CPAs no Longer Have to Provide Citizenship Documentation Each Time They Renew License

Great news, Arizona CPAs! In the near future we won’t have to prove our citizenship every time we renew our license.I don’t know about you, but when I renewed my CPA license last month, I made several copies of my birth certificate so it would be available for the future. I wasn’t happy about that extra work and waste of paper. After all, once Arizona sees my birthcertificate, why do they need to see it again every two years? However, that was the law.

Fortunately Governor Brewer and the legislature addressed this problem. HB 2306 signed by Governor Brewer on July 13, 2009, “…exempts an individual who has affirmatively established citizenship or non-expiring work authorization from providing subsequent documentation of that status upon renewal or reinstatement of a license”. This will be effective at noon on Sept. 30, 2009.

In 2007, The Legal Arizona Workers Act was passed into law. The Act made several changes to statutes related to unauthorized workers. In 2008, an emergency measure was added that made numerous changes to the Act and included provisions relating to eligibility for licensing in the state of Arizona. In effect, it called for any person required to carry a license to practice in Arizona to present proof of citizenship each time their license came up for renewal.

The ASCPA encouraged this change. We appreciate this action of the Governor and legislature that will save CPAs time, help the environment and reduce an unnecessary hassle.