Accountancy Board of Ohio
License verification guide · Last reviewed July 2026 · By the OhioLicenseCheck.com team
The Accountancy Board of Ohio licenses certified public accountants and registers public accounting firms. The CPA credential carries legal authority — audits and attestation work require it — and the title is protected by law.
License types under this board
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
- Public Accounting Firm
About this board
Only a licensed CPA may sign an audit opinion, and only a registered firm may hold itself out as a CPA firm in Ohio. Banks and investors who rely on audited or reviewed financial statements have a direct interest in the license behind the signature, and verifying it takes seconds compared to the cost of relying on a bogus attestation.
The "CPA" title itself is regulated: using it without an active Ohio permit — even by someone who once passed the exam — is a violation. That makes verification useful in hiring too, since resumes sometimes say CPA when the truthful phrase would be "passed the exam years ago".
Who verifies these licenses?
- •Lenders receiving audited or reviewed financial statements
- •Businesses engaging a new accounting firm
- •Employers confirming a candidate’s claimed CPA credential
- •Attorneys vetting expert witnesses on financial matters
Verification tips
- Verify both the individual CPA and the firm registration for attestation engagements.
- An "inactive" CPA registration means the person may not use the title in practice — status matters, not just presence in the system.
- Out-of-state CPAs may practice in Ohio under mobility rules, but firms performing attest work for Ohio clients have registration obligations.
Renewals and expiration
Ohio CPA permits renew on a multi-year cycle with continuing professional education (CPE) requirements, including ethics hours. Firms track every professional’s permit centrally; solo practitioners can put their own renewal on autopilot with an expiry alert.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a CPA and an accountant?
Anyone may do bookkeeping or prepare many tax returns, but audits, reviews, and use of the CPA title require an active license. Verification tells you which one you are dealing with.
My accountant passed the CPA exam — is that enough?
No. Passing the exam is one requirement; only a current Ohio permit authorizes practice and use of the title. The license record shows whether that permit is active.
Want to earn this license?
Our career guide: How to Become a CPA in Ohio covers the education path, exams, typical pay, and Ohio schools.
Verify a CPA license now
Search the official state record for any Accountancy Board of Ohio credential — status, expiration date, and disciplinary flags in seconds. Free for individual lookups.
Run a Free License CheckSources: license data is retrieved from the official State of Ohio eLicense system (elicense.ohio.gov) and board information is published by the board at acc.ohio.gov. Renewal rules and fees change; always confirm current requirements with the board. This guide is general information, not legal advice.