What Is CPE? Definition, Requirements, and Examples for CPAs and Federal Accountants

Continuing Professional Education (CPE) is structured training that professionals complete after earning a license or certification to maintain their credentials. Certified Public Accountants (CPA), Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM), Certified Defense Financial Manager (CDFM), and government auditors that  work on Yellow Book engagements must complete CPE regularly to remain licensed, meet professional standards, and stay current with evolving accounting and federal financial management requirements.

Recommended CPE for Federal Accountants

If you are a CPA, CGFM, CDFM, or federal financial professional who needs CPE, Federal Finance CPE offers NASBA-registered, self-study courses built specifically for federal accounting and government financial management by federal accounting and federal budget experts.
These courses are designed to help you:

  • Earn CPE credit efficiently
  • Meet Yellow Book and federal-specific requirements
  • Stay current with OMB, Treasury, and FASAB standards

Why CPE matters in federal accounting

Federal financial management is governed by a web of standards, including the OMB Circular A‑123, GAO’s Green Book and Yellow Book, FASAB standards, the U.S. Standard General Ledger and the Treasury Financial Manual. Regulations evolve regularly, and many colleges still teach mainly private‑sector accounting. CPE courses and conferences fill the gaps by introducing new guidance, highlighting real‑world examples and providing networking with peers.

A professional who doesn’t hold a license or certification technically doesn’t need CPE, but staying up‑to‑date is essential for career growth. Beginners can use introductory CPE courses to understand government accounting, while experienced consultants use CPE to stay current when standards change (for example, the 2025 Green Book update).

CPE requirements for CPAs – examples from Virginia, Maryland and Washington DC

State boards of accountancy regulate the CPA license. Each state sets its own CPE requirements, ethics rules and approved providers. The examples below illustrate how rules differ across neighboring jurisdictions.
State/jurisdiction Basic CPE requirement Ethics requirement Notes
Virginia Virginia uses a rolling three‑year reporting period. Active CPAs must complete 120 hours over three calendar years with at least 20 hours each year. CPAs must complete 2 hours of Virginia‑Board‑approved ethics every year. Those who perform attestation, compilation or financial statement preparation must include 8 hours in accounting and auditing The Virginia Board of Accountancy does not pre‑qualify sponsors or require NASBA certification; it encourages providers to follow the joint AICPA/NASBA standards. Licensees retain documentation for four years
Maryland Maryland licenses renew every two years. An active CPA must earn 80 qualifying hours of continuing education each license period At least 4 hours must be in professional ethics during each two‑year period Maryland allows both technical and non‑technical subjects. Excess hours may be carried forward—up to 80 hours beyond the required 80 may count toward the next renewal; ethics hours above four can count as general CE. Courses from sponsors in the NASBA CPE Registry require only the course certificate for audit purposes, but Maryland does not mandate registry sponsorship.
District of Columbia Washington DC uses a biennial cycle. Licensees must complete 80 CPE hours every two years A total of 4 hours of professional ethics per two‑year cycle is required DC’s Board of Accountancy approves programs from organizations that are exempt (AICPA, NASBA, state boards, professional firms, colleges/universities, Greater Washington Society of CPAs) or from providers that are members of NASBA’s National Registry or QAS approved. Credit for committee meetings, instruction, publishing and non‑approved subjects is limited to specified percentages

Is NASBA sponsorship required for CPAs?

NASBA’s National Registry of CPE Sponsors is a quality assurance program. Virginia’s board explicitly states it does not require courses to come from specific sponsors. Maryland accepts documentation from NASBA sponsors but does not require them. Washington DC, however, limits acceptable courses to those offered by exempt organizations (including AICPA and other boards) or providers registered with NASBA. In practice, many CPAs choose NASBA‑approved providers because their courses are widely accepted across states.

CPE requirements for the Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM)

The CGFM credential, issued by the Association of Government Accountants (AGA), is popular among federal financial managers. Active CGFMs must:
  • Complete 80 hours of CPE every two years. There is no minimum per year, but holders are encouraged to spread hours across the cycle.
  • Include at least 4 hours of ethics per cycle. Ethics training can come from any provider, and the AGA encourages two hours per year.
  • Maintain documentation of CPE hours for three years. A random audit may request this evidence


The AGA does not pre‑approve or require NASBA‑certified courses. It advises CGFMs to select quality programs with clear learning objectives and adequate documentation. Qualifying activities include employer‑provided courses, staff‑meeting sessions with structured learning objectives, accredited college courses, conferences, webinars and on‑demand programs. Individual study programs, such as self‑study or e‑learning, also count. Serving as a speaker or author on government financial management topics can earn CPE credit.

The CGFM program restricts carry‑over; excess hours cannot be applied to the next cycle. Exceptions may be granted for circumstances like health issues or military service

CPE requirements for the Certified Defense Financial Manager (CDFM)

The CDFM credential is administered by the Society of Defense Financial Management (SDFM). The recertification policy requires certificants to:

  • Earn 80 CPE hours every 24 months, including at least 20 hours per year.
  • Include 2 hours of ethics within the 80‑hour total.
  • Adhere to the SDFM Pledge of Professionalism and pay a recertification fee.


SDFM’s policy provides guidance on qualifying CPE activities. Acceptable topics must relate to defense or government financial management. Examples of group programs include formal training courses (such as the Enhanced Defense Financial Management Training Course), internal training sessions, structured segments of staff meetings, accredited university courses, conferences, and education programs sponsored by professional organizations. Individual study programs include correspondence courses, self‑study guides and computer‑based training. Serving as a speaker, instructor or author on relevant topics also counts.

