CPA License Renewal in Tennessee (2026)

CPA license renewal in Tennessee is handled by the Tennessee 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.

Tennessee CPA renewal at a glance

Renewal cycle	24 months
Deadline rule	Active individual CPA licenses renew on a fixed two-year (biennial) cycle. Licenses expire December 31 of the renewal year, with a renewal/grace window that runs into the following June (the board cited a December 31, 2025 expiration with a last-day-to-renew of June 30, 2026). It is a fixed-date cycle, not a birth-month or last-name stagger.
CE hours required	80 hours
Renewal fee	$110.00
Online renewal	Yes
CE tracking system	CPE documented via course transcripts or NASBA Audit Tool compliance reports; licensees must retain records 5 years
Governing body	Tennessee State Board of Accountancy

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

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

Continuing-education requirements for CPAs in Tennessee

80 hours of CPE per two-year reporting period, with a minimum of 20 hours each year and at least 40 of the 80 hours in technical subjects. Two hours of Board-approved Tennessee state-specific ethics must be completed during each two-year licensing period. Additional requirements apply for those performing attest services (20 hours in accounting and auditing) or serving as expert witnesses (20 hours in the area of expertise). First-time renewers in a partial period owe at least 40 hours (20 technical) plus the 2 ethics hours; those licensed in the same year as first renewal have no CPE due.

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

How to renew your CPA license in Tennessee

Confirm your renewal deadline and current status on the Tennessee State Board of Accountancy portal.
Complete the required 80 CE hours and confirm they appear in CPE documented via course transcripts or NASBA Audit Tool compliance reports; licensees must retain records 5 years.
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 and renewal are handled through the state's Core/CORE online portal (core.tn.gov). Non-practicing CPAs can switch to Inactive status before expiration to avoid the CPE requirement. NASBA coordinates exams/CPE audit tooling but the Tennessee State Board of Accountancy is the licensing authority. The board selects licensees for CPE audit and requires submission of a list of CPE credits with renewal.

CPA license renewal in Tennessee: frequently asked questions

How often do I renew my CPA license in Tennessee?

Tennessee CPA licenses renew every 24 months. Active individual CPA licenses renew on a fixed two-year (biennial) cycle. Licenses expire December 31 of the renewal year, with a renewal/grace window that runs into the following June (the board cited a December 31, 2025 expiration with a last-day-to-renew of June 30, 2026). It is a fixed-date cycle, not a birth-month or last-name stagger.

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

Approximately 80 continuing-education hours per cycle. 80 hours of CPE per two-year reporting period, with a minimum of 20 hours each year and at least 40 of the 80 hours in technical subjects. Two hours of Board-approved Tennessee state-specific ethics must be completed during each two-year licensing period. Additional requirements apply for those performing attest services (20 hours in accounting and auditing) or serving as expert witnesses (20 hours in the area of expertise). First-time renewers in a partial period owe at least 40 hours (20 technical) plus the 2 ethics hours; those licensed in the same year as first renewal have no CPE due. Confirm the current requirement with the Tennessee State Board of Accountancy.

Can I renew my Tennessee CPA license online?

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

What happens if I let my Tennessee CPA license expire?

Practicing on an expired license is generally prohibited and can carry penalties. A late fee of about $100 may apply. Contact the Tennessee State Board of Accountancy promptly if your license has lapsed.

Renew the same license in another state

All states: Certified Public Accountant (CPA) renewal