How many CPE hours do District of Columbia CPAs need?
80 hours of acceptable continuing professional education during each two-year licensing cycle.
Within that total, at least 4 hours must be in professional ethics.
State license Info
Washington DC
District of Columbia Board of Accountancy · DLCP
District of Columbia CPA CPE Requirements
Reviewed August 2026District of Columbia CPAs must complete 80 hours of acceptable continuing professional education during each two-year licensing cycle, including at least 4 hours of professional ethics. The reporting period runs January 1 to December 31 biennially, and licenses renew December 31 of even-numbered years. The renewal window opens October 1.
The District sets no subject-area requirements beyond ethics, but it does cap several credit categories — meetings at 25%, instruction and technical review combined at 50%, and published material at 25%.
How the 80 hours break down
One square equals one CPE hour in the two-year licensing cycle.
4 hrs — Professional ethics
76 hrs — Any qualifying subject; no other subject-area requirement
20 hrs — Maximum from non-approved subject areas (25%), if justified
District of Columbia CPE at a Glance
| Total CPE hours | 80 hours during each two-year licensing cycle |
|---|---|
| Reporting period | January 1 to December 31 biennially, covering two calendar years |
| License renewal | December 31 of even-numbered years. The renewal window opens October 1 and runs through December 31. |
| Annual minimum | None. The requirement is measured across the two-year cycle. |
| Ethics requirement | 4 hours of professional ethics within the reporting period, from an approved provider |
| Qualifying ethics content | Regulatory AICPA ethics, Circular 230 ethics, and behavioral ethics all qualify. Dual licensees may combine courses — for example a two-credit Virginia ethics course plus two further ethics credits. |
| Other subject requirements | None |
| Meetings cap | Committee, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and firm meetings are limited to a combined 25% of the total required credits |
| Instruction and technical review | Combined credit limited to 50% of the total required credits. Instruction is allowed at up to two times the number of class hours. |
| Published materials cap | 25% of total hours. In exceptional circumstances an applicant may request additional credit by submitting the publication to the Board with an explanation justifying the greater credit. |
| Non-approved subject areas | Up to 25% of total hours may relate to non-approved subject areas if the CPA can demonstrate the subjects contribute to professional competence |
| Self-study | All 80 hours may be completed through self-study. Nano learning is accepted. |
| Carryover | Not permitted. Hours exceeding the number required for the current renewal period may not be carried forward. |
| Qualifying programs | A program qualifies if it is a formal program of learning which contributes directly to the growth in professional competence of an individual |
| Non-compliance | Failure to meet the requirements can result in penalties including fines, license suspension, or revocation |
Most common mistake
Assuming the renewal year is odd. D.C. renews on December 31 of even-numbered years, which puts it out of step with the many neighbouring jurisdictions that use odd years. If you hold licenses in D.C. and a nearby state, the two cycles will not align.
D.C. Ethics, Approved Provider Required
NASBA Registry #111907
District of Columbia Ethics for CPAs
Satisfies the four-hour professional ethics requirement for the biennial reporting period. The District accepts general ethics content, and dual licensees may satisfy the requirement through a combination of ethics courses including another state's specific ethics course.
- 4 CPE credits · Professional ethics
- Counted within the 80-hour biennial total
- Must be from an approved provider
$38.954 CPE Credits View Course
NASBA Registry ID
#111907
Self-Study
All 80 hours may be completed through self-study, and nano learning is accepted
Delivery Methods
Group Live; Group Internet Based; QAS Self-Study
Registrant
CPE Solutions, LLC dba Professionals Publishing Group
Deadlines & the Even-Year Cycle
The District gives a three-month renewal window but no carryover and no annual minimum, so pacing is entirely up to the licensee.
- January 1
Two-year reporting period opens
The reporting period runs January 1 to December 31 across two calendar years.
- Anytime in cycle
No annual minimum
The District measures the 80 hours across the full two-year cycle rather than year by year.
- Within the period
4 hours of professional ethics
From an approved provider, and counted within the 80-hour total.
- October 1
Renewal window opens
The window to renew runs from October 1 through December 31. Late renewals are subject to additional fees.
- Dec 31, even year
All 80 hours due and renewal
Excess credits cannot be carried into the next period. Failure to meet the requirements can result in fines, suspension, or revocation.
