Section 1420.80  Renewals

a)         Every license issued under the Act shall expire on September 30 every three years.  The holder of a license may renew the license during the 2 months preceding the expiration date thereof by paying the required fee.  Licensed certified public accountants shall complete 120 hours of CPE in accordance with Section 1420.70 of this Part.  Of the 120 hours, not less than 4 hours shall be courses covering the subject of professional ethics.  A registered certified public accountant is exempt from CPE requirements.

b)         Every license for a firm shall expire on November 30 every 3 years. Firms may renew their license during the 2 months preceding the expiration date thereof by submitting the required fee, notification of any change in members residing in Illinois and verification that the firm continues to meet the qualifications set forth in Section 14 of the Act.

c)         A licensed certified public accountant is exempt from CPE requirements for the first renewal.

d)         It is the responsibility of each licensee to notify the Division of any change of address. Failure to receive a renewal form from the Division shall not constitute an excuse for failure to renew.

e)         A licensee may file an application for renewal without having fully complied with the continuing education requirements by requesting a waiver of such requirements.  The request shall include an affidavit setting forth the facts upon which the request for waiver is based.  If the Division finds from the affidavit or any other evidence submitted that good cause has been shown for non-compliance, the Division shall waive enforcement, extend the time within which the applicant shall comply, or establish a particular program or schedule of continuing education for the renewal period for which the applicant has applied.  At that time, the renewal applicant will be requested to submit the required renewal fee.  Good cause shall be defined as an inability to devote sufficient hours to fulfilling the CPE course requirements during the applicable period because of:

1)         Full-time service in the armed forces of the United States of America during a substantial part of such period; or

2)         Extreme hardship, which shall be determined on an individual basis by the Committee and shall be limited to documentation of:

A)        An incapacitating illness,

B)        A physical inability to travel to the sites of approved programs, or

C)        Any other similar extenuating circumstances.

f)          An interview before the Committee with respect to a request for waiver or other action shall be granted if the interview is requested at the time the request for waiver is filed with the Division.  The renewal applicant requesting waiver shall be given at least 20 days' written notice of the date, time and place of the interview, by certified mail, return receipt requested.

g)         A renewal applicant who fails to include evidence of completion of the requisite number of CPE course hours shall be referred to the Committee for recommendation for further action by the Division.

h)         No carry over of continuing education hours is allowed from one prerenewal period to another.

(Source:  Amended at 29 Ill. Reg. 9853, effective August 1, 2005)