Lawmakers OK bill to protect CPA mobility in Maryland
Amid a rapidly evolving regulatory environment surrounding pathways to CPA licensure, CPA mobility in Maryland remains reassuringly intact, thanks to efforts by the state’s General Assembly.
An MACPA-backed effort to maintain CPA mobility in Maryland by adjusting existing statutes to accommodate evolving licensure pathways in other states has passed the full legislature and now moves to the desk of Gov. Wes Moore, who is expected to sign it into law.
House Bill 887 — the House companion to Senate Bill 51, introduced by Sen. Arthur Ellis, himself a CPA — was passed Friday by the General Assembly, marking a significant step forward in ensuring Maryland remains a competitive and accessible state for CPAs and the businesses they serve.
HB 887 allows CPAs who have passed the Uniform CPA Exam and hold a license in good standing in another state to temporarily practice in Maryland, even if there are differences in educational requirements. The bill maintains high professional standards while removing unnecessary barriers, making it easier for CPAs to meet client needs across state lines and for firms to operate more efficiently.
This is a practical solution that supports businesses, reduces administrative burdens, and ensures Maryland’s CPAs and firms can remain competitive on a national scale. It also safeguards consumers by requiring that out-of-state CPAs still meet rigorous professional criteria.
The MACPA’s next priority is to support the Maryland Board of Public Accountancy in advancing legislation to create an additional pathway to CPA licensure in Maryland. This proposal would allow candidates with a bachelor’s degree and two years of relevant experience to qualify for licensure, broadening access to the profession while maintaining standards of competence and integrity.
We are proud to support these efforts to modernize Maryland’s accountancy laws in a way that benefits professionals, businesses, and the public alike.
To date, at least seven states have changed their laws to ease the path to CPA licensure as a way of addressing the profession's continuing talent shortage. Those states include Ohio, Indiana, Virginia, Georgia, New Mexico, Utah and Hawaii.
Stay tuned as the MACPA continues to advocate for thoughtful reforms in the 2026 legislative session.