License verification
CPA License Lookup
Verify any U.S. CPA in two minutes — for free.
Every state board of accountancy publishes a free license lookup, and NASBA's CPAverify covers most of them in one search. This guide walks you through verifying any CPA in the country, reading the license status, and spotting warning signs before you sign an engagement letter.
5-step verification
How to verify a CPA license
The process is the same in every state: identify the CPA, find the issuing board, search the official portal, confirm the status, and check for discipline.
- 1
Get the CPA's full name and license number
Ask for the CPA's legal name as it appears on their license plus the license number and issuing state. A licensed CPA will share both without hesitation — anyone who won't is a red flag on its own.
- 2
Pick the right state board
CPAs are licensed by state, not federally. Verify with the board that issued the license. If the CPA practices across state lines under mobility, the issuing state is what matters for status — but check the practicing state too.
- 3
Search NASBA CPAverify or the state board portal
NASBA's CPAverify aggregates roughly 47 state boards in one free search. For states not in CPAverify (or for the cleanest record), go directly to the state board's license lookup page.
- 4
Confirm status, expiration, and license type
Look for an Active status with a current expiration date. Note whether the license is Active, Inactive, Retired, Lapsed, Suspended, or Revoked — only Active CPAs can sign attest work and represent you in audits.
- 5
Check discipline history and complaints
Most boards publish enforcement actions and consent orders. Search the CPA's name on the board's enforcement page. Recent suspensions, fraud findings, or unresolved consent orders are deal-breakers.
Official sources
State board lookups
CPAs are licensed by state. NASBA's free CPAverify aggregates roughly 47 jurisdictions in one search; for the rest, or for the most complete record, go straight to the state board.
NASBA CPAverify — multi-state lookupReading the result
What each license status means
Status labels are similar across state boards. Here's the plain-English version — and whether each one is safe to hire.
| Status | What it means | Safe to hire? | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active | License is current and in good standing. | Safe to hire | Can sign tax returns, audits, and reviews. |
| Inactive | Voluntarily placed on hold; CPE not required. | Caution | Cannot use the CPA title in practice or sign attest work. |
| Retired | CPA has retired the license, often after 55+. | Caution | Cannot offer paid CPA services; fine for informal mentoring. |
| Expired / Lapsed | License period ended and was not renewed on time. | Do not hire | Not authorized to practice until reinstated. |
| Probation | Active but under board supervision after a violation. | Caution | Read the consent order before hiring — terms vary widely. |
| Suspended | License paused by the board for cause. | Do not hire | Cannot legally practice as a CPA during suspension. |
| Revoked | License terminated by the board. | Do not hire | Do not hire. Revocations follow serious findings. |
| Surrendered | License voluntarily given up, often in lieu of discipline. | Do not hire | Treat the same as revoked for hiring purposes. |
Who does what
CPA vs EA vs tax preparer vs bookkeeper
"Accountant" is unregulated. These four titles cover the people most likely to touch your books or taxes — and only two of them can represent you before the IRS without restriction.
| Attribute | CPA | Enrolled Agent | Tax preparer (PTIN) | Bookkeeper |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regulated by | State board of accountancy | U.S. Treasury / IRS | IRS (PTIN only) | Not licensed; optional certifications |
| Exam | Uniform CPA Exam (4 sections) | Special Enrollment Exam (3 parts) | None required for PTIN | None (QBO/Xero certs optional) |
| Education | 150 college credits, typically a master's | No degree required | No degree required | No degree required |
| Can represent you in an IRS audit | Yes — unlimited representation | Yes — unlimited representation | Limited (only returns they prepared, if AFSP) | No |
| Can sign audited or reviewed financial statements | Yes | No | No | No |
| Typical work | Tax, audit, advisory, attest, complex planning | Tax prep, IRS representation, planning | Seasonal return prep | Day-to-day books, AR/AP, reconciliations |
| Hire when… | You need audited financials, complex tax, or strategic advisory. | You need affordable tax expertise and IRS representation. | Your return is simple and your budget is tight. | You need clean monthly books your CPA can build on. |
Hire-or-walk checklist
Warning signs before you hire
Any one of these is enough to walk away. The IRS publishes most of them as "ghost preparer" or fraud indicators every filing season.
Won't share a license number
A practicing CPA's license number is public information. Refusal almost always means the title is unearned or the license is not in good standing.
