Attention FAE Customers:
Please be aware that NASBA credits are awarded based on whether the events are webcast or in-person, as well as on the number of CPE credits.
Please check the event registration page to see if NASBA credits are being awarded for the programs you select.

Want to save this page for later?

NextGen Magazine

 
 

Illinois Proposes Two Alternative CPA Licensure Pathways

By:
Emma Slack-Jorgensen
Published Date:
Feb 4, 2025

undefined

Illinois lawmakers have introduced House Bill 2459, a proposal aimed at expanding CPA licensure options to address the ongoing accountant shortage, according to a report by Accounting Today.

A couple of Illinois lawmakers who are themselves CPAs, Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, and Rep. Amy Elik, R-Edwardsville, are set to introduce House Bill 2459, Accounting Today reported. This amends the Illinois Public Accounting Act and creates two added pathways to CPA licensure in Illinois and improve CPA practice privilege mobility.

Currently, Illinois, under the Illinois Public Accounting Act and Uniform Accountancy Act, and like most states, requires CPA candidates to complete 150 credit hours of education, pass the CPA exam and gain one year of relevant work experience.

The proposed bill, supported by the Illinois CPA Society (ICPAS), seeks to create two new pathways to make certification more accessible while maintaining professional standards. Although the structure has been in place since 2001, but Accounting Today reported that the ICPAS thinks that it no longer supports the profession's current as well as future workforce.

For more than a year, Accounting Today said that ICPAS has been examining licensure pathway proposals and looking at alternatives to take out the barriers to entry into the profession. It worked closely with the Illinois Board of Examiners and the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to write legislation to transform Illinois' CPA licensure model.

Under the proposed changes, candidates could either earn a CPA licensure with a bachelor’s degree (120 credit hours), two years of relevant work experience and successful completion of the CPA exam, or qualify with a master’s degree, 30 credit hours in accounting, one year of experience and passing exam scores. 

According to Accounting Today, HB 2459 would also set new requirements for out-of-state CPAs in terms of practicing privilege mobility. It would ensure that out-of-state CPAs could continue to serve clients in Illinois without  the need to obtain an Illinois license if their issuing state's licensure requirements are equivalent to Illinois' requirements.

Additionally, the bill will ensure CPA from Illinois would have the same practice privileges outside the state. While the existing mobility structure seems to be changing across the U.S., ICPAS thinks that Illinois' alignment with a considerable number of states will mostly limit any threats to Illinois-licensed CPAs' practice privileges and keep Illinois CPAs in the national business arena, Accounting Today reported.

Illinois is the latest state to reevaluate its licensing requirement. Ohio recently passed a law adopting a similar 120-hour pathway, joining a national trend aimed at easing entry into the profession.

However, these changes introduce complications regarding practice mobility. States like New York still require 150 credit hours or an equivalent qualification, meaning CPAs licensed under alternative pathways may face restrictions when working across state lines. 

As states explore solutions to attract new talent, Illinois’ proposal reflects and industry-wide effort to modernize certification while maintaining the credibility and mobility of the CPA credential.