IMPORTANT NEWS...
Secretary Drago Announces Acceleration in Licensing Process for Florida's Certified Public Accountants
January 14, 2009
TALLAHASSEE—Today, in a meeting of the Senate Committee on Regulated Industries, Secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation Charles W. Drago announced that his agency has reduced the time required to process exam scores for CPAs by more than half– from three months to as soon as two weeks. Floridians hoping to become licensed certified public accountants can look forward to a quicker, more efficient licensure process due an agreement negotiated with the agency which provides CPA testing nationwide.
“A CPA applicant made us aware of the problem with the exam reporting when she received her exam scores months before DBPR. Based on her concern, we have worked out an agreement with the CPA testing agency to receive scores as they are processed for a significant reduction in the application processing time,” said Secretary Charles W. Drago. “This change will help Floridians get to work faster, and Certified Public Accountants can now enjoy a faster path to their careers.”
In the past, Floridians interested in becoming CPAs sat for an exam, and those who passed then waited for as long as three months for DBPR to receive the scores from the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy. DBPR could not send an application packet before receiving the scores. DBPR identified the CPA licensing process as one of the most lengthy for the applicant and sought to make changes in the process.
Now, the waiting time has been significantly reduced. The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy is now transmitting scores as frequently as eight times per exam window, which is a three-month period. DBPR will now be able to provide eligible applicants with licensure packages more quickly, in approximately 30 days.
The department’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly. The department licenses more than one million businesses and professionals ranging from real estate agents, veterinarians, and accountants to contractors and cosmetologists. For more information, please visit MyFloridaLicense.com.
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