Authorizes the following as another way for an applicant to fulfill the educational requirements needed to receive a certificate of qualification from the State Board of Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Examiners (Board) in GS 93-12:

• The person has received a bachelor's degree with a concentration in accounting and other courses that the Board may require from a college or university that is either accredited by a regional accrediting association or determined by the Board to have standards substantially equivalent to those of a regionally accredited institution. (the “Second Requirement.”)

(Was, only way to fulfill educational requirement is by having a bachelor’s degree with a concentration in accounting [the “First Requirement”.) Clarifies that the First Requirement can be satisfied with proof of a bachelor’s degree or higher along with the requisite semester hours and other requirements.

Requires applicants applying under the Second Requirement to also have two years of experience in the field of accounting under the direct supervision of a licensed CPA in any state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia. Makes conforming and organizational changes. Authorizes the Board to adopt rules to implement the act.

Effective January 1, 2026.