5026-5029
BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE
SECTION 5026-5029
5026. The Legislature has determined it is in the public interest to require that certified public accountants and public accountants licensed under provisions of this chapter comply with continuing education requirements adopted by the board as a prerequisite to the renewal of public accountancy licenses on and after December 31, 1974. 5027. The board shall by regulation prescribe, amend, or repeal rules including, but not limited to, all of the following: (a) A definition of basic requirements for continuing education. (b) A licensee who plans, directs, or approves any financial or compliance audit report on any governmental agency shall complete a minimum of 24 hours of qualifying continuing education in the area of governmental accounting and auditing or related subjects during the two-year license renewal period. (c) A licensee who provides audit, review, other attestation services, or issues compiled financial statement reports shall, during the two-year license renewal period, complete a minimum of 24 hours of qualifying continuing education in the area of accounting and auditing related to reporting on financial statements. (d) A licensee with a valid permit to practice public accountancy shall, within a six-year period, complete a continuing education course on the provisions of this chapter and the rules of professional conduct. (e) A licensee on inactive status shall complete the continuing education course required by subdivision (d) prior to reentering public practice. (f) A delineation of qualifying programs for maintaining competency. (g) A system of control and compliance reporting. In exercising its power under this section for the interests of consumer protection, the board shall establish standards which will assure reasonable currency of knowledge as a basis for a high standard of practice by licensees. The standards shall be established in a manner to assure that a variety of alternatives are available to licensees to comply with the continuing education requirements for renewal of licenses and taking cognizance of specialized areas of practice. 5028. The board may, in accordance with the intent of this article, make exceptions from continuing education requirements for licensees not engaged in public practice, or for reasons of health, military service, or other good cause; provided, however, that if the licensee returns to the practice of public accounting he or she shall meet such continuing education requirements as the board may determine. 5029. The board may establish an advisory continuing education committee of nine members, six of whom shall be certified public accountants, two of whom shall be board members, one of whom is a public member of the board, and one of whom shall be a public accountant, to perform any of the following duties: (a) To evaluate programs and advise the board as to whether they qualify under the regulations adopted by the board pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section 5027. Educational courses offered by professional accounting societies shall be accepted by the board as qualifying if the courses are approved by the committee as meeting the requirements of the board under the regulations. (b) To consider applications for exceptions as permitted under Section 5028 and provide a recommendation to the board. (c) To consider other advisory matters relating to the requirements of this article as the board may assign to the committee.