CPA License Renewal in California (2026)

CPA license renewal in California is handled by the California Board of Accountancy (CBA), 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.

California CPA renewal at a glance

Renewal cycle	24 months
Deadline rule	An individual CPA license expires every other year (biennial) at midnight on the last day of the licensee's birth month. The year of expiration (even vs. odd) is determined by the licensee's birth year, so it staggers by both birth month and birth year.
CE hours required	80 hours
Renewal fee	$400.00
Online renewal	Yes
CE tracking system	CBA Connect online system (self-reported CE; CE documentation verified only if selected for audit)
Governing body	California Board of Accountancy (CBA)

Go to the official California Board of Accountancy (CBA) renewal page →

Last verified 2026-06-01 from the California Board of Accountancy (CBA). automated research workflow (official california Board of Accountancy), confidence high.

Continuing-education requirements for CPAs in California

80 hours of qualifying CE must be completed in the two-year period before expiration to renew in active status (no CE required for inactive renewal). A minimum of 20 hours must be completed in each year of the cycle, including at least 12 technical-subject hours per year. At least 40 of the 80 hours (50%) must be in technical subject areas and no more than 40 may be non-technical (the 50/50 rule). Four hours of technical ethics education are required each renewal. A two-hour Board-approved Regulatory Review course is required if more than six years have lapsed since the last one (and is required at the first renewal for licenses issued on or after July 1, 2024). Additional specialized hours apply to licensees who perform governmental auditing, accounting and auditing, preparation engagements, or are subject to fraud requirements.

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

How to renew your CPA license in California

Confirm your renewal deadline and current status on the California Board of Accountancy (CBA) portal.
Complete the required 80 CE hours and confirm they appear in CBA Connect online system (self-reported CE; CE documentation verified only if selected for audit).
Submit the renewal application and pay the current fee online.
Keep proof of CE and your renewal confirmation for your records.

Good to know: Fee is tiered by expiration date: $340 renewal / $170 delinquency for licenses expiring before July 1, 2026; $400 renewal / $200 delinquency for licenses expiring after June 30, 2026 (used here as current). Delinquency fee applies if payment is not received within 30 days of expiration. Renewal fee is the same for active or inactive status. A 2.3% transaction fee applies to online renewal payments made on/after July 1, 2026. CE hours cannot be carried over between renewal periods. New licensees and those who converted status mid-cycle prorate at 20 hours per full six-month period of active licensure. This applies to individual CPA licenses, not firm/partnership/corporation permits.

CPA license renewal in California: frequently asked questions

How often do I renew my CPA license in California?

California CPA licenses renew every 24 months. An individual CPA license expires every other year (biennial) at midnight on the last day of the licensee's birth month. The year of expiration (even vs. odd) is determined by the licensee's birth year, so it staggers by both birth month and birth year.

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

Approximately 80 continuing-education hours per cycle. 80 hours of qualifying CE must be completed in the two-year period before expiration to renew in active status (no CE required for inactive renewal). A minimum of 20 hours must be completed in each year of the cycle, including at least 12 technical-subject hours per year. At least 40 of the 80 hours (50%) must be in technical subject areas and no more than 40 may be non-technical (the 50/50 rule). Four hours of technical ethics education are required each renewal. A two-hour Board-approved Regulatory Review course is required if more than six years have lapsed since the last one (and is required at the first renewal for licenses issued on or after July 1, 2024). Additional specialized hours apply to licensees who perform governmental auditing, accounting and auditing, preparation engagements, or are subject to fraud requirements. Confirm the current requirement with the California Board of Accountancy (CBA).

Can I renew my California CPA license online?

Yes — California offers online renewal through the California Board of Accountancy (CBA). Use the official link on this page.

What happens if I let my California CPA license expire?

Practicing on an expired license is generally prohibited and can carry penalties. A late fee of about $200 may apply. Contact the California Board of Accountancy (CBA) promptly if your license has lapsed.

Renew the same license in another state

All states: Certified Public Accountant (CPA) renewal