Colorado CPA CPE Requirements

How to reach the regulator directly.

Division of Professions and Occupations
Colorado State Board of Accountancy
1560 Broadway, Suite 1350
Denver, CO 80202

Tel: (303) 894-7800
Fax: (303) 894-2310

Email: dora_accountancyboard@state.co.us

The regulator's own published rules and related resources.

Colorado State Board of Accountancy

The total continuing education hours required.

80 hours.

The detailed rules behind that total -- category minimums, ethics, and other conditions.

Effective July 1, 2013: For biennial periods beginning January 1, 2014: A Certificate Holder, including the holder of an initial Certificate, must complete 10 hours of CPE for each full quarter in which the Certificate Holder is actively licensed during a CPE Reporting Period. (This equates to 80 hours for professionals licensed during the full CPE biennial period.)

1. No more than 20 percent of CPE can be in Personal Development, as defined by the Fields of Study.
2. Four hours of CPE must be in Ethics, of which 2 hours may be in CR&R.
   • Eligible CR&R courses must cover current Colorado Revised Statutes and Board Rules and comply with the CR&R Content Outline provided in section 7.8(B) of the Accountancy Rules and Regulations.
   • Continuing Education Policy 50-3: Colorado Rules and Regulations Courses (CR&R) - Treatment of Excess Hours: (Adopted January 2014; Revised January 2016; Revised December 2018): The Rules of the Colorado State Board of Accountancy, (Effective July 1, 2013), allow or require licensees to complete 2 hours of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) in CR&R. Those 2 hours of CR&R count as Regulatory Ethics as defined in Rule 1.7(C) and the NASBA CPE Fields of Study. Satisfactory CR&R course presentations need not be limited to 2 hours, but may comprise and grant credit for as many hours as necessary to satisfy the requirements of Rule 1.7(H). However, CR&R course credit hours granted in excess of 2 hours will not be considered CR&R or Ethics CPE, but the excess hours will count as Specialized Knowledge as defined in Rule 1.7(C) and the NASBA CPE Fields of Study.
   • Continuing Education Policy 50-2: Clarification of CPE Requirements: (Revised January 2014): CPE in Behavioral Ethics or Regulatory Ethics, as described in the CPE Fields of Study, will satisfy the general Ethics requirements identified in the Rules but shall not satisfy any requirement that the licensee or applicant complete and pass the AICPA Ethics Course and Examination.
3. As of January 1, 2014, no more than 50 percent of CPE can be in any combination of teaching or publishing an article or book.

Effective January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2013: 80 hours. No more than 16 hours may be in Personal Development, as defined by the Fields of Study. Four hours of CPE must be in Ethics, of which up to two hours may be in CR&R.

• CR&R. CPE concerning Sections 12-2-101-132 and 13-90-107(1)(f), C.R.S. and Colorado State Board of Accountancy Rules and Regulations. In order to qualify as a CR&R course, the course must review and encourage compliance with Colorado statutes, rules and regulations regarding CPAs.
• Ethics. CPE concerning professional ethical behavior in Regulatory Ethics or Behavioral Ethics, as defined by the Fields of Study.

Prior to January 1, 2010: At least 32 hours shall be Code A courses, including Accounting and Auditing; Management Consulting Services; Taxation; Specialized Industry Accounting; Business Related Computer Courses; Financial Planning; Ethics; CR&R. Of the 32 hours of Code A, two hours in ethics or CR&R.

• CR&R: Continuing education concerning Colorado State Board of Accountancy Statutes, Rules and Regulations. In order to qualify as a CR&R course, the course must review and encourage compliance with Colorado Statutes, Rules and Regulations.
• Ethics: Continuing education concerning professional ethical behavior.

Prior to January 1, 2010: The remaining hours can be earned in Code B courses, including personal development, if they maintain and/or improve the CPA's professional competence. Such programs may include, but are not restricted to, the areas of communication, quantitative methods, behavioral sciences, statistics and practice management. The certificate holder must be able to demonstrate to the board's satisfaction that the coursework meets the requirements of these rules.

