Ohio’s newly enacted CPA licensure law is now in effect, offering both an alternative path to becoming a CPA and enhanced practice mobility for out-of-state CPAs, according to Accounting Today.

Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill 238 into law in January, and as of this month, CPAs licensed in other state can now practice in Ohio without obtaining a separate Ohio license—provided they adhere to Ohio’s standards. 

The Ohio Society of CPAs (OSCPA) emphasized this mobility provision as a major step forward. “Automatic interstate mobility essentially works like a driver’s license,” said OSCPA president and CEO Laura Hay in a statement. “A licensed CPA in good standing can now practice here but must adhere to our strict professional standards.” 

Ohio joins Alabama, Nebraska, North Carolina and Nevada in adopting this model, with about half of all U.S. jurisdictions indicating plans to follow suit. The move reflects growing recognition that CPA qualifications should be portable across state lines, especially amid a national CPA shortage and increasing demand for remote and cross-border work. 

Hay noted that the shift underscores the importance of individual credentials over geography. “The more states we have that accept this model, the more successful we will be in addressing the national CPA shortage,” she said. 

Organizations such as AICPA and National Association of State Boards of Accountancy are also supporting such reforms, which aim to reduce barriers and streamline entry into the profession for both new and experience accountants.