You're about to hand over your tax returns, your social security number, and basically your entire financial soul to someone. Naturally, you want to make sure they're actually a pro. If you're looking to verify CPA license Texas credentials, you aren't just being paranoid. You’re being smart.
Texas is huge. There are thousands of accountants roaming the state from El Paso to Beaumont. Most are great. Some? Not so much. Occasionally, people just lie. Or, more commonly, they let their license lapse because they forgot to pay a fee or didn't finish their Continuing Professional Education (CPE) hours. Either way, you don't want an "unlicensed" expert representing you when the IRS starts knocking.
The Reality of the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy (TSBPA)
The TSBPA is the gatekeeper. They aren't exactly known for having a flashy, Silicon Valley-style website, but it gets the job done. This is the only place where the data is 100% "source of truth" material.
When you go to verify CPA license Texas records, you’re hitting their database. Honestly, the interface looks like it’s from 2005. That’s okay. It’s functional. You search by name or license number. If you have the license number, use it. Names are messy. There are a lot of "David Smiths" in Texas accounting.
One thing people get wrong is thinking a "CPA" and an "Accountant" are the same thing. They aren't. Anyone can call themselves an accountant in Texas. They can even do your taxes. But only a CPA—certified by the TSBPA—can provide audited financial statements or represent you in certain high-stakes legal capacities. If they don't show up in the TSBPA search, they aren't a CPA in the eyes of the Lone Star State.
Why "Active" Status Actually Matters
So you found your guy or gal. Their name popped up. Great. But look at the status column. If it says "Suspended," "Expired," or "Revoked," you should probably walk away. Immediately.
An "Expired" status often means they just missed a deadline. Maybe they’re semi-retired. But in Texas, if you aren't active, you shouldn't be using the CPA designation for the public. It’s a matter of law. The board is pretty strict about this. They have a whole enforcement division dedicated to chasing down people who use the "CPA" title without the paperwork to back it up.
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Think about it this way. If they can't manage their own license renewal, do you really want them managing your multi-state corporate tax strategy? Probably not.
The Nuance of Out-of-State CPAs
Texas is a "mobility" state. This gets a bit confusing. Basically, a CPA licensed in, say, Oklahoma can sometimes work on a Texas client without a Texas-specific license.
However, if they have an office in Texas or they're doing specific types of audits for Texas companies, they usually need to register. If you can't find them on the TSBPA site, check CPAverify.org. This is a national database. It links up most state boards. If they are legit in another state, they’ll show up there. If they aren't in either place? That’s a massive red flag.
Checking the "Dark Side" (Disciplinary Actions)
Finding a name is step one. Step two is seeing if they've been in trouble. This is where it gets interesting.
The TSBPA publishes a "Report of Disciplinary Action." It’s basically the principal's office list for accountants. Most CPAs are boring, law-abiding folks. But some get greedy. Some get lazy. The board doesn't hide this. If a CPA has been fined for "Lack of Due Professional Care" or "Failure to comply with CPE requirements," it’s public record.
You won't always see the "why" in the initial search results. You might have to dig into the board meeting minutes. Yes, it's tedious. But if you're hiring a firm for a $50,000 audit, spending twenty minutes reading board minutes is a solid investment of your time.
William Treacy, the long-time Executive Director of the TSBPA, has often emphasized that the board’s primary job is protecting the public, not the accountants. They take complaints seriously. If you see a history of "Administrative Penalties," it means the board had to step in and slap a wrist (or a bank account).
Firm vs. Individual: Don't Get it Twisted
In Texas, you don't just verify the person. You often need to verify the firm.
If you're working with "Smith & Associates," that entity needs its own license. It’s a separate search on the TSBPA website. A common trick for shady operators is to have one person with a valid license but run an unlicensed firm. It’s a weird legal loophole that the state has tried to close, but it’s still worth checking both.
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- Search the individual.
- Search the firm name.
- Make sure the individual is actually associated with that firm.
What if They Aren't There?
If you try to verify CPA license Texas and come up empty, don't panic yet. Maybe you misspelled their name. Maybe they use a middle name professionally but their legal name is different.
Ask them. "Hey, I couldn't find your license on the TSBPA site, what name is it under?"
A real pro won't be offended. They’ll probably be impressed you checked. They might give you their license number (usually a 5 or 6-digit code). If they get defensive or weirdly vague, that is your cue to exit the conversation. There is zero reason for a legitimate CPA to be cagey about their license status. None.
The CPE Trap
Texas CPAs have to complete 120 hours of Continuing Professional Education every three years. At least four of those hours must be in ethics.
Sometimes, a license shows as "In Good Standing" but is about to hit a cliff because they're behind on credits. While the public search doesn't show their exact credit count, it does show the expiration date. If that date is next week, ask them if they've renewed yet.
Digital Certificates and Modern Verification
By 2026, many CPAs are using digital badges or verifiable credentials. These are cool because you can just click a link and see a live verification. But beware. Digital badges can be faked with a bit of Photoshop.
Always, always go back to the government site. No matter how fancy their LinkedIn badge looks, the TSBPA database is the only one that carries legal weight in Texas.
Taking Action: Your Verification Checklist
Don't just glance at the screen and call it a day. Follow a process to make sure you're covered.
- Start at the TSBPA website. Use the "Licensee Search" function. It's free and doesn't require an account.
- Check for the "Active" status. If it says "Notice of Intent to Suspend" or "Delinquent," treat that as a red flag.
- Look for the firm license. If you’re signing a contract with a company, make sure the company itself is registered to practice public accountancy in Texas.
- Cross-reference with CPAverify. This is especially important if the accountant moved to Texas recently from another state like California or New York.
- Search for disciplinary history. Look at the TSBPA's past newsletters or enforcement pages. It's often a PDF list sorted by date.
- Confirm the address. The license search usually shows a city. If they claim to be in Austin but their license is registered to a residential address in Lubbock, ask why. It might be totally fine (remote work is a thing), but it’s a good conversation starter.
Once you've verified the license, keep a screenshot for your records. It’s part of your due diligence. If something goes wrong later, you can prove you did the work to ensure you were hiring a licensed professional. This can be important for insurance claims or if you ever have to file a complaint yourself.
Accountants are the backbone of the business world. Most are incredibly diligent. But the title "CPA" is a protected one for a reason. It signifies a level of education, testing, and ethical commitment that is hard to achieve. By taking five minutes to verify CPA license Texas details, you’re respecting the profession and protecting your wallet.
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The next step is simple. Go to the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy website, type in that name, and see what the data says. No more guessing. No more "trusting your gut." Just the facts.