Pennsylvania CPA CPE requirements
After you earn your CPA license, Pennsylvania requires you to keep up with your learning through continuing professional education. We're providing an in-depth look at the Pennsylvania CPE requirements, renewal information, and other tips and resources to help you maintain your license.
PA CPE Requirements
The CPA license renewal cycle is a two-year cycle beginning on January 1st of even-numbered years and ending on December 31st of the following, odd-numbered year. Within that renewal period, all CPAs must meet the following CPE requirements:
- Earn a total of 80 hours of CPE
- At least 20 hours of CPE in one year. For example, if you earn 20 hours in one year, you must earn 60 hours of CPE the following year to meet the requirements.
- Of the 80 hours, four hours must include ethics CPE
Becker's course, Ethics, Integrity, and AICPA Code of Professional Conduct (Expanded Version) meets the PA ethics CPE requirement
Any CPAs who provide attest services must complete at least 24 hours of accounting and auditing CPE and the four hours of ethics within the 80 hours. CPAs who don't provide attest only have to complete four hours of ethics and the rest can come from other subjects, including tax, IT, personal development, and finance.
In addition to more traditional CPE courses, such as in-person seminars, live webcasts, and on-demand coursework, you can meet your CPE requirements through teaching or publishing relevant materials.
Limitations on hours when meeting PA CPE requirements
Pennsylvania does put limits on how many credits you can earn in certain methods, including:
- Self-study: 40 hours maximum can come from self-study, including on-demand courses.
- Teaching or instruction: 40 hours maximum
- Publishing: 20 hours maximum per piece with a 40 hour cap total. Publishing also falls under self-study hours so you can't earn 40 CPE credits through publishing work and 40 hours of self-study.
There are no limits on group-based learning, including in-person events and online live webcasts.
Renewing your Pennsylvania CPA license
All CPA licenses expire on December 31 of odd-numbered years (2025, 2027, 2029, etc). A few months prior to your license's expiration, you should receive a notice from the Pennsylvania State Board of Accountancy. Here are the steps to renew your license:
- Complete all PA CPE requirements
- Log in to the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS) - you may need to sign up first if this is your first renewal cycle.
- Ensure all information is correct and complete your renewal application
- Choose "Add to Cart"
- Pay the renewal fee and check out
Make sure to keep a copy of your receipt and save a copy of your completed application!
Meeting your Pennsylvania CPA CPE requirements with Becker
Becker offers the convenience and flexibility you want as well as the relevant courses you need to meet your CPE requirements.
- NASBA-approved and an approved CPE provider by the Pennsylvania State Board of Accountancy
- Over 1,000 live webcasts annually, 750 on-demand courses, plus weekly CPE podcasts
- CPE courses in 19 fields of study, including tax, ethics, IT, personal development, and finance
- Experienced instructors who bring years of practical knowledge and real-world insights
- Monthly, quarterly, and annual update courses in tax, audit, and accounting to keep you aware and updated on the latest changes in laws, regulations, and court rulings.
Tips to meet your Pennsylvania CPE requirements
We know that meeting your CPE requirements can be challenging when you're also dealing with work and life responsibilities. To help take the stress out of CPE, try these tips:
Find CPE that fits your lifestyle
The biggest challenge to meeting your CPA CPE requirements is making time for it. Consider earning half your required CPE through on-demand courses you can watch anytime and anywhere, even on your lunch break or while you’re waiting for your kid to finish soccer practice.
You can even try CPE podcasts where you listen to the material then take a brief quiz to ensure you understand and can retain the information.
Keep up with your progress
It’s difficult to remember how many hours you’ve completed and if you’ve met the more specific requirements, like ethics or A & A. Using Becker’s CPE Compliance Tracker keeps all your CPE in one place (including from other sources) so you can keep up with what you've already earned, what you have left, and get recommendations for courses that suit your interests.
Block out time each month
While Pennsylvania CPE requirements include a minimum of 20 hours each year, we recommend earning an equal amount each year so you’re not scrambling to fit in 60 hours before your deadline. Make time for three to four hours of CPE each month, or six or seven hours if you want to take a few months off during busy season!
Pacing yourself will help you feel less overwhelmed and more likely to take courses that interest you and benefit your career instead of what you can finish up fast.
Consider what you want to learn
Instead of thinking of CPE courses as a box to check to renew your license, you may want to reposition it. CPE helps you learn new skills that can help you excel in your career. Think of how it can benefit your career!
Perhaps you want to specialize in international tax after spending years in personal or business taxation — take CPE courses that help you build that foundational knowledge! Want to specialize in a particular industry? CPE courses in real estate accounting, pharmaceutical accounting, and other areas can make that happen.