Rhode Island General Laws Title 5. Businesses and Professions § 5-3.1-6. Public accountants

(a) Persons who on July 1, 1995, hold an authority as a public accountant and a permit issued under the prior laws of this state may continue to engage in the practice of public accounting in this state as public accountants and may subsequently continue to use the designation “PA”; provided, that those persons continue to hold a permit issued under the laws of this state and otherwise remain in compliance with this chapter.

(b) Persons who on July 1, 1995, hold an authority as a public accountant but do not hold a permit issued under the prior laws of this state shall no longer engage in the practice of public accounting as public accountants in this state and shall no longer use the term “public accountant” or the designation “PA”; provided, that the board may reinstate the holder of an authority whose permit has been suspended, revoked, or not renewed prior to July 1, 1995, upon application for reinstatement under § 5-3.1-15. An application for reinstatement under § 5-3.1-15 shall include evidence of the applicant's authority to practice as a public accountant in this state prior to July 1, 1995, and any other evidence that the board requires. Upon reinstatement, the applicant may engage in the practice of public accounting in this state as a public accountant, may hold himself or herself out to the public as a public accountant, and may subsequently use the designation “PA”; provided, that the applicant continues to hold a permit issued under the laws of this state and remains in compliance with this chapter. Notwithstanding these provisions, persons holding an authority on July 1, 1995, who are estopped from obtaining a permit under government employment restrictions, may apply for a permit under § 5-3.1-7 within one year following termination of that employment, and upon obtaining that permit may engage in the practice of public accounting in this state as a public accountant subject to the provisions of this chapter.

(c) After July 1, 1995, no person, except a person qualified under subsection (a) or (b) of this section, is entitled to an authority or to be issued a permit to practice, or to be known as or hold himself or herself out to the public as a public accountant, or is entitled to exercise the rights of a public accountant under this chapter.