How the reporting cycle is structured.

Biennial.

A two-year period from January 1 of an even-numbered year through December 31 of an odd-numbered year during which the Certificate Holder must complete CPE.

When a reporting cycle begins.

January 1, every even-numbered year.

How completed credits are reported to the regulator.

CPE CREDIT AND RECORDS DOCUMENTATION AND RETENTION

Effective January 1, 2014: The Board may grant CPE credit to a Certificate Holder for participation in the activities listed in this rule. The Certificate Holder is responsible for accurate reporting and documentation of all CPE hours completed. Certificate Holders must retain documentation for a minimum of 5 years from the end of the year in which the CPE was completed. The documentation must be submitted to the Board upon request.

Updated January 1, 2014: CPE Programs. Documentation for CPE Programs must include a Certificate of Completion, Certificate of Attendance, or Firm Transcript that includes:

1. name and contact information of CPE program sponsor;
2. participant's name;
3. title of program;
4. Field of Study, as described in Rule 7.3;
5. date(s) the program was offered or completed;
6. location of program, if applicable;
7. type of instruction/delivery method;
8. number of CPE credits completed; and
9. Effective January 1, 2010: verification by the CPE program sponsor (verification may be in the form of a signature, seal, or other similar indicia).

Documentation for teaching credit must include:

1. the name and contact information of the CPE program sponsor or college or university;
2. verification from the CPE program sponsor or college or university of teaching the course or activity, the number of in-classroom hours taught, and the Field of Study as described in Rule 7.3;
3. for teaching CPE, an attestation from a qualified third party, including, but not limited to, any one of the program sponsor, developer, or author, that the course or activity was new or substantially revised, or if the credit is for a college or university course, an attestation from the accounting department chair that the course was new or substantially revised;
4. a statement from the Certificate Holder describing how the activity maintained and/or improved the Certificate Holder’s professional competence as a CPA;
5. activity/course syllabus or outline; and
6. the Certificate Holder's qualifications to present the subject matter.

Documentation for panel presentation credit must include:

1. the name and contact information of the program provider/sponsor,
2. verification of the number of panel hours;
3. the Field of Study (as described above in "Breakdown of Specific Requirements") or a description of the subject material addressed by the panel;
4. if the subject matter has been previously presented by the Certificate Holder, the Certificate Holder must provide a statement demonstrating that the subject matter presented was substantially revised;
5. a statement from the Certificate Holder describing how the activity maintained and/or improved the Certificate Holder’s professional competence as a CPA;
6. a presentation syllabus, outline, or agenda; and
7. the Certificate Holder's qualifications to present the subject matter.

Documentation for Published Article or Book credit must include:

1. proof of publication and independent review of the article or book;
2. the name and contact information of the independent reviewer and publisher. "Independent reviewer" means an Individual who demonstrates expertise regarding the same or closely-related subject matter and who is not affiliated with the Certificate Holder personally;
3. a summary of hours and identify the CPE Field of Study claimed, as described in Rule 7.3, with detail of time spent, with dates, and research performed; and
4. a statement from the Certificate Holder describing how the activity maintained and/or improved the Certificate Holder's professional competence as a CPA.

Documentation for college or university coursework must include:

1. for a credit course, an original official transcript or grade card from a college or university; and
2. for a non-credit course, a certificate of attendance issued by the college or university.

Documentation for specialized industry programs that do not comply with all applicable CPE requirements must include:

1. provider-generated documentation indicating completion or attendance.
2. a statement from the Certificate Holder that demonstrates that the learning activity satisfies, or is equivalent to an activity that satisfies, the Joint Standards.
3. documentation that includes the elements:
   1. name and contact information of CPE program sponsor;
   2. participant’s name;
   3. title of program;
   4. Field of Study (refer to "General Characteristics of Accredited Education" above);
   5. date(s) the program was offered or completed;
   6. location of program, if applicable; and
   7. type of instruction/delivery method.
4. the number of CPE hours claimed and how those hours were computed.

