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Below are frequently asked questions about our Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRA) and the International Qualification Examination (IQEX).

For additional information, you can read the following sections:

 What is a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA)?

A Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) is an agreement adopted between the AICPA/NASBA International Qualification Appraisal Board (IQAB) and various countries for the purpose of recognizing equivalency in exam, education and experience. When a MRA is then adopted by the jurisdiction, it allows the jurisdiction to grant reciprocal licenses/certificates to accountants from other countries who meet specific equivalency standards.
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 Does the Arizona Board of Accountancy recognize MRAs?

Yes. The Board has adopted the following MRAs:

Organization

South African Institute of Chartered Accountants

Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand

Certified Practicing Accountant Australia

Chartered Professional Accountants Canada

Chartered Accountants Ireland

Mexican Institute of Public Accountants (Instituto Mexicano de Contadores Públicos)
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 What is IQEX?

The International Qualification Examination (IQEX) is a test established by the International Qualification Appraisal Board (IQAB) to test a foreign candidate’s knowledge in U.S. tax and accounting business law and is an integral part of the IQAB qualifying process for foreign candidates. As of November 2012, it became the Regulation (REG) portion of the AICPA Uniform CPA Examination.
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 How do MRAs and IQEX impact licensing in Arizona?

By adopting MRAs with other countries, and pursuant to A.R.S. § 32-721(D) and A.A.C. R4-1-341(A)(4), the Board recognizes that if an application is received from a candidate whose license is held in any country whose MRA has been adopted by Arizona, and that candidate can provide evidence of passing IQEX, the candidate can apply for a CPA certificate with the Board by substantial equivalency.
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 What if a foreign candidate is not an accountant/member with the foreign body?

A foreign professional who is not a member of a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) partner body, but who has educational credentials evaluated to be substantially equivalent to those of a U.S. CPA, can still apply for a reciprocal license by taking and passing the U.S. Uniform CPA Exam.
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Decorative picture of an Arizona landscape
Camelback Mountain, Phoenix Arizona