IL HB2459

Amends the Illinois Public Accounting Act to create alternative pathways to CPA licensure effective January 1, 2027: applicants with a bachelor's degree in accounting need 2 years of experience, while those with a master's degree (or bachelor's plus 30 accounting hours) need only 1 year of experience

Reduces the educational requirement for CPA exam certification from 150 semester credit hours to 120 hours for applicants seeking licensure under the new pathways

Replaces the "substantial equivalency" standard with "enhanced mobility" for out-of-state CPAs practicing in Illinois, allowing reciprocity based on the Committee's equivalency determinations rather than requiring National Association of State Boards of Accountancy verification

Updates the definition of "CPA firm" to replace "limited liability company" with "professional limited liability company" and streamlines licensure by endorsement requirements for CPAs licensed in other states

Removes references to "written" applications and simplifies the experience requirements for endorsement applicants to match Section 14 standards rather than requiring a minimum of 4 years