Washington CPA CPE requirements

 

After earning your CPA license, the state board of accountancy requires you to maintain and grow your knowledge through continuing professional education. We're walking you through the Washington state CPE requirements and steps on how to renew your license so you can remain in good standing. 

How to renew your Washington state CPA license

The Washington Board of Accountancy requires CPAs renew their license between January 1 and April 30 every three years. Follow these steps to renew your license: 

  1. Make sure you meet your CPE requirements before December 31, the year before your license expires. 
  2. Submit your CPE documentation into the online portal
  3. Complete the online renewal application in your WBOA service dashboard
  4. Pay the $230 renewal fee and finalize the renewal.
  5. Print documentation for your records

Washington CPE requirements

CPAs need to earn 120 hours in the three-year reporting period, making sure to have all hours in by December 31 of the year before you renew. Within those hours, you must also meet these criteria:

  • Earn a minimum of 20 hours each calendar year (rather than trying to earn 120 hours all in one year)
  • Earn four hours of ethics CPE during each three-year period
  • Earn no more than 60 hours in non-technical subjects 
  • Earn no more than 60 hours from writing or publishing articles, books, or CPE courses

Becker's four-hour course, 2025 Ethics for Washington CPAs meets the Washington CPE requirements for ethics. 

Meeting the Washington CPA CPE requirements with Becker

Becker offers the convenience and flexibility you want as well as the relevant courses you need to meet your CPE requirements. 

  • NASBA-approved and an approved CPE provider by the Pennsylvania State Board of Accountancy 
  • Over 1,000 live webcasts annually, 750 on-demand courses, plus weekly CPE podcasts 
  • CPE courses in 19 fields of study, including tax, ethics, IT, personal development, and finance 
  • Experienced instructors who bring years of practical knowledge and real-world insights
  • Monthly, quarterly, and annual update courses in tax, audit, and accounting to keep you aware and updated on the latest changes in laws, regulations, and court rulings.

Technical CPE

Courses in accounting, audit, tax, business law, and similar topics directly related to the field of accounting are considered technical CPE. 

Choice of Business Entity
$49.00
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 WE RECOMMEND USING GOOGLE CHROME
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.
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

Non-technical CPE

Washington CPE requirements stipulate that only 60 hours can come from non-technical subjects during each three-year reporting period. Non-technical topics are those that support the profession in a more indirect manner and may include topics like professional development, marketing, management, and computer applications, like Excel. 

10 Habits of highly successful careers
$49.00
This course will be an overview of: Habits you can work on to advance in your career. Tasks you should be working on. Questions you should ask yourself in taking ownership for your career. When to ask others for help to ensure you are getting the guidance and advice you need.
Time management for professionals
$49.00
This course will be an overview of: Causes of time wasters at work Common and effective time management systems Productivity-enhancing techniques Holding productive meetings virtually and in person Creating a work culture of productivity WE RECOMMEND USING GOOGLE CHROME.
Excel: Top 10 Functions for Accountants
$49.00

This course will be an overview of:

  • Review 10 Excel functions, as well as some helpful formatting techniques, that are highly beneficial to today's accountant

Tips to meet your Washington CPE requirements

We know that meeting your CPE requirements may seem like a hassle, especially when you're also dealing with work and life responsibilities. To help make it easier to earn CPE, try these tips:

Find CPE that fits your lifestyle

For most CPAs, the biggest obstacle is simply making time for it. Fortunately, Washington doesn't set limit on the amount of hours you can earn through self-study, so consider taking on-demand CPE courses you can watch anytime or listen to an accounting podcast that is worth CPE credits.

Keep up with your progress

It’s difficult to remember how many hours you’ve completed and if you’ve met the more specific requirements, like ethics. Using Becker’s CPE Compliance Tracker keeps all your CPE in one place (including from other sources) so you can keep up with what you've already earned, what you have left, and get recommendations for courses that suit your interests.

Block out time each month

While Washington CPE requirements include a minimum of 20 hours each year, we recommend earning an equal amount each year so you’re not scrambling to fit in 60 hours before your deadline. Make time for three to four hours of CPE each month, or six or seven hours if you want to take a few months off during busy season! Pacing yourself will help you feel less overwhelmed and more likely to take courses that interest you and benefit your career instead of what you can finish up fast.

Consider what you want to learn

Instead of thinking of CPE courses as a box to check to renew your license, you may want to reposition it. CPE helps you learn new skills that can help you excel in your career. Think of how it can benefit your career! Perhaps you want to specialize in international tax after spending years in personal or business taxation — take CPE courses that help you build that foundational knowledge! Want to specialize in a particular industry? CPE courses in construction, real estate, or other areas can make that happen.

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