Request for Inactive Status

Individual North Carolina CPAs who no longer wish to maintain an active CPA license may request inactive status by completing and submitting this form to the North Carolina State Board of CPA Examiners. Before requesting inactive status, individuals should review the requirements and limitations associated with this status.

21 NCAC 08A .0301(b)(21) states: “Inactive,” when used to refer to the status of a person, describes a person who has requested inactive status and has been approved by the Board and who does not use the title certified public accountant, nor does he or she allow anyone to refer to him or her as a certified public accountant, and neither he nor she nor anyone else refers to him or her in any representation as described in Rule .0308(b) of this Section.

21 NC 08A .0308(b) states: For purposes of this Rule, a “representation” shall be deemed to include any oral, electronic, or written communication indicating that the person holds a certificate, including without limitation, the use of titles or legends on letterheads, reports, business cards, brochures, resumes, office signs, telephone directories, websites, the Internet, or any other advertisements, news articles, publications, listings, tax return signatures, signatures on experience or character affidavits for exam or certificate applicants, displayed membership in CPA associations, displayed CPA licenses from this or any other jurisdiction, and displayed certificates or licenses from other organizations which have the designation “CPA” or “Certified Public Accountant” by the person’s name.

If approved for inactive status, an individual is no longer required to complete annual license renewal, pay the annual license fee, meet annual continuing professional education (CPE) requirements, or return the CPA certificate.

CPA firms must contact the Licensing Staff for information on canceling their firm registration.

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I desire to be classified as inactive. I have read the rules of the Board found in 21 NCAC 08A .0301(b)(20), 08A .0308, and 08J .0105, and understand that under North Carolina Accountancy Statutes and Rules, I cannot use the title Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or allow anyone to refer to me as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in North Carolina or as an inactive CPA. I will not assume or use, in writing or orally, directly or indirectly, or through third parties, “any words, letters, abbreviations, symbols or other means of identification” to identify myself as a licensed CPA or an inactive CPA. Such representation includes, but is not limited to, “…the use of titles or legends on letterheads, reports, business cards, brochures, resumes, office signs, telephone directories, websites, the Internet, or any other advertisements, news articles, publications, listings, tax return signatures, signatures on experience or character affidavits for exam or certificate applicants, displayed membership in CPA associations, displayed CPA licenses from this or any other jurisdiction, and displayed certificates or licenses from other organizations which have the designation “CPA” or “Certified Public Accountant” by [my] name.” An individual who is licensed as a CPA in another US jurisdiction and who does not reside in North Carolina and does not have an office in North Carolina may request inactive status of their North Carolina CPA certificate and exercise their practice privilege in North Carolina under NCGS 93-10.

Verification(Required)

I affirm that I will not identify myself as a North Carolina CPA nor will I allow anyone else to refer to me as a North Carolina CPA in any manner as specified in 21 NCAC 08A .0308(a) and (b) as long as I am on inactive status. I affirm that the information shown above is true and correct.

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Note:
Submission of this form requests inactive status; however, approval is contingent upon meeting the eligibility requirements. The Board may contact you if you are not eligible for inactive status or if additional information is required. Please allow 10 business days for your license status to be updated in the Board’s database.

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