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CPA License Lookup: Verify an Accountant Before You Rely on the Credential
A CPA license lookup should answer more than whether a person’s name appears in a directory. The useful check is whether the correct Certified Public Accountant is licensed in the claimed jurisdiction, what the current status shows, whether the record is still current, and whether public disciplinary or enforcement information needs review.
Start with NASBA’s CPAverify when you need a nationwide search. Then use the issuing state or territorial Board of Accountancy when a result is missing, recent, disputed, or needed for a formal licensing, hiring, compliance, or legal decision.
Verify a CPA step by step | Find the right state lookup | Open official CPA resources
CPA License Lookup: Quick Answer
To verify a CPA, first identify the state or U.S. jurisdiction where the person claims to be licensed. Search CPAverify or the jurisdiction’s official Board of Accountancy database and match the exact licensee. Check the license number, credential type, current status, expiration or registration information, and any public disciplinary or enforcement record before relying on the credential.
CPAverify is hosted by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy, or NASBA. NASBA describes the service as a free national CPA and accounting-firm license search populated with official public regulatory data sent by participating Boards of Accountancy.
NASBA currently reports 53 participating jurisdictions. Hawaii and New Mexico are not included in the current CPAverify data set, so those two jurisdictions should be checked through their own public licensing systems.
For a high-stakes decision, use the issuing board as the final source when information is unclear or time-sensitive. Boards of Accountancy issue licenses, interpret their own status terminology, maintain jurisdiction-specific rules, and handle enforcement.
National search
Use CPAverify when you want to search for an individual CPA or accounting firm across participating jurisdictions.
State confirmation
Use the issuing Board of Accountancy when you need the most direct state record, disciplinary details, formal verification, or current licensing rules.
Do not confuse job title with license
Someone may perform accounting, bookkeeping, payroll, consulting, or tax-preparation work without holding a CPA license. Verify the credential the person actually claims.
Choose the CPA Verification Route That Matches Your Task
“CPA license lookup” can mean several different things. A public status check, accounting-firm lookup, formal verification request, tax-preparer check, and interstate-practice question may require different records.
Individual CPA license
Search CPAverify or the issuing board. Match the professional’s license number, jurisdiction, credential type, current status, and public discipline.
CPA or accounting firm
Search the firm’s regulatory record separately when the state licenses or registers accounting firms. An individual CPA’s record does not automatically prove that the firm itself satisfies every state requirement.
Formal license verification
Use the issuing board’s certification, verification, or license-history procedure when another board, employer, court, credentialing organization, or government agency specifically requires official proof.
Tax preparer credential
Verify a claimed CPA license through the accounting regulator. If the professional also prepares federal tax returns, check the relevant IRS credential or PTIN information separately.
Multistate practice
Verify the CPA’s home-jurisdiction license first. Then check the state where services are being provided for current mobility, practice-privilege, firm-registration, and service-specific requirements.
How to Verify a CPA License Step by Step
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Identify the issuing jurisdiction
Ask which state or U.S. territory issued the CPA license. Do not assume the professional’s current office, employer, or home address is the licensing jurisdiction. A CPA can also hold more than one state license.
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Get the CPA license number when possible
A license number is generally a stronger search key than a name. It reduces mistaken matches involving common surnames, initials, spelling differences, and name changes.
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Open the correct official search
Use CPAverify for a participating jurisdiction or use the applicable Board of Accountancy public lookup. For Hawaii and New Mexico, use the state licensing system directly.
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Match the exact record
Compare the legal name, license number, issuing jurisdiction, license type, location information, and any other available identifiers. Do not accept the first record with a similar name.
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Read the current status
Determine whether the record is active, current, inactive, expired, lapsed, suspended, revoked, retired, registered, or described with another jurisdiction-specific term.
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Check date fields
Review expiration, renewal, registration, issue, or certification dates where the regulator publishes them. A license record that exists is not automatically a currently usable credential.
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Review discipline and restrictions
Open any available enforcement documents or disciplinary details. A short discipline flag may not tell you whether an action is historical, whether probation ended, or whether restrictions remain in effect.
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Record what you verified
For employment, vendor onboarding, compliance, or other formal due diligence, save the official source, date checked, license number, jurisdiction, status, and any public enforcement record reviewed.
