CPA License Renewal in Washington (2026)

CPA license renewal in Washington is handled by the Washington State Board of Accountancy, 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.

Washington CPA renewal at a glance

Renewal cycle	36 months
Deadline rule	CPA credentials are renewed on a fixed triennial cycle. All credentialed individuals renew between January 1 and April 30 every three years; CPE must be completed by December 31 of the year prior to expiration. A license that is not renewed lapses effective July 1.
CE hours required	120 hours
Renewal fee	$230.00
Online renewal	Yes
CE tracking system	CPE Tracker tool in the Board's online services
Governing body	Washington State Board of Accountancy

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

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

Continuing-education requirements for CPAs in Washington

For active-status renewal: 120 hours of qualifying CPE over the three-year reporting period, with a minimum of 20 hours each year. A Washington State Board-approved ethics course must be completed each cycle and those hours count toward the 120-hour total. Limits apply: non-technical subjects capped at 60 hours, nano learning capped at 12 hours. Beginning with the 2025 renewal period, licensees may renew in inactive status instead, for which only the Board-approved ethics course is required.

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

How to renew your CPA license in Washington

Confirm your renewal deadline and current status on the Washington State Board of Accountancy portal.
Complete the required 120 CE hours and confirm they appear in CPE Tracker tool in the Board's online services.
Submit the renewal application and pay the current fee online.
Keep proof of CE and your renewal confirmation for your records.

Good to know: Triennial cycle; this is the active individual CPA license (not the CPA-firm license). Renewal and CPE logging are done through the Board's online secure-access portal. A $100 late fee applies to renewals filed May 1-June 30; the license lapses July 1 if not renewed. Renewals occur for the whole population in the same window (Jan 1-Apr 30) every three years rather than staggered by birth month/last name. As of the 2025 period, an inactive-status renewal option exists requiring only the ethics course. Fee figures ($230 renewal, $100 late) verified on the official renewal page; for edge cases the Board directs to [email protected] / (360) 753-2586.

CPA license renewal in Washington: frequently asked questions

How often do I renew my CPA license in Washington?

Washington CPA licenses renew every 36 months. CPA credentials are renewed on a fixed triennial cycle. All credentialed individuals renew between January 1 and April 30 every three years; CPE must be completed by December 31 of the year prior to expiration. A license that is not renewed lapses effective July 1.

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

Approximately 120 continuing-education hours per cycle. For active-status renewal: 120 hours of qualifying CPE over the three-year reporting period, with a minimum of 20 hours each year. A Washington State Board-approved ethics course must be completed each cycle and those hours count toward the 120-hour total. Limits apply: non-technical subjects capped at 60 hours, nano learning capped at 12 hours. Beginning with the 2025 renewal period, licensees may renew in inactive status instead, for which only the Board-approved ethics course is required. Confirm the current requirement with the Washington State Board of Accountancy.

Can I renew my Washington CPA license online?

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

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

Renew the same license in another state

All states: Certified Public Accountant (CPA) renewal