1. Q: Why don't I see the word "ethics" in the requirement?
A: The 3-credit professional standards and responsibilities ("PSR") continuing education requirement, defined in paragraph (D) of Board rule 4701-15-11, includes the subject of ethics, but will also cover the professional practice standards and responsibilities as defined in the Ohio accountancy law and Board rules.

2. Q: Are there any substitutes for courses in just the Ohio law and rules?
A: Yes. A licensee may claim credit for programs in professional ethics, the accountancy law and rules of another state, or ethical philosophy. Courses in those three subject areas offered by CPE sponsors approved by either the Board or NASBA will qualify toward fulfillment of the PSR requirement.

3. Q: How is "professional ethics" defined?
A: Professional ethics is defined as the exercise of professional judgment by a CPA. Ethics refers to the fact that the CPA has a choice of behavior in situations and why some choices should be preferable. Professional ethics is not simply compliance with a set of statutes and regulations, which is why the Board labels the Ohio laws and rules course "professional standards and responsibilities" instead of "ethics."

4. Q: I have seen courses in "ethics" that cover human resource issues and tax laws. Do these courses qualify?
A: Programs that refer to legal compliance as "ethical" behavior are not ethics courses and would not qualify for PSR credit. Such programs would earn general CPE credit if they contributed to a licensee's professional competence. The choice between complying with the law and breaking the law is not an ethical choice, as there is no ethical reasoning involved in following rules and regulations.

5. Q: Is it possible for a one-hour or two-hour program in the proper subject area to qualify for PSR credit?
A: Yes.

6. Q: What subjects are typically covered in a PSR course?
A: The Board proposed the following list of possible subjects:

Programs that cover laws and regulations

• Overall review of laws, rules, and latest developments
• Firm registration requirements and unlawful practice
• Board investigations and complaint/hearing procedures

Programs that cover "professional ethics"

• Professional standards (accounting, auditing, independence, etc.)
• Ethical reasoning and ethical dilemmas

7. Q: Can the course be taken on the computer?
A: At present, several sponsors offer the "basic" PSR course (covering primarily the Ohio accountancy law and Board rules) online. The Board has a list of sponsors that offer the "basic" course. Please consult the PSR approved sponsor list for details.

8. Q: I took another state's required "ethics" course. Will it count toward the Ohio requirement?
A: If the other state's program covered that state's laws and rules, it would qualify for PSR credit. However, if you hold a license to practice public accounting in the other state, and you reside in that state, you would comply with the Ohio CPE requirements simply by meeting the CPE requirements in the other state.

9. Q: Are CPAs who hold the Ohio registration (inactive license) required to take the professional standards and responsibilities course?
A: No. The new course is part of the continuing education requirement, and licensees who hold the Ohio registration are exempt from required continuing education.

10. Q: I am a new CPA. Am I still required to obtain three credits in professional standards and responsibilities during my first reporting period?
A: Yes. The requirement is not prorated. However, if you took the basic PSR course required for CPA certification during your first reporting period, that course would count toward your PSR requirement. The accounting and auditing and taxation continuing education requirements for the first reporting period are prorated if you choose the initial two-year reporting period.