CPA License Renewal in Ohio (2026)

CPA license renewal in Ohio is handled by the Accountancy Board of Ohio, which requires Certified Public Accountant (CPA)s to renew every 36 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.

Ohio CPA renewal at a glance

Renewal cycle	36 months
Deadline rule	Individual Ohio permits are renewed triennially and expire on the last day of December of the three-year cycle assigned by the Board. The renewal window opens in early October and closes December 31; late fees begin January 1 after expiration. The triennial CPE reporting period runs January 1 through December 31 three years later.
CE hours required	120 hours
Renewal fee	$180.00
Online renewal	Yes
CE tracking system	NASBA CPE Audit Service
Governing body	Accountancy Board of Ohio

Go to the official Accountancy Board of Ohio renewal page →

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

Continuing-education requirements for CPAs in Ohio

120 CPE credits per 3-year (triennial) cycle, with a minimum of 20 credits each year (failing the 20/year minimum is allowed but incurs a $10 fine per missing credit). Includes a mandatory 3 credits of board-approved ethics in Professional Standards and Responsibilities (PSR) within the three years preceding renewal, emphasizing Ohio law (ORC and OAC Chapter 4701) — an Ohio-specific ethics course rather than the generic AICPA ethics exam. Permit holders performing accounting, auditing, assurance, or attestation engagements must also complete at least 24 credits in those specific subject areas.

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

How to renew your CPA license in Ohio

Confirm your renewal deadline and current status on the Accountancy Board of Ohio portal.
Complete the required 120 CE hours and confirm they appear in NASBA CPE Audit Service.
Submit the renewal application and pay the current fee online.
Keep proof of CE and your renewal confirmation for your records.

Good to know: Licensing is state-level via the Accountancy Board of Ohio; NASBA only provides the CPE Audit Service tracking tool. The $180 renewal fee is the standard three-year Ohio Permit fee (a 2-year $120 and 1-year option exist only for newly licensed CPAs or those returning to practice). Late fees are tiered by license type: $50/month up to a $300 max for standard Registrations and Permits, and $100/month up to a $1,200 max for a Permit-Employed in Public Accounting; the late_fee_usd value reflects the standard $50/month starting figure. Non-Practicing Registrations and CPA-Retired status do not require CPE. Note HB 238 changes Ohio CPA licensure (education/experience) requirements starting Jan 1, 2026, but these affect initial licensure, not the renewal cycle/CPE structure. The acc.ohio.gov site serves a 404 to automated scrapers; facts were verified from the Board's indexed official pages (renewal-requirements, fees, late-renewals, PSR, CPE-verification, FAQ) and corroborated with ORC 4701.10.

CPA license renewal in Ohio: frequently asked questions

How often do I renew my CPA license in Ohio?

Ohio CPA licenses renew every 36 months. Individual Ohio permits are renewed triennially and expire on the last day of December of the three-year cycle assigned by the Board. The renewal window opens in early October and closes December 31; late fees begin January 1 after expiration. The triennial CPE reporting period runs January 1 through December 31 three years later.

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

Approximately 120 continuing-education hours per cycle. 120 CPE credits per 3-year (triennial) cycle, with a minimum of 20 credits each year (failing the 20/year minimum is allowed but incurs a $10 fine per missing credit). Includes a mandatory 3 credits of board-approved ethics in Professional Standards and Responsibilities (PSR) within the three years preceding renewal, emphasizing Ohio law (ORC and OAC Chapter 4701) — an Ohio-specific ethics course rather than the generic AICPA ethics exam. Permit holders performing accounting, auditing, assurance, or attestation engagements must also complete at least 24 credits in those specific subject areas. Confirm the current requirement with the Accountancy Board of Ohio.

Can I renew my Ohio CPA license online?

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

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

Renew the same license in another state

All states: Certified Public Accountant (CPA) renewal