How many CE hours does a Illinois Certified Public Accountant need?

120 CE contact hours every 3 years, per the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). 120 CPE hours every 3 years (no annual minimum), including 4 ethics + 1 sexual-harassment hour. Always confirm with the board.

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CE requirements › Illinois CPA

Illinois Certified Public Accountant: CE & renewal requirements

120 CE contact hours every 3 years

120 hours per 3-year period (expires Sept 30 of the renewal year). No annual minimum; excess hours don't carry forward.

Source: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) · confirmed 2026-06. Requirements change — always verify with the board.

Required topics

4 hrs ethics every cycle
1 hr Sexual Harassment Prevention every cycle

First renewal & exemptions

Exempt from CPE for your first renewal after initial licensure; registered (non-licensed) CPAs are exempt.

If your license lapses

Renew by Sept 30; late renewal needs a restoration process and curing any CPE deficiency.

How CE is tracked

Self-attest at IDFPR online renewal; keep documentation at least 6 years for audit.

Watch out: No annual minimum (unlike OH/PA/NJ), but the 1-hour sexual-harassment-prevention course repeats every cycle and is easy to miss; excess hours can't be carried forward.

Are you on track? Check free

Enter your license expiration and CE hours completed — see what you still owe, the pace to finish, and your reminder schedule. No signup.

Informational only, based on the numbers you enter — not legal or licensing advice, and not an official record. Confirm your exact requirement and current status with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).