Do You Know?... License Renewal & Reporting Changes for 2013

Changes are coming to the processes through which CPAs comply with the continuing professional education (CPE) requirements for license renewal in Michigan as well as the timing of license renewal. The State of Michigan is making these changes in an effort to streamline government processes in the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA).

LARA’s goal is to create a single time period in which the State and the licensee communicate regarding licensure. Previously, Michigan used a 2-step method whereby a CPA reported CPE in July and renews his/her license in December.

Going forward both CPE reporting and license renewal, must be completed by a July 31st deadline.

• Reporting and Payment Deadline - Important Changes
• 50% Self Study Restrictions
• CPE Carry-Over Hours - Important Changes
• CPE Audit Guideline
  
• CPE Requirements for Certification
  

It is important to note that the deadline for taking CPE (i.e. completing the coursework required to comply with the law) is not changing. The next deadline for completion of coursework is June 30, 2013. The period for reporting CPE and renewing a CPA license will both now occur in July, with a deadline of July 31st. At this time CPAs will be required to report the number of CPE credit hours obtained for each required area, as well as listing of course sponsors and course titles from which the licensee received the credit. Reporting of course titles on the front-end will reduce the number of audits conducted following reporting. Lastly, the CPA license renewal fee paid by July 31st will be for the license taking effect January 1, 2014 (5 months later).

*Please Note* - No more than 20 hours self study annually, or 40 hours per reporting period, can be counted toward fulfilling the 80 hour requirement. Some national providers are unknowingly offering 100% webinar-based, self-study CPE to Michigan CPAs. Such offers overlook Michigan law and put the licensee at risk of receiving penalty CPE hours before a license can be renewed. For further information, visit LARA's website.

 
Let the MACPA CPE Tracker do most of the work for you! The MACPA is preparing a new format that uses the information in your CPE Tracker to print a full report, including course titles and all other required information. You will then be able to print this report and submit it to the state with your renewal information. This will help avoid the need to write out a long list of CPE course titles and other details. This one click report will be ready in time for this renewal/reporting season. *For more information on how the MACPA Tracker updates CPE hours click here.

Click here for a printable quick reference slip that can be used for easy distribution of this information.

Q. How will CPE carry over hours be tracked?
A. The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs is no longer tracking carry over hours for licensees. As has always been legally required, the licensee is responsible for accurate record keeping of all CPE credit as noted in the administrative rule below.

R 338.5260 Evidence of completion of continuing education requirements.
Rule 260. A licensure applicant or licensee is solely responsible for documenting the evidence to 
support the fulfillment of the requirements under this part.

Q. How might my CPE be audited?
A. Audits are performed by mail. You will receive a letter asking for proof that you fulfilled the correct CPE credits. Shortfalls can affect licensure status up to and including revocation. Again, remember the MACPA CPE Tracker was designed to make tracking CPE easy for you. Your MACPA CPE credits are automatically recorded there.

Q. Can the MACPA CPE Tracker track CPE I’ve taken from other providers?
A. Yes, the CPE Tracker allows members to manually add CPE taken elsewhere. Naturally the accuracy of that information is the responsibility of the MACPA member.