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HomeBusiness and Professions CodeDiv. 3Ch. 1Art. 3§ 5050 Public Accountancy Licensing Requirements

§ 5050 Public Accountancy Licensing Requirements

Business and Professions Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 5050 Public Accountancy Licensing Requirements

Key Takeaways

  • •You can't work as an accountant in California unless you have a special permit from the state.
  • •If you're an accountant from another country, you can do some work in California temporarily, but only if you follow your country's rules.
  • •You can't pretend to have a California permit if you don't.

Example

An accountant from Mexico is hired to help a company in California with their books for a short time.

This is okay if the accountant follows Mexico's accounting rules and doesn't say they have a California permit. But if they try to work here all the time without the right permit, that's breaking the law.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 5050 Public Accountancy Licensing Requirements

(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b) of this section, in subdivision (a) of Section 5054, and in Section 5096.12, no person shall engage in the practice of public accountancy in this state unless the person is the holder of a valid permit to practice public accountancy issued by the board or a holder of a practice privilege pursuant to Article 5.1 (commencing with Section 5096). (b) Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit a person who holds a valid and current license, registration, certificate, permit, or other authority to practice public accountancy from a foreign country, and lawfully practicing therein, from temporarily engaging in the practice of public accountancy in this state incident to an engagement in that country, provided that: (1) The temporary practice is regulated by the foreign country and is performed under accounting or auditing standards of that country. (2) The person does not hold themselves out as being the holder of a valid California permit to practice public accountancy or the holder of a practice privilege pursuant to Article 5.1 (commencing with Section 5096). (Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 586, Sec. 5. (AB 3251) Effective January 1, 2025.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

registrationclaimlicensein californiaassignmentauthorityengagement

Related Statutes

  • § 477 Definitions Board License
  • § 5054 Out-Of-State Tax Return Preparation
  • § 5062.2 Audit Employment Restrictions
  • § 5062.3 Accounting Firm Attestation Responsibility
  • § 5101 Partnership Permit Revocation Rules

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Business and Professions Code. Section 5050.
View Official Source