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AI assessment rules and implementation
Signed September 9, 2026 as Chapter 178. From January 1, 2029, providers offering, selling or conducting covered AI audits must register with GovOps.
AB1405 establishes California's registration framework for AI auditors. Signed on September 9, 2026 as Chapter 178, it generally takes effect on January 1, 2027. Its important market-entry requirement begins January 1, 2029: providers offering, selling or conducting covered AI audits must register with GovOps. That future requirement should remain visible when reading the law alongside current audit businesses.
GovOps must establish the registry, collect annual fees tied to reasonable administration costs and provide a public route for reporting misconduct. The law allows removal and referrals, and connects specified professional-accountancy work to existing standards and the California Board of Accountancy. This brings a familiar professional-regulation mechanism into the AI assessment market.
The bill matters because it specifies who may supply a covered service and how complaints about that supplier can move through institutions. Its companion SB813 addresses designation of independent verifiers. Implementation will determine the practical registration process, professional-equivalence criteria and treatment of complaints.
Assessment updated 2026-09-13
California AB1405 — AI auditor registration → California Board of Accountancy
Event or period: 2026-09-09; checked 13 September 2026
Specified qualified accountancy work can satisfy parts of AB1405 through professional standards. GovOps must refer covered accountant misconduct findings to the Board for investigation and a report.
California AB1405 — AI auditor registration → California AI Auditor Registry — scheduled
Event or period: 2029-01-01; checked 13 September 2026
AB1405 requires GovOps to create an online AI-auditor registry and set annual fees no higher than reasonable administration costs.
OpenAI → California AB1405 — AI auditor registration
Event or period: 2026-09-09; checked 13 September 2026
OpenAI endorsed AB1405 registration, independence and accountability requirements.
California AB1405 — AI auditor registration → Requires registry by January2029 → California AI Auditor Registry — scheduled
Event or period: 2029-01-01; checked 13 September 2026
AB1405 requires GovOps to create an online AI-auditor registry and set annual fees no higher than reasonable administration costs.
California AB1405 — AI auditor registration → Uses existing accountancy oversight → California Board of Accountancy
Event or period: 2026-09-09; checked 13 September 2026
Specified qualified accountancy work can satisfy parts of AB1405 through professional standards. GovOps must refer covered accountant misconduct findings to the Board for investigation and a report.
OpenAI → Publicly endorses auditor registration → California AB1405 — AI auditor registration
Event or period: 2026-09-09; checked 13 September 2026
OpenAI endorsed AB1405 registration, independence and accountability requirements.