Arizona SB1181 Expands CPA Certification Pathways
Summary
Arizona Governor signed SB1181 into law on April 7, 2026, amending the Certified Public Accounting Act to establish alternative pathways for CPA certification. The bill passed the Senate 27-0 and the House 47-9, with provisions for biennial registration, continuing professional education requirements, and revised disciplinary procedures.
What changed
Arizona SB1181 adds alternative certification pathways for certified public accountants under the Certified Public Accounting Act of 2026. Key changes include updated qualification requirements, biennial registration procedures, continuing professional education mandates, and revised disciplinary proceedings with judicial review provisions.
Accounting firms and individual CPAs in Arizona must adapt to new certification standards and registration timelines. The bill grants the executive director enhanced powers and establishes uniform examination requirements, with provisions for limited reciprocity and attest services privileges. Firms should prepare for updated compliance procedures before the effective date.
What to do next
- Review SB1181 certification requirements and alternative pathways
- Update internal CPA licensing and continuing education policies
- Monitor Arizona State Board of Accountancy for implementing rules
Archived snapshot
Apr 9, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
ChangeBridge / Arizona / SB1181 Signed by Governor SB1181 Senate Bill Signed by Governor 2026-04-07
Certified public accountants; certification; alternative
Bill Details
State Arizona
Session Fifty-seventh Legislature - Second Regular Session (2026)
Chamber Senate
Official Source apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/84096
LegiScan View on LegiScan
Sponsors
Javan Mesnard (Sen - R)
Action History
2026-04-07 S Governor Signed 2026-04-01 S Transmitted to Governor 2026-03-31 S Transmit to Senate 2026-03-31 H House third reading PASSED voting: (47-9-4-0) 2026-03-26 H House Committee of the Whole action: Do Pass 2026-03-17 H House minority caucus: Do pass 2026-03-17 H House majority caucus: Do pass 2026-03-16 H House consent calendar 2026-03-16 H House RULES Committee action: constitutional and in proper form, voting: (7-0-0-1-0-0) 2026-03-10 H House COM Committee action: Do Pass, voting: (10-0-0-1-0-0) 2026-03-05 H House read second time 2026-03-04 H Assigned to House RULES Committee 2026-03-04 H Assigned to House COM Committee 2026-03-04 H Introduced in House and read first time 2026-02-27 H Transmit to House 2026-02-26 S Senate third reading PASSED voting: (27-0-3-0) 2026-02-10 S Senate minority caucus: Do pass 2026-02-10 S Senate majority caucus: Do pass 2026-02-09 S Senate consent calendar 2026-02-09 S Senate RULES Committee action: Proper For Consideration, voting: (0-0-0-0) 2026-02-04 S Senate RAGE Committee action: Do Pass, voting: (7-0-0-0) 2026-01-21 S Senate read second time 2026-01-20 S Assigned to Senate RULES Committee 2026-01-20 S Assigned to Senate RAGE Committee 2026-01-20 S Introduced in Senate and read first time
Votes
2026-02-04 Senate Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency Committee Action (DP) Yea: 7 Nay: 0 2026-02-09 Senate Rules Committee Action (PFC) Yea: 0 Nay: 0 2026-02-26 Senate - Third Reading Yea: 27 Nay: 0 2026-03-10 House Commerce Committee Action (DP) Yea: 10 Nay: 0 2026-03-16 House Rules Committee Action (C&P) Yea: 7 Nay: 0 2026-03-26 House - Committee of the Whole (DP) Yea: 0 Nay: 0 2026-03-31 House - Third Reading Yea: 47 Nay: 9
Committee Referrals
2026-01-20 S Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency 2026-01-20 S Rules 2026-02-27 H Commerce 2026-03-04 H Rules
Bill Text Versions
2026-01-14 Introduced 2026-02-13 Engrossed
Subjects
Acknowledgment Advisory Committees And Individuals Alternative Appeals Attest Services Attorney General Representation Biennial Registration Business Organizations Certification Certified Public Accountants Certified Public Accounting Act Of 2026 Compilation Services Continuing Professional Education Definition Definitions Disciplinary Proceedings Effective Date Executive Director Expiration Of Certificate Firms Hearings Judicial Review Limited Reciprocity Privilege Notice Notification Of Grades Powers And Duties Professions And Occupations - Title 32 Qualifications Registration Requirements Relinquished Status Rules Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)
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