CPA License Renewal in Kentucky (2026)

CPA license renewal in Kentucky is handled by the Kentucky 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.

Kentucky CPA renewal at a glance

Renewal cycle	24 months
Deadline rule	Individual CPA licenses renew biennially during a July 1 to July 31 window. The cycle is staggered by license/certificate number parity: odd-numbered licenses renew in odd-numbered years and even-numbered licenses renew in even-numbered years. Licenses not renewed by July 31 enter a late period and any license not renewed by September 1 automatically expires.
CE hours required	80 hours
Renewal fee	$100.00
Online renewal	Yes
CE tracking system	CPE reported through the board's online license renewal system (no CE Broker)
Governing body	Kentucky State Board of Accountancy

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

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

Continuing-education requirements for CPAs in Kentucky

CPE is reported per two-year cycle and must be earned in the two calendar years preceding the renewal year. The required total depends on work setting: licensees who worked 3,000+ hours in a public accounting firm during the period must complete 80 hours; those working fewer than 3,000 firm hours, or in industry/government/education, must complete 60 hours. In all cases 2 of those hours must be in professional ethics (counted within the 80 or 60). There is no separate state-specific ethics exam. Licensees performing attest, compilation, or SSARS preparation engagements must also complete 8 hours of auditing/accounting CPE each calendar year (16 hours per cycle).

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

How to renew your CPA license in Kentucky

Confirm your renewal deadline and current status on the Kentucky State Board of Accountancy portal.
Complete the required 80 CE hours and confirm they appear in CPE reported through the board's online license renewal system (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: Fee is a flat $100 for the two-year individual license plus a Kentucky.gov administrative/portal surcharge (not a fixed board fee). Late renewal between Aug 1 and Sept 1 costs $200 plus the administrative fee; reinstatement after expiration is also $200. The 80-hour figure applies to public-accounting-firm CPAs at 3,000+ hours; the more common requirement for many licensees is 60 hours per cycle, so CPE hours genuinely vary by work setting. This is the individual active-CPA renewal, not the CPA firm permit. Governed by 201 KAR 1:065 (renewal/fee) and 201 KAR 1:100 (CPE).

CPA license renewal in Kentucky: frequently asked questions

How often do I renew my CPA license in Kentucky?

Kentucky CPA licenses renew every 24 months. Individual CPA licenses renew biennially during a July 1 to July 31 window. The cycle is staggered by license/certificate number parity: odd-numbered licenses renew in odd-numbered years and even-numbered licenses renew in even-numbered years. Licenses not renewed by July 31 enter a late period and any license not renewed by September 1 automatically expires.

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

Approximately 80 continuing-education hours per cycle. CPE is reported per two-year cycle and must be earned in the two calendar years preceding the renewal year. The required total depends on work setting: licensees who worked 3,000+ hours in a public accounting firm during the period must complete 80 hours; those working fewer than 3,000 firm hours, or in industry/government/education, must complete 60 hours. In all cases 2 of those hours must be in professional ethics (counted within the 80 or 60). There is no separate state-specific ethics exam. Licensees performing attest, compilation, or SSARS preparation engagements must also complete 8 hours of auditing/accounting CPE each calendar year (16 hours per cycle). Confirm the current requirement with the Kentucky State Board of Accountancy.

Can I renew my Kentucky CPA license online?

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

What happens if I let my Kentucky 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 Kentucky State Board of Accountancy promptly if your license has lapsed.

Renew the same license in another state

All states: Certified Public Accountant (CPA) renewal