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NebraskaLB718109th Legislature 1st and 2nd SessionslegislatureWALLET

Change provisions relating to examination, permit issuance, and disciplinary actions regarding certified public accountants

Sponsored By: Mike Jacobson

Signed by Governor

Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 3 mixed.

Stronger discipline and fines for CPAs

After a hearing, the board can fine a CPA up to $10,000 based on how serious the violation is. Fines are not allowed for some specific causes listed in the law. Failing to get a Nebraska permit within three years of your last permit’s expiration, or three years after your certificate was issued if you never had a permit, is grounds for discipline unless the board excuses it. If the board revokes only for that permit‑failure rule, the revocation is treated as nondisciplinary.

What you need for a CPA permit

To get a Nebraska permit, you must finish at least 150 semester hours (or 225 quarter hours) and earn a bachelor’s or higher degree with required accounting, auditing, and business courses. You also need work experience: usually two years of supervised accounting work. Some government, business, or faculty roles need three years, with a two‑year exception for the Auditor of Public Accounts or the Department of Revenue. The law also repeals section 1‑136.04 from Nebraska law.

Clear rules to get CPA certificate

The board must issue a Nebraska CPA certificate if you live or work in Nebraska, pass the board’s exam, and finish the required education. This rule has been in place since January 1, 1998. Passing the exam alone does not make you a CPA. You must also meet education and experience rules and be issued both a certificate and a permit.

Easier reciprocity for out‑of‑state CPAs

If you hold a current CPA license in another state, meet Nebraska’s other rules, and have at least four years of practice in the last ten years, the board must waive Nebraska’s exam and education and issue a reciprocal certificate. The board can also waive the exam for holders of comparable foreign accounting licenses that are current and meet statutory qualifications. The board can charge a one‑time fee up to $400 for a reciprocal certificate. If you hold a reciprocal Nebraska certificate, meet today’s permit rules, and met the required experience within the last ten years, the board must issue you a Nebraska permit.

Out‑of‑state CPAs can practice here

If your main office is outside Nebraska and you have an active out‑of‑state CPA license that met exam, education, and experience at first issue, you can practice in Nebraska without a Nebraska license, permit, notice, or fee. You cannot use this privilege if your home‑state license is suspended or revoked for reasons other than unpaid fees or CPE issues. You and your firm must accept Nebraska’s legal authority, follow Nebraska law, stop work here if your home license becomes invalid, and appoint your home agency to receive legal papers. If you do attest work for an entity with its home office in Nebraska, you must do it through a firm with a Nebraska permit. Government agencies may still require a Nebraska‑permitted CPA or firm for their work.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Mike Jacobson

    legislature

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 87 • No: 0

legislature vote • 2/20/2026

Final Reading

Yes: 48 • No: 0 • Other: 1

legislature vote • 1/27/2026

Vote

Yes: 39 • No: 0 • Other: 10

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor on February 25, 2026

    2/25/2026legislature

  2. Dispensing of reading at large approved

    2/20/2026legislature

  3. Passed on Final Reading 48-0-1

    2/20/2026legislature

  4. President/Speaker signed

    2/20/2026legislature

  5. Presented to Governor on February 20, 2026

    2/20/2026legislature

  6. Placed on Final Reading

    2/17/2026legislature

  7. Enrollment and Review ER107 adopted

    2/9/2026legislature

  8. Kauth FA347 withdrawn

    2/9/2026legislature

  9. Advanced to Enrollment and Review for Engrossment

    2/9/2026legislature

  10. Placed on Select File with ER107

    1/30/2026legislature

  11. Enrollment and Review ER107 filed

    1/30/2026legislature

  12. Advanced to Enrollment and Review Initial

    1/27/2026legislature

  13. Placed on General File

    1/23/2026legislature

  14. Referred to Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee

    1/9/2026legislature

  15. Notice of hearing for January 20, 2026

    1/9/2026legislature

  16. Kauth FA347 filed

    1/8/2026legislature

  17. Date of introduction

    1/7/2026legislature

Bill Text

  • Introduced

    2/25/2026

    PDF

  • Enrolled / Slip Law

    PDF

  • Final / Enacted

    PDF

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