State Requirements

District of Columbia CPA CPE Requirements (2026)

What CPAs licensed in District of Columbia need to know about continuing professional education — hours, reporting period, and ethics.

Total CPE

80 hours

Reporting period

2 years

Annual minimum

Per board cycle

District of Columbia CPE at a glance

  • 80 hours every 2 years
  • Reported per the board's cycle
  • Ethics CPE required — verify the exact rule

Ethics requirement

An ethics CPE requirement applies (commonly 4 hours per 3-year cycle). Confirm your state's exact ethics rule, as some require a state-specific course.

How to meet it

CPE is earned in 50-minute credit hours through qualifying programs — including live webinars, which most boards accept as group-internet-based learning. To stay compliant: track your hours by field of study, complete any required ethics course, and keep your certificates of completion in case of audit. Spreading hours across your reporting period (rather than cramming at the deadline) keeps renewal stress-free.

Always verify with your board

Requirements change and can include details not summarized here. Confirm the current rules with the DC Board of Accountancy before relying on them. This page is general information, not legal or compliance advice.

District of Columbia CPE — frequently asked questions

How many CPE hours does District of Columbia require for CPAs?+

District of Columbia CPAs generally need 80 hours of CPE every 2 years. Confirm current rules with the DC Board of Accountancy.

Does District of Columbia require ethics CPE?+

An ethics CPE requirement applies (commonly 4 hours per 3-year cycle). Confirm your state's exact ethics rule, as some require a state-specific course.

Can I earn District of Columbia CPE through free live webinars?+

Yes. Live webinars typically qualify as group internet-based CPE, which most boards accept. CPE Society offers free live webinars you can apply toward your DC requirement — always confirm acceptance with your state board.