State Requirements
New York CPA CPE Requirements (2026)
What CPAs licensed in New York need to know about continuing professional education — hours, reporting period, and ethics.
Total CPE
40 hours
Reporting period
1 year
Annual minimum
40 hours
New York CPE at a glance
- ✓40 hours/year (or 24 in a single concentration)
- ✓Annual reporting
- ✓4-hour ethics every 3 years
Ethics requirement
4 hours of acceptable ethics every 3 years.
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 New York State Board for Public Accountancy before relying on them. This page is general information, not legal or compliance advice.
New York CPE — frequently asked questions
How many CPE hours does New York require for CPAs?+
New York CPAs generally need 40 hours of CPE every 1 year, with a minimum of 40 hours each year. Confirm current rules with the New York State Board for Public Accountancy.
Does New York require ethics CPE?+
4 hours of acceptable ethics every 3 years.
Can I earn New York 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 NY requirement — always confirm acceptance with your state board.