No PTIN on the return
Anyone paid to prepare a federal tax return must sign it and include their PTIN. An unsigned return — or 'self-prepared' on a return you didn't prepare — is an IRS-defined red flag.
Fee is a percentage of your refund
The IRS and every state board prohibit contingent fees on original tax returns. A percentage-of-refund pitch signals an unlicensed or unethical preparer.
Guarantees a specific refund before seeing your documents
No legitimate CPA promises a refund amount sight unseen. Guarantees are a hallmark of fraud and identity-theft schemes.
Asks you to sign a blank or incomplete return
You should review the completed return — including the preparer signature, PTIN, and firm EIN — before signing. Never sign a blank 8879 or paper return.
Routes your refund to their account
Refunds belong in your bank account or a check made out to you. Preparer-controlled refund accounts are a common fraud pattern.
No verifiable physical address or firm name
A real CPA practice has a registered firm name, a physical address, and (usually) firm registration with the state board.
Recent discipline or unresolved consent order
Suspensions, revocations, and open complaints on the board's enforcement page are public for a reason. Read them before signing an engagement letter.
Skip the guesswork
Every CPA in our directory is license-verified.
CPAZenith confirms an active license with the issuing state board for every firm we list. Search by city, state, or specialty to find one that fits.
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Verify a CPA Before You Hire
A two-minute license check can save you from a five-figure mistake.
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North Carolina CPA License Lookup
Search the NC State Board of CPA Examiners in seconds.
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Alabama CPA License Lookup
Search the Alabama State Board of Public Accountancy in seconds.
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Alaska CPA License Lookup
Verify any AK CPA's license in under two minutes — for free.
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Arizona CPA License Lookup
Verify any AZ CPA's license in under two minutes — for free.
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Arkansas CPA License Lookup
Verify any AR CPA's license in under two minutes — for free.
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Colorado CPA License Lookup
Verify any CO CPA's license in under two minutes — for free.
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Connecticut CPA License Lookup
Verify any CT CPA's license in under two minutes — for free.
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Delaware CPA License Lookup
Verify any DE CPA's license in under two minutes — for free.
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District of Columbia CPA License Lookup
Verify any DC CPA's license in under two minutes — for free.
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Florida CPA License Lookup
Verify any FL CPA's license in under two minutes — for free.
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Georgia CPA License Lookup
Verify any GA CPA's license in under two minutes — for free.
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Hawaii CPA License Lookup
Verify any HI CPA's license in under two minutes — for free.
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Idaho CPA License Lookup
Verify any ID CPA's license in under two minutes — for free.
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Illinois CPA License Lookup
Verify any IL CPA's license in under two minutes — for free.
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Indiana CPA License Lookup
Verify any IN CPA's license in under two minutes — for free.
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Iowa CPA License Lookup
Verify any IA CPA's license in under two minutes — for free.
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Kansas CPA License Lookup
Verify any KS CPA's license in under two minutes — for free.
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Kentucky CPA License Lookup
Verify any KY CPA's license in under two minutes — for free.
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Louisiana CPA License Lookup
Verify any LA CPA's license in under two minutes — for free.
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Maine CPA License Lookup
Verify any ME CPA's license in under two minutes — for free.
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Maryland CPA License Lookup
Verify any MD CPA's license in under two minutes — for free.
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Massachusetts CPA License Lookup
Verify any MA CPA's license in under two minutes — for free.
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Michigan CPA License Lookup
Verify any MI CPA's license in under two minutes — for free.
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Minnesota CPA License Lookup
Verify any MN CPA's license in under two minutes — for free.
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Mississippi CPA License Lookup
Verify any MS CPA's license in under two minutes — for free.
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Missouri CPA License Lookup
Verify any MO CPA's license in under two minutes — for free.
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Montana CPA License Lookup
Verify any MT CPA's license in under two minutes — for free.
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Nebraska CPA License Lookup
Verify any NE CPA's license in under two minutes — for free.
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Nevada CPA License Lookup
Verify any NV CPA's license in under two minutes — for free.
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New Hampshire CPA License Lookup
Verify any NH CPA's license in under two minutes — for free.
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New Jersey CPA License Lookup
Verify any NJ CPA's license in under two minutes — for free.
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New Mexico CPA License Lookup
Verify any NM CPA's license in under two minutes — for free.
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New York CPA License Lookup
Verify any NY CPA's license in under two minutes — for free.
