All Roll Calls
Yes: 106 • No: 0
Rhode IslandS30762026 Regular SessionSenate
AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- PUBLIC ACCOUNTANCY .
Sponsored By: Robert Britto (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
14 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 4 costs, 6 mixed.
Path to RI license for foreign CPAs
The board can license accountants who hold a foreign credential that is substantially equivalent and current. You must meet experience rules or show four years of professional experience in Rhode Island within the last ten years and pass a national qualifying exam plus a Rhode Island law and ethics exam. Your RI license follows the same fees, renewal, continuing education, and 30‑day reporting rules as other RI CPAs. If you hold this RI license, you may use your foreign professional title in English and name the issuing country.
Staying licensed: renewal and disclosures
To renew, you must follow board instructions and give proof you met continuing education. The board can refuse renewal if you do not provide the proof, unless you had reasonable cause or excusable neglect. You must list every other state where you applied for or hold a license and notify the board within 30 days of any out‑of‑state license issue, denial, suspension, revocation, or new discipline. When you renew, you must identify your practice unit. The board may refuse renewal if your unit broke firm rules and you were personally and substantially responsible. The board can also refuse a license for dishonest or felonious acts or related past discipline, and must give findings and a right to a hearing.
Firm permits, owners, and who signs
A majority of firm ownership and voting rights must be held by licensed CPAs or public accountants. Practice unit permits last three years and expire June 30; renew by June 30. Only properly licensed people, working in a permitted or qualifying firm, may prepare or sign attest and compilation reports. The auditor general’s office may receive an annual permit if it applies, pays the fee, and meets requirements.
No commissions or contingent fees
If you do attest or compilation work for a client, you and related entities cannot earn commissions from that client during the engagement or for the period covered by the financial statements. You also cannot prepare original or amended tax returns or refund claims for a contingent fee.
Getting a Rhode Island CPA license
The law sets clear paths to a CPA license. You can qualify through defined education and work experience options after passing the CPA Exam. Dual‑degree students may sit for the exam once bachelor’s requirements are done. The board runs the exam process and sets exam and application fees. All CPA licenses last three years and expire June 30. The three‑year renewal fee is at least $375. The law uses the term “license” for CPAs, including similar licenses from other states.
Out-of-state CPAs get mobility, with rules
A CPA licensed in another state, whose main office is not in Rhode Island, may work in RI with no notice or fee if they met the initial pathways or already had RI privileges on December 31, 2024. The CPA and their firm must accept RI board jurisdiction, follow RI rules, and stop work if the home license becomes invalid. The firm tied to a mobile CPA does not need a RI firm permit unless it opens a RI office or offers attest or compilation in RI; then it must get a permit first. "Principal place of business" means the office the CPA designates for mobility and reciprocity. If you move your main office to RI, you must apply for a RI CPA license before you open. Applicants and licensees must list other states where they hold or sought licenses and notify RI within 30 days of any action there. RI can also discipline you for acts in other states that would be disciplinable there.
Out-of-state CPAs: new practice rules
Out‑of‑state CPAs can get a Rhode Island license by meeting mobility rules or by showing they passed the CPA exam and have at least four years of recent verified experience, plus CPE if their other license is older than four years. The old automatic “substantial equivalency” practice privilege is removed. If you perform attest or compilation work under practice privileges, you must do it through a CPA firm that meets Rhode Island firm rules. Non‑residents who apply appoint the Secretary of State to accept legal papers tied to their Rhode Island practice. The board may rely on NASBA to judge who qualifies for practice privileges.
Firm permits and stricter CPA ownership rules
CPA firms that have a Rhode Island office or serve RI clients with attest or compilation work must hold a RI firm permit. All RI attest and compilation work must be under a RI‑licensed CPA or public accountant. Most owners must be licensed CPAs, and in‑state principals must hold RI licenses; at least one owner must be RI‑licensed. Firms can include non‑licensee owners only if they are active in the business and a RI licensee is designated for oversight. Permit applications need a sworn affidavit by a RI licensee, a list of all other states where the firm applied or holds permits, and every RI office address. Firms must report listed changes to the board within 30 days and pay board‑set fees at filing. If a firm falls out of compliance after changes, it must fix the problem quickly or risk suspension or revocation.
