To verify a California CPA or accounting firm, use the California CPA license lookup on the California Board of Accountancy’s website. The tool is free, updated in real time, and shows the license type, current status, expiration, and whether the licensee has any disciplinary history on file.1California Department of Consumer Affairs. CBA – License Lookup
Running the Search
The CBA’s License Lookup landing page splits into four searches: California-licensed CPAs, California accounting firms, out-of-state licensed CPAs, and out-of-state licensed accounting firms.1California Department of Consumer Affairs. CBA – License Lookup Pick the one that matches who you’re checking.
For a California-licensed CPA, search by name or license number. For an out-of-state CPA, the fields are last name, first name, middle name, and the issuing state.2California Department of Consumer Affairs. Out-Of-State Licensed CPA Search Firm searches use the firm name or permit number.
Results display the license type, license number, status, and a disciplinary flag. One catch: the record shows the name currently on file with the CBA, which may not match the name you know. If a name search returns nothing, try the license number. If you still can’t find the person, call the CBA at (916) 561-1705 before assuming they aren’t licensed.
Reading the License Status
The status field is what actually tells you whether the CPA can legally do the work you’re hiring them for.
- Clear. Current and valid. The licensee can practice through the expiration date.
- Clear, Probation. Current and able to practice, but under disciplinary conditions set by the CBA. Some conditions include a stayed portion of a suspension.
- Clear, Restricted. Current, but with permanent restrictions. A common one permanently bars the CPA from performing audits or reviews.
- Inactive. The license exists but the CPA cannot practice public accountancy. Inactive licensees are not required to complete continuing education.
- Retired. The licensee has retired and cannot practice.
- Suspended. Temporarily barred from practice for a period set by the CBA, usually through discipline.
- Revoked. The license has been permanently taken away.
The CBA publishes these definitions on its About Lookup page.3California Board of Accountancy. Consumers – About Lookup For practical purposes: only Clear, Clear-Probation, and Clear-Restricted allow the licensee to sign off on an audit, issue a certified financial statement, or perform other work that requires CPA licensure. If you see Probation or Restricted, read the specific conditions before engaging the CPA on sensitive work, because the restriction may cover exactly the service you need.
Looking Up the Underlying Discipline
The lookup shows whether disciplinary action exists, but not what happened. The details live on the CBA’s Public Enforcement Actions page, which posts the formal documents from disciplinary proceedings.4State of California. CBA – Public Enforcement Actions
You’ll find accusations (the document that opens a case), stipulated settlements (where the CPA agreed to terms), and final decisions after a hearing. These explain the conduct and the penalty. Grounds for discipline commonly include negligence, fraud, embezzlement, certain criminal convictions, and sanctions from federal regulators like the SEC or the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.5California Department of Consumer Affairs. California Accountancy Act – Sections 5000-5158
A “Clear, Probation” status can sit on top of a serious violation that the CPA negotiated their way through. For any high-stakes engagement, pull the underlying documents before you sign.
Out-of-State CPAs Practicing in California
Not every CPA doing work in California is licensed here. California allows out-of-state CPAs to practice under what’s called practice privilege, and the CBA’s lookup has separate search pages for out-of-state individuals and firms.
To qualify, an out-of-state CPA must hold a valid current license in their home state and meet at least one of three conditions: they’ve practiced as a licensed CPA for at least four of the last ten years, their home state’s licensing standards are substantially equivalent to California’s, or their individual qualifications meet that same bar.6Justia Law. California Business and Professions Code 5096-5096.11 If the home-state license lapses, the California practice privilege lapses with it.
The CBA has full disciplinary authority over out-of-state CPAs practicing here. A suspension or disciplinary flag on an out-of-state record should carry the same weight as one on a California record.
Checking Licenses in Other States
If you’re not sure which state issued a CPA’s license, or you want to check multiple states at once, NASBA’s CPAverify supplements the CBA’s tool. CPAverify pulls official licensing data directly from state boards and currently covers 53 jurisdictions, including California.7NASBA National Association of State Boards of Accountancy. All About CPAverify Select the jurisdiction and enter the CPA’s last name on the search page.8NASBA. CPAverify Public Search Results include status and enforcement flags.
For California-specific detail, the CBA’s own lookup is still the primary source.
If the Person Isn’t in the Database
If someone represents themselves as a CPA but no record turns up under either their name or a license number, treat that as a red flag. Practicing public accountancy in California without a permit is a misdemeanor under Business and Professions Code Section 5120, punishable by up to six months in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.5California Department of Consumer Affairs. California Accountancy Act – Sections 5000-5158 The prohibition covers using the CPA title, performing audit or review work, or otherwise holding oneself out as a licensed accountant without authorization.
One boundary worth knowing: bookkeeping, basic tax preparation, and general financial consulting do not require a CPA license in California, provided the person doesn’t claim the CPA title or perform attestation work.9California Legislative Information. California Business and Professions Code 5051 So a preparer who never called themselves a CPA and only did your tax return isn’t necessarily unlicensed; a preparer who claimed to be one and isn’t in the database is.
Filing a Complaint
If the lookup or the enforcement documents raise concerns, or you’ve had a bad experience with a licensee, you can file a complaint with the CBA’s Enforcement Division. The complaint form can be submitted online, printed and mailed, or requested by calling (916) 561-1705.10California Department of Consumer Affairs. CBA – Complain CPA Include the engagement letter, correspondence, and the work product at issue.
The CBA investigates professional conduct. It does not resolve fee disputes, award damages, or step into active litigation. Its remedies are reprimand, probation, suspension, and revocation. For money damages or contract disputes, you’ll need a different forum.
Because licenses can change status between renewal cycles and disciplinary proceedings move continuously, run the lookup close to when you actually plan to engage the CPA rather than relying on a search from months ago.