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North Dakota CPA License Lookup
Verify any ND CPA's license in under two minutes — for free.
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Ohio CPA License Lookup
Verify any OH CPA's license in under two minutes — for free.
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Oklahoma CPA License Lookup
Verify any OK CPA's license in under two minutes — for free.
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Oregon CPA License Lookup
Verify any OR CPA's license in under two minutes — for free.
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Pennsylvania CPA License Lookup
Verify any PA CPA's license in under two minutes — for free.
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Rhode Island CPA License Lookup
Verify any RI CPA's license in under two minutes — for free.
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South Carolina CPA License Lookup
Verify any SC CPA's license in under two minutes — for free.
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South Dakota CPA License Lookup
Verify any SD CPA's license in under two minutes — for free.
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Tennessee CPA License Lookup
Verify any TN CPA's license in under two minutes — for free.
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Texas CPA License Lookup
Verify any TX CPA's license in under two minutes — for free.
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Utah CPA License Lookup
Verify any UT CPA's license in under two minutes — for free.
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Vermont CPA License Lookup
Verify any VT CPA's license in under two minutes — for free.
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Virginia CPA License Lookup
Verify any VA CPA's license in under two minutes — for free.
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Washington CPA License Lookup
Verify any WA CPA's license in under two minutes — for free.
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West Virginia CPA License Lookup
Verify any WV CPA's license in under two minutes — for free.
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Wisconsin CPA License Lookup
Verify any WI CPA's license in under two minutes — for free.
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Wyoming CPA License Lookup
Verify any WY CPA's license in under two minutes — for free.
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is CPAverify the same as a state board lookup?+
CPAverify is a free NASBA-hosted aggregator that searches roughly 47 of 55 U.S. jurisdictions in one place. It's the fastest first stop, but a small number of boards aren't in the index — and the state board's own portal is always the authoritative source for status, expiration, and discipline.
What does it cost to verify a CPA license?+
Nothing. Every state board publishes a free license lookup, and NASBA's CPAverify is free as well. If a site charges a fee to confirm a CPA's status, it's not the board — it's a third party.
Can a CPA practice in a state where they aren't licensed?+
Yes — under CPA mobility, a CPA in good standing in one state can serve clients in most other states without a second license, as long as they hold a substantially equivalent license. Attest work (audits, reviews) often still requires firm registration in the client's state.
What's the difference between a CPA license and a PTIN?+
A PTIN (Preparer Tax Identification Number) is required for anyone paid to prepare federal tax returns. It is not a license — it's a registration. A CPA license requires a degree, passing the CPA Exam, and 1–2 years of supervised experience, plus annual CPE.
What should I do if a CPA's license is Inactive or Expired?+
Do not engage them for new tax, attest, or advisory work. Inactive CPAs cannot legally use the CPA title in practice. Expired or lapsed licenses must be reinstated by the board before the CPA can take on paid client work.
How do I report a CPA for misconduct?+
File a complaint with the state board that issued the license. Most boards accept complaints online and review every submission. For tax-specific fraud, also file IRS Form 14157 (Complaint: Tax Return Preparer).
Advisor-grade guides
Downloadable ebooks & templates
CPA-ready playbooks and templates you can use today — instant downloads, no signup required.
The Small Business Tax & Profit Playbook
A CPA-ready guide to deductions, quarterly taxes, S-Corp strategy, owner pay, cash flow, and year-round tax planning.
Business Tax Deduction Checklist
A CPA-curated checklist of 80+ business deductions most owners miss — organized by category so you can sweep it before filing.
The Definitive Bookkeeping Cleanup & Recovery Guide
The CPA's step-by-step playbook for diagnosing messy books, reconstructing missing history, and restoring a clean, audit-ready ledger.
The Freelancer Tax Guide
The practical tax playbook for freelancers, contractors, and solo creatives — deductions, quarterly estimates, and self-employment strategies.
The Year-End Tax Planning Guide
The CPA's December playbook — practical strategies to reduce your tax bill before the year closes.
The Premium Bookkeeping Template Pack
Automated dashboards, multi-account reconciliations, and CPA-ready reporting workbooks for serious owners and bookkeepers.
Tax & Bookkeeping Resource Library
Our complete advisor-grade collection — every premium asset an owner needs to run clean books, lower taxes, and recover messy ledgers, in one bundle.