Colorado CPA CPE Requirements, Explained
Last reviewed June 2026 against the official sources linked below. Requirements change — always confirm with your board before relying on them.
Total hours
80 hrs / 2 years
Reporting cycle
2 years (ends Dec 31, odd years)
Ethics requirement
4 hrs ethics (up to 2 hrs CR&R)
Issued by
Colorado State Board of Accountancy
Colorado is one of the more straightforward states: 80 hours over a fixed two-year period, with 4 hours of ethics inside that total. The one quirk worth circling is that the reporting period and the renewal date are different dates - the period closes December 31, but the license itself renews November 30 of odd-numbered years.
CPAs call this CPE (continuing professional education), not CE. Here is how an active Colorado license works, in plain English.
The base requirement: 80 hours over two years
The Colorado State Board of Accountancy requires 80 hours of CPE per two-year reporting period for an active license. The period runs on the calendar and ends December 31 of odd-numbered years. Colorado does not pre-approve individual courses; it accepts CPE from providers on the NASBA National Registry that comply with NASBA and AICPA standards.
Ethics, the CR&R option, and limits
- 4 hours of ethics are required during the two-year period, and they count within the 80, not on top of it.
- Up to 2 of those 4 ethics hours may be in Colorado Rules and Regulations (CR&R), provided the course tracks current Colorado statutes and Board rules.
- Personal development is capped at 20% of your total CPE.
- Colorado does not allow excess hours to carry forward into the next reporting cycle, so front-loading does not bank credit.
Stop tracking this in a spreadsheet
Progress rings per requirement, private certificate storage, deadline reminders, and a one-click audit packet. Set up in two minutes — free for your first license.
Start tracking — freeWhen is your deadline?
The two-year reporting period ends December 31 of odd-numbered years, but the license renewal deadline is November 30 of odd-numbered years - so the practical cutoff arrives about a month before the period technically closes. Plan to have all 80 hours and your 4 ethics hours done by the November 30 renewal.
How CredTally keeps this on autopilot
- Track the 80-hour total with a dedicated 4-hour ethics bucket, including the optional CR&R portion, shown separately.
- Separate reminders for the November 30 renewal and the December 31 period close so the split dates never surprise you.
- Store every completion certificate with its course, so a Board audit is a one-click export.
- Reminders at 90, 60, 30, and 7 days before your deadline, with every state license on one dashboard.
Frequently asked questions
How many CPE hours does Colorado require?
80 hours over a two-year period for an active license, including 4 hours of ethics.
What is the CR&R option?
Up to 2 of your 4 required ethics hours may be in Colorado Rules and Regulations, as long as the course reflects current Colorado statutes and Board rules.
Can I carry over extra hours?
No. Colorado does not allow excess CPE hours to carry forward into the next reporting cycle.
Why are the period and the deadline different dates?
The reporting period ends December 31 of odd years, but the license renewal deadline is November 30 of odd years, so the practical cutoff comes first.
Official sources
CredTally is a record-keeping tool and is not affiliated with any licensing board. This guide is general information, not legal or compliance advice.
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Progress rings per requirement, private certificate storage, deadline reminders, and a one-click audit packet. Set up in two minutes — free for your first license.
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