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    Search For .cpa Domain

    Type
    Generic top-level domain
    Registry
    American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
    Launched
    Registration term
    1–10 years
    DNSSEC
    Supported
    IDN
    Supported

    About .cpa domain

    .cpa is a sponsored generic top-level domain (sTLD) operated by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the largest association of certified public accountants in the United States. It was delegated through ICANN's 2012 New gTLD Program and became active on September 11, 2019. The AICPA submitted both a community priority application and a general application during the application round, ultimately securing the right to operate the extension. In its early phase, .cpa functioned as a single-registrant TLD used exclusively by the registry operator and its affiliates, with a planned expansion to verified members and qualifying third parties over time.

    Who can register .cpa domain

    .cpa is a restricted TLD — it is not open to the general public for unrestricted registration. Eligibility is tied to verified status as a Certified Public Accountant or an affiliated organization recognized by the AICPA. The registry's policy prioritizes active AICPA members, though the scope has been designed to eventually include affiliates and entities that provide services or products benefiting the CPA community. Prospective registrants should expect to provide documentation confirming their professional credentials or organizational affiliation before a registration is approved.

    How to register .cpa domain

    Allocation of .cpa domains is controlled directly by the AICPA as the registry operator, rather than through open commercial registrar channels in the traditional sense. Eligible registrants — verified CPAs and affiliated organizations — must meet the registry's credentialing requirements before a domain can be issued. The AICPA manages the verification and approval process, meaning registration is contingent on confirming professional status rather than simply completing a standard checkout flow. Interested parties should contact the AICPA or its designated registration partners directly to understand the current enrollment process and any documentation requirements.

    Typical uses of .cpa domain

    .cpa is primarily used by licensed Certified Public Accountants and accounting firms seeking a domain that immediately signals professional credentialing to clients and the public. Because eligibility is restricted to verified CPAs and affiliated organizations, a .cpa address carries an implicit trust signal that generic alternatives like .com cannot provide. Accounting practices, sole-practitioner CPAs, and professional associations use it to distinguish their online presence within a regulated industry, making it especially valuable for client-facing websites where professional legitimacy is a key concern.

    Tips for registering .cpa domain

    • Registration is credential-gated, so be prepared to submit professional verification documents before your domain is activated — approval is not instantaneous.
    • Because the registry controls eligibility, losing your CPA designation or organizational affiliation could affect your ability to renew the domain.
    • Premium domain names within .cpa may be priced differently from standard registrations; check with the registry or authorized channel for current premium tier policies.
    • The restricted nature of .cpa means the namespace is less crowded than open TLDs, so short, desirable names tied to your practice name or firm brand are more likely to be available.
    • Confirm renewal policies carefully — as a registry-controlled TLD, renewal terms and pricing may differ from those of open gTLDs sold through standard registrar channels.

    Frequently asked questions about .cpa domain

    Who operates .cpa domain?The registry for .cpa domains is American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
    Who can register a .cpa domain?

    Eligibility for .cpa is limited to individuals and organizations that can demonstrate verified CPA status or a qualifying affiliation with the AICPA or its recognized partners. Unlike open gTLDs, you cannot simply purchase a .cpa domain without first passing a credentialing check. The registry may require submission of license numbers, membership records, or organizational documentation to confirm eligibility before a domain is activated.

    Can I transfer a .cpa domain between registrars?

    Transferring a .cpa domain between registrars or registrant accounts is subject to the registry's eligibility policies — the incoming registrant must independently satisfy the same credentialing requirements as the original registrant. Standard inter-registrar transfer rules under ICANN's transfer policy apply in principle, but the restricted nature of the TLD means the registry has authority to deny a transfer if the receiving party cannot verify their CPA credentials. It is advisable to confirm transfer eligibility with the registry before initiating the process to avoid disruption.

    Does .cpa have a dispute resolution policy for trademark conflicts?

    Like other ICANN-delegated gTLDs, .cpa is subject to the Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy (UDRP), which allows trademark holders to challenge registrations made in bad faith. The Uniform Rapid Suspension (URS) system is also available as a faster, lower-cost mechanism for clear-cut cases of abuse. However, because .cpa is a restricted TLD with credential-based registration, the likelihood of bad-faith registrations is structurally lower than in open namespaces.

    What happens to a .cpa domain if the registrant's CPA credentials lapse?

    The AICPA's registration policies are tied to ongoing professional standing, meaning a domain holder who loses their CPA designation or organizational affiliation may no longer meet the eligibility requirements for renewal. The registry retains the right to enforce compliance with its credentialing standards throughout the life of a registration, not just at the point of initial purchase. Registrants should monitor their professional standing and any registry communications to avoid unexpected non-renewal or cancellation.

    Was there a Sunrise or trademark claims period for .cpa?

    As a restricted, community-oriented TLD, .cpa's launch process was governed by the AICPA's own eligibility framework rather than a traditional open Sunrise period available to any trademark holder. The controlled rollout meant that domain allocations were managed internally by the registry, with priority given to the operator and its affiliates before any broader release. Trademark holders outside the CPA community would not have had standing to participate in a Sunrise registration under the standard model.