Learn the Illinois CPA CPE requirements — hours, ethics, and reporting cycle per the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).
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Overview
Illinois CPAs must complete continuing education to maintain an active license, with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) setting the rules for hours, ethics, and reporting.
Total Hours Required
- 120 hours every 3 years
- No annual minimum, but all 120 hours must fall within the active triennial cycle
- Newly licensed CPAs are exempt from CPE during their first renewal period
Ethics Requirement
- 4 hours of professional ethics each triennial cycle
- 1 hour of sexual harassment prevention training each triennial cycle
Reporting Period
- 3-year (triennial) cycle running October 1 through September 30
- License renewal and CPE reporting are due by September 30 of the renewal year
Subject Area Limits
- Up to 60 hours per cycle may come from non-verifiable (self-study) programs
- Excess CPE hours do not carry over to the next reporting period
Reporting & Compliance
- Keep CPE certificates and records for at least 6 years
- Out-of-state licensees who are compliant with their home state’s CPE are generally considered compliant in Illinois, except the 1-hour sexual harassment prevention requirement, which always applies
- Declare CPE completion at renewal through the IDFPR online system
💡 Tip: Illinois follows NASBA’s fields of study, so CPE from NASBA-registered providers like LearnCPE qualifies toward your 120-hour requirement.