Section 9.5a - Certificates issued by foreign reciprocity(a) Without requiring the examination otherwise required under section 4.2 of this act, the board may in its discretion issue a certificate of certified public accountant to a holder of a foreign designation, granted and then in full force in a foreign country or other jurisdiction that is not a state, entitling the holder thereof to engage in the practice of public accounting if all of the following conditions are satisfied:(1) Pursuant to a duly enacted free trade agreement, the foreign jurisdiction that granted the designation makes similar provision to allow an individual who holds a valid certificate of certified public accountant issued by this Commonwealth to obtain such foreign jurisdiction's comparable designation.(2) The foreign designation: (i) Was duly issued by a duly constituted authority within the foreign jurisdiction that regulates the practice of public accounting, and the foreign designation has not expired or been revoked or suspended.(ii) Entitles the holder to issue reports.(iii) Was issued upon the basis of educational, examination and experience requirements established by the foreign authority or by law.(3) The applicant: (i) Received the designation based on educational and examination standards substantially equivalent to those in effect in this Commonwealth at the time the foreign designation was granted.(ii) Completed an experience requirement substantially equivalent to the requirements set forth in section 4.2(d) of this act in the jurisdiction that granted the foreign designation or has completed five years of experience in the practice of public accounting in this Commonwealth or meets such other requirements as may be prescribed by the board by rule within the ten years immediately preceding the application.(iii) Passed a uniform qualifying examination in national standards.(b) An applicant for a certificate under this section shall list in the application all states and foreign jurisdictions in which the applicant has applied for or holds a designation or certificate to practice public accounting.(c) Each holder of a certificate issued under this section shall notify the board in writing within thirty days after its occurrence of any issuance, denial, revocation or suspension of his designation, certificate or license to practice public accounting or the commencement of a disciplinary or enforcement action against him or his firm by any state or foreign jurisdiction.1947, May 26, P.L. 318, No. 140, § 5.1, added 1996, Dec. 4, P.L. 851, No. 140, § 6, effective in 60 days. Amended 2008, July 9, P.L. 954, No. 73, §5, effective in 60 days [ 9/8/2008].