Iowa Admin. Code r. 193A-5.3

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 11, December 11, 2024

Rule 193A-5.3 - Renewal procedures

(1) Licenses expire on June 30 of each year. Licensees will submit electronic online renewal application by the deadline in the renewal year. An application is deemed filed on the date of electronic renewal. An annual renewal fee will be charged.

(2) Applicants for renewal are obligated to disclose on the application all background and character information requested by the board including, but not limited to:

a. All states or foreign jurisdictions in which the applicant has applied for or holds aCPA certificate or license, an LPA license, or a substantially equivalent designation from a foreign country;

b. Any past denial, revocation, suspension, or refusal to renew a CPA certificate, license or permit to practice or LPA license; voluntary surrender of a CPA certificate, license or permit or LPA license to resolve or avoid disciplinary action; or similar actions concerning a substantially equivalent foreign designation;

c. Any other form of discipline or other penalty imposed against a CPA certificate, license or permit, LPA license, or a substantially equivalent foreign designation, or a practice privilege;

d. The conviction of any crime; and

e. The revocation of a professional license of any kind in this or any other jurisdiction.

(3) A licensee who performs compilation services for the public other than through a certified public accounting or licensed public accounting firm needs to submit a certification of completion of a peer review conducted in accordance with 193A-Chapter 11 no less often than once every three years.

(4) Within the meaning of Iowa Code section 17A.18(2), a timely and sufficient renewal application needs to be:

a. Received by the board in electronic form on or before the date the license is set to expire or lapse;

b. Certified as accurate through the online renewal process;

c. Fully completed, including continuing education, if applicable; and

d. Accompanied with the proper fee. Attempted financial transactions that result in payment of anything less than the proper fee will result in application rejection.

(5) The administrative processing of an application to renew an existing license does not prevent the board from subsequently commencing a contested case to challenge the licensee's qualifications for continued licensure if grounds exist to do so.

(6) If grounds exist to deny a timely and sufficient application to renew, the board will send written notification to the applicant by certified mail, return receipt requested. Grounds may exist to deny an application to renew if, for instance, the licensee failed to meet the continuing education obligations. If the basis for denial is pending disciplinary action or disciplinary investigation, which is reasonably expected to culminate in disciplinary action, the board shall proceed as provided in 193-Chapter 7. If the basis for denial is not related to a pending or imminent disciplinary action, the applicant may contest the board's decision as provided in 193-subrule 7.39(1).

(7) When a licensee appears to be in violation of mandatory continuing education under 193A-Chapter 10, the board may, in lieu of proceeding to a contested case hearing on the denial of a renewal application as provided in rule 193-7.39 (546,272C), offer a licensee the opportunity to renew in inactive status or to sign a consent order. While the terms of the consent order will be tailored to the specific circumstances at issue, the consent order will typically impose a penalty, depending on the severity of the violation; establish deadlines for compliance; and may impose additional educational obligations on the licensee. A licensee is free to accept or reject the offer. If the offer of settlement is accepted, the licensee will be issued a renewed license and will be subject to disciplinary action if the terms of the consent order are not complied with. If the offer of settlement is rejected, the matter will be set for hearing, if timely requested by the applicant pursuant to 193-subrule 7.39(1). A licensee who falsely reports continuing education to the board may be subject to additional sanctions including, when appropriate, suspension or revocation.

(8) A certificate or license holder who continues to practice public accounting as a CPA or an LPA in Iowa after the certificate or license has expired may be subject to disciplinary action. Such unauthorized activity may also be grounds to deny a licensee's application for reinstatement.

Iowa Admin. Code r. 193A-5.3

ARC 7715B, lAB 4/22/09, effective 7/1/09; ARC 8691B, lAB 4/21/10, effective 3/26/10

Amended by IAB September 30, 2015/Volume XXXVIII, Number 07, effective 11/4/2015

Amended by IAB January 16, 2019/Volume XLI, Number 15, effective 2/20/2019

Amended by IAB April 21, 2021/Volume XLIII, Number 22, effective 5/26/2021

Adopted by IAB March 6, 2024/Volume XLVI, Number 18, effective 4/10/2024