Rule 30-1-2.1 - RequirementsRule 2.1.1. Individuals whose principal place of business is in Mississippi must hold a Mississippi CPA license. An applicant for an original license must be a resident of the State of Mississippi or have an office for the regular transaction of business in this state, be of good moral character, and satisfy the education, examination, experience requirements, continuing professional education (CPE) and professional ethics as described within these Rules and Regulations. (a) Residency shall be determined by the Board based on all of the facts and circumstances of each individual case. Factors normally considered by the Board in determining residency are as follows: (1) Place of registration as a voter(2) Vehicle registration and tags (3) Filing of Mississippi State Resident Income Tax Returns (4) Qualifying for Homestead Exemption in Mississippi and payment of real estate taxes to this state (5) Graduation from a Mississippi university or college and successful completion of the CPA examination in Mississippi. (b) Having a place for the regular transaction of business encompasses more than having a "mailing address" or temporary office. The Board will determine, based on all the facts and circumstances of each individual case, whether a structure qualifies under this regulation. Factors normally considered by the Board in determining eligibility include the following: (1) Relative permanence of location(3) Presence of permanent staff(4) Telephone listings and location(5) Time spent in out-of-state activities.(c) Good Moral Character: In evaluating good moral character, the Board shall consider an applicant's criminal record including but not limited to felony convictions or pleas; discipline before state, local or federal jurisdictions; and other documents and/or records determined appropriate in the circumstance.Rule 2.1.2. When a candidate has passed the CPA examination in accordance with Rule 2.2., satisfied the education requirement of 150 collegiate semester hours, satisfied the experience requirements in accordance with Rule 2.1.3., and CPE in accordance with Rule 4.1. of these Rules and Regulations, he must make application for licensure with the State Board within three years from the date of successful completion of the CPA examination. If the candidate does not make application for licensure within the three year period, all previous CPA examination credits earned will expire, and all parts of the CPA examination must be retaken under the requirements of Rule 2.2. CPA examination. Applications for licensure shall be made on forms provided by the Board and accompanied by fees as prescribed by the Board. All certificates of licensure shall be valid only when signed by at least three members of the Board and when the Board's seal is affixed thereto. The issuance of the certificate of licensure does not automatically qualify one to practice public accounting in the State of Mississippi as defined in the act unless such license holder is associated with a CPA firm that has been issued a firm permit by the State Board. Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 73- 33-5 (f)
Rule 2.1.3 The Board shall issue a license to applicants who have complied with all the Board's requirements, including education, examination, and experience. (a) Experience Requirements: In satisfaction of experience requirements, the applicant must submit substantiating written statements, in such form as the Board shall require, from employers or others who have actual knowledge of such facts.(1) Qualifying experience requirements as stated below shall be experience during the three years immediately preceding the date the application for the license is filed with the Board. If the candidate does not meet the experience requirement and make application for licensure within the three year period, all previous CPA examination credits earned will expire, and all parts of the CPA examination must be retaken under the requirements of Rule 2.2. CPA examination.(2) Qualifying experience shall mean a minimum of 2,000 hours of experience gained by full or part-time employment under the supervision and direction of a CPA or the equivalent when considered by the Board in the aggregate.(3) The practical experience of an applicant for licensure must be meaningful with respect to qualifying the applicant for the practice of public accounting. An applicant shall show that he or she provided one or more kinds of services involving the use of accounting or auditing skills, including but not limited to the issuance of reports on financial statements, or one or more kinds of management advisory, financial advisory, or consulting services, or the preparation of tax returns or the furnishing of advice on tax matters, or the equivalent, all of which are under the direction of a CPA licensee, meeting requirements prescribed by the Board by rule.(4) The Board reserves the option of reviewing the work papers, reports, and time records for work submitted for credit as qualifying experience. The Board may require interviews with applicants.Rule 2.1.4 Other Requirements The Board reserves the right to require applicants for licensure to provide evidence of good moral character including, but not limited to, a Board initiated background and criminal check.
Miss. Code Ann. § 73- 33-5 (f)