Washington Updates CPA Mobility Rules
April 30, 2025
By Michael Nelson
illustration: © iStock/hurca
At their meeting on April 25, the Washington State Board of Accountancy (WBOA) adopted a new rule governing which CPAs licensed in another state can practice in Washington.
The new rule will go into effect by July. Under the update rule, any licensed CPA from another jurisdiction who is in good standing, and at the time of initial licensure had passed the CPA exam, received at least a baccalaureate degree, and completed at least one year of experience will be granted practice privileges in Washington. This will only be applicable for licensees from a jurisdiction outside of Washington who do not have their principal place of business in Washington.
This is part of the national trend for the CPA profession to update the initial licensure for CPA candidates and mobility and reciprocity laws to ensure the future ability of existing and new CPAs to practice across state lines.
The language adopted in the new rule is consistent with the updated Uniform Accountancy Act (UAA) proposal that the AICPA and NASBA have released, as well as similar proposals in our neighboring states of Oregon and California and many more across the country.
Mike Nelson is WSCPA Manager of Government Affairs. You can contact Mike via email.