Additionally:

• As a condition of Renewal, Certificate Holders shall attest that they have complied with the requirements of this rule.
• The Board cannot renew the Certificate of a Certificate Holder who issues attest or compilation reports unless he attests to having Undergone a Peer Review (as provided in Chapter 8).
• As a condition of Renewal, a Certificate Holder shall attest that he has complied with the requirements of Rule 9.11 ("Safeguarding Client Records and Property").
• Changing the Certificate status to Retired, Inactive, or Expired does not eliminate the obligation to complete CPE that was accrued but not completed as of the date of such change. Failure to complete required CPE is cause for discipline up to and including revocation.

The renewal or reporting deadline.

Effective in 2013: November 30.

The expiration date of the CPA licenses has been changed from May 31 to November 30, 2013 and every two years thereafter. The CPE reporting period has not changed, it is January 1 of even years through December 31 of odd years.

• NOTE: March 2012: CeriFi CPEdge has confirmed with the CO Board that for the [CPE] reporting period of January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2013, [licensees] will attest to having completed such [CPE requirements] by December 31, 2013 when they renew their license November 30, 2013. If so requested by the Board for documentation of their CPE – it will be after January 1, 2014. [Going forward, licensees will attest to having completed CPE on November 30 of odd years.]

Prior to 2013: May 31 of even-numbered years.

→ Get monthly reminders before this deadline

What happens if the requirement is not met.

Failure to Comply with CPE Requirements:

If upon review, the Board or its designee finds that a Certificate Holder has failed to comply with the CPE requirements, the Certificate Holder has 10 days from the date of the notice of such finding to:

1. provide further evidence that the hours submitted meet the CPE requirements established by these Rules; or
2. provide documentation (described in Rule 7.4) demonstrating completion of additional CPE hours during the CPE Reporting Period that meet the requirements established by these Rules.

If the Board finds that a Certificate Holder failed to comply with the CPE requirements, the Board may impose discipline and/or include the Certificate Holder in the CPE audit of subsequent CPE Reporting Periods.

CPE COMPLIANCE:

Effective January 1, 2014 / Updated November 19, 2018: CPE records of Certificate Holders may be audited after renewal periods to verify compliance with the Board CPE requirements (described in Chapters 6 and 7).

A Certificate Holder must provide all documentation and information requested regarding CPE compliance in a manner prescribed by the Board within 30 days of a Board request unless otherwise provided by these Rules.

Continuing Education Policy 50-4: Continuing Education Audit Discipline Criteria: (Adopted May 2019): Licensees selected for the CPE audit period who have not met the CPE requirements may be disciplined according to 12-100-120(1)(i), failure to comply with the requirements for continuing education as prescribed by the board; Rule 1.7(G)(2), failure to comply with CPE requirements; and Rule 1.6(A)(5), falsely attesting or otherwise providing false information to the Board. The Board may refer the case for disciplinary settlement with the following settlement terms: Complete remaining CPE shortfall credits within 90 days and CR&R within 90 days, and impose fines based on the number of deficient credit hours.

Continuing Education Policy 50-1: Continuing Education Audit: (Revised January 2014): Division staff may monitor and audit continuing education credits reported by certificate holders who have undergone an audit of their continuing education for renewal, who have been approved for an extension, or been disciplined for failure to meet the continuing education requirements. The Board may conduct a continuing education audit on any licensee disciplined within the previous or current reporting period. The CPA Board members are audited after every renewal period.

Reduced or prorated requirements for a first renewal.

Effective January 1, 2014: A Certificate Holder, including the holder of an initial Certificate, must complete 10 hours of CPE for each full quarter in which the Certificate Holder is actively licensed during a CPE Reporting Period.

1. No more than 20 percent of CPE can be in Personal Development, as defined by the Fields of Study.
2. Four hours of CPE must be in Ethics, of which 2 hours may be in CR&R.
3. As of January 1, 2014, no more than 50 percent of CPE can be in any combination of teaching or publishing an article or book.

