CPA License Renewal in District of Columbia (2026)

CPA license renewal in District of Columbia is handled by the District of Columbia Board of Accountancy (Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, DLCP), 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.

District of Columbia CPA renewal at a glance

Renewal cycle	24 months
Deadline rule	Individual CPA licenses expire on December 31 of even-numbered years and renew on a fixed biennial cycle (same date for all licensees, not staggered by birth month or last name). The renewal window for the cycle ending 2026 runs October 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026.
CE hours required	80 hours
Renewal fee	$110.00
Online renewal	Yes
CE tracking system	CPE reporting form submitted at renewal (no CE Broker)
Governing body	District of Columbia Board of Accountancy (Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, DLCP)

Go to the official District of Columbia Board of Accountancy (Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, DLCP) renewal page →

Last verified 2026-06-01 from the District of Columbia Board of Accountancy (Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, DLCP). automated research workflow (official district-of-columbia Board of Accountancy), confidence high.

Continuing-education requirements for CPAs in District of Columbia

80 CPE hours per 2-year cycle, including at least 4 hours of professional ethics. No DC-specific state ethics exam is required for renewal (a qualifying ethics CPE course such as AICPA/regulatory/behavioral ethics satisfies the requirement). Licensees submit an Accountancy Continuing Professional Education Reporting Form with renewal. First renewal of an initial license issued less than 2 years prior is exempt from the CPE requirement. The 80-hour total and 4-hour ethics figures are not stated verbatim on the main DLCP renewal page (which references the CPE reporting form and the DC accountancy regulations at dcregs.dc.gov) but are consistently corroborated; the cycle, deadline, and fees are confirmed directly on the official DLCP page.

Need approved hours? Compare District of Columbia CPA CE courses (some links are affiliate links).

How to renew your CPA license in District of Columbia

Confirm your renewal deadline and current status on the District of Columbia Board of Accountancy (Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, DLCP) portal.
Complete the required 80 CE hours and confirm they appear in CPE reporting form submitted at renewal (no CE Broker).
Submit the renewal application and pay the current fee online.
Keep proof of CE and your renewal confirmation for your records.

Good to know: Renewal is processed online via DC's OPL renewal portal (Access DC / govservices.dcra.dc.gov), requiring a free Access DC account. Fee verified at $110 individual CPA renewal with a $50 late fee on the official DLCP Board of Accountancy page. This entry is the individual CPA license, distinct from the CPA firm permit. The CPA exam/initial licensure pathway is separate. Specific per-cycle CPE hour count and ethics hours are governed by the DC accountancy regulations (dcregs.dc.gov); the DLCP page itself only links the CPE reporting form rather than listing the hour totals.

CPA license renewal in District of Columbia: frequently asked questions

How often do I renew my CPA license in District of Columbia?

District of Columbia CPA licenses renew every 24 months. Individual CPA licenses expire on December 31 of even-numbered years and renew on a fixed biennial cycle (same date for all licensees, not staggered by birth month or last name). The renewal window for the cycle ending 2026 runs October 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026.

How many CE hours are required to renew an CPA license in District of Columbia?

Approximately 80 continuing-education hours per cycle. 80 CPE hours per 2-year cycle, including at least 4 hours of professional ethics. No DC-specific state ethics exam is required for renewal (a qualifying ethics CPE course such as AICPA/regulatory/behavioral ethics satisfies the requirement). Licensees submit an Accountancy Continuing Professional Education Reporting Form with renewal. First renewal of an initial license issued less than 2 years prior is exempt from the CPE requirement. The 80-hour total and 4-hour ethics figures are not stated verbatim on the main DLCP renewal page (which references the CPE reporting form and the DC accountancy regulations at dcregs.dc.gov) but are consistently corroborated; the cycle, deadline, and fees are confirmed directly on the official DLCP page. Confirm the current requirement with the District of Columbia Board of Accountancy (Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, DLCP).

Can I renew my District of Columbia CPA license online?

Yes — District of Columbia offers online renewal through the District of Columbia Board of Accountancy (Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, DLCP). Use the official link on this page.

What happens if I let my District of Columbia 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 District of Columbia Board of Accountancy (Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, DLCP) promptly if your license has lapsed.

Renew the same license in another state

All states: Certified Public Accountant (CPA) renewal