Key takeaways
- ICAEW members must hold a practising certificate before engaging in public practice in the UK, whether or not they charge a fee or call themselves chartered accountants.
- The 2026 practising certificate fee is £474 for UK-resident members, including Practice Assurance, and £108 for members living outside the UK.
- ICAEW lists a £60 OPBAS levy for UK members in 2026, alongside the £474 fee.
- To qualify you must have been an ICAEW member for two years, meet CPD requirements, give a PII undertaking and be a fit and proper person.
- Firms with gross fee income under £800,000 need PII cover of at least 2.5 times fee income, with a minimum of £250,000; larger firms need at least £2 million.
- ICAEW says applications are normally processed within 10 to 14 working days.
- Sole practitioners who have not held a practising certificate in the previous three years may be exempt from the fee on their first application and first renewal.
An ICAEW practising certificate (PC) is the licence an ICAEW chartered accountant needs before offering accountancy services to the public in the UK. To get one you must have been a member for two years, meet CPD rules, hold professional indemnity insurance (PII) and be fit and proper. The 2026 fee is £474 for UK-resident members, and ICAEW normally processes applications within 10 to 14 working days.
Who needs an ICAEW practising certificate?
You need a PC if you are an ICAEW member and you engage in public practice in the UK. ICAEW’s guidance notes say this covers work done in person or indirectly, whether or not you call yourself a chartered accountant and whether or not you charge a fee.
You also need a PC to be a responsible individual for audit or an ICAEW-licensed insolvency practitioner. Members practising outside the UK may not need one if they are already licensed by a comparable local body.
The exact definition of public practice is set in ICAEW’s Statement on members engaging in public practice. A revised 2026 version took effect on 1 October 2026. Check it against your own work; if you are unsure, call ICAEW Advisory Services on +44 (0)1908 248 250.
What are the eligibility requirements?
ICAEW sets seven conditions. You must:
- Have been an ICAEW member for two years.
- Comply with CPD requirements under Principal Bye-law 56.
- Understand the Fundamental Principles in the ICAEW Code of Ethics.
- Undertake to comply with the PII Regulations.
- Be a fit and proper person.
- Submit an application and pay the fee.
- Pass an aptitude test, if one applies to you.
ICAEW’s public practice page also asks for two years of relevant post-qualification experience in the areas you plan to work in. If you are not entitled to a PC, you cannot enter public practice while you remain a member.
How much does an ICAEW practising certificate cost?
The PC fee for 2026 is £474 for UK-resident members, according to ICAEW’s fees page. It sits on top of your annual membership subscription.
| Fee (2026) | Amount |
|---|---|
| PC, UK resident (includes Practice Assurance) | £474.00 |
| PC, resident outside the UK | £108.00 |
| OPBAS levy (UK only) | £60.00 |
| Membership, full rate (income over £37,500) | £483.00 |
ICAEW’s pages differ on the OPBAS levy. The apply page lists it separately from the £474 fee, while the fees page says it is included. Confirm the total on your invoice.
You pay the full year’s fee even if you need the PC for only part of the year. Sole practitioners, and sole directors and shareholders of a limited company, who have not held a PC in the previous three years may be exempt from the fee on the initial application and the first renewal.
PII premiums, software and AML checks are extra. Our guide to what it costs to start an accounting practice covers the wider budget.
What PII cover do you need?
ICAEW’s PII Regulations set minimum cover by gross fee income. The limits rose for policies taken out or renewed from 1 September 2024, as set out in ICAEW’s PII update.
| Gross fee income | Minimum limit of indemnity |
|---|---|
| Under £800,000 | 2.5 times fee income, at least £250,000 |
| £800,000 or more | £2 million |
The maximum aggregate excess is the higher of £3,000 or 3% of gross fee income. These are floors, so size your cover to the risk of your work.
What else comes with a practising certificate?
Holding a PC brings your firm into ICAEW’s wider regulation:
- Practice Assurance. ICAEW’s compulsory practice review scheme applies to every PC holder, and the UK fee includes it.
- AML supervision. ICAEW supervises member firms for money laundering, monitored through Practice Assurance visits. A sole practitioner acts as Money Laundering Reporting Officer. See our guide to AML registration for accountants.
- An alternate. Sole practitioners must appoint one.
- Client money. It must be held in a separate designated client bank account.
- Extra registrations. Audit, investment business, insolvency and probate each need their own ICAEW registration or licence.
How to apply
Applying takes about two weeks once your paperwork is ready. Follow these steps:
- Check you are in public practice against the 2026 Statement.
- Use ICAEW’s “Are you ready to go into practice?” checklist.
- Arrange PII at or above the minimum, ready to go live on your start date.
- Read the guidance notes, then complete the online application form on ICAEW’s apply page.
- Submit your stationery for review alongside your PII documents.
- Pay the fee and wait 10 to 14 working days.
Do not take on clients until the certificate is issued. ICAEW’s conduct team notes that members practising without a PC are also unlikely to have the right PII or an AML supervisor.
Renewing your certificate
A PC renews every year. To keep it you must pay the annual fee, maintain competence in your services, comply with the PII Regulations and meet CPD rules; see our CPD requirements guide. If you give up your PC, you must reapply as if for the first time.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an ICAEW practising certificate to do bookkeeping for friends?
Possibly. ICAEW says public practice includes work whether or not you charge a fee. Check the 2026 Statement on members engaging in public practice or call ICAEW Advisory Services.
How much is the ICAEW practising certificate fee in 2026?
£474 for UK-resident members, including Practice Assurance, or £108 for members living outside the UK. ICAEW also lists a £60 OPBAS levy for UK members.
How long does an ICAEW practising certificate application take?
ICAEW says applications are normally processed within 10 to 14 working days.
Can I get a practising certificate straight after qualifying?
No. You must have been an ICAEW member for two years and have relevant post-qualification experience.
Do I need a practising certificate to call myself a chartered accountant?
No. Any ICAEW member can use the designation. The PC is what allows you to offer services to the public; see do you need a licence to be an accountant.
Sources
Rates, thresholds and rules in this guide were checked against HMRC and GOV.UK guidance on 6 November 2026. Tax rules change, so check the current position on GOV.UK or with a qualified adviser before acting. This guide is general information, not personal advice.