CPA - Continuing Education
- Hours Required
- Timeline for Completion
- Proof of Completion
- Course Requirements
- Courses Available
- Failure to Complete
- Waivers/Exemptions
- Contact
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Regulations
- 40 credit hours per year. Not required for the initial renewal.
- 4 credit hours of Ethics training every 3 years (included in 40)
All continuing education (CE) hours must be completed between July 1 and June 30. Note: This CE completion deadline is 6 months before the renewal deadline. Twenty hours of credit in excess of the minimum mandatory forty hours may be transferred from the preceding year to the subsequent year.
All credential holders must attest to the completion of their required continuing education (CE) as part of the renewal process. Certificates of completion and other related records should be retained by the credential holder for at least three (3) years in case of audit by the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP).
Partial Credit
The following standards are applicable for measuring credit for continuing professional education programs:
(1) All approved CPE courses, programs or activities shall be measured by program length, with one 50-minute period equal to one CPE credit. CPE courses may be comprised of:
(A) Group programs, independent study and blended learning programs - A minimum of one credit must be earned initially, but after the first credit has been earned, credits may be earned in fractions of credit hours, the shortest duration being 10 minutes; and
(B) Self-study programs including:
(i) Interactive self-study program - credits may be earned in fractions of credit hours, the shortest duration being 10 minutes; and
(ii) All other self-study programs - A minimum of one-half credit must be earned initially, but after the first credit has been earned, credits may be earned in fractions of credit hours, the shortest duration being 10 minutes.
Course Requirements
Each license holder shall meet an ethics requirement of four hours every three years. Such requirement may be met through any course covering ethical behavior and the understanding of State and National Code of Conduct, Professional Conduct and State Licensing Regulations.
The overriding consideration in determining whether a specific program qualifies as acceptable continuing professional education is that it be a formal program of learning which contributes directly to the professional competence of an individual licensed to practice public accounting. View a full description of acceptable courses.
Courses include, but are not limited to:
Failure to complete the required continuing education requirements may subject the licensee to civil fines and the revocation or suspension of their license.
Extensions, waivers or adjustments to the mandatory continuing professional education requirement may be granted for reasons of health certified by a physician, an extended active duty of armed forces or other good cause acceptable to the board.
Complete a CPE Extension/Waiver RequestFor questions, please email dcp.continuingeducation@ct.gov
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. Why is the continuing education (CE) completion deadline earlier than the renewal deadline?
A. As the renewal period begins well before the expiration date, the 6-month offset ensures that all required CE is completed before the renewal period begins.