What a CPA License Record Should Help You Confirm
| Record detail | Why it matters | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Legal name | Reduces mistaken identity. | Match the person you actually intend to hire, engage, or verify. |
| License number | Provides a stronger identifier than a name alone. | Record the number exactly as displayed by the regulator. |
| Issuing jurisdiction | CPA licensure is jurisdiction-based. | Make sure you are viewing the state or territory where licensure is claimed. |
| License type | Individual, firm, public-accountant, and other records can be separate. | Verify the exact professional or firm credential needed for the engagement. |
| Current status | A historical record does not establish current authority. | Read the regulator’s exact current status wording. |
| Expiration or registration date | Some states distinguish an underlying license from periodic registration or renewal. | Determine whether the professional is currently authorized under that state’s rules. |
| Discipline or restrictions | A license can exist while public enforcement information is also present. | Review the actual board order or enforcement record where available. |
| Data freshness | National and state databases can update on different schedules. | Use the issuing board for a recent renewal, reinstatement, or enforcement change. |
What CPAverify Can Tell You
CPAverify is NASBA’s public CPA and accounting-firm license search. NASBA states that the database is populated with official public licensing data submitted by participating Boards of Accountancy.
Current coverage
NASBA reports 53 participating licensing jurisdictions. Its Accountancy Licensee Database currently excludes Hawaii and New Mexico data because those boards are not participating in the national database at this time.
What can appear in a result
CPAverify results can identify the licensee, jurisdiction, license number, current status, and enforcement, non-compliance, or disciplinary information reported to the system. A person licensed in more than one participating jurisdiction may have multiple licenses associated with the search result.
What CPAverify does not replace
A national lookup is not a complete employment, education, client-history, competency, or background investigation. NASBA directs users who need more detailed information to the applicable Board of Accountancy.
CPA License Lookup by State: Useful Official Routes
Use CPAverify as a national starting point, then use the state regulator when you need direct jurisdiction information. The examples below show how several major states handle public CPA verification.
| Jurisdiction | Official authority or system | Useful for | Official lookup |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nationwide | NASBA CPAverify | Individual CPA and accounting-firm searches across participating jurisdictions. | CPAverify |
| California | California Board of Accountancy | CPA and firm status, issue and expiration information, and disciplinary or license-restriction indicators. | California lookup |
| Texas | Texas State Board of Public Accountancy | Individual CPA records, expiration, status, employment information where reported, and board-action history. | Texas individual lookup |
| New York | New York State Education Department Office of the Professions | Professional licensure and registration verification. | New York verification |
| Florida | Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation | Search by name, license number, city or county, or license type. | Florida lookup |
| Hawaii | Hawaii DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing Division | Direct Hawaii public professional-license verification. | Hawaii lookup |
| New Mexico | New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department | Direct New Mexico public professional-license verification. | New Mexico lookup |
Need another jurisdiction? NASBA maintains contact and board information for all 55 U.S. Boards of Accountancy.
How to Read CPA License Status Correctly
Status terminology varies by jurisdiction. An “inactive” license, for example, may not mean exactly the same thing in two states. Use the issuing board’s definitions whenever the distinction affects practice rights or hiring.
| Status concept | What it may indicate | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Active or current | The credential appears current under the jurisdiction’s rules. | Still check expiration, registration, and discipline. |
| Inactive | The professional may retain a record but lack ordinary practice authority under that status. | Read the board’s inactive-license restrictions. |
| Expired or lapsed | Required renewal or registration may not be current. | Do not treat the old record as present authority without reinstatement or renewal confirmation. |
| Suspended | Practice rights are restricted because of board action. | Read the official order and determine whether the suspension remains effective. |
| Revoked | The board has terminated the license unless it was subsequently restored. | Look for a later reinstatement record before relying on the credential. |
| Registration not current | The underlying license may exist while periodic registration needed for practice is not current. | Verify both the license and registration requirements for that state. |
New York is a useful example
New York distinguishes professional licensure from registration. When checking a New York CPA, do not stop after confirming that a license was issued; review the registration information relevant to current practice.
CPA Discipline and Enforcement: Check More Than the Main Status
License status and disciplinary history are separate parts of credential verification. A professional can have an existing license record while also having historical or current public enforcement information.
