Georgia has passed House Bill 148 introducing alternative pathways to CPA licensure, including a competency-based experience pathway. The legislation was focused on modernizing the licensing process and addressing the declining number of qualified accountants within the state.
Currently, Georgia requires candidates for CPA licensure to have completed no less than one-hundred-fifty hours of college education and one-year of experience before they are eligible to sit for the CPA examination. The new law will allow qualified professionals to contribute to the state's CPA community with greater opportunities for participation.
In addition to the traditional licensure pathway, and the new competency-based experience pathway, they also approved a third pathway that allows candidates to qualify with a bachelor's degree, two-years of professional experience, and passage of the CPA exam, or candidates holding a master's degree, one-year of experience, and passage of the CPA exam.
Advocates for the legislation, including the Georgia Society of CPAs, expect Georgia Governor Brian Kemp to sign the bill into law.
For more information see this Georgia Society of CPA website.