Updates the state’s public accountancy act for consistency with the 9th edition of the Uniform Accountancy Act, as issued by NASBA and AICPA in July 2025.

Rhode Island Public Accountancy Act Update

This bill updates Rhode Island's rules governing licensed public accountants (CPAs) to align with the latest national standards for the profession. Specifically, it brings the state's laws into agreement with the 9th edition of the Uniform Accountancy Act (UAA), a model set of guidelines developed jointly by two major national accounting organizations — the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). This model act is periodically updated to reflect changes in how the accounting profession operates, and states are encouraged to adopt its standards to maintain consistency across the country.

The bill primarily affects licensed CPAs and CPA firms operating in Rhode Island, as well as people working toward CPA licensure in the state. By matching national standards, the update could affect things like licensing requirements, rules about practicing across state lines, educational qualifications, and professional conduct standards — the specific details of which would depend on what changed between the previous version of the UAA and the 9th edition issued in July 2025.

For everyday Rhode Islanders, this bill has an indirect effect. When states use consistent licensing standards, it can make it easier to verify that accountants are qualified, and it may make it simpler for CPAs licensed in other states to work in Rhode Island (and vice versa). The bill has been introduced and referred to the House Corporations Committee, where it will be reviewed before any further action is taken.