Open the underlying disciplinary information
A short marker may refer to probation, suspension, a restriction, non-compliance, voluntary surrender, or another board action. Read the available order or detailed record before deciding what it means.
Compare the disciplinary date with current status
An old action does not automatically describe current authority. A past suspension may have ended, or a professional may have been reinstated. Conversely, an apparently current license may still be subject to conditions.
Keep a dated record when verification matters
For hiring, vendor review, audit-team credentialing, or regulatory compliance, record the date you checked the official source and what public enforcement information was reviewed.
The California Board of Accountancy, for example, states that its license lookup can show the licensee or firm name, license type, license number, status, issue date, expiration date, address of record, and whether disciplinary actions or license restrictions are present.
CPA vs Accountant vs Tax Preparer: Verify the Right Credential
One of the most common lookup mistakes is assuming that every accountant or tax professional must appear in a CPA database.
| Credential or title | What it means | Where to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Certified Public Accountant | A professional who holds a CPA license issued by a state or territorial Board of Accountancy. | CPAverify and the issuing Board of Accountancy. |
| Accountant | A broad occupational description that does not by itself prove CPA licensure. | Verify whatever professional credential the person specifically claims. |
| Enrolled Agent | A federal tax credential administered by the IRS rather than a state CPA license. | Use IRS tax-professional resources. |
| Paid federal tax return preparer | Paid preparers generally need a valid IRS PTIN, but a PTIN does not make the preparer a CPA. | Use IRS preparer resources and separately check any claimed CPA license. |
| Attorney | A legal professional licensed through the applicable state court or bar system. | Use the relevant official attorney or bar verification system. |
The IRS states that CPAs, enrolled agents, and attorneys have unlimited representation rights before the IRS. It also explains that a person can be authorized to prepare federal tax returns for compensation with a valid PTIN without being a CPA.
CPA Firm License Lookup: Verify the Firm Separately
An individual CPA license and an accounting firm’s regulatory record are not always the same thing. If your engagement is with a firm, determine whether the state requires a separate firm license, registration, or permit.
Individual CPA record
Confirms the regulatory status of the professional whose name appears on the license.
Accounting-firm record
Can establish whether the business entity itself has the required state registration or firm license.
Do not substitute one for the other
One licensed CPA working for a business does not automatically prove that every firm authorization required for a particular service or jurisdiction is current.
Texas provides a practical example: the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy maintains separate public searches for individual licensees and licensed firms.
Public CPA Lookup vs Formal License Verification
A free online public search and an official verification document do not necessarily serve the same purpose.
| Verification type | Typical use | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| CPAverify public search | Consumers, employers, recruiters, firms, and quick multistate checking. | Free online access to current information submitted by participating boards. |
| State board public lookup | Direct state status, firm record, registration, and discipline review. | State-specific terminology, fields, and public enforcement information. |
| Formal verification or certification | Another licensing board, court, regulator, credentialing body, or application requiring official proof. | A separate request procedure that may involve a fee and processing time. |
| License history | Detailed review of prior licensure or disciplinary history. | Potentially more information than the basic public lookup provides. |
Fees vary by jurisdiction and by the type of verification being requested. NASBA’s interstate authorization fee information shows that some boards provide free online license verification while other formal verification or license-transfer services can carry fees.
If another organization gave you verification instructions, follow that organization’s required format instead of assuming a screenshot from a public search will satisfy the requirement.
CPA Mobility: Why a Missing Local License Does Not Always End the Check
A CPA who is licensed in one jurisdiction may sometimes provide services in another jurisdiction under that state’s mobility or practice-privilege rules without obtaining a second local CPA license.
For that reason, a blank search in the client’s state does not automatically prove unauthorized practice. First verify the CPA’s home-jurisdiction license. Then check the target state’s current mobility requirements, service limitations, and any separate firm-registration rules.
- Verify the home-state credential. Confirm the issuing board, license number, current status, and public discipline.
- Check the target state’s mobility rules. Determine whether practice privilege applies to that CPA and the type of service being provided.
- Check the firm separately. Individual mobility does not necessarily eliminate firm-registration requirements.
