How many CE hours does a New York Certified Public Accountant need?

40 CE contact hours every year, per the NYSED Office of the Professions — State Board for Public Accountancy. New York CPE is annual: 40 hours/year (or 24 in a single subject), with 4 ethics hours every 3 years. Always confirm with the board.

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CE requirements › New York CPA

New York Certified Public Accountant: CE & renewal requirements

40 CE contact hours every year

An ANNUAL calendar-year obligation: each year either 40 contact hours across any subjects, OR 24 hours concentrated in a single subject area. Registration renews every 3 years.

Source: NYSED Office of the Professions — State Board for Public Accountancy · confirmed 2026-06. Requirements change — always verify with the board.

Required topics

4 hrs ethics every 3 calendar years (counts toward the annual total)

First renewal & exemptions

No CPE during your initial registration period; inactive registration is exempt.

If your license lapses

NYSED runs random audits; failure to produce records is professional misconduct (suspension, revocation, or fines).

How CE is tracked

No annual filing — you self-affirm for the registration's calendar years at triennial renewal; keep certificates 5 years.

Watch out: New York is annual, not a per-cycle total: the 24-hour option only counts if ALL of it is in ONE subject area — mix subjects and you owe the full 40. No carryover between years.

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 NYSED Office of the Professions — State Board for Public Accountancy.