Effective January 1, 2010 / Updated November 19, 2018: The Applicant must complete 2 hours of CR&R within 6 months after the date the Board grants the initial Certificate. CR&R completed within the 6 months immediately preceding the date the Board grants the initial Certificate will satisfy this requirement.

1. CR&R completed within the 6 months immediately preceding the date the Board grants the initial Certificate will satisfy this requirement. CR&R that is not completed within the 6 months preceding or after that date will not satisfy this requirement, but it may count towards general CPE credit, if it otherwise satisfies the requirements of Rule 6.7.
2. CR&R courses completed under this requirement may satisfy the CR&R requirement under paragraph B.2 of Rule 6.7.

Effective January 1, 2014: CPE hours completed prior to certification, but within the CPE Reporting Period, may be eligible for CPE credit upon Renewal of the initial Certificate if the hours were not used to meet the education requirements for initial certification or taken in preparation for the Examination.

Effective January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2013: A certificate holder who obtains initial Colorado certification during a reporting period shall complete ten hours of CPE during each full quarter remaining in the reporting period, of which no more than 20 percent shall be in Personal Development, as defined by the Fields of Study.

Effective January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2013: Within six months of the date the Board grants an initial certificate, the Certificate Holder shall complete two hours of Colorado State Board of Accountancy Statutes, Rules and Regulations (CR&R).

• NOTE: October 21, 2011: CeriFi CPEdge has confirmed with the CO Board that an individual initially licensed January 1, 2010 and after is required to complete CR&R within six (6) months of licensure.

Effective October 10, 2010 - December 31, 2013: At least two hours of CPE must be in Ethics, which may be satisfied by CR&R if taken within six months that the initial certificate is granted.

• NOTE: May 2011: CeriFi CPEdge notes that the Colorado Board website states that "initial licensees are required to complete Colorado Rules & Regulations (CR&R) within six months of initial licensing. This may also satisfy the 2 hour Ethics requirement if taken during the reporting period."

Effective October 10, 2010 - December 31, 2013: Any course previously used to meet the education requirements for examination or certification shall not be reported for subsequent CPE credit. A CPE course that was taken prior to certification, but within the reporting period, may be eligible for CPE credit upon initial renewal if it was not used to meet the education requirements for initial certification.

Prior to January 1, 2010: The certificate holder shall complete ten hours of continuing education for each full quarter remaining in the reporting period, of which at least 40 percent shall be in Code A subjects. The certificate holder is not required to complete CR&R during the partial reporting period. For the first full reporting period after initial Colorado certification the certificate holder shall complete at least two hours of CR&R in order to renew the certificate as an active status certificate.

• NOTE: December 15, 2011: The CO Board has confirmed that while the CO regulations require an individual initially licensed between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2009 to complete CR&R in the first full reporting period after initial Colorado certification (i.e., the 2010 - 2011 reporting period), that the Board has allowed those that completed the 2-hour CR&R requirement in the 2008 - 2009 reporting period immediately following licensure to apply that course to the requirement of CR&R in the next full reporting period. Licensees in this situation are advised to confirm compliance with the CO Board.

Who may be excused from all or part of this requirement.

Hardship Exceptions:

A Certificate Holder may seek an exception to the CPE requirements by submitting a written request justifying the exception to the Board. The Board will decide on a case-by-case basis whether good cause has been demonstrated to waive the CPE. The Board in its discretion may grant exceptions to the requirements in this Chapter 6 for reasons of individual hardship or other good cause.

Inactive Status Certificate:

Inactive Certificate Holders are not required to comply with CPE requirements for the period during which the Certificate is Inactive.

A Certificate Holder may transfer a Certificate to Inactive status whether or not he has complied with his current CPE requirements. However, transferring a Certificate to Inactive status does not relieve the Certificate Holder of the obligation to complete any CPE accrued but not completed as of the date he transferred the Certificate to Inactive status. The Certificate Holder may be subject to discipline for failure to timely complete such CPE and he must complete that CPE prior to returning the Certificate to Active status.

