CPA License Renewal in Maryland (2026)

CPA license renewal in Maryland is handled by the Maryland Board of Public Accountancy (Maryland Department of Labor, Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing), 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.

Maryland CPA renewal at a glance

Renewal cycle	24 months
Deadline rule	Individual CPA licenses run on a fixed two-year (biennial) term and must be renewed before the current license term expires. The board states expiration dates are fixed and not subject to change; the board sends the first renewal notice roughly 120 days before the expiration date.
CE hours required	80 hours
Renewal fee	$63.00
Online renewal	Yes
CE tracking system	Licensees report CPE to the board (self-report at renewal); no third-party CE Broker system noted
Governing body	Maryland Board of Public Accountancy (Maryland Department of Labor, Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing)

Go to the official Maryland Board of Public Accountancy (Maryland Department of Labor, Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing) renewal page →

Last verified 2026-06-01 from the Maryland Board of Public Accountancy (Maryland Department of Labor, Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing). automated research workflow (official maryland Board of Accountancy), confidence high.

Continuing-education requirements for CPAs in Maryland

An active CPA must complete a minimum of 80 qualifying continuing education hours per two-year license term, of which 4 hours must be in professional ethics. Up to 80 excess hours may be carried forward to the next renewal, but the 4 ethics hours must be earned in the license period immediately preceding renewal. No CPE is required for the very first renewal. No state-specific ethics exam is required for renewal (the AICPA ethics exam is part of initial licensure).

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

How to renew your CPA license in Maryland

Confirm your renewal deadline and current status on the Maryland Board of Public Accountancy (Maryland Department of Labor, Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing) portal.
Complete the required 80 CE hours and confirm they appear in Licensees report CPE to the board (self-report at renewal); no third-party CE Broker system noted.
Submit the renewal application and pay the current fee online.
Keep proof of CE and your renewal confirmation for your records.

Good to know: Fees verified: individual renewal $63, inactive-status renewal $31, and reinstatement/reactivation/renewal of an expired active license $126 (used here as the late/lapsed figure; the board does not publish a separate flat late penalty). Licensees performing audit/attest services must also undergo peer review (typically every three years). Fees are set by law/regulation and are nonrefundable. This entry covers the individual active CPA license, not the CPA firm permit or initial exam/licensure.

CPA license renewal in Maryland: frequently asked questions

How often do I renew my CPA license in Maryland?

Maryland CPA licenses renew every 24 months. Individual CPA licenses run on a fixed two-year (biennial) term and must be renewed before the current license term expires. The board states expiration dates are fixed and not subject to change; the board sends the first renewal notice roughly 120 days before the expiration date.

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

Approximately 80 continuing-education hours per cycle. An active CPA must complete a minimum of 80 qualifying continuing education hours per two-year license term, of which 4 hours must be in professional ethics. Up to 80 excess hours may be carried forward to the next renewal, but the 4 ethics hours must be earned in the license period immediately preceding renewal. No CPE is required for the very first renewal. No state-specific ethics exam is required for renewal (the AICPA ethics exam is part of initial licensure). Confirm the current requirement with the Maryland Board of Public Accountancy (Maryland Department of Labor, Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing).

Can I renew my Maryland CPA license online?

Yes — Maryland offers online renewal through the Maryland Board of Public Accountancy (Maryland Department of Labor, Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing). Use the official link on this page.

What happens if I let my Maryland CPA license expire?

Practicing on an expired license is generally prohibited and can carry penalties. A late fee of about $126 may apply. Contact the Maryland Board of Public Accountancy (Maryland Department of Labor, Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing) promptly if your license has lapsed.

Renew the same license in another state

All states: Certified Public Accountant (CPA) renewal