Tennessee CPE Requirements

After you earn your CPA license, you're required to earn continuing professional education during each license renewal cycle. Learn the Tennessee CPA CPE requirements, how to renew your license, and more so you can remain in good standing with the Board of Accountancy.

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How to renew your CPA license in Tennessee

In Tennessee, all CPAs must renew their license every two years. For CPAs with an even-numbered license, your license expires on December 31 of even-numbered years (2024, 2026, etc,) while CPAs with an odd-numbered license must renew their license by December 31 of odd-numbered years (2023, 2025, 2027, etc). To renew your license, follow these steps:

Complete your CPE requirements
Create an account or login to the Department of Commerce and Insurance website
Attach your listing of CPE credits and complete your application
Pay the renewal fee ($110) and finalize your transaction
Print the confirmation for your records

Meeting your Tennessee CPE requirements

All CPAs must complete 80 hours of CPE during their two-year reporting cycle. Of these, you must meet the following guidelines:

At least 20 hours in each reporting year
40 hours in technical subjects, such as accounting, taxation, or audit
Two hours of Tennessee-specific ethics CPE
20 hours in A&A if you provide attest services
20 hours in your area of expertise, if you serve as an expert witness

Becker's CPE course, Standards for Tennessee CPAs: State Specific Ethics, will meet Tennesse's ethics requirements

Meeting your CPA CPE requirements with Becker

With a wide variety of courses in flexible formats, Becker helps you meet your CPE requirements while building the valuable skills you need to succeed in your career.

NASBA-approved courses
19 fields of study, including accounting, audit, tax, IT, and ethics
Over 1,000 live webcasts each year, plus 750 on-demand courses and weekly CPE podcasts
Experienced instructors with both practical and instructional knowledge

Preparing the Statement of Cash Flows

$69.00

This course will be an overview of: Basic format and presentation of the statement of cash flows Definition of cash and cash equivalents Disclosure of noncash activities Proper classification of cash flow activities Common complex cash flow issues, such as stock compensation, derivatives, business combinations, leases, and other matters

Choice of Business Entity

$29.00

This course will be an overview of: The types of business entities and their legal and tax characteristics The taxation of sole proprietorships, partnerships, C corporations, and S corporations The tax forms associated with business entities and their owners

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Financial Statement Fraud

$49.00

This course will be an overview of: Ways in which both large and small companies are vulnerable to fraud. According to the ACFE’s most recent Report to the Nations, the average organization loses an estimated 5 percent of its annual revenue to fraud. This course on financial statement fraud will identify what to look for and provide insights that can help any company prevent the most damaging type of fraud. WE RECOMMEND USING GOOGLE CHROME.

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Tips to meet Your Tennessee CPE requirements

Meeting your Tennessee CPE requirements might feel like a challenge, especially when balancing a busy career and personal commitments. To help simplify the process, here are some tips to ensure you stay on track and meet your goals more easily.

Find CPE that works for your schedule

For many CPAs, time is the biggest obstacle to completing CPE hours. Fortunately, Tennessee allows self-study hours, so you can take advantage of flexible learning options such as on-demand CPE courses or accounting podcasts that offer CPE credits. These options allow you to learn at your convenience, whether that’s during your morning coffee or your daily commute.

Monitor your progress

Keeping track of your completed hours and specific requirements, like ethics training, can be overwhelming. Tools like Becker’s CPE Compliance Tracker simplify this process by storing all your CPE credits (from various sources) in one place. It gives you a clear view of your progress, what’s left to complete, and even suggests courses that align with your interests.

Plan consistent learning time

Tennessee requires CPAs to complete a minimum of 20 hours per year, with 80 total hours over two years. To avoid last-minute scrambling, aim to complete an equal amount of hours each year. Dedicate three to four hours each month to courses, or consider six or seven hours if you prefer breaks during your busy season. By pacing yourself, you'll reduce stress and have more time to choose courses that genuinely interest you and benefit your career.

Focus on what you want to learn

CPE isn’t just about fulfilling licensing requirements; it’s an opportunity to enhance your skills and grow your career. Think about the areas you’d like to specialize in or career paths you want to explore. Perhaps you’re interested in nonprofit accounting or cybersecurity. Taking CPE courses in these areas can help you gain expertise and open doors to new opportunities. Treat CPE as a chance for professional growth rather than just a checkbox to tick. With the right mindset, tools, and planning, fulfilling Tennessee’s CPE requirements can be manageable and even enjoyable.