State Requirements
Washington CPA CPE Requirements (2026)
What CPAs licensed in Washington need to know about continuing professional education — hours, reporting period, and ethics.
Total CPE
120 hours
Reporting period
3 years
Annual minimum
Per board cycle
Washington CPE at a glance
- ✓120 hours every 3 years
- ✓No more than 60 non-technical hours
- ✓4-hour WA ethics each cycle
Ethics requirement
4 hours of a board-approved Washington ethics course 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 Washington State Board of Accountancy before relying on them. This page is general information, not legal or compliance advice.
Washington CPE — frequently asked questions
How many CPE hours does Washington require for CPAs?+
Washington CPAs generally need 120 hours of CPE every 3 years. Confirm current rules with the Washington State Board of Accountancy.
Does Washington require ethics CPE?+
4 hours of a board-approved Washington ethics course every 3 years.
Can I earn Washington 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 WA requirement — always confirm acceptance with your state board.