Certain activities do not qualify for CPE credit—such as on‑the‑job training, basic courses in topics already mastered, programs designed for the general public (e.g., résumé writing), sales presentations, and purely administrative sessions. Audited university courses convert semester hours to CPE hours (15 per semester hour; 10 per quarter hour). Instructors may earn CPE credit for preparation and presentation time but only once per course within a two‑year cycle.

Yellow Book CPE requirements for auditors

The Yellow Book (Government Auditing Standards) sets competency requirements for auditors performing audits or attestation engagements under generally accepted government auditing standards (GAGAS). GAO guidance states that each auditor should:

  • Complete 80 hours of CPE every two years.
  • Out of those, at least 24 hours must be in subjects directly related to government auditing, the government environment, or the specific environment of the audited entity.
  • At least 20 hours must be completed in any one year of the two‑year period.
  • Excess hours cannot be carried over to the next period.


The Yellow Book applies to auditors planning, directing, performing fieldwork or reporting on GAGAS engagements (both external and internal) regardless of whether they are CPAs, CGFMs or non‑certified professionals. Auditors involved only in fieldwork and charging less than 20 % of their time to GAGAS engagements need only complete the 24‑hour government‑specific requirement. Audit organizations may grant exceptions for reasons like ill health, maternity leave or military service.

Need Yellow Book CPE?

Government auditors must complete 80 hours of CPE every two years, including 24 hours in government-specific topics.

Federal Finance CPE offers courses designed specifically to meet these requirements, with topics focused on federal accounting, internal controls, and audit readiness. 

Is there CPE in the Green Book?

GAO’s Green Book provides standards for internal control in the federal government. It does not prescribe CPE hours; instead, it outlines principles for establishing effective controls. Entities may take Green‑Book‑focused CPE courses to learn these principles, but there is no mandatory CPE requirement in the Green Book itself. When a revised Green Book is issued (the 2025 update became effective in fiscal year 2026), training helps personnel understand the changes and apply them in their agencies.

Types of CPE delivery methods

Group programs

Employer‑provided training, staff‑meeting sessions, conferences and webinars are popular group programs. CGFM guidance lists employer‑provided courses, structured segments of staff meetings, accredited university courses and professional conferences as qualifying group CPE. SDFM similarly lists formal training courses, internal training sessions and professional conferences.

Individual or self‑study programs

Self‑paced e‑learning, recorded webinars and correspondence courses qualify as individual CPE. Participants must register for the program, complete it and receive documentation of completion. Self‑study is popular among busy consultants because it allows learning at any time and often includes assessments to verify understanding.

Other professional activities

Leading a course or publishing an article on government financial management can earn CPE credit. CGFM and CDFM policies grant credit for serving as a speaker, developing course materials, or publishing relevant articles and books. However, credit is usually limited—preparation credit is awarded only once per course in a two‑year cycle.

Q&A – common CPE questions

What is CPE and why do I need it? CPE stands for Continuing Professional Education. It’s required to maintain professional credentials and to ensure you stay current on evolving standards. In the federal accounting world, CPE helps professionals keep up with OMB guidance, FASAB standards, GAO’s Yellow Book and Green Book, and other regulations.

Do I need CPE if I’m not licensed or certified? Legally, you may not need CPE, but it’s still essential for maintaining competence. Many federal accounting tasks involve specialized regulations that aren’t covered in traditional accounting programs. CPE courses on topics like the Yellow Book, Uniform Guidance or internal controls help build expertise.

How is CPE measured? Most boards count 1 CPE hour for each 50‑minute block of learning. Some boards accept half‑hour increments. For university courses, semester hours convert to CPE hours (15 per semester hour or 10 per quarter hour).

Can I carry forward excess CPE hours? Virginia’s board uses a rolling three‑year period, so hours beyond 120 just fall off as the oldest year drops off; there’s no separate carry‑forward rule. Maryland allows up to 80 excess hours (including ethics hours above the required four) to be credited to the next renewal. CGFM and CDFM programs do not permit carry‑over. Yellow Book requirements prohibit carry‑over.


Does NASBA sponsorship matter for CGFM or CDFM? Neither the CGFM nor CDFM programs require courses to be NASBA‑approved. However, courses that follow NASBA’s Statement on Standards for CPE often have robust learning objectives and documentation, making them easier to accept during audits.

What happens if I don’t meet the CPE requirements? Consequences vary. For CGFMs, failing to meet the 80‑hour requirement leads to an inactive status; there’s a three‑month grace period to make up deficiencies. For CDFMs, a 90‑day extension is available; otherwise, the credential may be suspended and reactivated with late fees. State boards may impose fines or suspend licenses; Virginia provides guidelines for CPE violation penalties and allows licensees to self‑report deficiencies.

Final thoughts

Continuing Professional Education isn’t just about retaining a credential, it’s about maintaining competence in a complex, rapidly changing environment. For federal accounting professionals, CPE courses deliver practical skills that can’t be learned on the job alone. Understanding the specific requirements for your license or certification whether it’s a CPA license in Virginia, Maryland or DC, a CGFM or a CDFM and staying aware of Yellow Book and Green Book updates ensures you remain a trusted advisor to your agency or clients.

Complete Your Federal Accounting CPE with Confidence

If you work in federal accounting or auditing, your CPE should reflect the work you actually perform.

Federal Finance CPE provides NASBA-registered, self-study courses built specifically for federal financial professionals.

Unlike generic accounting CPE, our courses focus on real federal topics, including:

These courses help you earn CPE while strengthening the skills you use in your federal career.