of reforming CPA licensure to attract new talent while ensuring seamless interstate practice.