Rhode Island Code of Regulations Title 400 - Board of Accountancy
Here’s a detailed overview of Rhode Island Code of Regulations – Title 400: Board of Accountancy, based primarily on Regulation 400‑RICR‑00‑00‑1 (effective since February 19, 2023) (rules.sos.ri.gov):
📜 Part 1 – Rules & Regulations of the Board
1.1 Authority, Purpose & Definitions
Promulgated under R.I. Gen. Laws § 5‑3.1‑4(f) to implement the state's Accountancy Act (rules.sos.ri.gov).
Defines key terms including CPA, CPE, IQAB, NASBA, peer review, practice unit, and others essential to licensure and enforcement (rules.sos.ri.gov).
1.2 Incorporation by Reference
Adopts the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct (2014) and the AICPA/NASBA CPE Standards (2019) as binding (rules.sos.ri.gov).
1.3 Licensing & Renewal
Licenses are issued every 3 years—licensees must renew to remain in good standing (regulations.justia.com).
Reinstatement of expired licensure:
Must document ≥ 120 CPE hours in the preceding 3 years.
If expired ≥ 5 years, must also complete a CPA exam review course or an additional 120 CPE hours (total 240 hours) (rules.sos.ri.gov, regulations.justia.com).
Inactive status only allowed for retirees:
Applicants age ≥55 may opt for retired status (no CPE/renewal needed), provided no compensated CPA services are performed; they may volunteer publicly without violating rules (regulations.justia.com).
1.4 Educational Requirements
Applicants must complete 150 semester hours of higher education, with specific accounting and business coursework:
Graduate degree with accounting concentration or
24 undergrad hours in accounting + business law & economics, etc. (rules.sos.ri.gov).
1.5 Experience Requirements
Requires 1 full year (1,820 hours) of verified experience under a licensed CPA (rules.sos.ri.gov).
Acceptable experience on audit, tax, consulting, public, government, or academic accounting work requiring judgment and independence (law.cornell.edu).
Applicants licensed elsewhere with stricter requirements must meet that jurisdiction’s experience standards (law.cornell.edu).
1.7 Professional Conduct
The AICPA Code is the enforceable standard; violations lead to discipline per R.I. Gen. Laws § 5‑3.1‑12(b)(4) (rules.sos.ri.gov).
Practice units must maintain $250,000 malpractice insurance minimum (rules.sos.ri.gov).
1.8 Continuing Professional Education (CPE)
Licensees must complete 120 CPE hours every 3 years (risos-apa-production-public.s3.amazonaws.com).
CPE includes live courses, self-study, teaching, publications; self-study credits capped at 80 hours (risos-apa-production-public.s3.amazonaws.com).
At least 24 of the 120 hours must be in accounting/auditing subjects (rules.sos.ri.gov).
Board may grant exceptions for health, retirement, military service (risos-apa-production-public.s3.amazonaws.com).
1.11–1.13 Board Procedures & Fees
Board processes declaratory ruling and rulemaking petitions through the Dept. of Business Regulation systems (rules.sos.ri.gov).
Public records and fee access governed by APRA, R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 38‑2 (rules.sos.ri.gov).
Key fee schedule:
Initial/reciprocity license: $375
Triennial renewal: $375
Reinstatement fee: $500 + $375
Verification of license: $25 (rules.sos.ri.gov).
✅ Quick Summary
Licensing: 150 education hours, 1 year supervised experience, pass Uniform CPA exam.
Renewal cycle: 3-year interval with 120 CPE hours required.
Expired license reinstatement: must have CPE; deeper proof required after 5 years lapse.
Retired status available at 55+ with conditions.
Professional conduct aligned with AICPA, malpractice insurance required.
Fees standardized by regulation.
For full chapter text, context-specific clauses, or related guidance (e.g., peer reviews, complaints, disciplinary procedures), the Rhode Island Secretary of State's Rules portal is the official source (rules.sos.ri.gov).
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