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OSCPA Joins National Effort to Identify Accounting as a Profession

December 04, 2025

The OSCPA, alongside the AICPA and 50+ state CPA societies and jurisdictions nationwide, is urging the U.S. Department of Education to formally recognize accounting programs that lead to CPA licensure as “professional degree programs” under new federal student lending limits established by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. OSCPA has officially signed on in support of the joint advocacy letter calling for this critical recognition.

Additional communication has been sent to the Department of Education urging inclusion (as of 12/22/2025):

In addition, three separate legislative proposals have been introduced in Congress to address this issue, and they all take somewhat different approaches. So far, none of the bills have bipartisan support nor is there an obvious path to legislative success.

  • Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) has a bill with 4 other Republicans (including CPA Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick) that would add a number of additional degree programs to the “professional” definition, including accounting.
  • Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY) has a bill with one other Democratic cosponsor that would simply repeal the changes made by OBBBA instituting the loan caps. It does not address the underlying regulatory definition of “professional” degree program.
  • Rep. Tim Kennedy (D-NY) has a bill with two dozen Democratic cosponsors, many of whom serve on the House Education and Workforce Committee. It removes the lower $20.5K/$100K caps so that all kinds of loans are capped at the higher limits, but it does not address the underlying regulatory definition of “professional” degree program.

Additional advocacy efforts at the national level are slated to continue in January. The AICPA and OSCPA are continuing to monitor this issue. 

While higher education reforms were included in H.R. 1, the Department of Education’s recently released proposed changes to the definition of professional degree programs did not include accounting. This omission could have serious implications for students pursuing an accounting degree and CPA certification, as the "professional degree" designation plays a key role in determining loan eligibility and financial aid access.

Accounting meets every standard of a professional degree. The path to CPA licensure requires rigorous education, successful completion of the CPA Exam, verified professional experience under employer supervision, and a lifelong commitment to ethics and continuing professional education. These requirements exist to protect the public interest and uphold the integrity of financial systems.

The need for strong financial support mechanisms is especially urgent as workforce demand for accountants continues to grow faster than the overall job market. Without proper recognition at the federal level, students may face unnecessary barriers to entering the profession at a time when communities, businesses, and governments increasingly rely on CPAs.

OSCPA remains fully committed to advancing the profession, protecting access to CPA licensure and ensuring Oklahoma students have the opportunity to pursue accounting careers without unnecessary financial barriers. We will continue working alongside national and state partners to advocate for policies that strengthen the future of the profession.