CPE Requirements for CPAs in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania State Board of Accountancy

On Sept. 23, 2017, the Pennsylvania State Board of Accountancy published the above regulatory changes in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. The new regulations are effective for the current reporting period (Jan. 1, 2018 - Dec. 31, 2019). Read a summary of the changes and listen to this podcast for more information.

On May 1, 2001, the Pennsylvania State Board of Accountancy implemented amended CPE program sponsor regulations that directly impacted licensees. The amendments included a stipulation that all individuals or entities offering a program for continuing education credit must apply to the board for approval as a program sponsor. Licensees should now confirm a sponsor's approval under the regulations prior to registering for a program.

New Jersey State Board of Accountancy

The New Jersey State Board of Accountancy requires 72 hours in technical subject areas each reporting period, 24 of which must be in A&A and four in N.J. law and ethics.

Please note: PICPA's On-Demand CPE (self-study) is approved for Pennsylvania licensees only, and is not approved for New Jersey licensees.

GAO Yellow Book Requirements

Each auditor performing work under GAGAS should complete every two years at least 80 hours of CPE that directly enhance the auditor's professional proficiency to perform audits and/or attestation engagements.

Effective February 29, 2020, the GAO released a COVID-19 GAGAS CPE Alert which outlines a six-month grace period for completing Yellow Book CPE and a temporary waiver for the 20-hour annual requirement.

*Instead of following the dates listed above, your period may run two years from the start date of the first audit made in accordance with the Yellow Book. The GAO states that to simplify administration of CPE requirements, an audit organization may establish a standard two-year CPE period for all of its auditors, which can be either on a fixed-year or rolling-year basis. Effective Jan. 1, 2004, the GAO released an amendment to its CPE requirements that states that CPAs may not, in most cases, use tax credits to meet their 80-hour GAO Yellow Book requirement.

Visit the GAO website to read the requirements effective June 30, 2005, as outlined in the GAO's Guidance on GAGAS Requirements for Continuing Education; the overview of major changes from the 1991 CPE Interpretation; and the technical amendment made by the Comptroller General to CPE requirements contained in the 2003 revision of Government Auditing Standards.

AICPA

Reporting period begins Jan. 1 of the calendar year after joining the AICPA.