Section 2-301 – License Required
Except as provided in § 2–321 of this subtitle, an individual shall be licensed by the Board before the individual may practice certified public accountancy in the State.
Section 2-302 – Qualifications of Applicants
(a) To qualify for a license, an applicant shall be an individual who meets the requirements of this section. (b) The applicant shall be of good character and reputation. (c) The applicant shall be at least 18 years old. (d) The applicant shall meet the educational requirements under § 2-303 of this subtitle. (e) Except as otherwise provided in this […]
Section 2-303 – Education
(a) (1) In order to take the examination, an applicant shall have satisfactorily completed 120 semester hours or their equivalent, and hold a baccalaureate or higher degree that meets the requirements of this section. (2) In order to become licensed, in addition to the other qualifications for a license set forth in this subtitle, an applicant shall have […]
Section 2-304 – Applications for Licenses
An applicant for a license shall: (1) submit to the Board an application on the form that the Board provides; and (2) pay to the Board or the Board’s designee: (i) a nonrefundable application fee set by the Board; and (ii) an examination fee set by the Board in an amount not to exceed the cost of the required […]
Section 2-305 – Examinations
(a) An applicant who meets the educational requirements established by the Board is entitled to be examined as provided in this section. (b) The Board shall give examinations to applicants at least twice a year, at the times and places that the Board determines. (c) The Board shall give each qualified applicant notice of the time and place […]
Section 2-306 – Partial Examination Credit
The Board may adopt regulations that, under the conditions that the Board considers appropriate, allow an applicant who obtains a passing score on any part of an examination to: (1) be given credit for that part; and (2) be reexamined only in the remaining parts.
Section 2-307 – Reexamination
(a) Subject to the provisions of this section, an applicant who fails an examination given under § 2-305 of this subtitle may retake the examination. (b) (1) Subject to the provisions of this subsection, the Board may not limit the number of times that an applicant may take an examination. (2) The Board may adopt regulations to set conditions […]
Section 2-308 – Waiver of Examination Requirements
(a) Subject to the provisions of this section, the Board may waive any examination requirement of this subtitle for: (1) a certified public accountant licensed by another state; or (2) the holder of a license, certificate, or degree that is issued by another country and is recognized as authority for the holder to practice public accountancy in that […]
Section 2-309 – Issuance of License
(a) If an applicant qualifies for a license under this subtitle, the Board shall mail or electronically transmit to the applicant a notice that states that: (1) the applicant has qualified for a license; and (2) on receipt of a license fee set by the Board, the Board will issue a license to the applicant. (b) On payment of […]
Section 2-311 – Term and Renewal of License
(a) Unless a license is renewed for a 2–year term as provided in this section, the license expires on the first December 31 that comes: (1) after the effective date of the license; and (2) in an even–numbered year. (b) (1) At least 1 month before a license expires, the Board shall mail or electronically transmit to the licensee: (i) a […]
Section 2-312 – Continuing Education
(a) (1) The Board shall adopt regulations that set, in accordance with this section, continuing education requirements as a condition to the renewal of licenses under this subtitle. (2) A continuing education requirement does not apply to the first renewal of a license. (3) (i) To qualify for any further renewal of a license under this subtitle, a licensee shall […]
Section 2-313 – Inactive Status
(a) The Board shall place a licensee on inactive status and issue an inactive status certificate to the licensee, if the licensee: (1) submits to the Board an application for inactive status on the form that the Board provides; (2) pays to the Board an inactive status fee set by the Board; and (3) except for the continuing education […]
Section 2-314 – Reinstatement of Expired Licenses
In accordance with its regulations, the Board may reinstate the license of an individual who has failed to renew the license for any reason if the individual: (1) otherwise is entitled to be licensed; (2) complies with each continuing education requirement that the Board sets for this purpose; and (3) pays to the Board a reinstatement fee set […]
Section 2-315 – Denials, Reprimands, Suspensions, and Revocations — Grounds; License Certificate
(a) (1) Subject to the hearing provisions of § 2–317 of this subtitle, the Board, on the affirmative vote of a majority of its members, may deny a license to any applicant, reprimand any licensee, or suspend or revoke a license if the applicant or licensee: (i) fraudulently or deceptively obtains or attempts to obtain a license for […]
Section 2-316 – Denials, Reprimands, Suspensions, and Revocations — Commencement of Proceedings
On its own initiative or on a written complaint made to the Board by any person, the Board may commence proceedings under § 2-315 of this subtitle.
Section 2-317 – Denials, Reprimands, Suspensions, and Revocations — Hearings
(a) Except as otherwise provided in § 10-226 of the State Government Article, before the Board takes any final action under § 2-315 of this subtitle, it shall give the individual against whom the action is contemplated an opportunity for a hearing before the Board. (b) The Board shall give notice and hold the hearing in accordance […]
Section 2-318 – Limitations on Expiration and Surrender of License
(a) (1) For the limited purpose set forth in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a license shall remain in effect and may not expire by operation of law while the licensee is under investigation by the Board or awaiting a hearing or disposition on charges subject to disciplinary action under this subtitle. (2) Any extension of a license […]
Section 2-319 – Reinstatement of Revoked or Suspended License
(a) Subject to the provisions of this section, the Board may reinstate: (1) any license that has been revoked; or (2) before fulfillment of the conditions of the suspension, any license that has been suspended. (b) A license may be reinstated under this section only if: (1) the individual whose license has been revoked or suspended submits a written request […]
Section 2-321 – Licensed Out-of-State Accountants
(a) In this section, “practice certified public accountancy” includes the practice of public accountancy. (b) (1) An individual whose principal place of business is outside the State is exempt from the licensing requirement under § 2–301 of this subtitle and shall be considered to have qualifications that are substantially equivalent to a licensee if: (i) the individual holds a […]