State Requirements
Pennsylvania CPA CPE Requirements (2026)
What CPAs licensed in Pennsylvania need to know about continuing professional education — hours, reporting period, and ethics.
Total CPE
80 hours
Reporting period
2 years
Annual minimum
20 hours
Pennsylvania CPE at a glance
- ✓80 hours every 2 years
- ✓Minimum 20 hours/year
- ✓4-hour ethics each cycle
Ethics requirement
4 hours of ethics every 2 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 Pennsylvania State Board of Accountancy before relying on them. This page is general information, not legal or compliance advice.
Pennsylvania CPE — frequently asked questions
How many CPE hours does Pennsylvania require for CPAs?+
Pennsylvania CPAs generally need 80 hours of CPE every 2 years, with a minimum of 20 hours each year. Confirm current rules with the Pennsylvania State Board of Accountancy.
Does Pennsylvania require ethics CPE?+
4 hours of ethics every 2 years.
Can I earn Pennsylvania 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 PA requirement — always confirm acceptance with your state board.