The Accountancy Licensing Library

Puerto Rico


Puerto Rico offers the following types of accounting licenses and privileges. Click on the tabs above to learn more about the requirements and procedures for each type of license.

Initial License


Initial License

Initial License. Applicants who have passed the Uniform CPA Examination in Puerto Rico and are not licensed to practice public accounting in any jurisdiction may apply for an Initial License in Puerto Rico.

Note: Applicants who have passed the Uniform CPA Examination in a jurisdiction other than Puerto Rico and are not licensed in any jurisdiction must submit official transcripts to the Puerto Rico Board and have the exam scores transferred as well. The Puerto Rico Board will review the case and determine whether the Applicant is eligible for a license in Puerto Rico or if he/she must obtain the license in the original jurisdiction first.

CPA licensing services for Puerto Rico are provided by NASBA. Please visit the CPA Licensing section of NASBA's website for full details about applying for an initial CPA license in Puerto Rico. Effective January 1, 2014, NASBA will no longer accept paper applications. All applications for license and/or renewal must be submitted through the NASBA Online Licensing Application System.

Click Initial Licensure in the menu bar at the top of this page for additional information

Reciprocal License


Reciprocal License

Reciprocal License. An Applicant having a valid unrevoked license to practice as a CPA from any jurisdiction and planning to relocate or temporarily practice in Puerto Rico must apply for a Reciprocal License.

CPA licensing services for Puerto Rico are provided by NASBA. Please visit the CPA Licensing section of NASBA's website for full details about applying for a reciprocal CPA license in Puerto Rico. Effective January 1, 2014, NASBA will no longer accept paper applications. All applications for license and/or renewal must be submitted through the NASBA Online Licensing Application System.

Click Reciprocal Licensure in the menu bar at the top of this page for additional information

Practice Privilege


Practice Privilege / Mobility / Interstate Practice

Practice Privilege.

Effective August 28, 2014: An individual whose principal place of business is not in Puerto Rico shall have all the privileges of a Puerto Rico CPA without the need to obtain a reciprocal Puerto Rico CPA license or file notice, if the individual:

  • Holds a valid license as a CPA issued by another state that NASBA's National Qualification Appraisal Service (NQAS) has verified to be substantially equivalent to the CPA licensure requirements of the Uniform Accountancy Act (UAA); OR
  • Holds a valid license as a CPA issued by another state and obtains from the NQAS a CredentialNet Substantial Equivalency Evaluation Report verifying that the individual's CPA qualifications are substantially equivalent to the CPA licensure requirements of the UAA.
  • Please Note: An individual who has passed the Uniform CPA Examination and holds a valid license issued by any other state prior to January 1, 2012, shall be exempt from the education requirements of Section 774(e) for purposes of Section 775(a)(2).

    The performance of attest services or the issuance of reports requiring the attachment of a stamp may require individual reciprocal licensing and society membership. Please contact the Puerto Rico Board directly for further clarification on requirements specific to your activities.

    Consent to Jurisdiction

    An individual licensee of another state who is exercising this privilege and the CPA firm that employs such individual, if any, as a condition of the grant of this privilege, hereby simultaneously consents:

  • To the personal and subject matter jurisdiction and disciplinary authority of the Board;
  • To comply with the Puerto Rico law and rules;
  • That in the event that the license from the state of the individual's principal place of business is no longer valid, the individual shall cease offering or rendering accounting activities individually or on behalf of a CPA firm; and
  • To the appointment of the state board that issued the individual's or the CPA firm's license as the agent upon which process may be served in any action or proceeding by the Board against the individual.

  • Firm Registration Requirements May Apply

    An individual licensee who qualifies for practice privileges who, for any entity with its home office in Puerto Rico, performs (1) an audit or other engagement to be performed in accordance with SAS; (2) any review of a financial statement or compilation to be performed in accordance SSARS; (3) any engagement to be performed in accordance with SSAE; or (4) any engagement to be performed in accordance with PCAOB standards may only do so through a firm having a firm permit issued under Section 776 or 778 unless the individual is a sole practitioner in the state in which they have their principal place of business.

    For mobility purposes, "CPA license" means a CPA license granted by the state board after all education, exam and experience requirements have been met. A CPA performing services through mobility may only perform the same level of services (attest or non-attest) in the mobility jurisdiction as he or she is permitted to perform in the home jurisdiction. Please note the following if you are coming from one (1) of the jurisdictions listed:

  • An Alabama certificate holder may not hold out or practice as a CPA in a mobility jurisdiction.
  • A Connecticut certificate holder may not hold out or practice as a CPA in a mobility jurisdiction.
  • An Illinois certificate or registered certificate holder may not hold out or practice as a CPA in a mobility jurisdiction.
  • Both a Hawaii CPA license and permit are required in order to hold out or practice as a CPA in a mobility jurisdiction.
  • A Kansas certificate holder may not hold out or practice as a CPA in a mobility jurisdiction.
  • Both a Nebraska CPA certificate and permit are required in order to hold out or practice as a CPA in a mobility jurisdiction.
  • An Oklahoma registrant must hold an active permit In order to hold out or practice as a CPA in a mobility jurisdiction.
  • Click Practice Privilege in the menu bar at the top of this page for additional information.

    Firm License


    Firm Registration

    Firm License. Any partnership, company, organization, association, enterprise or other commercial, business or professional combination authorized by law to engage in the practice of public accountancy in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico must apply for a license with the Puerto Rico Board.

    CPA licensing services for Puerto Rico are provided by NASBA. Please visit the CPA Licensing section of NASBA's website for full details about registering a CPA firm in Puerto Rico.

    Click Firm Registration in the menu bar at the top of this page for additional information

    Relinquish a License


    Relinquish a License

    License Relinquishment: Any individual CPA licensed in Puerto Rico who no longer wishes to hold said license/permit to practice may voluntarily relinquish their CPA license to the Puerto Rico Board.

    Click Relinquish a License in the menu bar at the top of this page for additional information.