Retired Status Certificate:

A Retired Certificate Holder is not required to comply with CPE requirements for the period during which the Certificate is in Retired status.

Expired Status Certificate:

A Certificate that is not renewed on or before the expiration date will expire; however, there is a 60-day “grace period” from the expiration date within which the Certificate may be renewed, subject to a late fee. A Certificate Holder will not be disciplined for Holding Out or practicing public accounting with an Expired Certificate during the grace period.

Changing the Certificate status to Retired, Inactive, or Expired does not eliminate the obligation to complete CPE that was accrued but not completed as of the date of such change. Failure to complete required CPE is cause for discipline up to and including revocation.

CPE Required After Reactivation or Reinstatement to Active Status:

When a Certificate is reactivated or reinstated to Active status, the CPE required for the current CPE Reporting Period is 10 hours for each full quarter remaining in the CPE Reporting Period in which the Certificate was reinstated or reactivated. No more than 20 percent of the CPE can be in Personal Development, as defined by the Fields of Study and no more than 50 percent can be in any combination of teaching or publishing an article or book. Two hours of CPE must be in Ethics, which cannot be in CR&R.

CPE used for Reactivation or Reinstatement to Active status cannot be used to satisfy the requirements of this rule.

Prior to January 1, 2014: Requests for Extensions to Complete the CE Requirements for the Renewal period

The Board may permit the holder of an active certificate who is deficient 10 hours or less of required continuing professional education (CPE) as of January 1st of the renewal year to renew, if the certificate holder meets all of the following requirements:

1. Submits a written request for an extension to complete the required CPE,
2. The request is received by the Board on or before March 31st of the renewal year;
3. The request is made for reasons of health, military service or other good cause;
4. The Board grants the extension request; and,
5. The certificate holder files satisfactory proof of completed CPE on or before the deadline granted by the extension

Prior to January 1, 2014: Division staff may approve a request for the extension, received in writing on or before March 31 of the renewal year, for 10 hours or less and for such reasons as noted above, or staff may place the request before the Board.

Prior to January 1, 2014: Division staff shall not deny a request, but shall place any such request before the Board. Any CPE hours completed in the renewal year that are used to satisfy the CPE requirement for the preceding two year reporting period may not be used for CPE credit for any other reporting period or for any licensure status change.

Whether unused credits can apply to the next period.

Not permitted.

→ CE Tracking calculates carryover for you

Rule changes the regulator has finalized, with effective dates.

Refer to the specific sections above for more details on any of the items noted below.

Effective March 17, 2019: The Accountancy rules were recently revised and became effective on March 17, 2019. Rules were revised to improve clarity, address technical changes, and update references. No changes impacted CPE requirements.

Effective November 19, 2018: The CO Board updated Chapters 5, 6, and 7 (related to CPE requirements). No changes were made to the actual requirements, however, language for several rules was updated. Refer to paragraphs preceded with either "Effective" or "Updated" November 19, 2018 for more details.

General Characteristics of Accredited Education:

Effective November 19, 2018: The CO Board has adopted into regulations the NASBA "Fields of Study" document (effective date, September 1, 2016). This document describes the 20 fields of study recognized by NASBA." (Refer to "General Characteristics of Accredited Education" for more details on the accepted fields of study.)

• Note from CeriFi CPEdge: November 19, 2018: At this time, the CO Board does not accept nano-learning and 10-minute increments for CPE. The CO Board may adopt these credit calculations in a future rule revision.

Breakdown of Specific Requirements:

Effective July 1, 2013: For biennial periods beginning January 1, 2014: A Certificate Holder, including the holder of an initial Certificate, must complete 10 hours of CPE for each full quarter in which the Certificate Holder is actively licensed during a CPE Reporting Period.

Reporting Method

Effective January 1, 2014: The Board may grant CPE credit to a Certificate Holder for participation in the activities listed in this rule. The Certificate Holder is responsible for accurate reporting and documentation of all CPE hours completed. Certificate Holders must retain documentation for a minimum of 5 years from the end of the year in which the CPE was completed. The documentation must be submitted to the Board upon request.

