CE requirements › New Jersey CPA
New Jersey Certified Public Accountant: CE & renewal requirements
120 CE contact hours every 3 years
120 hours per 3-year period (current cycle ends Dec 31, 2026) with a 20-hour annual minimum.
Source: New Jersey State Board of Accountancy · confirmed 2026-06. Requirements change — always verify with the board.
Required topics
- 4 hrs New Jersey-specific Law & Ethics per cycle — from a Board-approved sponsor, delivered live (no self-study)
- At least 60 hrs in technical subjects
- 24 of the technical hours in A&A if you're in public practice / attest
First renewal & exemptions
The A&A requirement applies only to public-practice/attest CPAs; new licensees skip most CPE for the initial renewal but still complete the 4-hr NJ Law & Ethics around licensure.
If your license lapses
Holding an active license without meeting CPE risks penalties; audits require making up missing credits plus fines.
How CE is tracked
Online renewal via the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs with attestation; keep documentation for audit.
Watch out: The 4-hour ethics must be New Jersey-specific Law & Ethics from a Board-approved sponsor AND delivered live (no self-study) — generic ethics won't count — plus there's a 60-hour technical floor.
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 New Jersey State Board of Accountancy.