House Commerce Committee gives due-pass recommendation to bill expanding CPA certification pathways

The House Commerce Committee voted 10–0 to give Senate Bill 11 81 a due-pass recommendation after staff and an industry representative said the bill would expand pathways to becoming a certified public accountant in Arizona.

Staff told the committee the bill revises certification requirements and is identical to House Bill 2,476, which previously passed the House committee. Ryan Dimino, representing the Arizona Society of Certified Public Accountants, testified in support, saying the measure "opens up additional pathways to becoming a certified public accountant in Arizona" and noting that 24 states have adopted similar changes to help keep their CPAs competitive nationally.

Supporters said the legislation is part of a nationwide effort to broaden routes to licensure. The committee moved and held a roll-call vote, recorded as 10 ayes, 0 nays and 1 absent; the motion to return the bill with a due-pass recommendation was entered by a committee member and carried unanimously.

The committee then moved to its next agenda item.