CE requirements › Pennsylvania CPA
Pennsylvania Certified Public Accountant: CE & renewal requirements
80 CE contact hours every 2 years
80 hours per 2-year period (renews Dec 31 of odd years) with a 20-hour annual minimum.
Source: Pennsylvania State Board of Accountancy · confirmed 2026-06. Requirements change — always verify with the board.
Required topics
- 4 hrs ethics per cycle
- 24 hrs Accounting & Auditing if you do attest work
- Self-study capped at 40 hrs per cycle
First renewal & exemptions
The A&A requirement applies only to those in attest activity; new licensees may be prorated.
If your license lapses
No grace period after Dec 31 — unmet CPE goes to the compliance office and can make the license inactive; reactivation requires the CPE.
How CE is tracked
Online renewal via PALS with attestation; keep records for 5 years.
Watch out: Shortest CPA cycle here — biennial, not triennial (effectively 40/year) — with a 20-hour annual minimum, a 40-hour self-study cap, and no grace period after Dec 31.
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 Pennsylvania State Board of Accountancy.