CPE deadlines vary by state, license type, and sometimes by the individual licensee. Here's the overall pattern, the common reporting periods, and how to find your exact date — then set a reminder you won't lose track of.
Annual, biennial, or triennial. Each carries its own hour requirements and rhythm.
Used by states like Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi. About 40 hours per year, reported by December 31. Less hour volume per cycle, but you can never coast.
Common total: 40 hours per year, with an annual minimum.
The most common pattern. Texas, California, New York, Illinois, and many others. About 80 hours over two years, often with a 20-hour annual minimum to prevent year-two cramming.
Common total: 80 hours per two years, 20-hour annual minimum.
Alaska is the canonical example. About 120 hours over three years, reporting periods ending December 31 in odd-numbered years. Most flexibility, longest gap between deadlines.
Common total: 120 hours per three years.
Two structures dominate. Either your state uses a fixed end date for everyone (typically December 31), or it ties reporting to your individual license renewal cycle. The second type means your deadline is unique to you and not the same as your colleague's, even in the same firm.
| Pattern | How it works | Example states |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed December 31 | Same end date for all licensees. Renewal date may differ from reporting end. | Arkansas, Florida, Texas (biennial) |
| License renewal cycle | Reporting period tied to your individual renewal date. | Many biennial states |
| Birth-month based | Renewal and reporting tied to the month you were born. | A few jurisdictions |
| Odd-year December 31 | Triennial cycle ending on December 31 in odd-numbered years. | Alaska |
General state patterns are useful for planning, but only your individual license record gives you the exact dates. Spend five minutes on this once a year — it pays for itself the first time it stops you missing a deadline.
Total hours vary, but most states require a mix of general CPE and specific categories. Ethics is the most common categorical requirement. Some states add accounting and auditing, tax, or state-specific ethics on top.
Knowing your deadline is the first half. The second half is having something tell you about it three months out, when you can still spread the hours instead of cramming them. That second half is the part most CPAs skip, which is why December panic is a recurring industry meme.
Read the overview on CPE deadline reminders, or set up a tracking system for hours during the year.
Found your date? Lock it in now.
Done in seconds. No sign-up required.
About 18 states use annual reporting (including Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi). Most use biennial (Texas, California, New York, Illinois, and many others). A smaller group uses triennial (Alaska is the notable example, with reporting periods ending December 31 in odd-numbered years). Check your state board for the current rule.
December 31 is by far the most common reporting period end. Some states tie reporting to your license renewal date instead, which can fall anywhere in the year. A few states use the last day of the month before your birth month.
The typical pattern is 40 hours per year for annual states, 80 hours per two years for biennial states, and 120 hours per three years for triennial states. Some states add a minimum-per-year requirement to prevent end-of-period cramming. Ethics requirements vary from 0 to 8 hours.
Log into your state board portal and check your individual license record. Your reporting period end date and renewal date are listed under your license details. These are personal to you and not always the same as the standard period for your state.
No. Most states require some ethics hours within the total, but not all. Among those that do, the rules vary: state-specific ethics (Texas, California), regulatory ethics (Florida), or general ethics (many others). Check whether your hours need to be from a state-approved ethics provider.
Search "[your state] board of accountancy CPE requirements" for the official source. NASBA also maintains a jurisdictional summary at nasbatools.com that aggregates rules across all 55 jurisdictions. Always cross-check NASBA against your own state board page for the most current rules.
Free email reminder for your CPE deadline. Set the date and you'll get a 90-day, 30-day, and day-of nudge. No account, no app.
Set My CPE ReminderLast modified: