ACCOUNTING; PRIVATE PRO. CONSERVATORS
Sponsored By: Calvin Schrage (Not)
Became Law
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 3 mixed.
New degree and experience to be a CPA
Starting Jan 1, 2026, Alaska requires a bachelor’s degree with an accounting concentration and two years of accounting experience to get a CPA license. The board decides what counts as the concentration and acceptable experience. People without these may need more time or training before they can be licensed.
Out-of-state CPAs can serve Alaska clients
Starting Jan 1, 2026, a CPA licensed in another state can practice in Alaska under a practice privilege if their main office is in that other state. Out-of-state firms may also practice here if more than half the owners are CPAs in good standing, the firm’s main office is in another state, and the firm has no Alaska office. These paths let qualified out-of-state pros serve Alaska clients without a full Alaska license.
Accounting permit and fee rules updated
Starting Jan 1, 2026, Alaska clarifies that initial permit length and renewals follow the main permit rule and removes a related subsection. The department sets fees for exams, reexams, permits, and licenses under state fee law. Applicants and firms may see fee changes.
Only permitted firms can use CPA titles
Starting Jan 1, 2026, a firm may not use “CPA” or “certified public accountant” unless it holds a permit or practices under a valid privilege. A firm may not use “public accountant” or “PA” unless it has a permit, uses the permitted name, and keeps an Alaska office, or is practicing under a privilege. A licensed person cannot do attest work through a firm unless the firm has a valid permit or allowed privilege.
Licenses and one-year bridge for conservators
Effective immediately, Alaska licenses private professional conservators. You must be 21+, have a high school diploma or GED, and have six months of financial-management work or an associate degree in accounting or a related field. You must also be a certified guardian or a licensed CPA and pass criminal-history checks. A one-year temporary license is allowed if you are likely to finish the needed credential soon; show proof within a year to get a full license without a new application. If you lose the required certification or CPA license, the department can deny renewal or discipline you.
One-hour training now required for conservators
Effective immediately, the court requires one hour of conservatorship basics for certain conservators. It applies to relatives or friends who are appointed and to licensed private conservators who qualified via the CPA route and have not taken the class. You must finish it before appointment or within 30 days after. If you agree to finish within 30 days but do not, the court must remove you and appoint a new conservator. The probate rule is updated to match this timing.
Stronger rules and discipline on CPA privileges
Starting Jan 1, 2026, anyone using a practice privilege must accept Alaska’s legal authority, follow Alaska law and board rules, and stop practicing if their home-state license becomes invalid. The board can suspend, revoke, refuse to renew, or censure firms, including when another state disciplines the firm. The board can set who qualifies for a practice privilege by regulation. There is a path to modify a suspension or reissue credentials after a hearing.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Calvin Schrage
Not • House
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
(H) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) OF LAW SEE CHAPTER
7/30/2025House(H) LAW W/O GOV SIGNATURE 7/23 CHAPTER 22 SLA 25
7/30/2025House(H) MANIFEST ERROR(S)
7/30/2025House(H) 11:45 A.M. 6/30/25 TRANSMITTED TO GOVERNOR
7/30/2025House(H) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) SAME AS PASSAGE
5/20/2025House(H) COURT RULE(S) SAME AS PASSAGE
5/20/2025House(H) CONCUR AM OF (S) Y40
5/20/2025House(H) TITLE CHANGE: SCR 6
5/20/2025House(H) CONCUR MESSAGE TAKEN UP
5/20/2025House(H) CONCUR MESSAGE READ AND HELD
5/20/2025House(S) VERSION: SCS HB 121(STA)
5/19/2025Senate(S) TRANSMITTED TO (H) AS AMENDED
5/19/2025Senate(S) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) SAME AS PASSAGE
5/19/2025Senate(S) COURT RULE(S) SAME AS PASSAGE
5/19/2025Senate(S) PASSED Y20 N-
5/19/2025Senate(S) READ THE THIRD TIME SCS HB 121(STA)
5/19/2025Senate(S) CROSS SPONSOR(S): MYERS, KAWASAKI, CLAMAN
5/17/2025Senate(S) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING 5/19 CAL
5/17/2025Senate(S) STA SCS ADOPTED UC
5/17/2025Senate(S) READ THE SECOND TIME
5/17/2025Senate(S) RULES TO CALENDAR 5/17/2025
5/17/2025Senate(S) FN2: ZERO(CED)
5/17/2025Senate(S) NR: BJORKMAN, DUNBAR, MERRICK, GRAY-JACKSON
5/17/2025Senate(S) TITLE CHANGE: SCR 6
5/17/2025Senate(S) L&C RPT SCS(STA) 4NR
5/17/2025Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled HB 121
5/20/2025
SCS HB 121(STA)
5/9/2025
HB 121
2/28/2025