Passing the CPA Exam Is Not the Same as Holding a CPA License
A person can pass the Uniform CPA Examination without yet holding an issued CPA license. Licensure is handled by Boards of Accountancy in the 55 U.S. licensing jurisdictions rather than by one federal CPA licensing office.
CPA Exam completion
Shows that the candidate has satisfied the examination requirement or examination portion of the licensing process.
CPA license
Shows that a Board of Accountancy has issued the professional credential after the jurisdiction’s applicable licensing requirements have been satisfied.
For hiring or regulated professional services, verify the actual board-issued license rather than relying on an exam result, candidate profile, course certificate, or résumé statement.
No CPA License Found? Troubleshoot in This Order
A no-result search is a reason to investigate further. It is not automatic proof that someone falsely claimed a CPA credential.
| Problem | Possible reason | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| No result by name | Spelling, legal-name change, or overly narrow search criteria. | Try the exact legal name, a relevant former name, and fewer optional filters. |
| Several similar names | Common name or multiple licensees. | Ask for the CPA license number and issuing jurisdiction. |
| No CPAverify result | Wrong jurisdiction, data timing, or a nonparticipating jurisdiction. | Search the issuing Board of Accountancy directly. |
| Hawaii CPA | Hawaii data is not currently included in CPAverify. | Use Hawaii MyPVL Public License Search. |
| New Mexico CPA | New Mexico data is not currently included in CPAverify. | Use New Mexico’s public licensing system. |
| No license in the client’s state | The CPA may be relying on mobility or practice privilege. | Verify the home-state license and check the target state’s current mobility rules. |
| Only a tax-preparer listing appears | The person may have a PTIN or another tax credential but not a CPA license. | Verify every claimed credential separately. |
| Firm name not found | You searched an individual database or used a trade name instead of the regulated legal name. | Use the board’s firm lookup and verify the firm’s legal name. |
A useful question to ask
Ask the professional: “Which state or jurisdiction issued your CPA license, and what is your current license number?” Those two pieces of information usually make a public verification much faster and reduce mistaken matches.
Before Hiring a CPA: Credential Verification Checklist
License status is important, but it is only one part of selecting an accountant for tax, audit, advisory, forensic, or general accounting work.
Verify these credential details
- Exact legal name.
- CPA license number.
- Issuing state or jurisdiction.
- Current license or registration status.
- Expiration or renewal information.
- Public discipline or restrictions.
- Accounting-firm license or registration when relevant.
- Mobility or practice privilege when work crosses state lines.
Do not rely only on these items
- A business card with “CPA” after the person’s name.
- A LinkedIn or other social-media profile.
- A firm’s staff biography.
- An old wall certificate or photograph.
- An IRS tax-preparer directory result.
- CPA Exam completion.
- A personal recommendation without current verification.
- A firm license when you specifically need the individual CPA’s status.
Then evaluate professional fit
A current CPA license does not show whether the professional regularly handles your industry, audit type, tax issue, business structure, international reporting problem, IRS controversy, or forensic matter. After verifying the credential, ask about relevant experience, engagement scope, fees, communication, conflicts, deadlines, and who will actually perform the work.
Use Official CPA Lookup Sources and Protect Your Information
An ordinary CPA license check should not require you to give a private directory sensitive tax, financial, or identity information.
Start with a known regulator route
Use CPAverify or NASBA’s Board of Accountancy directory when you do not know the correct state licensing website.
Do not confuse a private directory with a regulator
A private professional directory may help you discover a name or business, but the final license decision should be based on the applicable licensing authority’s record.
Do not submit unnecessary sensitive data
Name, license number, and jurisdiction are usually enough for a public license search. Do not upload tax returns, Social Security numbers, banking records, passwords, or identity documents to an unofficial license-lookup page.
Official CPA License Lookup Resources
Use these sources for the final verification step. The national search is useful for broad discovery, while state regulators control jurisdiction-specific licensing and enforcement records.
NASBA CPAverify
Free national public CPA and accounting-firm license search using data supplied by participating Boards of Accountancy.
NASBA Boards of Accountancy Directory
Find board websites, contact information, and regulatory resources for all 55 U.S. accountancy licensing jurisdictions.
