Abstract: A system is disclosed for supporting dynamic spectrum access in wireless networks. The system includes at least one cognitive base station configured to communicate over at least one licensed carrier. The system further includes a spectrum accountability server operably coupled to the at least one cognitive base station. The spectrum accountability server is configured to manage spectrum leases to dynamic spectrum access carriers according to a set of spectrum access rules, and the spectrum accountability server may further be configured to dynamically change the spectrum access rules in response to spectrum usage policies or spectrum availability, or both. A wireless communication network and related method for providing dynamic spectrum access to secondary users of a wireless network are also disclosed herein.