Letter to VBOA on Proposed Amendments to Education, Experience and Substantial Equivalency
June 19, 2025
June 19, 2025
Wendy Lewis, CPA
Chair, Virginia Board of Accountancy
9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 402
Richmond, VA 23233
RE: Emergency Regulations to Amend Education, Experience and Substantial Equivalency Requirements
On behalf of the nearly 12,000 members of the Virginia Society of CPAs (VSCPA), the VSCPA Executive Committee (Committee) appreciates the opportunity to provide comments on the Virginia Board of Accountancy’s (VBOA) proposed emergency regulations to amend the education, experience and substantial equivalency requirements under §18VAC 5-22 of the Virginia Administrative Code.
The VSCPA has carefully reviewed the proposal and fully supports it as submitted. The changes reflect updates made to the accountancy statutes through legislation passed by the Virginia General Assembly approved by Gov. Glen Youngkin during 2025. Statute changes affecting practice privileges for out-of-state CPAs take effect July 1, 2025, and changes affecting education and experience requirements for CPA licensure take effect Jan. 1, 2026. Therefore, it is critical for these proposed changes to the regulations to be approved and allowed to take effect on an emergency basis in order to best serve current and future licensees.
We appreciate the opportunity to comment and remain committed to working alongside VBOA and other stakeholders in shaping the future of CPA licensure. Please feel free to contact me or VSCPA Vice President, Advocacy & Pipeline Emily Walker, CAE, at (804) 612-9428 or ewalker@vscpa.com if we can be of further assistance.
Sincerely,
Stephanie R. Peters, CAE
President & CEO
Virginia Society of CPAs