CPA Mobility
Check state-by-state interstate practice and mobility guidance before assuming a CPA needs a separate license in the client’s state.
CPAverify Support
NASBA lists CPAverify support at 855-837-4392 and cpaverify@nasba.org for questions concerning the CPAverify website.
California Board of Accountancy
Verify California CPA and accounting-firm records and review available disciplinary or license-restriction information.
Texas State Board of Public Accountancy
Search Texas individual CPA records or use the separate licensed-firm lookup.
New York Office of the Professions
Verify New York professional licensure and registration information.
Florida DBPR
Search Florida regulated professional-license records using name, license number, location, or license type.
Hawaii MyPVL
Use Hawaii’s state public-license search for current Hawaii CPA records because Hawaii data is not currently included in CPAverify.
New Mexico Public License Search
Use New Mexico’s state licensing system for current New Mexico CPA verification because New Mexico data is not currently included in CPAverify.
IRS Tax Professional Credential Guide
Use this resource when you also need to distinguish CPA, enrolled-agent, attorney, PTIN, and federal tax-preparer qualifications.
CPA License Lookup FAQs
How do I look up a CPA license?
Start with CPAverify for a national search, then confirm the record with the Board of Accountancy for the jurisdiction that issued the license when the decision is important. Search by license number when available and check the exact name, license status, expiration or registration information, and any public discipline.
Is CPAverify an official CPA license lookup?
CPAverify is hosted by NASBA and is populated with official public licensing data sent by participating Boards of Accountancy. NASBA currently reports 53 participating jurisdictions. For a time-sensitive, disputed, or formal verification, also check the issuing board’s own record.
Can I search for a CPA by license number?
Yes. A license number is usually the cleanest search key because it reduces errors from common names, name changes, and similar records. If you only have a name, compare the jurisdiction and other record details before assuming you found the correct CPA.
What should I do if a CPA does not appear in the search?
Check the spelling, try the current legal name, confirm the issuing jurisdiction, and ask for the license number. Search the state board directly if CPAverify has no result. Hawaii and New Mexico should be checked through their own public licensing systems because they are not currently among CPAverify’s participating jurisdictions.
Does an active CPA license mean the CPA has no disciplinary history?
No. License status and disciplinary history are separate checks. Review any enforcement or discipline marker, open the state-board information when available, and read the dates and terms before deciding what the action means.
Is passing the CPA Exam the same as having a CPA license?
No. Passing the Uniform CPA Examination does not by itself create a CPA license. Licensure is issued by a state or territorial Board of Accountancy after the jurisdiction’s applicable licensing requirements are satisfied.
Can a CPA practice in a state where they do not hold a separate license?
Sometimes. State mobility or practice-privilege laws may allow an eligible CPA licensed in another jurisdiction to practice without obtaining a separate local license. Verify the home-state license and check the target state’s current rules before concluding that a missing local license means unauthorized practice.
Is a CPA the same as an accountant or tax preparer?
No. CPA is a state-issued professional credential, while accountant is a broader occupational description. Federal tax preparers can also hold PTINs or other tax credentials that are separate from CPA licensure. Verify the credential the person actually claims.
Can I verify a CPA firm as well as an individual CPA?
Yes. CPAverify includes accounting-firm information from participating jurisdictions, although firm data availability can vary, and many state boards also maintain separate firm searches. When the engagement is with a firm, verify the firm record when applicable instead of relying only on one employee’s individual CPA license.
Is an online CPA lookup the same as an official verification letter?
No. A public online lookup is generally used for quick status checking. A receiving board, court, employer, or other organization may require formal license verification, certification, or license history issued by the licensing authority. Those requests can have separate procedures, fees, and processing times.
Verify the License, the Jurisdiction, and the Current Status
A reliable CPA license lookup starts with the issuing jurisdiction. Search CPAverify or the official Board of Accountancy, match the exact professional, check current status and date information, and review public discipline instead of relying on a résumé, old certificate, business card, or private profile.
If the CPA works across state lines, verify the home-state license and then check current mobility rules. If the person is an accountant, enrolled agent, or tax preparer rather than a CPA, verify the credential that person actually claims. For formal proof, use the issuing board’s required verification process rather than assuming a public-search screenshot will be accepted.
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