How to Verify a CPA License

Why CPA verification matters

The Certified Public Accountant designation is a legal credential regulated by state law. Only individuals with an active CPA license from a state board of accountancy can legally use the CPA title in that state. Misrepresenting CPA status is a criminal offense in most jurisdictions.

For employers, the stakes are high: a CPA who signs audited financial statements or issues attestation reports without an active license creates regulatory exposure for the firm and the clients whose financials they certify. SEC-registered firms face additional PCAOB requirements that assume valid licensure.

Beyond active status, CPA licenses can be suspended or revoked for ethical violations, fraud, or disciplinary actions by the state board or the AICPA. These actions are public record and appear in verification results.

Step 1: Search NASBA CPA Verify

Go to cpaverify.org and search by the candidate's first name, last name, and state. No registration or fee is required. CPA Verify returns:

• License status (Active, Inactive, Lapsed, Revoked, Suspended, etc.)
• Issuing state board
• License number
• Expiration date (for active licenses)
• Any public disciplinary actions on record

CPA Verify data is updated regularly by member state boards. For fast-moving situations (candidate claims recent renewal, recent disciplinary action), follow up directly with the state board for a real-time status check.

Understanding CPA license statuses

Active vs. Inactive: This is a common source of confusion. Many CPAs elect "inactive" status when they are not in public practice — for example, a controller at a private company who does not sign audit reports or perform attestation services. Inactive status may be acceptable for your hire depending on the role. A CPA in a public accounting firm, an auditor, or someone who will issue opinions on financial statements must have Active status.

Step 2: State board verification

If NASBA CPA Verify returns no results or you need the most current data, go directly to the state board of accountancy. State boards maintain independent lookup tools and have the most up-to-date records for their jurisdiction.

Multi-state practice and reciprocity

CPAs who practice across state lines benefit from substantial equivalency — a standard established by the Uniform Accountancy Act that allows CPAs licensed in one state to practice in other states that have adopted the standard, without obtaining a separate license in each state.

Under substantial equivalency, a CPA with an Active license in their home state may practice in privilege states without additional licensure. The NASBA database will show the home-state license; you can verify that the home state is on the substantial equivalency list if multi-state practice is relevant.

CPAs who maintain licenses in multiple states independently (rather than relying on substantial equivalency) will appear with separate license records for each state in NASBA CPA Verify.

AICPA membership vs. CPA license

AICPA membership and CPA licensure are separate. A CPA can be an AICPA member or not — membership is voluntary and has no bearing on license validity. Conversely, some accounting professionals hold AICPA membership without being licensed CPAs.

The AICPA does publish its own disciplinary actions for members, but for employment verification purposes, the state board license lookup and NASBA CPA Verify are the authoritative sources.

Verification checklist