Section .0500 Applications for Certificates

21 NCAC 08F .0502 Application for CPA Certificate

(a)  A person applying for a certificate of qualification shall file with the Board an application and an experience affidavit on forms provided by the Board and supporting documentation to determine that the applicant has met the statutory and rule requirements. CPA certificate applications and fee information are on the Board’s website at www.nccpaboard.gov or may be requested from the Board.

(b)  The application for a CPA certificate shall include three certificates of good moral character provided by the Board and completed by CPAs and the Board shall conduct a background check of the applicant including a check of criminal records.

(c)  An applicant shall include as part of any application for a CPA certificate a statement of explanation and a certified copy of final disposition if the applicant has been arrested, charged, convicted or found guilty of, received a prayer for judgment continued, or pleaded nolo contendere to any criminal offense. An applicant shall not be required to disclose any arrest, charge, or conviction that has been expunged by the court.

(d)  If an applicant has been denied any license by any state or federal agency, the applicant shall also include as part of the application for the CPA certificate a statement explaining such denial. An applicant shall include a statement of explanation and a certified copy of applicable license records if the applicant has been registered with or licensed by a state or federal agency and has been disciplined by that agency.

(e)  No application for a certificate shall be considered while the applicant is serving a sentence for any criminal offense. Serving a sentence includes incarceration, probation (supervised or unsupervised), parole, or conditionally suspended sentence, any of which are imposed as a result of having been convicted or having pled to a criminal charge.

21 NCAC 08F .0504 Candidates’ Accountancy Law Course Requirement

(a)  Within one year prior to applying for certification, all candidates for original or reciprocal certification must pass an open book examination on the North Carolina Accountancy Statutes and Rules, including the Rules of Professional Ethics and Conduct contained therein.

(b)  In lieu of taking the examination, a candidate may complete an eight-hour CPE course on the subject of the examination within one year prior to applying for the CPA certificate. Such course or examination must meet the requirements of 21 NCAC 08G .0404(a). This course may count toward the candidate’s annual CPE requirement.