Ultimate Guide to Earn CPE Credits for CPAs and Accountants (2025)
Continuing Professional Education (CPE) is essential for Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) to maintain their licenses, enhance their knowledge, and stay up-to-date with the ever-evolving landscape of accounting, tax, and finance. Understanding the importance and benefits of CPE credits for CPAs is crucial for career advancement and professional growth.
In this blog, we will explore everything you need to know about CPE credits for CPAs and why our platform is the best choice for your continuing education needs.
Continuing Professional Education (CPE) is an ongoing learning activity that CPAs must complete after earning their license. To keep CPAs updated and relevant in their profession, the state board of accountancy set continuing education requirements.
These learning activities can include:
CPE helps CPAs not only maintain competence but learn new skills. It is to adapt the changes in regulations, inclusion of technologies, and financial standards.
So, how can you complete your CPE requirement. MYCPE ONE can help you in complete your CPE compliance with greater ease.
CPE is measured in “credits” or “hours.” Each credit represents a certain amount of study or instruction time.
Example: A 2-hour webinar gives you 2.4 CPE credits (120 minutes ÷ 50 = 2.4)
CPE credits hours requirement depend on your state board’s licensing rules. Most common requirements include:
Some states also clearly state some requirements:
Important: Check your state’s exact CPE requirements here
Failing to meet the compliance requirements can lead to license suspension or penalties — so it’s important to plan ahead.
The Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (AICPA) and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) both provide recommendations for state CPE requirements and also determine which CPE courses meet their stringent requirements. Most states will not accept CPE credits that aren’t accredited through the AICPA or NASBA.
There are several types of CPE learning formats. You can choose based on your learning preferences and schedule:
Make sure the CPE provider is NASBA-approved, and your state accepts the course format.
Looking for quality, trusted CPE courses? Here are some of the top platforms where you can find them:
Explore top CPE providers for CPAs on MYCPE ONE
These platforms offer:
Always check that the provider is recognized by NASBA (National Association of State Boards of Accountancy) and accepted in your state.
Source- Trustpilot
Today’s CPAs are branching out beyond traditional accounting. Here are some of the most in-demand CPE topic areas:
Most Popular Topics
Continuing education for CPAs is vital for several reasons:
Looking for the best platforms to earn CPE credits? Check out our guide on the best online CPE platforms for CPAs for top recommendations.
Planning your CPE strategically saves time, avoids last-minute stress, and helps you grow in the right direction.
Here’s a quick checklist:
During your license renewal cycle, you will need to report your CPE credits to your state’s Board of Accountancy. Using a CPE tracker helps you keep up with your continuing education hours and credits, ensuring you meet both annual and long-term requirements.
CPE credits are generally categorized into technical and non-technical areas:
These credits focus on areas directly related to accounting, such as auditing, taxation, and financial reporting. Technical CPE is crucial for maintaining the core competencies required for CPA practice.
These credits cover broader skills that support a CPA's professional development, such as communication, leadership, and ethics. Non-technical CPE helps CPAs enhance their overall effectiveness in their roles.
Selecting a reputable CPE provider is crucial to ensure the quality and relevance of the education you receive. Here’s why our platform is the top choice for CPAs:
Our platform offers over 15,000 NASBA and State Board approved courses, covering a wide range of topics and specializations. Whether you need to fulfill specific state requirements or want to explore new areas of interest, we have you covered.
All our courses are designed with your learning in mind, free from external influence. We prioritize providing high-quality, unbiased education that benefits your professional development.
At MYCPE ONE, we have created the FastTrack Packages specifically to meet your exact requirements as per NASBA and state body regulations. These tailored packages are designed to save you time and simplify your certification process. Each package includes a curated selection of courses that align with the latest standards, ensuring you meet all necessary CPE requirements with ease. With MYCPE ONE state-specific CPE packages, you can efficiently manage your certification and stay compliant without the hassle. Focus on advancing your career while we take care of your CPE needs.
Enhance your skills with our 100+ advanced certification programs. These programs are included in our subscription, providing excellent value and comprehensive education.
Manage your CPE credits effortlessly with our inbuilt CPE tracker. This tool simplifies the process of maintaining and reporting your CPE activities, giving you peace of mind.
We are committed to making continuing education affordable and accessible for all CPAs. Our platform offers high-quality CPE content at an incredible value, ensuring you can meet your educational requirements without breaking the bank.
Join thousands of professionals who trust us for their continuing education needs. Explore our comprehensive range of CPE courses and see why we are the #1 choice for CPAs seeking high-quality, affordable continuing education.
CPE isn’t just a checkbox — it’s your path to staying sharp, relevant, and successful in your accounting career.
Whether you’re looking to stay licensed, grow in your firm, or branch into advisory or leadership roles, CPE keeps you moving forward.
So, start early, choose wisely, and embrace learning as a lifelong part of being a CPA.
If you're looking for reliable platforms to start with, explore the best places to get free CPE credits for CPAs.
CPA Exam prep is the learning you do before becoming a CPA. CPE is the learning required after you’re licensed to keep your skills up to date.
Each state has its own rules.
Yes, most states accept online CPE if the provider is NASBA-approved.
Many states require Ethics CPE every year or every renewal cycle.
You may face late fees, license suspension, or additional hours. Some states allow a grace period, but not all.
The author Imtiaz Munshi is a Certified Public Accountant and CFO at Azstec, LLC. He is Business Strategist, Tax Planner, Entrepreneur and Advisor to "HNEs" (High Net Worth Entrepreneurs).
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