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Last Updated Accreditation Requirements

Simplified guidelines. Quickly access credit, reporting, and jurisdictional requirements.

How Accreditation Requirements Work

The rules vary by jurisdiction, but most follow the same structure: complete required hours during your reporting period, meet any ethics or specialty rules, and report on time.

1

Know Your Reporting Period

Jurisdictions set reporting cycles (annual, biennial, or triennial) and renewal deadlines. Your total required hours are tied to that cycle.

2

Meet Hour and Topic Rules

Most jurisdictions require a minimum number of hours, plus specific topics like ethics or other specialty skills.

3

Track and Report

Keep your completion certificates and report credits when you renew. Documentation may be audited.

Find Your Regulator Requirements

Every regulator we track, grouped by jurisdiction. Open a jurisdiction page for current hours, ethics rules, deadlines and FAQs.

Find your region and regulator
search
Accounting
CA A&NZChartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand
20/ year, 120/3 yearsAnnual
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Accounting
CPA AUCPA Australia
20/ year, 120/3 yearsAnnual
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Accounting
IPAInstitute of Public Accountants
120/ 3 yearsTriennial
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Accounting
TPBTax Practitioners Board
120/3 years; 20/yearTriennial
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Accounting
TTIThe Tax Institute
30/yearAnnual

Frequently Asked Questions

What are continuing education requirements?

Continuing education requirements are the CPD hours a licensing or professional body requires you to complete each reporting period to keep your designation or license in good standing.

Do requirements vary by state or province?

Yes. Each licensing body sets its own rules. Total hours, reporting periods, ethics requirements, and accepted course formats can all differ, which is why it's important to check your specific jurisdiction's page before planning your credits.

How many credit hours do I need to complete?

Most jurisdictions require a set number of hours within a defined reporting period, often ranging from 1 to 3 years. Exact requirements depend on your jurisdiction and, in some cases, your license status or area of practice — see your jurisdiction-specific page for the exact figure.

Is an ethics component required?

Many jurisdictions require a minimum number of ethics hours as part of each reporting cycle, though the exact number and format can vary. Some require a general ethics course, while others require jurisdiction-specific or board-approved content.

Can I complete my hours through self-study or on-demand courses?

Most licensing bodies accept some form of self-study or on-demand learning, but acceptance isn't identical everywhere. Some jurisdictions cap the number of self-study hours, require a minimum of live participation, or apply specific format rules — always confirm your jurisdiction's current policy.

Will my credits be recognized in my jurisdiction?

Courses are designed to align with widely accepted continuing education standards, and course pages list applicable accreditations. Because final acceptance is determined by your licensing body, we recommend confirming a course meets your specific requirements before relying on it for renewal.

What records should I keep for compliance?

Most jurisdictions require you to keep certificates of completion and related documentation in case of an audit. Retention periods vary, so check how long your jurisdiction requires you to keep these records.

Can I carry over extra credits to the next period?

Some jurisdictions allow a limited number of unused hours to carry over into the next reporting period, often with caps or category restrictions (for example, ethics hours may not carry over). Other jurisdictions don't allow carryover at all — check your jurisdiction's specific policy.

What if I'm licensed in more than one state or province?

If you hold credentials in multiple jurisdictions, you may need to satisfy each one's requirements separately, unless a reciprocity or nonresident exception applies. We recommend verifying the rules for each jurisdiction where you're licensed.

What happens if I miss my renewal deadline?

Consequences vary by jurisdiction and can include late fees, a cure or grace period, or a temporary change in license status. If you're approaching or past your deadline, check with your licensing body as soon as possible for next steps.