This is the first we're looking at the matter but apparently some New Hampshire candidates are not very excited about their state going 150:
New Hampshire upgraded their education requirements (to be effective July 1, 2014) by a shitload and are applying it to all candidates retroactively, regardless of when they sat for the exam.
Is there any way to raise a stink about this? I basically have to go back to school for another 3 years part-time if I want a license from this state.
See below excerpt from NH Board of Accountancy. I have been sitting through New Hampshire on the sole premise that I would be licensed under (3) below. NOT (4).
(3) For applicants who first sat for the exam on or after January 1, 2005, the applicant shall have had at least a baccalaureate degree from an educational institution accredited pursuant to (b) below and at least 120 semester hours of education with at least 24 semester hours in business, including at least 12 semester hours in accounting.
(4) Applicants for certification on or after July 1, 2014, shall have at least a baccalaureate degree that includes at least 120 hours pursuant to 302.02 (f) from an educational institution accredited pursuant to Ac 302.02 (b), and an additional 30 semester hours of education which shall meet the criteria in Ac 302.02. The total required semester hours of education shall consist of not less than 48 hours in accounting and 24 hours in business courses accredited pursuant to 302.02(b).
To answer your first question, yes there is a way to raise a stink about this but it probably will be about as effective as you taking 3 years to get the additional 20 units you need. In other words, life sucks and things change. Side note: how do you figure it will take you 3 years?! It's 20 units, not a second bachelor's.
It does seem unfair that TPTB in New Hampshire decided to require 150 units for licensure with a year's notice, we will agree with you there. When I called the board to confirm this (on your behalf, yes, because I'm just nice like that), they told me this new rule was announced in July of this year and no, there would be no grandfathering in, no letting the last few 120 candidates hop the turnstile to licensure, no easy transition to the new rules like California's well-known heel-dragging. That part sucks bigtime for those of you unlucky enough to graduate just as the rule is changing.
Normally, we take every opportunity to berate procrastinators but in this case, even the most well-prepared candidate could be negatively impacted by this change and that part is not cool.
If you have come up with a creative — but legal — way to get around this requirement that doesn't involve going back to school for 3 years, please share in the comments so this poor bastard can have a little peace of mind.