Stronger enforcement, fines, and hearing rights
After notice and a hearing, the board can reprimand, limit practice, place you on probation, or suspend or revoke licenses and firm permits. It can fine licensees up to $1,000 per violation, and practicing without required registration can mean up to $2,500 per violation. The board may require you to repay its investigation and attorney’s fees within 30 days; a court‑found violator must also pay the board’s reasonable lawyer fees. The board can start cases on its own or on complaints, must give written charges at least 20 days before the hearing, and may order a 10–20 day show‑cause cease‑and‑desist hearing. If the board denies or refuses to renew a license or permit, you can ask for a hearing by petition within 10 days. You may later apply in writing or after a noticed hearing to reinstate or modify a revoked or suspended license or permit; the board will set the application rules.
Truth-in-titles and allowed bookkeeping
Only licensed people, or those using allowed mobility, may use titles like “CPA” or “PA.” Firms cannot claim they are qualified or do attest or compilation work without the right permit or firm mobility and ownership that meets the law. Unlicensed people cannot hold out as an “accountant” or “auditor” in public materials, and firms cannot use misleading names. People without a permit may still do bookkeeping, set up internal controls, prepare financial statements, and prepare taxes, but they cannot perform or mimic attest or compilation reports.
Who can sign reports and use titles
Firms can hire non‑licensed staff as employees or assistants, but those staff cannot sign or issue reports in their own name. People with a CPA license from another state may use CPA‑style titles, but a Rhode Island license is required to practice public accounting in Rhode Island. Officers and employees of a company may sign reports about their own company and use their job titles.
Stronger board oversight and enforcement
The board sets rules for licensing, conduct, education, peer review, and practice. It can investigate, subpoena, and seek court orders to stop violations, and the court may award the board attorney fees. Breaking this law is a misdemeanor with fines up to $1,000 for individuals, up to one year in jail, or both; entities can be fined up to $5,000. Board members and agents have good‑faith immunity and state indemnification. The board must post an annual report with receipts, spending, and a list of licensees. Licensees may share information in confidence for peer reviews and ethics cases.
New Rhode Island Board of Accountancy
The law creates a five‑member Board of Accountancy: four active RI CPAs with at least 10 years in public practice and one public‑sector member. Members serve five‑year terms, may serve until a successor is named, and cannot serve two full terms in a row. The board meets at least four times a year; three members make a quorum. Members are not paid but are reimbursed for necessary expenses. All fees go to the general treasurer and are kept in a restricted account to pay for the board’s work.
New disclosure rules on commissions and fees
If you are paid or expect a commission for a recommendation, you must tell the client in writing at or before the referral. If you accept or pay a referral fee to get a client, you must disclose that in writing to the client. A related company counts as an "affiliated entity" when your combined ownership is over 20%. Accountants who take commissions or contingent fees must follow federal and state securities laws, needed registrations, and the board’s code of conduct. The law explains what is and is not a “contingent fee”; fees set by a court or based on government findings in tax matters are not contingent.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Robert Britto
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
Jacob Bissaillon
Democratic • Senate
John P. Burke
Democratic • Senate
Mark P. McKenney
Democratic • Senate
Lori Urso
Democratic • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 6/8/2026
BUSINESSES - PUBLIC ACCOUNTANCY PASSAGE IN CONCURRENCE
Yes: 69 • No: 0
Senate vote • 5/5/2026
RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS - PUBLIC ACCOUNTANCY Passage
Yes: 37 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Signed by Governor — Chapter 409
6/23/2026GovernorTransmitted to Governor
6/18/2026GovernorHouse passed in concurrence
6/8/2026HousePlaced on the House Consent Calendar (06/08/2026)
6/5/2026HouseCommittee recommends passage in concurrence
6/2/2026Scheduled for consideration (06/02/2026)
5/29/2026Referred to House Corporations
5/6/2026HouseSenate read and passed
5/5/2026SenatePlaced on Senate Calendar (05/05/2026)
4/29/2026SenateCommittee recommends passage
4/28/2026Scheduled for consideration (04/28/2026)
4/24/2026Committee recommended measure be held for further study
4/14/2026Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (04/14/2026)
4/10/2026Introduced, referred to Senate Commerce
3/13/2026Senate
Bill Text
S3076 - As Introduced
3/13/2026
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