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Continuing Professional Education - (CPE)

All credentialed individuals must complete CPE as a requirement for renewal.

You must log your completed CPE into the CPE Tracker located on your dashboard in our online services.

Other types of applications, as outlined below, also require the completion of CPE.

CPE Limitations

  • Non-technical subjects: maximum 60 hours
  • Nano learning: maximum 12 hours
  • Combined total for the following: maximum 60 hours.  CPE in these categories do not count towards the 20-hour minimum annual requirement.
    • First-time instructor/developer of a CPE course
    • First-time instructor/developer of a college or university course qualifying for CPE credit
    • Authorship of published articles, books, or other publications relevant to the profession

CPE Requirements

For the Renewal of Your Individual Credential - Every Three Years

Credential Type

Requirements

CPA License - Active Status

120 hours of CPE

Including a Washington State Board Approved Ethics course.

Minimum annual requirement of 20 hours per year.

Subject to the CPE Limitations above.

CPA License - Inactive Status

Washington State Board Approved Ethics course.

Non-licensee Firm Owner

Washington State Board Approved Ethics course.

 

For Your Initial License Application or Conversion to an Active Status

Credential Type

Requirements

Initial License Applicant (if it has been more than 4 years since you passed the CPA Exam)

120 hours of CPE
Including a Washington State Board Approved Ethics course.

The CPE hours must be completed within the 36 months prior to your application date. The WA ethics course must be completed within the 6 months prior to your application date.

Subject to the CPE Limitations above.

Submit your acceptable CPE documentation (WAC 4-30-138) and a course listing by upload to the “Continuing Professional Education” checklist item at the end of your online CPA license application.

CPA License - in an Inactive Status Converting to an Active Status

120 hours of CPE
Including a Washington State Board Approved Ethics course.

The CPE hours must be completed within the 36 months prior to your application date. The WA ethics course must be completed within the 6 months prior to your application date.

Subject to the CPE Limitations above.

 

For Your First Renewal after Conversion from an Inactive Status to an Active Status

Credential Type

Requirements

Converted to an Active Staus During the 1st Year of the Renewal Cycle

80 hours of CPE

Including a Washington State Board Approved Ethics course.

Minimum annual requirement of 20 hours per year.

Subject to the CPE Limitations above (prorated for the total required hours).

 

Converted to an Active Staus During the 2nd Year of the Renewal Cycle

40 hours of CPE

Including a Washington State Board Approved Ethics course.

Minimum annual requirement of 20 hours per year for the reporting period years after conversion.

Subject to the CPE Limitations above (prorated for the total required hours).

 

Converted to an Active Staus During the 3rd Year of the Renewal Cycle

A Washington State Board Approved Ethics course.

 


CPE Reporting Periods

If your individual credential expires on:

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2026

June 30, 2027

June 30, 2028

Your CPE reporting period is:

January 1, 2022*
through
December 31, 2024

January 1, 2023*
through
December 31, 2025

January 1, 2024*
through
December 31, 2026

January 1, 2025*
through
December 31, 2027

* For your first CPE reporting period, your 120 hours of CPE must be completed between your license issued date and December 31 of the third calendar year.


Not Enough CPE to Renew

If you do not meet the CPE requirements to renew your credential, please see our page on CPE Extension Requests.