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Read. Follow. Verify.Missouri House Bill 1797 Updates Public Accounting Licensing, Firm Permits, and Disciplinary Rules
Last action · April 29, 2026: Placed on Informal CalendarSponsor: Mike McGirl
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What This Bill Would Do
Representative Mike McGirl introduced HB 1797 to revise Missouri statutes governing certified public accountants (CPAs) and accounting firms, updating examination and experience requirements, out-of-state practice privileges, and board disciplinary powers. The bill modifies definitions, establishes criminal penalties for unauthorized use of professional titles, and outlines continuing education and rules.
Changes credentialing paths, mobility privileges, firm ownership rules, and compliance standards for CPAs and public accounting firms operating in Missouri.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Certified public accountants
CPAs are subject to updated licensing, continuing education, practice privilege, and disciplinary provisions.
Certified public accounting firms
Accounting firms must comply with revised permit, ownership, and peer review requirements.
Missouri state board of accountancy
The board receives updated statutory authority for rulemaking, investigations, and disciplinary proceedings.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What educational qualifications are required to apply for the CPA examination under the bill?
Are out-of-state CPAs required to register or pay a fee to practice in Missouri?
What penalties apply for unauthorized use of CPA titles or issuing reports without a license?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently passed chamber. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Law.
Procedural history
28 actions- Apr 29, 2026HousePlaced on Informal Calendar
- Apr 16, 2026SenateCommitteeReported Do Pass (S)
- Apr 14, 2026SenateCommitteeVoted Do Pass (S)
- Apr 14, 2026SenateExecutive Session Held (S)
- Apr 14, 2026SenatePublic Hearing Held (S)
- Mar 30, 2026SenatePublic Hearing Scheduled (S)
Show 22 earlier actions
- Mar 23, 2026SenateCommitteeSecond read and referred: Emerging Issues and Professional Registration(S)
- Mar 9, 2026SenateReported to the Senate and First Read (S)
- Mar 5, 2026HouseFloorThird Read and Passed (H)
- Mar 5, 2026HouseTaken Up for Third Reading (H)
- Mar 5, 2026HousePlaced on the Informal Third Reading Calendar (H)
- Mar 3, 2026HousePerfected (H)
- Mar 3, 2026HouseHCS Adopted (H)
- Mar 3, 2026HouseTitle of Bill - Agreed To
- Mar 3, 2026HouseTaken Up for Perfection (H)
- Feb 25, 2026HousePlaced on the Informal Perfection Calendar (H)
- Feb 12, 2026HouseCommitteeReported Do Pass (H)
- Feb 12, 2026HouseCommitteeVoted Do Pass (H)
- Feb 12, 2026HouseExecutive Session Completed (H)
- Feb 5, 2026HouseCommitteeReferred: Rules - Administrative(H)
- Feb 4, 2026HouseCommitteeHCS Reported Do Pass (H)
- Feb 4, 2026HouseCommitteeHCS Voted Do Pass (H)
- Feb 4, 2026HouseExecutive Session Completed (H)
- Jan 28, 2026HousePublic Hearing Completed (H)
- Jan 22, 2026HouseCommitteeReferred: Professional Registration and Licensing(H)
- Jan 8, 2026HouseFloorRead Second Time (H)
- Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroducedRead First Time (H)
- Dec 1, 2025HouseIntroducedPrefiled (H)
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Modernization of CPA Examination and Licensing Standards
The legislation restructures education pathways, out-of-state mobility provisions, and peer review confidentiality rules for the accounting profession in Missouri.
Connected Entities
Sources
house.mo.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance65How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy15Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz20Current news / social attention level
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