Illinois 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
120 hrs / 3 years
Renewal cycle
Triennial (ends Sep 30)
Ethics requirement
4 hrs ethics + 1 hr harassment prevention
Issued by
Illinois Dept. of Financial & Professional Regulation
Illinois keeps the headline simple - 120 hours every three years - but tucks two specific mandatory hours inside it: 4 hours of ethics and 1 hour of sexual harassment prevention training. Both count within the 120, and both are easy to forget until the September 30 deadline is close.
CPAs call this CPE (continuing professional education), not CE. Here is what an active Illinois license requires, in plain English.
The base requirement: 120 hours over three years
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) requires 120 hours of CPE during each three-year reporting cycle. CPE can be verifiable (formal programs) or non-verifiable, and Illinois does not impose an annual minimum - the 120 hours apply across the full cycle.
The mandatory hours inside the 120
- 4 of the 120 hours must be in ethics education.
- 1 of the 120 hours must be in sexual harassment prevention training.
- Both the ethics and the harassment-prevention hours count within the 120, not on top of it.
- CPAs are exempt from CPE for their very first license renewal, though the renewal and fee are still required.
- Keep your CPE records for at least six years.
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?
Illinois CPA licenses renew triennially and expire on September 30. All 120 hours, including the ethics and sexual harassment prevention hours, must be complete before you renew online through IDFPR.
How CredTally keeps this on autopilot
- Track the 120-hour total with dedicated buckets for the 4-hour ethics and 1-hour sexual harassment prevention requirements, shown separately.
- First-renewal exemption noted on your card so you do not over-track in your initial period.
- Store every completion certificate with its course, so an IDFPR audit is a one-click export.
- Reminders at 90, 60, 30, and 7 days before your September 30 deadline.
Frequently asked questions
How many CPE hours does Illinois require?
120 hours every three years, including 4 hours of ethics and 1 hour of sexual harassment prevention training.
Is there an annual minimum?
No. Illinois applies the 120 hours across the full three-year cycle with no per-year floor.
Are new CPAs exempt at first?
Yes. CPAs are exempt from CPE for their first license renewal, but must still renew and pay the fee.
When is the deadline?
September 30, at the end of each three-year cycle, when Illinois CPA licenses renew.
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.
CredTally tracks all of this for you
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 — free