Wisconsin CPA CPE requirements
To remain in good standing with the Board of Accountancy, you'll need to take continuing professional education (CPE) courses and renew your license periodically. We're walking you through the Wisconsin CPE requirements, the steps to renew your CPA license, and tips for earning credits without feeling stressed or pressured.
Wisconsin CPA CPE requirements
The Wisconsin Board of Accountancy requires all CPAs earn 80 hours of CPE during each two-year reporting cycle. Within these CPE requirements, additional guidelines include:
- You must earn at least 20 hours each year. For example, you can earn 20 in your first year and 60 hours in your second, or 40 hours in both years, but you can't earn 80 hours in one year and none in the other.
- Three hours must be in ethics CPE
Becker's CPE course, Ethics, Integrity, and the AICPA Code of Conduct, satisfies Wisconsin's three-hour ethics CPE requirement.
Wisconsin allows CPAs to earn CPE credits through a wide variety of formal and informal methods, though you are limited to only earning 40 hours through informal methods. For a course to be considered formal, your participation can be objectively confirmed by a program sponsor, the materials describing the course include the subject matter, format, and credits awarded, and the program sponsor is qualified to teach the course.
- Attending, listening to or presenting in-person and online lectures
- Participating in online webinars and webcasts
- Completing self-study or on-demand courses or listening to CPE podcasts
When reporting informal methods, you must include the date(s) of performing or completing the CPE, the subject matter and number of credits you're claiming, and the materials prepared or used in conjunction of the activity (such as the title and author of a book you read, the copy of an article read, or program outline from an activity you attended). Informal methods include:
- Researching or preparing a relevant course
- Performing independent research
- Reading books and articles
- Serving on boards, committees and task forces
- Engaging in learning activities that enhance professional growth and competence
How to renew your CPA license in Wisconsin
All CPAs must renew their license by December 14 of odd-numbered years (2023, 2025, 2027). To renew your license, follow these steps:
- Complete your Wisconsin CPE requirements
- Create an account or log into the LicensE portal
- Click on Licenses & Applications and select "Renew My License"
- Choose the Certified Public Accountant option to renew and fill out the renewal form
- Pay any required renewal fees, and submit your information
Meeting your CPE requirements with Becker
- NASBA-approved CPE courses
- Over 1,000 live webcasts each year with courses broadcasting multiple times each weekday as well as evening and weekend courses
- Over 750 on-demand courses plus weekly CPE podcasts
- Expert instructors with practical knowledge and real-life experience
- 19 fields of study including tax, audit, accounting, ethics, and technology
Non-technical CPE courses
Tips to meet your Wisconsin CPE requirements
Take courses that appeal to you
Meeting your CPE requirements can often feel stressful, but instead of seeing it as a hassle, consider turning it into an opportunity to develop new skills, grow your career, or even prepare to move into a new area. For example, if you currently work in tax, CPE courses can help you learn more about international tax so you can focus in this area or you can take courses to brush up on your audit skills.
Find courses that meet your schedule
Wisconsin doesn't set limits on how many CPE credits you can earn through on-demand classes or even CPE podcasts. These offer the flexibility to learn whenever it suits your schedule, whether you're waiting for soccer practice to end or out for a walk with your dog.
Don't wait until the last minute
Instead of trying to earn thirty or more hours as your deadline rapidly approaches, block out time each month to earn CPE. We recommend four hours a month, but you can aim for six or seven hours a month if you want to take time away from CPE for vacation or busy season!