How the D.C. credit caps interact
The District has no subject requirements beyond ethics, but four separate percentage caps shape what actually counts.
- Meetings: committee, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and firm meetings are limited to a combined 25% of total required credits — 20 hours of the 80.
- Instruction and technical review: combined credit is limited to 50% of total required credits, with instruction allowed at up to twice the number of class hours.
- Published material: limited to 25%. In exceptional circumstances you may request more by submitting the publication to the Board with an explanation of the circumstances justifying greater credit.
- Non-approved subject areas: up to 25% of total hours may fall outside the approved subject areas, provided you can demonstrate the subjects contribute to your professional competence.
- Each cap is measured against the 80-hour requirement, so a licensee relying heavily on more than one category should check the totals carefully.
District of Columbia CPE Questions Answered
What is the D.C. CPA CPE reporting period?
January 1 to December 31 biennially, covering two calendar years.
The license renewal deadline is December 31 of even-numbered years, which puts D.C. out of step with jurisdictions using odd-year cycles.
When can D.C. CPAs renew their license?
The window to renew opens on October 1 and runs through December 31.
Late renewals are subject to additional fees.
How many ethics hours does the District of Columbia require?
Four hours of professional ethics within the reporting period, and the course must be from an approved provider.
Regulatory AICPA ethics, Circular 230 ethics, and behavioral ethics all qualify as subject areas.
Can dual licensees combine ethics courses for D.C.?
Yes. If you are dual licensed, you can fulfil the requirement through another state's specific ethics requirement or through a combination of ethics courses.
For example, a Virginia licensee could take the two-credit Virginia ethics course and then a further two ethics credits to reach four.
Does the District of Columbia have an annual CPE minimum?
No. The 80 hours are measured across the full two-year licensing cycle.
Because there is also no carryover, pacing is entirely a matter of personal planning.
What are the D.C. limits on meetings?
Committee, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and firm meetings are limited to a combined 25% of the total required credits.
On an 80-hour requirement that works out to 20 hours across all those categories together.
What are the D.C. limits on instruction and publishing?
CPE technical reviewer and instruction credit is limited to a combined 50% of the total required credits, and published material to 25%.
Instruction is allowed at up to two times the number of class hours. For publications, an applicant may in exceptional circumstances request additional credit by submitting the publication to the Board with an explanation of the circumstances which justify a greater credit.
Can D.C. CPE come from non-approved subject areas?
Up to 25% of total hours can relate to non-approved subject areas.
This applies only if the CPA can demonstrate that the subjects taken contribute to their professional competence.
Can all D.C. CPE be self-study?
Yes. All 80 hours of CPE credits can be completed via self-study courses.
The District of Columbia Board of Accountancy also allows courses completed via nano learning to count toward the requirement.
Can D.C. CPAs carry over excess CPE hours?
No. The District of Columbia does not allow the carryover of excess credits to future reporting periods.
A registrant must report, at a minimum, the CPE hours required for the registration renewal period.
What programs qualify for D.C. CPE?
A program qualifies if it is a formal program of learning which contributes directly to the growth in professional competence of an individual.
The Board accepts courses from NASBA sponsors.
What happens if a D.C. CPA misses the CPE requirement?
You are in non-compliance if you do not complete at least 80 hours of CPE by December 31 of the renewal year.
Failure to meet the requirements can result in penalties including fines, license suspension, or revocation.
District of Columbia Board of Accountancy contact information
| Agency | District of Columbia Board of Accountancy, Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP), Occupational and Professional Licensing |
|---|---|
| Address | 1100 4th Street SW, Washington, DC 20024 |
| Phone | (202) 442-4320 |
| Fax | (202) 698-4329 |
| Website | dlcp.dc.gov |
Sources
- District of Columbia Municipal Regulations, Board of Accountancy continuing education provisions
- D.C. Code Title 47, Chapter 28, Accountancy
- NASBA Registry — District of Columbia CPE requirements summary
This page summarizes District of Columbia CPE rules for general informational purposes. Rules change. Confirm your specific obligations with the D.C. Board of Accountancy before relying on any summary, including this one. Last reviewed August 2026 by CPE Solutions, LLC dba Professionals Publishing Group, NASBA Registry ID #111907.
Updated At: 08-18-2026 8:18:00 AM
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