A. The Board shall issue a certificate to a holder of a substantially equivalent designation issued by a foreign country, provided that:

1. The foreign authority which granted the designation makes similar provision to allow a registrant who holds a valid certificate issued by this state to obtain such foreign authority’s comparable designation;

2. The designation:

a.was duly issued by an authority of a foreign country which regulates the practice of public accounting and has not expired or been revoked or suspended,

b.entitles the holder to issue reports upon financial statements, and

c.was issued upon the basis of substantially equivalent educational, examination and experience requirements established by the foreign authority or by law; and

3. The applicant:

a.received the designation based on educational and examination standards substantially equivalent to those in effect in this state at the time the foreign designation was granted,

b.completed an experience requirement substantially equivalent to the requirement set out under this act in the foreign country which granted the foreign designation or has completed four (4) years of professional experience in this state, or meets equivalent requirements prescribed by the Board by rule within the ten (10) years immediately preceding the application,

c.passed a uniform qualifying examination in national standards acceptable to the Board, and

d.is of good character.

An applicant for the certificate of certified public accountant under this section shall submit to a national criminal history record check. The costs associated with the national criminal history record check shall be paid by the applicant.

B. An applicant under subsection A of this section shall in the application list all jurisdictions, foreign and domestic, in which the applicant has applied for or holds a designation to practice public accounting, and each holder of a certificate issued under this subsection shall notify the Board in writing, within thirty (30) days after its occurrence, of any issuance, denial, revocation or suspension of a designation or commencement of disciplinary or enforcement action by any jurisdiction.

Added by Laws 2004, c. 125, § 16, eff. Nov. 1, 2004. Amended by Laws 2009, c. 45, § 11, emerg. eff. April 14, 2009.