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SB 571 · 2026 · Senate · Executive Departments and Administration Committee

Foreign-trained CPA licensing requirements

AI-generated

relative to the requirements to be issued a certificate as a certified public accountant.

Replaces the 'substantial equivalency' standard with a 'comparable' standard for licensing certified public accountants with foreign credentials, modifies educational requirements, and allows exam applicants to sit up to 120 days before earning their degree.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · April 9, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✕House
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill: I. Removes the definition of "substantial equivalency" and replaces it with a standard of "comparable" in considering whether the office of professional licensure and certification shall grant a certificate of "certified public accountant" to an applicant with a foreign accountancy designation. II. Modifies the educational requirements to obtain a certificate as a "certified public accountant." III. Allows an applicant to sit for examination as of a date no more than 120 days before the applicant expects to obtain his or her baccalaureate degree, pursuant to rules adopted by the board.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Tara ReardonDPrime
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRChair, Majority Policy Conference
  • Sen. David RochefortRChair· Health and Human Services
  • Sen. Howard PearlRChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Sen. Rebecca Perkins KwokaDMinority Leader
  • Rep. John JanigianRChair· Ways and Means

Also: Sen. Tim McGoughR, Sen. Donovan FentonD, Rep. Chris MunsD, Rep. Carol McGuireR, Rep. Scott BryerR, Rep. Erik JohnsonD

Public testimony

10 signed in online · 2 wrote testimony

50% support50% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Bill randomly replaces "equivalency" concept of education with "comparable", but yet defines neither.”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashuaopposes
“I am an educator and a parent of a second-grader and fourth-grader in Bedford, NH. My daughter actually had the pleasure of meeting you during her recent field trip to the State House.…”
— Amy Basbas, Bedfordopposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-01-149:00 amSenate Executive Departments and AdministrationSH 103Public hearing
  • 2026-03-1910:00 amHouse Executive Departments and AdministrationGP 231Public hearingcancelled
  • 2026-03-2510:10 amHouse Executive Departments and AdministrationGP 231Public hearingrescheduled

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Executive Departments and Administration; SJ 1
  2. Jan 14, 2026SenHearing: 01/14/2026, Room 103, SH, 01:20 pm; SC 1
  3. Jan 29, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 01/29/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 3
  4. Jan 29, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 01/29/2026; SJ 2
  5. Feb 19, 2026HouseIntroduced 02/19/2026 and referred to Executive Departments and Administration HJ 5 P. 127
  6. Mar 19, 2026House==CANCELLED== Public Hearing: 03/19/2026 01:15 pm GP 231
  7. Mar 25, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 03/25/2026 01:00 pm GP 231
  8. Apr 1, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 04/01/2026 01:00 pm GP 231
  9. Apr 1, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 04/01/2026 (Vote 14-0; CC)
  10. Apr 9, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 04/09/2026 HJ 10 P. 13

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

  • Introducedversion

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.