SB 76 CO

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Became Law

The act expands the ways in which individuals may become eligible for certification as a certified public accountant (CPA) in Colorado by creating 3 new education and experience pathways that may satisfy the requirements for CPA certification. The pathways become available for applicants beginning on January 1, 2027. The 3 pathways are:Obtaining a baccalaureate degree, completing 2 years of accounting-related work experience, completing a professional ethics course, and passing the written CPA exam;Obtaining a baccalaureate degree, completing 30 additional semester hours, completing one year of accounting-related work experience, completing a professional ethics course, and passing the written CPA exam; andObtaining a post-baccalaureate degree, completing one year of accounting-related work experience, completing a professional ethics course, and passing the written CPA exam.     For each pathway, an applicant's work experience must:Meet the requirements set by the Colorado state board of accountancy (board) by rule;Include any type of service or advice representing certain accounting-related skills needed to serve the public at the time of initial certification; andBe verified by an actively licensed CPA who meets board requirements.     Section 2 of the act conforms statutory provisions relating to an applicant's eligibility to sit for a CPA examination with the pathways to certification created by the act. Section 2 also reinforces that, regardless of an applicant's eligibility to sit for an exam, the applicant must complete one of the specified pathways in order to obtain a CPA certificate.     Section 4 establishes that an individual CPA who is licensed or certified in good standing in another state or jurisdiction of the United States and whose principle place of business is located in another state or jurisdiction of the United States (out-of-state CPA) has all the same practice privileges as Colorado certificate holders, without the need to obtain a Colorado certificate, if the individual was required at their initial licensure or certification in the other state or jurisdiction of the United States to pass the uniform CPA examination and obtain a baccalaureate degree conferred by an accredited college or university. Additionally, the act continues the practice privileges of out-of-state CPAs who held practice privileges in Colorado as of December 31, 2024. Finally, the conferral of practice privileges upon out-of-state CPAs must be conducted in conformity with rules adopted by the board; except that the board shall not require an out-of-state CPA to provide a notice, fee, or other submission as a condition of exercising such practice privileges in Colorado.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

• L. Frizell Republican · sponsor
• W. Lindstedt Democratic · sponsor
• C. Richardson Republican · sponsor
• R. Stewart Democratic · sponsor
• M. Snyder Democratic · sponsor

1. May 4, 2026 Governor Signed · executive
2. Apr 23, 2026 Sent to the Governor · executive
3. Apr 22, 2026 Signed by the Speaker of the House · lower
4. Apr 22, 2026 Signed by the President of the Senate · upper
5. Apr 2, 2026 House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments · lower
6. Mar 31, 2026 House Third Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments · lower
7. Mar 30, 2026 House Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments · lower
8. Mar 27, 2026 House Second Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments · lower
9. Mar 25, 2026 House Committee on Business Affairs & Labor Refer Unamended to House Committee of the Whole · lower
10. Feb 18, 2026 Introduced In House - Assigned to Business Affairs & Labor · lower
11. Feb 18, 2026 Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments · upper
12. Feb 17, 2026 Senate Second Reading Passed - No Amendments · upper
13. Feb 12, 2026 Senate Committee on Business, Labor, & Technology Refer Unamended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole · upper
14. Jan 28, 2026 Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Business, Labor, & Technology · upper