All credentialed individuals must renew between January 1 and April 30 every three years. Visit CPA verify or the licensee search, or email customerservice@acb.wa.gov if you are unsure when your credential expires.
Beginning with the 2025 renewal period, licensees have the option to renew in an active or inactive status, depending on your current needs. You may not hold out or practice public accounting during the time your license is in an inactive status.
To renew:
- Complete the required Continuing Professional Education (CPE) by December 31 the year prior to the expiration of your credential.
- Log your completed CPE for which you have acceptable CPE documentation into the CPE Tracker tool located in our online services.
- You must log enough CPE to meet the renewal requirements before you can complete your application.
- We recommend logging your CPE throughout your CPE reporting period as you complete it, rather than logging it all at once during your renewal application.
- Submit the online renewal application through our online services.
- Pay the renewal fee:
- The fee for renewal is $230.
- Between May 1 and June 30, renewal applications must also include a $100 late fee.
CPE Documentation Requirements:
- While you are required to log your completed CPE in the CPE Tracker, you are only required to upload your CPE documentation (course completion certificates, etc.), if:
- You are requesting a CPE extension.
- You are notified that you have been selected for the random CPE audit.
- You must keep your CPE records for three years after the end of the reporting period for which the credit was claimed.
If you do not renew or retire on or before June 30 of your renewal year, your credential will lapse effective July 1.
You may not use the title CPA or CPA-Inactive or exercise the privileges related to those titles if your credential is lapsed.
If you do not meet the CPE requirements for renewal, you may be eligible to request a CPE extension.