CPA License Renewal in Arizona (2026)

CPA license renewal in Arizona is handled by the Arizona State Board of Accountancy, which requires Certified Public Accountant (CPA)s to renew every 24 months. Below are the renewal deadline rule, continuing-education (CE) hours, fees, and a direct link to the official renewal page — last verified 2026-06-01. This is an unofficial guide; always confirm the details with the board before you file.

Arizona CPA renewal at a glance

Renewal cycle	24 months
Deadline rule	Biennial renewal tied to the registrant's birth month and birth-year parity: those born in an even-numbered year renew in their birth month each even-numbered year; those born in an odd-numbered year renew in their birth month each odd-numbered year. The registration must be received in the Board office by the last day of the birth month (postmarks not accepted); the period runs from the 1st of the month after the birth month through the last day of the birth month two years later.
CE hours required	80 hours
Renewal fee	$300.00
Online renewal	Yes
CE tracking system	Board online portal CPE List (registrants log CPE in their account; it integrates with the biennial renewal)
Governing body	Arizona State Board of Accountancy

Go to the official Arizona State Board of Accountancy renewal page →

Last verified 2026-06-01 from the Arizona State Board of Accountancy. automated research workflow (official arizona Board of Accountancy), confidence high.

Continuing-education requirements for CPAs in Arizona

80 CPE hours per biennial renewal period (regardless of employment sector). Must include 4 hours of ethics, of which at least 1 hour covers ethics related to accounting practice including the AICPA Professional Code of Conduct and at least 1 hour covers Arizona Board statutes and administrative rules (an ethics course taught/developed by the registrant's own employer or co-worker does not qualify). At least 16 hours must be classroom or live/interactive webinar. At least 40 hours must be in accounting, auditing, taxation, business law, or consulting services, of which at least 16 hours must be in accounting, auditing, or taxation. No specific annual minimum is stated; excess hours cannot be carried forward to the next period. Non-resident CPAs may meet AZ CPE by satisfying their principal-place-of-business jurisdiction's CPE requirements (reciprocity).

Need approved hours? Compare Arizona CPA CE courses (some links are affiliate links).

How to renew your CPA license in Arizona

Confirm your renewal deadline and current status on the Arizona State Board of Accountancy portal.
Complete the required 80 CE hours and confirm they appear in Board online portal CPE List (registrants log CPE in their account; it integrates with the biennial renewal).
Submit the renewal application and pay the current fee online.
Keep proof of CE and your renewal confirmation for your records.

Good to know: Online renewal is mandatory once a CPA has completed at least one full renewal cycle; first-cycle CPAs receive a paper renewal form about two months before the due date. The $300 fee is the active individual CPA biennial registration fee; reduced fees apply for inactive ($150) and retired ($50) status. Registrants in the system for less than two years are charged pro rata. If the registration and fee are not received by the last day of the birth month, the certificate is automatically suspended; reactivation within three months requires the past-due fee plus a $50 late fee, and failure to renew within three months causes the certificate to expire. 80 hours of CPE proof must be submitted as a prerequisite to registration. Authorities: A.R.S. 32-730, 32-729, 32-741.01; A.A.C. R4-1-345 and R4-1-453.

CPA license renewal in Arizona: frequently asked questions

How often do I renew my CPA license in Arizona?

Arizona CPA licenses renew every 24 months. Biennial renewal tied to the registrant's birth month and birth-year parity: those born in an even-numbered year renew in their birth month each even-numbered year; those born in an odd-numbered year renew in their birth month each odd-numbered year. The registration must be received in the Board office by the last day of the birth month (postmarks not accepted); the period runs from the 1st of the month after the birth month through the last day of the birth month two years later.

How many CE hours are required to renew an CPA license in Arizona?

Approximately 80 continuing-education hours per cycle. 80 CPE hours per biennial renewal period (regardless of employment sector). Must include 4 hours of ethics, of which at least 1 hour covers ethics related to accounting practice including the AICPA Professional Code of Conduct and at least 1 hour covers Arizona Board statutes and administrative rules (an ethics course taught/developed by the registrant's own employer or co-worker does not qualify). At least 16 hours must be classroom or live/interactive webinar. At least 40 hours must be in accounting, auditing, taxation, business law, or consulting services, of which at least 16 hours must be in accounting, auditing, or taxation. No specific annual minimum is stated; excess hours cannot be carried forward to the next period. Non-resident CPAs may meet AZ CPE by satisfying their principal-place-of-business jurisdiction's CPE requirements (reciprocity). Confirm the current requirement with the Arizona State Board of Accountancy.

Can I renew my Arizona CPA license online?

Yes — Arizona offers online renewal through the Arizona State Board of Accountancy. Use the official link on this page.

What happens if I let my Arizona CPA license expire?

Practicing on an expired license is generally prohibited and can carry penalties. A late fee of about $50 may apply. Contact the Arizona State Board of Accountancy promptly if your license has lapsed.

Renew the same license in another state

All states: Certified Public Accountant (CPA) renewal