A. Before any individual may practice public accounting or hold himself or herself out as being engaged in the practice of public accounting as a certified public accountant or public accountant in this state, such person shall obtain a permit from the Oklahoma Accountancy Board, unless such person is granted practice privileges under Section 15.12A of this title. Any individual, corporation or partnership or any other entity who provides any of the services defined hereinabove as the "practice of public accounting" without holding a license and permit, or without holding a certificate and permit, shall be assessed a fine not to exceed Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) for each separate offense, unless such person is granted practice privileges under Section 15.12A of this title, or such entity is exempt from the permit and registration requirements of Section 15.15C of this title.

B. The Board shall promulgate rules establishing the qualifications for obtaining a permit to practice public accounting in this state. Such rules shall include but not be limited to provisions that:

1. Any individual seeking a permit must have a valid certificate or license;

2. Any individual or entity seeking a permit must be registered pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Accountancy Act;

3. Any individual seeking a permit must meet continuing professional education requirements as set forth by the Oklahoma Accountancy Act and rules promulgated by the Board; and

4. There shall be no examination for obtaining a permit.

C. All such individuals shall, upon application and compliance with the rules establishing qualifications for obtaining a permit and payment of the fees, be granted an annual permit to practice public accounting in this state. All permits issued shall be renewed on the last day of the individual's birth month in conjunction with the registrant's certificate or license renewal. The Board may issue interim permits upon payment of the same fees required for annual permits.

D. Failure to apply for and obtain a permit shall disqualify an individual from practicing public accounting in this state until such time as a valid permit has been obtained.

E. The Board shall charge a fee for each individual permit not to exceed Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00).

Added by Laws 1968, c. 271, § 17, emerg. eff. April 30, 1968. Amended by Laws 1982, c. 160, § 3, eff. July 1, 1982; Laws 1992, c. 272, § 17, eff. Sept. 1, 1992. Renumbered from § 15.22 of this title by Laws 1992, c. 272, § 34, eff. Sept 1, 1992. Amended by Laws 2009, c. 45, § 13, emerg. eff. April 14, 2009; Laws 2010, c. 85, § 9, eff. July 1, 2010; Laws 2019, c. 327, § 5, eff. July 1, 2019.