CPA License Renewal in Pennsylvania (2026)

CPA license renewal in Pennsylvania is handled by the State Board of Accountancy (Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs), 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.

Pennsylvania CPA renewal at a glance

Renewal cycle	24 months
Deadline rule	Individual CPA licenses are renewed on a biennial cycle and expire December 31 of every odd-numbered year (e.g., 12/31/2025). This is a fixed statewide date, not based on birth month or last name. There is no grace period; renewals must be submitted by 11:59 PM on the December 31 deadline.
CE hours required	80 hours
Renewal fee	$100.00
Online renewal	Yes
Governing body	State Board of Accountancy (Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs)

Go to the official State Board of Accountancy (Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs) renewal page →

Last verified 2026-06-01 from the State Board of Accountancy (Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs). automated research workflow (official pennsylvania Board of Accountancy), confidence high.

Continuing-education requirements for CPAs in Pennsylvania

80 CPE hours per two-year cycle, with a minimum of 20 hours each year. Must include 4 hours in ethics. Licensees engaged in attest activity must also complete 24 hours in accounting and attest/auditing subjects within the total. CPE must be completed before submitting the renewal. (No state-specific ethics exam; the 4-hour ethics CPE satisfies the ethics requirement.) Those who passed the CPA exam in 2024 or 2025 are exempt from CPE for the 2025 renewal cycle.

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How to renew your CPA license in Pennsylvania

Confirm your renewal deadline and current status on the State Board of Accountancy (Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs) portal.
Complete the required 80 CE hours.
Submit the renewal application and pay the current fee online.
Keep proof of CE and your renewal confirmation for your records.

Good to know: Renewals are completed online through Pennsylvania's PALS system (www.pals.pa.gov); paper renewal notices are mailed in late October/early November before the December 31 deadline. No published fixed late/penalty fee — after expiration, a reactivation application (rather than standard renewal) is required as of January 1 following expiry. The $100 fee is the individual CPA renewal fee (separate from CPA-firm permits). Pennsylvania does not use CE Broker; CPE is self-documented and attested at renewal, subject to Board audit.

CPA license renewal in Pennsylvania: frequently asked questions

How often do I renew my CPA license in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania CPA licenses renew every 24 months. Individual CPA licenses are renewed on a biennial cycle and expire December 31 of every odd-numbered year (e.g., 12/31/2025). This is a fixed statewide date, not based on birth month or last name. There is no grace period; renewals must be submitted by 11:59 PM on the December 31 deadline.

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

Approximately 80 continuing-education hours per cycle. 80 CPE hours per two-year cycle, with a minimum of 20 hours each year. Must include 4 hours in ethics. Licensees engaged in attest activity must also complete 24 hours in accounting and attest/auditing subjects within the total. CPE must be completed before submitting the renewal. (No state-specific ethics exam; the 4-hour ethics CPE satisfies the ethics requirement.) Those who passed the CPA exam in 2024 or 2025 are exempt from CPE for the 2025 renewal cycle. Confirm the current requirement with the State Board of Accountancy (Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs).

Can I renew my Pennsylvania CPA license online?

Yes — Pennsylvania offers online renewal through the State Board of Accountancy (Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs). Use the official link on this page.

What happens if I let my Pennsylvania CPA license expire?

Practicing on an expired license is generally prohibited and can carry penalties. Late or reactivation fees may apply. Contact the State Board of Accountancy (Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs) promptly if your license has lapsed.

Renew the same license in another state

All states: Certified Public Accountant (CPA) renewal