Licensure of firms or public accounting firms.

(1) The following must hold a license issued under this section:

(a) Any firm with an office in this state which performs services as defined in s. 473.302(8)(a);

(b) Any firm with an office in this state which uses the title “CPA,” “CPA firm,” or any other title, designation, words, letters, abbreviations, or device tending to indicate that it is a CPA firm. The board shall define by rule what constitutes a CPA firm; or

(c)1. Any firm that does not have an office in this state but performs the services described in s. 473.3141(4) for a client having its home office in this state, unless it:

a. Complies with the qualifications described in s. 473.309.

b. Is enrolled in a peer review program pursuant to s. 473.3125(4).

c. Performs services through an individual with practice privileges under s. 473.3141.

d. Lawfully performs services in a state where an individual with practice privileges granted under s. 473.3141 has his or her principal place of business.

2. The board shall define by rule what constitutes an office.

(2) An applicant for licensure under this section must file an application for licensure with the department and supply the information that the board requires. An application must be made upon the affidavit of a sole proprietor, general partner, shareholder, or member who is a certified public accountant.

(3) A firm that is not subject to the requirements of paragraph (1)(c) may perform other professional services while using the title “CPA,” “CPA firm,” or any other title, designation, words, letters, abbreviations, or device tending to indicate that the firm practices public accounting in this state without a license issued under this section only if:

(a) It performs such services through an individual with practice privileges granted under s. 473.3141; and

(b) It can lawfully do so in the state where the individual with practice privileges has his or her principal place of business.

(4) The board shall determine whether the firm or public accounting firm meets the requirements for practice and, pending that determination, may certify to the department the firm or public accounting firm for provisional licensure.

(5) Each license must be renewed every 2 years. Each firm or public accounting firm licensed under this section must notify the department within 1 month after any change in the information contained in the application on which its license is based.