CPA CPD Hours: Requirements, Activities and Record-Keeping for Accountants

CPA CPD Hours: What Accountants Need to Know

CPA CPD hours are the hours accountants spend on continuing professional development (CPD) to maintain and update their professional knowledge and skills. Depending on the country, licensing authority or professional body, this activity may also be called continuing professional education (CPE).

CPD helps finance professionals keep pace with changes in accounting standards, tax rules, regulation and technology. However, there is no single set of requirements that applies to every CPA. The number of hours required, the subjects that count and the deadlines for reporting can vary significantly.

What are CPA CPD hours?

A CPD hour generally represents time spent on a relevant learning activity. This might include attending a course, taking part in a webinar, completing an online module or undertaking structured workplace learning. Some professional bodies also recognise activities such as teaching, writing technical material or presenting at a conference.

Not every activity automatically qualifies. Requirements differ between regulators and professional associations, so CPAs should check the rules that apply to their own licence or membership.

How many CPD hours do CPAs need?

The required number of hours depends on where a CPA is licensed or which professional body they belong to. Some authorities set an annual minimum; others assess CPD over a multi-year reporting period. Requirements may also include specific learning in areas such as ethics, professional conduct or regulatory updates.

For that reason, it is important not to rely on a general figure found online. Check the current guidance from the relevant licensing board or professional organisation, including any rules about:

• the total number of hours required;
• the reporting period and submission deadline;
• mandatory subjects, such as ethics;
• approved or recognised learning providers;
• limits on self-study or non-technical activities; and
• exemptions, carry-forward rules or reduced requirements.

Which activities may count towards CPD?

Depending on the applicable rules, qualifying activities may include:

• classroom-based courses and professional conferences;
• live or recorded webinars;
• online learning and assessed courses;
• technical briefings and professional seminars;
• ethics and compliance training;
• research, teaching or writing on relevant professional topics; and
• structured learning undertaken as part of a role.

Keep in mind that the same activity may be treated differently by different organisations. A course that counts towards one membership may not satisfy the requirements of another.

How to keep an accurate CPD record

Good record-keeping makes it easier to report CPD and demonstrate compliance if your hours are reviewed. For each activity, record the date, title, provider, subject, duration and how it relates to your professional development. Keep certificates of completion, attendance confirmations, assessment results and relevant course materials where available.

It is also helpful to note what you learned and how you expect to apply it in your work. Some bodies require evidence of learning outcomes or a reflective record, rather than a simple list of hours.

Planning CPD throughout the year

Leaving CPD until the end of the reporting period can make it harder to find suitable courses and meet subject-specific requirements. A simple annual plan can help. Identify the skills you need to develop, check the requirements that apply to your licence or membership, and schedule a mix of learning activities throughout the year.

Consider topics that are relevant to your role, such as changes to financial reporting, taxation, audit, risk management, data protection, cybersecurity or the use of accounting technology. Your CPD should support both compliance and your ongoing professional effectiveness.

CPD requirements in the UK

In the UK, CPD requirements are set by the relevant professional body, regulator or employer, rather than by one universal CPA rule. The CPA designation is used in a number of jurisdictions outside the UK, and its requirements can differ from those applying to UK accountancy memberships. If you hold more than one qualification or licence, you may need to meet more than one set of CPD requirements.

Always consult the current guidance issued by the organisation responsible for your qualification or licence. This is the best way to confirm which activities count, how hours are calculated and what evidence you need to retain.

In summary

CPA CPD hours help accountants maintain their expertise and meet ongoing professional obligations. The rules are not universal: requirements depend on the relevant jurisdiction and professional body. Check the official guidance, plan learning activities in advance and keep clear records to make your CPD both useful and straightforward to report.

 

CPA CPD Hours: Frequently Asked Questions on Requirements, Points and Renewal

1. What is CPD for CPA?
2. What is continuing professional development (CPD)?
3. How to get 20 CPD points?
4. What is CPA CPD hours?
5. How many cpd for CPA renewal?
6. How many CPD hours do I need per year?
7. How many CPD do you need for a CPA?
8. How many hours of unstructured CPD for CPA?
9. Is a CPA harder than a bar?

What is CPD for CPA?

CPD for a CPA means continuing professional development: ongoing learning that helps Certified Public Accountants maintain and develop the knowledge and skills needed for their work. It can include courses, webinars, conferences and other recognised learning activities. The requirements vary by licensing authority and professional body, so CPAs should check which activities count and how many hours they need to complete.

What is continuing professional development (CPD)?

Continuing professional development (CPD) is the ongoing learning accountants undertake to maintain and develop their professional knowledge and skills. It can include courses, webinars, conferences and other relevant learning activities. For CPAs, CPD helps keep expertise up to date and may be required to maintain a licence or professional membership; the rules vary by jurisdiction and professional body.

How to get 20 CPD points?

To earn 20 CPD points, first check your professional body’s rules, as the value assigned to each activity can vary. You may be able to combine relevant courses, webinars, conferences, technical reading or other approved learning, then record the activity, date, duration and evidence of completion. If your organisation requires a reflection or learning outcome, include that too, and confirm that the activities meet its criteria before submitting your points.

What is CPA CPD hours?

CPA CPD hours are the time a Certified Public Accountant spends on continuing professional development to maintain and update their knowledge and skills. Activities may include courses, webinars, conferences and relevant self-study, but what qualifies—and how many hours are required—depends on the CPA’s licensing authority or professional body.

How many cpd for CPA renewal?

The number of CPD hours needed to renew a CPA licence depends on the licensing authority and jurisdiction, as there is no single requirement that applies to all CPAs. Some authorities set an annual minimum, while others assess CPD over a multi-year period and may require specific subjects, such as ethics. Check your licensing body’s current renewal rules to confirm the hours, reporting period and evidence required.

How many CPD hours do I need per year?

The number of CPD hours you need each year depends on the country, licensing authority and professional body that govern your CPA qualification. Some require a set number annually, while others assess your learning over a multi-year period and may specify hours in areas such as ethics. Check your organisation’s current requirements, including how hours are calculated and when they must be reported.

How many CPD do you need for a CPA?

The number of CPD hours required for a CPA depends on the country, licensing authority and professional body, so there is no single requirement that applies to everyone. Some organisations set an annual minimum, while others assess hours over a multi-year period and may require training in areas such as ethics. Check the current rules for your specific CPA licence or membership, including which activities qualify and when you need to report them.

How many hours of unstructured CPD for CPA?

There is no single number of unstructured CPD hours required for every CPA, as the allowance depends on your licensing authority or professional body. Unstructured learning—such as relevant reading, research or workplace learning—may count if it meets that organisation’s criteria, but some bodies cap the hours that can be claimed or require a proportion of CPD to be formally verifiable. Check the current rules for your jurisdiction and keep a record of the activity, time spent and what you learned.

Is a CPA harder than a bar?

Whether the CPA exam is harder than the bar exam depends on your strengths and background: the CPA focuses on accounting, auditing, taxation and business topics, while the bar exam tests legal knowledge, analysis and written advocacy. Both are demanding, require substantial preparation and vary by jurisdiction, so there is no definitive answer. CPD hours are separate from either exam and are generally completed after qualification to maintain professional knowledge.