The Board proposes a rule amendment to update and clarify the rule language for completing the examination process.

 

DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL REGULATION

Board of Accountancy

RULE NO.: RULE TITLE:

61H1-28.0052: Number of Sittings, and Granting of Credit, Release of Grades and Completion of Examination, Transition Rules

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The Board proposes a rule amendment to update and clarify the rule language for completing the examination process.

SUMMARY: To update and clarify the rule language for completing the examination process.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:

The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the Agency.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: During discussion of the economic impact of this rule at its Board meeting, the Board concluded that this rule change will not have any impact on licensees and their businesses or the businesses that employ them. The rule will not increase any fees, business costs, personnel costs, will not decrease profit opportunities, and will not require any specialized knowledge to comply. This change will not increase any direct or indirect regulatory costs. Hence, the Board determined that a Statement of Estimated Regulatory Costs (SERC) was not necessary and that the rule will not require ratification by the Legislature. No person or interested party submitted additional information regarding the economic impact at that time.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 455.217(1), 473.304, 473.306 FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 455.217(1), 473.306 FS.

IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN THE FAR.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Roger Scarborough, Division Director, Board of Accountancy, 240 NW 76th Dr., Suite A, Gainesville, Florida 32607, [phone] or by email, [e-mail].

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

61H1-28.0052 Number of Sittings, and Granting of Credit, Release of Grades and Completion of Examination, Transition Rules.

(1) With respect to the CPA Examination:

(a) A candidate may take the required test sections individually and in any order. As designated in this paragraph, creditCredit for any test section(s) passed shall be valid for either eighteen or thirty months from the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) grade release date for that test section, without having to attain a minimum score on any failed test section(s) and without regard to whether the candidate has taken other test sections.  For any test section passed with a grade release date prior to January 1, 2024, credit will be valid for eighteen months from the NASBA grade release date for that test section.  For any test section passed with a grade release date on or after January 1, 2024, credit will be valid for thirty months from the NASBA grade release date for that test section.

(b) Candidates must pass all four test sections of the CPA Examination within the designateda rolling eighteen-month period, which begins on the NASBA grade release date for the first test section(s) passed. In the event all four test sections of the CPA Examination are not passed within the designated rolling eighteen-month period, credit for any test section(s) passed outside the applicableeighteen-month period will expire and that test section(s) must be retaken.

(2) No change.

(3) ExaminationThe eighteen-month requirement as stated in this rule does not apply to examination credits expiring between April 1, 2020 and June 29, 2021 are. Those credits shall be granted an extension through June 30, 2021.

(4) ExaminationThe eighteen-month requirement as stated in this rule does not apply to examination credits expiring between January 1, 2024 and June 29, 2025 are. Those credits shall be granted an extension through June 30, 2025.

(5) No change.

Rulemaking Authority 455.217(1), 473.304, 473.306 FS. Law Implemented 455.217(1), 473.306 FS. History–New 1-1-04, Amended 2-24-08, 8-20-09, 12-10-09, 5-6-21, 5-14-23,________.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Board of Accountancy

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Board of Accountancy

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: September 8, 2023

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: October 2, 2023