Out-of-State CPA Firm License Requirements

Effective July 15, 2008 a firm that does not operate an office in this state and holds a license in good standing from the state where their main office is located will not be required to obtain a license to provide public accounting services to a KY based client except when performing the following financial statement services: 

1. Any audit or other engagement to be performed in acordance with the Statements on Auditing Standards (SAS);

2. Any examination of prospective financial information or other professional services to be performed in accordance with the Statements on Standards for Attestation Engagements (SSAE); or

3. Any engagement to be performed in accordance with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Auditing Standards 

If you answer YES to questions 1,2, or 3 above, the firm must obtain a Kentucky license prior to rendering services.  Submit the Out of State Initial Firm License Application (PDF format - 549K) with a check made payable to the Kentucky State Board of Accountancy in the amount of $100 for a two-year license.

In addition to the general exemption listed above Kentucky Revised Statute 325.301 Subsection 7 authorizes a firm to perform the following services without a Kentucky license:

• Conduct a peer review of a firm; or
   
• Perform attestation work, incidental to an engagement which was initiated with a client located outside of the Commonwealth and has extended into the Commonwealth due to common ownership or existence of a subsidiary, assets, or other operations located within the Commonwealth.

If you have questions about your particular situation, please contact the Board office to determine whether or not you will need to be licensed.