Rule 61H1-30.060. Retired License

(1) A retired CPA is defined as a CPA who holds a retired license, as approved by the Department. To apply for a retired license, the licensee shall submit to the Department an Application for Retired Status (DBPR CPA 16, effective July 2024), which is incorporated by reference in Rule 61-35.003, F.A.C.

(2) A licensee, age 65 years of age or older, is eligible to request a licensure change to retired status if the license is:

(a) Current and active as defined in Rule 61H1-30.010, F.A.C. or current and inactive as defined in Rule 61H1-30.040, F.A.C.; and

(b) Not the subject of any sanction or disciplinary action by any jurisdiction, or otherwise under investigation by the Department.

(3) Pursuant to section 473.313(2), F.S., a retired CPA may:

(a) Use the title of “retired CPA” on any business card or letterhead or any other printed or electronic document.

(b) Serve without compensation on a board of directors or board of trustees.

(c) Provide volunteer tax preparation services.

(d) Participate in a government-sponsored business mentoring program such as the Internal Revenue Service's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program or the Small Business Administration's SCORE program.

(e) Participate in an advisory role for a similar charitable, civic, or other non-profit organization.

(f) Accept routine reimbursement for actual costs of travel and meals associated with volunteer services.

(4) Pursuant to section 473.313(2), F.S., a retired CPA is prohibited from the following actions:

(a) Any activity defined in section 473.302(8), F.S. that is not permitted in section 473.313(2)(a), F.S.

(b) Reentering the workforce in a position that has an association with accounting or any of the services described in section 473.302(8), F.S.

(c) Offering or rendering professional services that require the licensee’s signature and the use of the CPA title.

(5) A retired CPA who engages in activity not specified in subsection (3) or who violates any section of subsection (4) of this rule will be subject to discipline as prescribed in Rule 61H1-36.004, F.A.C.

(6) During the period for which the licensee holds a retired license, the retired CPA is neither required to renew the license nor maintain the continuing professional education (CPE) requirements set forth in section 473.312, F.S.

(7) A retired licensee may apply to reactivate the retired license to a current active license. The licensee does not have the option to reactivate the license to any other status or by any other means than as set forth in this paragraph. To reactivate, the retired licensee shall:

(a) Submit to the Department a CPA Retired Status Reactivation Application (DBPR CPA 17, effective July 2024), incorporated by reference in Rule 61-35.003, F.A.C., and the applicable reactivation fee as stated on the application.

(b) Prior to the reactivation being effective, the retired CPA shall complete continuing professional education pursuant to the requirements set forth below:

1. A minimum of 120 hours of CPE for each biennium, or part thereof, from the effective date of the retired status until the Department’s receipt of a CPA Retired Status Reactivation Application.

2. Each group of 120 hours of CPE must include at least thirty (30) hours of accounting and auditing (A&A), and eight (8) hours of Florida Board approved ethics. A licensee may not submit more than 20 behavioral subject hours for each group of 120 hours of CPE.

3. All CPE hours shall be completed, either 24 months prior to the reactivation application date or 12 months after the application date. Continuing professional education shall be reported to the Department using the CPE Reporting Form (DBPR CPA 41), incorporated by reference in Rule 61-35.003, F.A.C. Licensees who fail to complete and report their CPE within this designated period shall be required to resubmit a reactivation application. Their required CPE hours will be recalculated based on the resubmission date of the application. Rulemaking Authority 473.313(2) FS. Law Implemented 473.313(2) FS. History–New 4-16-25.