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HomeBusiness and Professions CodeDiv. 3Ch. 1Art. 4§ 5070 Public Accountancy Permit Requirements

§ 5070 Public Accountancy Permit Requirements

Business and Professions Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 5070 Public Accountancy Permit Requirements

Key Takeaways

  • •Only people with a special certificate (CPA) can get a permit to work as public accountants in the state.
  • •Companies from other states can get a permit if their accountants meet the state's rules and the company follows all other requirements.
  • •Everyone applying for a permit must pay a fee and prove they deserve it.
  • •If you have an email, you must give it to the board when applying.

Example

A big accounting firm from New York wants to open an office in California.

The firm can get a permit to work in California if its accountants meet California's rules and the firm follows all the other requirements, even if it's set up differently than California firms.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 5070 Public Accountancy Permit Requirements

(a) Permits to engage in the practice of public accountancy in this state shall be issued by the board only to holders of the certificate of certified public accountant issued under this chapter and to those partnerships, corporations, and other persons who, upon application approved by the board, are registered with the board under this chapter. Notwithstanding any other law, the board may register an entity organized and authorized to practice public accountancy under the laws of another state for the purpose of allowing that entity to satisfy the registration requirement set forth in Section 5096.12, if (1) the certified public accountants providing services in California qualify for the practice privilege, and (2) the entity satisfies all other requirements to register in this state, other than its form of legal organization. (b) All applicants for registration shall furnish satisfactory evidence that the applicant is entitled to registration and shall pay the fee as provided in Article 8 (commencing with Section 5130). Every partnership, corporation, and other person to whom a permit is issued shall, in addition to any other fee that may be payable, pay the initial permit fee provided in Article 8 (commencing with Section 5130). (c) Each applicant who has a valid email address shall report to the board that email address at the time of application or registration. (d) Each partnership, corporation, and other person issued a permit by the board to practice as a certified public accountant or as a public accountant shall be furnished with a suitable certificate evidencing that registration. (Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 300, Sec. 3. (AB 298) Effective January 1, 2022.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

registrationpartnershipcorporationportapplicationin californiarequirementorganization

Related Statutes

  • § 5070.5 Accountant Permit Renewal Rules
  • § 5070.7 Permit Renewal Deadline Rules
  • § 5072 Partnership Accountancy Registration Requirements
  • § 5073 Partnership Registration Requirements
  • § 5035 Definition Of Person

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Business and Professions Code. Section 5070.
View Official Source