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Bill > SB732
WI SB732
WI SB732Various changes to the laws governing the practice of accounting and modifying various administrative rules promulgated by the Accounting Examining Board relating to accounting.
summary
Introduced
12/10/2025
12/10/2025
In Committee
02/04/2026
02/04/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill makes modifications regarding the educational requirements for taking the certified public accounting (CPA) examination or for obtaining a CPA certificate, or for practicing as a CPA based upon licensure or certification in another state. Current law provides that a CPA certificate may be granted only to a person who has completed at least 150 semester hours of education in accounting and business subjects, as determined by the board, which issues CPA certificates and licenses. Current law also requires that the person have at least one year of public accounting experience or its equivalent. Current law also provides that a person is not eligible to take the CPA examination unless the person has completed at least LRB-4702/1 MED:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 732 120 semester hours of education in accounting and business subjects, as determined by the board. The bill replaces the 150 hours requirement and one year of public accounting experience with specific educational pathways and experience requirements for obtaining a CPA certificate. The methods differ depending on the degree received by the applicant. The bill also allows a person to take the CPA examination after receipt of a bachelor’s degree or after completing 120 hours of education. The bill further details the work experience requirement, including how the board is to evaluate work experience. The bill also makes changes to the board’s rules, including changes to account for the statutory changes in the bill, repealing the requirement to complete semester hours in accounting information systems, and changing the continuing education requirements for a renewal five years or more after the renewal date. Finally, the bill changes the exemption under which a person who has a CPA license or certificate from another state may practice in this state without a license, requiring that the person have met requirements similar to those in this state, instead of requiring third-party verification of qualifications.
AI Summary
This bill makes significant changes to the laws governing the practice of Certified Public Accountancy (CPA) in Wisconsin, focusing on educational and licensing requirements. The bill modifies the pathways for obtaining a CPA certificate by introducing three distinct routes: individuals with a master's degree can obtain a certificate after completing specific coursework and one year of work experience, those with a bachelor's degree can qualify by completing 150 semester hours and one year of work experience, or those with a bachelor's degree can qualify with specific coursework and two years of work experience. The bill also updates the examination eligibility rules, allowing individuals to take the CPA exam after receiving a bachelor's degree or completing 120 semester hours. Work experience requirements are now more broadly defined, allowing experience from government, industry, academia, or public practice, and must involve skills such as accounting, tax, consulting, or financial advisory services. Additionally, the bill changes the rules for out-of-state CPA license holders practicing in Wisconsin, removing the previous requirement for third-party verification of qualifications and instead requiring that the individual has met similar requirements to those in Wisconsin. The bill also adjusts continuing education requirements, extending the renewal period for professional development credits from one to three years.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (6)
Howard Marklein (R)*,
Barbara Dittrich (R),
Dan Knodl (R),
Pricilla Prado (D),
Chuck Wichgers (R),
Robert Wittke (R),
Last Action
Laid on table (on 02/11/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/sen/bill/sb732 |
| SB732 ROCP for Committee on Licensing, Regulatory Reform, State and Federal Affairs On 2/4/2026 | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/records/senate/licensing_regulatory_reform_state_and_federal_affairs/1971391.pdf |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/SB732.pdf |
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