CPA License Renewal in Louisiana (2026)

CPA license renewal in Louisiana is handled by the Louisiana State Board of Certified Public Accountants, which requires Certified Public Accountant (CPA)s to renew every 12 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.

Louisiana CPA renewal at a glance

Renewal cycle	12 months
Deadline rule	Active individual CPA licenses (certificates) expire annually on a fixed date, December 31. Online renewal opens November 1; renewals filed after January incur escalating late fees. CPE is reported separately by January 31 of the following year.
CE hours required	80 hours
Renewal fee	$120.00
Online renewal	Yes
CE tracking system	Online CPE Reporting portal (Thentia licensee portal)
Governing body	Louisiana State Board of Certified Public Accountants

Go to the official Louisiana State Board of Certified Public Accountants renewal page →

Last verified 2026-06-01 from the Louisiana State Board of Certified Public Accountants. automated research workflow (official louisiana Board of Accountancy), confidence high.

Continuing-education requirements for CPAs in Louisiana

CPE is measured on a rolling two-calendar-year basis: at least 80 hours over any rolling 2-year period, with a firm minimum of 20 hours each year (the board advises aiming for ~40/year). A board-approved 3-hour Professional Ethics course (only from board-listed vendors) is required, but only in even-numbered years; generic behavioral ethics does not substitute. CPAs participating in attest engagements during a year must complete at least 8 hours in Accounting and Auditing that year. No carryover of excess hours. Non-residents may satisfy via CPE reciprocity with their principal-place-of-business state.

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

How to renew your CPA license in Louisiana

Confirm your renewal deadline and current status on the Louisiana State Board of Certified Public Accountants portal.
Complete the required 80 CE hours and confirm they appear in Online CPE Reporting portal (Thentia licensee portal).
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 cycle is annual (Dec 31 expiry) but CPE accrues over a rolling 2-year window (80 hrs total, 20 hr/yr minimum). Active individual CPA renewal fee is a fixed $120. Late penalties escalate by month: filing in February adds a $200 delinquent fee; from March through December a $50/month reinstatement fee is also added (so total add-on is $200 in Feb, $250 Mar, rising to $700 in Dec). Inactive ($50) and Retired ($50) statuses have separate, lower fees and are CPE-exempt. If a license has been expired more than one year, full reinstatement (120 hrs CPE incl. 3-hr ethics + 1 yr verified experience) is required instead. Ethics requirement applies only in even-numbered years.

CPA license renewal in Louisiana: frequently asked questions

How often do I renew my CPA license in Louisiana?

Louisiana CPA licenses renew every 12 months. Active individual CPA licenses (certificates) expire annually on a fixed date, December 31. Online renewal opens November 1; renewals filed after January incur escalating late fees. CPE is reported separately by January 31 of the following year.

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

Approximately 80 continuing-education hours per cycle. CPE is measured on a rolling two-calendar-year basis: at least 80 hours over any rolling 2-year period, with a firm minimum of 20 hours each year (the board advises aiming for ~40/year). A board-approved 3-hour Professional Ethics course (only from board-listed vendors) is required, but only in even-numbered years; generic behavioral ethics does not substitute. CPAs participating in attest engagements during a year must complete at least 8 hours in Accounting and Auditing that year. No carryover of excess hours. Non-residents may satisfy via CPE reciprocity with their principal-place-of-business state. Confirm the current requirement with the Louisiana State Board of Certified Public Accountants.

Can I renew my Louisiana CPA license online?

Yes — Louisiana offers online renewal through the Louisiana State Board of Certified Public Accountants. Use the official link on this page.

What happens if I let my Louisiana 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 Louisiana State Board of Certified Public Accountants promptly if your license has lapsed.

Renew the same license in another state

All states: Certified Public Accountant (CPA) renewal