relative to the issuance of certificates as a certified public accountant.
Sponsored By: Erik R Johnson (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
CPA education, exam, and experience rules
The law sets three education ways to qualify for a CPA certificate, and the board decides acceptable schools and accounting focus. You can have a post‑bachelor degree with an accounting focus; a bachelor degree plus 30 extra credits with an accounting focus; or a bachelor program that includes the accounting focus. You must pass every CPA exam section with a 75 or higher within the time the board sets. The board may let you sit up to 120 days before your expected bachelor degree. Required work experience depends on your path: 1 year for the post‑bachelor or bachelor‑plus‑30 paths, 2 years for the bachelor‑only path.
Path for foreign-trained accountants to certify in New Hampshire
The office issues a New Hampshire certificate to holders of comparable foreign accounting designations when the foreign authority gives New Hampshire CPAs similar access. The foreign credential must be active, issued by a public accountancy authority, and allow the holder to issue financial statement reports. Your education and exam standards must be comparable to New Hampshire’s at the time you were designated. You also need comparable experience for that foreign credential, or at least 4 years of professional work in New Hampshire (or board‑approved equivalents) within the last 10 years. You must pass a uniform national qualifying exam that the board accepts.
Easier New Hampshire practice for out-of-state CPAs
If your main office is outside New Hampshire, you can offer CPA services here without notice, extra papers, or a fee. You must hold a valid, unrevoked CPA license from another U.S. state, territory, or D.C., and meet New Hampshire’s education, exam, and experience rules. You accept the New Hampshire board’s authority, follow its rules, and stop practicing here if your home license becomes invalid. You also appoint your home‑state board to receive legal papers. People who already had practice rights under substantial equivalency keep those rights.
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Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Erik R Johnson
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
Chris Muns
Democratic • House
Eleana Marie Colby
Democratic • House
Mark A Vallone
Democratic • House
Tara Reardon
Democratic • Senate
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
Signed by Governor Ayotte 04/22/2026; Chapter 34; eff. 04/22/2026
4/22/2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 03/26/2026 HJ 9
4/8/2026HouseEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 03/26/2026); SJ 8
4/8/2026SenateOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/26/2026; SJ 7
3/23/2026SenateCommittee Report: Ought to Pass, 03/26/2026; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 11
3/19/2026SenateHearing: 03/18/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:10 am; SC 10
3/12/2026SenateIntroduced 02/05/2026 and Referred to Executive Departments and Administration; SJ 4
2/13/2026SenateOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0360h: MA VV 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 4
2/12/2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0360h: AA VV 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 4
2/12/2026HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0360h 01/28/2026 (Vote 12-0; CC) HC 6 P. 5
2/3/2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/22/2026 01:00 pm GP 153
2/3/2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/22/2026 01:00 pm GP 153
1/14/2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Executive Departments and Administration HJ 1 P. 12
12/1/2025House
Bill Text
Enrolled
4/8/2026
Introduced
12/1/2025
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION
Version adopted by both bodies
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