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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>81120</law_id><section_number>54.1-4403</section_number><catch_line>General powers and duties of the Board</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="54.1">Professions and Occupations</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="VI">Professions Regulated by Other Entities</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="44">Public Accountants</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>The <span class="dictionary">Board</span> shall have the power and duty to:</p></section>
						<section id="1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Establish the qualifications of applicants for licensure, provided that all qualifications shall be necessary to ensure competence and integrity. <a id="paragraph-290761" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-4403/#1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="2"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Examine, or cause to be examined, the qualifications of each applicant for licensure, including the preparation, administration, and grading of the <span class="dictionary">CPA examination</span>. <a id="paragraph-290762" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-4403/#2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="3"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Promulgate regulations in accordance with the Administrative Process Act (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Short title; purpose" href="/2.2-4000/">2.2-4000</a> et seq.) necessary to assure continued competency, to prevent deceptive or misleading practices by <span class="dictionary">licensees</span>, and to effectively administer the regulatory system. <a id="paragraph-290763" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-4403/#3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="4"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> <span class="dictionary">Levy</span> and collect fees for the issuance, renewal, or reinstatement of <span class="dictionary">Virginia licenses</span> that are sufficient to cover all expenses of the administration and operation of the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>. <a id="paragraph-290764" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-4403/#4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="5"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> <span class="dictionary">Levy</span> on holders of <span class="dictionary">Virginia licenses</span> special assessments necessary to cover expenses of the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>. <a id="paragraph-290765" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-4403/#5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="6"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> Initiate or receive complaints concerning the conduct of or violation of the provisions of this chapter or regulations promulgated by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> by holders of <span class="dictionary">Virginia licenses</span>, individuals, <span class="dictionary">firms</span>, or entities claiming to hold a <span class="dictionary">Virginia license</span>, or unlicensed individuals, <span class="dictionary">firms</span>, or entities <span class="dictionary">using the CPA title in Virginia</span>, and to take appropriate disciplinary action if warranted. <a id="paragraph-290766" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-4403/#6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="7"><p><span class="prefix-number">7.</span> Initiate or receive complaints concerning the conduct of persons or <span class="dictionary">firms</span> who use the CPA title in Virginia under the practice <span class="dictionary">privilege</span> provisions of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Practice privilege provisions for persons who hold the license of another state" href="/54.1-4411/">54.1-4411</a> or <span class="dictionary">firms</span> that provide <span class="dictionary">attest services</span>, <span class="dictionary">compilation services</span>, or <span class="dictionary">financial statement preparation services</span> to persons or entities located in Virginia under the provisions of subsection C of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Licensing requirements for firms" href="/54.1-4412.1/">54.1-4412.1</a>, and to take appropriate disciplinary action if warranted. <a id="paragraph-290767" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-4403/#7"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="8"><p><span class="prefix-number">8.</span> Initiate or receive complaints concerning violations of the provisions of this chapter or regulations promulgated by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> by persons or <span class="dictionary">firms</span> who use the CPA title in Virginia under the practice <span class="dictionary">privilege</span> provisions of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Practice privilege provisions for persons who hold the license of another state" href="/54.1-4411/">54.1-4411</a> or <span class="dictionary">firms</span> that provide <span class="dictionary">attest services</span>, <span class="dictionary">compilation services</span>, or <span class="dictionary">financial statement preparation services</span> to persons or entities located in Virginia under the provisions of subsection C of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Licensing requirements for firms" href="/54.1-4412.1/">54.1-4412.1</a>, and to take appropriate disciplinary action if warranted. <a id="paragraph-290768" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-4403/#8"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="9"><p><span class="prefix-number">9.</span> Revoke, suspend, or refuse to renew or reinstate a <span class="dictionary">Virginia license</span> for just causes as prescribed by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>. <a id="paragraph-290769" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-4403/#9"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="10"><p><span class="prefix-number">10.</span> Revoke or suspend, for just causes as prescribed by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>, a person&#x2019;s or <span class="dictionary">firm</span>&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">privilege</span> of <span class="dictionary">using the CPA title in Virginia</span> under the practice <span class="dictionary">privilege</span> provisions of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Practice privilege provisions for persons who hold the license of another state" href="/54.1-4411/">54.1-4411</a> or a <span class="dictionary">firm</span>&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">privilege</span> of providing <span class="dictionary">attest services</span>, <span class="dictionary">compilation services</span>, or <span class="dictionary">financial statement preparation services</span> to persons or entities located in Virginia under the provisions of subsection C of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Licensing requirements for firms" href="/54.1-4412.1/">54.1-4412.1</a>. <a id="paragraph-290770" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-4403/#10"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="11"><p><span class="prefix-number">11.</span> Establish requirements for <span class="dictionary">peer reviews</span>. <a id="paragraph-290771" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-4403/#11"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="12"><p><span class="prefix-number">12.</span> Establish continuing professional educational requirements as a condition for issuance, renewal, or reinstatement of a <span class="dictionary">Virginia license</span>. <a id="paragraph-290772" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-4403/#12"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="13"><p><span class="prefix-number">13.</span> Expand or interpret the standards of conduct and practice in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Standards of conduct and practice" href="/54.1-4413.3/">54.1-4413.3</a>. <a id="paragraph-290773" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-4403/#13"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="14"><p><span class="prefix-number">14.</span> Enter into <span class="dictionary">contracts</span> necessary or convenient for carrying out the provisions of this chapter or the functions of the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>. <a id="paragraph-290774" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-4403/#14"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="15"><p><span class="prefix-number">15.</span> Permit certain biographical references to previous CPA licensure. <a id="paragraph-290775" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-4403/#15"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="16"><p><span class="prefix-number">16.</span> Promulgate additional guidance on <span class="dictionary">using the CPA title in Virginia</span> as necessary. <a id="paragraph-290776" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-4403/#16"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="17"><p><span class="prefix-number">17.</span> Do all things necessary and convenient for carrying into effect this chapter and regulations promulgated by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>. <a id="paragraph-290777" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-4403/#17"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>2001, c. 832; 2004, c. 602; 2007, c. 804; 2015, c. 287; 2017, c. 403; 2024, cc. 654, 677; 2025, cc. 523, 539.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
