CPA License Renewal in Wisconsin (2026)

CPA license renewal in Wisconsin is handled by the Wisconsin Accounting Examining Board (within the Department of Safety and Professional Services, DSPS), 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.

Wisconsin CPA renewal at a glance

Renewal cycle	24 months
Deadline rule	Biennial renewal on a fixed statewide date: an individual CPA credential expires December 14 of each odd-numbered year (per Wis. Stat. s. 440.08(2)). The two-year biennium runs from December 15 of one odd year through December 14 of the next odd year; not staggered by birth date or last name.
CE hours required	80 hours
Renewal fee	$43.00
Online renewal	Yes
CE tracking system	Self-reported CPE; no centralized CE Broker tracking. CPE is attested at renewal and subject to audit (5-year recordkeeping).
Governing body	Wisconsin Accounting Examining Board (within the Department of Safety and Professional Services, DSPS)

Go to the official Wisconsin Accounting Examining Board (within the Department of Safety and Professional Services, DSPS) renewal page →

Last verified 2026-06-01 from the Wisconsin Accounting Examining Board (within the Department of Safety and Professional Services, DSPS). automated research workflow (official wisconsin Board of Accountancy), confidence high.

Continuing-education requirements for CPAs in Wisconsin

80 CPE credits per two-year compliance period, with a minimum of 20 credits each year and at least 3 of the 80 credits in ethics during each two-year period. At least 40 of the 80 credits must come from formal learning activities. Documentation must be retained at least 5 years. No separate state-specific ethics exam is required for ongoing renewal (a one-time AICPA professional ethics exam applies at initial licensure, and a $75 ethics exam fee appears only for credentials expired 5+ years).

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

How to renew your CPA license in Wisconsin

Confirm your renewal deadline and current status on the Wisconsin Accounting Examining Board (within the Department of Safety and Professional Services, DSPS) portal.
Complete the required 80 CE hours and confirm they appear in Self-reported CPE; no centralized CE Broker tracking. CPE is attested at renewal and subject to audit (5-year recordkeeping)..
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 through the Wisconsin Accounting Examining Board under DSPS; NASBA does not license. Renewal is completed online through the DSPS LicensE portal (license.wi.gov). The $43 is the standard individual CPA credential renewal fee; a $25 late fee applies to late renewals, and credentials expired 5+ years incur additional fees (e.g., a $75 ethics exam fee). This record is for the active individual CPA credential, not the CPA firm permit or initial exam/licensure. CPE total (80), 20/year minimum, and 3-credit ethics requirement are set in Wis. Admin. Code ch. Accy 2 (Accy 2.501). The DSPS official pages were intermittently unreachable during research; core facts corroborated across multiple sources plus statutory/administrative-code citations.

CPA license renewal in Wisconsin: frequently asked questions

How often do I renew my CPA license in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin CPA licenses renew every 24 months. Biennial renewal on a fixed statewide date: an individual CPA credential expires December 14 of each odd-numbered year (per Wis. Stat. s. 440.08(2)). The two-year biennium runs from December 15 of one odd year through December 14 of the next odd year; not staggered by birth date or last name.

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

Approximately 80 continuing-education hours per cycle. 80 CPE credits per two-year compliance period, with a minimum of 20 credits each year and at least 3 of the 80 credits in ethics during each two-year period. At least 40 of the 80 credits must come from formal learning activities. Documentation must be retained at least 5 years. No separate state-specific ethics exam is required for ongoing renewal (a one-time AICPA professional ethics exam applies at initial licensure, and a $75 ethics exam fee appears only for credentials expired 5+ years). Confirm the current requirement with the Wisconsin Accounting Examining Board (within the Department of Safety and Professional Services, DSPS).

Can I renew my Wisconsin CPA license online?

Yes — Wisconsin offers online renewal through the Wisconsin Accounting Examining Board (within the Department of Safety and Professional Services, DSPS). Use the official link on this page.

What happens if I let my Wisconsin CPA license expire?

Practicing on an expired license is generally prohibited and can carry penalties. A late fee of about $25 may apply. Contact the Wisconsin Accounting Examining Board (within the Department of Safety and Professional Services, DSPS) promptly if your license has lapsed.

Renew the same license in another state

All states: Certified Public Accountant (CPA) renewal