It is unlawful for a person to hold himself out as a public accountant or to use the title "public accountant" or the designation "PA" in this State unless the person has obtained a license as a public accountant from the South Carolina Board of Accountancy as provided in this article. It is unlawful for a partnership to hold itself out as a partnership of public accountants unless it is registered as a partnership by the South Carolina Board of Accountancy and:

1. (1) at least one general partner is a certified public accountant or a public accountant of this State in good standing;

2. (2) each resident manager in charge of an office of the firm in this State is a certified public accountant or a public accountant of this State in good standing.

   Application for registration must be made upon the affidavit of a general partner of the partnership who is a public accountant of this State in good standing. The board shall determine whether the applicant is eligible for the license. A partnership which is registered may use the words "public accountants" or the designation "PAs" in connection with its partnership name. Notification must be given the board, within one month, after the admission to or withdrawal of a partner from a registered partnership.