473.308  Licensure.--

(1)  The department shall license any applicant who the board certifies is qualified to practice public accounting.

(2)  The board shall certify for licensure any applicant who successfully passes the licensure examination and satisfies the requirements of ss. 473.306 and 473.307 and shall certify for licensure any firm which satisfies the requirements of ss. 473.309 and 473.3101. The board may refuse to certify any applicant or firm that has violated any of the provisions of s. 473.322.

(3)  The board shall certify as qualified for a license by endorsement an applicant who:

(a)  Is not licensed and has not been licensed in another state or territory and who qualifies to take the examination as set forth in s. 473.306, who has passed a national, regional, state, or territorial licensing examination which is substantially equivalent to the examination required by s. 473.306, and who has satisfied the experience requirements set forth in s. 473.307; or

(b)

1.

a.  Holds a valid license to practice public accounting issued by another state or territory of the United States, if the criteria for issuance of such license were substantially equivalent to the licensure criteria which existed in this state at the time the license was issued; or

b.  Holds a valid license to practice public accounting issued by another state or territory of the United States but the criteria for issuance of such license did not meet the requirements of sub-subparagraph a., who qualifies to take the examination as set forth in s. 473.306, who has passed a national, regional, state, or territorial licensing examination which is substantially equivalent to the examination required by s. 473.306, and who has satisfied the experience requirements set forth in s. 473.307; and

2.  Has completed continuing education courses which are equivalent to the continuing education requirements for a licensee in this state during the 2 years immediately preceding her or his application for licensure by endorsement.

(4)  If application for licensure is made prior to August 1, 2000, and the applicant has 5 years of experience in the practice of public accountancy, either in the United States or as a licensed chartered accountant in Canada, the board shall waive the requirements of s. 473.306(2)(b)2. that are in excess of a baccalaureate degree. All experience that is used as a basis for waiving said requirements of s. 473.306(2)(b)2. must be experience outside this state. Furthermore, said experience must be after licensure as a certified public accountant by another state or territory of the United States. The board shall have the authority to establish the standards for experience that meet this requirement.

(5)  The board may refuse to certify for licensure any applicant who is under investigation in another state for any act which would constitute a violation of this act or chapter 455, until such time as the investigation is complete and disciplinary proceedings have been terminated.