Can I still practice accounting without a CPA license in California?

The ONLY thing that requires an actual CPA license is to be able to sign-off on attestation reports. Most public accountants ARE NOT CPA's. The vast majority are a few years out of college are not not eligible for a CPA license yet, because they have not met the experience requirement. There is no law or requirement that states a public accountant or ANY accountant MUST be a CPA. Again, you just cannot sign attestation report and you cannot hold yourself out as a CPA......THAT'S IT!!