Requirements for New Licensees

Effective January 1, 2014: A Certificate Holder, including the holder of an initial Certificate, must complete 10 hours of CPE for each full quarter in which the Certificate Holder is actively licensed during a CPE Reporting Period.

1. No more than 20 percent of CPE can be in Personal Development, as defined by the Fields of Study.
2. Four hours of CPE must be in Ethics, of which 2 hours may be in CR&R.
3. As of January 1, 2014, no more than 50 percent of CPE can be in any combination of teaching or publishing an article or book.

Effective January 1, 2014: Upon initial certification, the Certificate Holder must complete 2 hours of CR&R within 6 months after the date the Board grants the initial Certificate.

1. CR&R completed within the 6 months immediately preceding the date the Board grants the initial Certification will satisfy this requirement. CR&R that is not completed within the 6 months preceding or after that date will not satisfy this requirement, but may count towards general CPE credit if it otherwise satisfies the requirements of this Rule 6.7.
2. CR&R courses completed under this requirement may satisfy the CR&R requirement under paragraph C.2 of this Rule 6.7.

Effective January 1, 2014: CPE hours completed prior to certification, but within the CPE Reporting Period, may be eligible for CPE credit upon Renewal of the initial Certificate if the hours were not used to meet the education requirements for initial certification or taken in preparation for the Examination.

Enforcement

Effective January 1, 2014: CPE Committee. The Board may appoint a committee that may audit the CPE records of Certificate Holders to verify compliance with the Board requirements (described in Chapters 6 and 7). A Certificate Holder must provide all documentation and information requested regarding CPE compliance in a manner prescribed by the Board within 30 days of a Board request unless otherwise provided by these Rules.

Credit for Teaching and Repeat Credit

Effective January 1, 2014: No more than 50 percent of CPE can be in any combination of teaching or publishing an article or book.

Credit for Writing

Effective January 1, 2014: No more than 50 percent of CPE can be in any combination of teaching or publishing an article or book.

Reporting Date

Effective in 2013: November 30.

The expiration date of the CPA licenses has been changed from May 31 to November 30, 2013 and every two years thereafter. The CPE reporting period has not changed, it is January 1 of even years through December 31 of odd years.

• NOTE: March 2012: CeriFi CPEdge has confirmed with the CO Board that the current [CPE] reporting period is January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2013 and [licensees] will attest to having completed such [CPE requirements] by December 31, 2013 when they renew their license November 30, 2013. If so requested by the Board for documentation of their CPE – it will be after January 1, 2014.

Requirements for New Licensees
Effective October 30, 2010: At least two hours of CPE must be in Ethics, which may be satisfied by CR&R if taken within six months that the initial certificate is granted.

Breakdown of Specific Requirements
Effective January 1, 2010: No more than 16 hours may be in Personal Development, as defined by the Fields of Study. Four hours of CPE must be in Ethics, of which up to two hours may be in CR&R.

Effective January 1, 2010: The following are acceptable subjects for CPE courses:

• Accounting
• Accounting (Governmental)
• Auditing
• Auditing (Governmental)
• Administrative Practice
• Social Environment of Business
• Regulatory Ethics
• Business Law
• Business Management and Organization
• Finance
• Management Advisory Services
• Marketing
• Behavioral Ethics
• Communications
• Personnel/HR
• Personal Development
• Computer Science
• Economics
• Mathematics
• Production
• Specialized Knowledge and Applications
• Statistics
• Taxes

Reporting Method:
Effective January 1, 2010: A certificate of completion or other verification supplied by the CPE program sponsor is required.

Requirements for New Licensees:
Effective January 1, 2010: A certificate holder who obtains initial Colorado certification during a reporting period shall complete ten hours of CPE during each full quarter remaining in the reporting period, of which no more than 20 percent shall be in Personal Development, as defined by the Fields of Study. Within six months of the date the Board grants an initial certificate, the certificate holder shall complete two hours of CR&R.