How to Verify a CPA License in Louisiana (Step-by-Step)

Hiring a CPA without verifying their license is like hiring a contractor without checking if they are bonded. You are trusting someone with your financial records, your tax exposure, and in some cases your legal liability. The difference is that a license check takes five minutes and costs nothing.

Louisiana CPAs are licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Certified Public Accountants (LSBPCA). The board maintains a public database of licensed CPAs and CPA firms. You can also use CPAverify.org, a national database that aggregates license data from state boards across the country.

This guide walks through the verification process step by step.

Why verification matters

A CPA license is not a marketing label. It is a legal designation backed by state oversight. CPAs must meet education, exam, experience, and ethics requirements. They must complete continuing professional education each year to maintain their license.

When you hire a CPA, you are relying on that license to mean something. Verification confirms three things:

1. The CPA is actually licensed. Anyone can call themselves an accountant. Only a licensed CPA can use the CPA title.
2. The license is active. A CPA whose license has lapsed, been suspended, or been revoked is not authorized to practice.
3. There is no disciplinary history. Public disciplinary actions are recorded and available to the public.

A CPA who hesitates to provide their license number or who cannot be found in the public database is a red flag. Every legitimate CPA will give you this information without hesitation.

Method 1: Verify through the Louisiana State Board of CPAs

The Louisiana State Board of Certified Public Accountants maintains a public license lookup tool on its website.

Step 1: Go to the LSBPCA website

Visit the Louisiana State Board of CPAs website. The license lookup is typically found under a “License Search” or “Verify a License” section.

Step 2: Search by name or license number

You can search by the CPA’s last name, first name, or license number. The license number is the most reliable search method if you have it.

Step 3: Review the results

The search results will show:

• Name
• Credential number (license number)
• Certification status (Active, Inactive, Expired, Suspended, Revoked)
• License issue date
• City and state

You may also see disciplinary information if the board publishes it.

Step 4: Confirm the details

Make sure the name matches the person you are hiring. Check that the status is Active. If the status is anything other than active, ask the CPA to explain before proceeding.

Method 2: Verify through CPAverify.org

CPAverify.org is a free national database hosted by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA). It aggregates license data from participating state boards, including Louisiana.

Step 1: Go to CPAverify.org

Visit the website. There is no login required. It is free and open to the public.

Step 2: Search by name or license number

You can search by the CPA’s name, license number, or jurisdiction. Select Louisiana as the jurisdiction if you want to limit results to Louisiana-licensed CPAs.

Step 3: Review the results

CPAverify shows:

• License status (Active, Inactive, Expired, etc.)
• License type
• Issue date
• Expiration date
• Disciplinary flags (if any)
• Firm affiliation

Step 4: Check for disciplinary actions

CPAverify includes disciplinary details for many states. If the CPA you are considering has ever had a suspended license or other disciplinary action, it will show here.

Method 3: Verify a CPA firm

If you are hiring a CPA firm rather than an individual, you may need to verify the firm’s permit as well. In Louisiana, any firm that performs attest services or uses the title “CPA” must hold a valid CPA firm permit from the Louisiana State Board of CPAs.

Step 1: Search for the firm

Use the LSBPCA website’s firm permit lookup. You can search by firm name or permit number.

Step 2: Confirm the permit is active

Check that the firm holds a current permit. The permit number will be listed, along with the issue date.

Step 3: Ask about peer review

If the firm performs audits or attest services, it must be enrolled in a peer review program. You can ask the firm for its most recent peer review report.

What to look for in the results

When you review a license verification, focus on four things:

1. Status. The license must be Active. Inactive, expired, suspended, or revoked status means the CPA is not authorized to practice.

2. Name match. The name on the license should match the name of the person you are hiring. If the CPA practices under a different name, ask for clarification.

3. Issue date. A recently issued license may indicate a newer CPA. That is not necessarily a problem, but it tells you something about their experience level.

4. Disciplinary history. Any public disciplinary action is worth asking about directly. A single minor infraction years ago may not matter. A pattern of issues is a red flag.

Practice mobility: CPAs from other states

Louisiana grants practice privileges to CPAs from substantially equivalent states under the Uniform Accountancy Act mobility provisions. A CPA licensed in another state may be able to serve Louisiana clients without obtaining a Louisiana license.

However, not all states are substantially equivalent. If the CPA’s home state does not meet the substantial equivalency standard, they may need to obtain a Louisiana license or practice privilege.

You can check a CPA’s mobility status through the NASBA CPA Mobility website. If you are hiring a CPA from another state for Louisiana work, confirm that they are authorized to practice in Louisiana.

What to do if a CPA is not licensed

If you cannot find the CPA in the database, or if their license is not active, do not hire them. Ask them directly:

• Are you licensed in Louisiana?
• What is your license number?
• If you are licensed in another state, are you authorized to practice in Louisiana?

If the answers are vague or evasive, walk away. There are thousands of licensed CPAs in Louisiana. You do not need to take a risk on one who cannot demonstrate their credentials.

If you believe someone is practicing as a CPA without a license, you can report it to the Louisiana State Board of CPAs.

The bottom line

Verifying a CPA license takes five minutes and costs nothing. It protects you from unlicensed practitioners, from CPAs with disciplinary histories, and from out-of-state CPAs who may not be authorized to practice in Louisiana.

Use the LSBPCA website for Louisiana-specific verification. Use CPAverify.org for a national check. And always ask to see the license number before you sign an engagement letter.

Louisiana CPA Hub is an independent referral service. It is not an accounting firm and does not provide tax, accounting, legal or financial advice.