North Dakota State Board of Accountancy

North Dakota Accounting (CPA) CE Requirements

North Dakota CPAs need 120 credit hours of continuing education every 3 years. 1 state-mandated topic may apply, depending on the license and practice.

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At a glance

North Dakota accounting (cpa) license renewal

Licenses coveredCertified Public Accountant (CPA) [1]
CE required for renewalYes [1]
Hours per CE period120 credit hours [1]
CE periodEvery 3 years [1]
Renewal and reportingPublic practice CPAs must complete 120 credit hours of acceptable CPE in the immediate preceding three reporting periods and at least 20 credit hours each year. [1]
State-mandated topicsEthics [1]
What CE countsPrograms offered by NASBA CPE Registry sponsors qualify if they meet North Dakota CPE requirements; self-study is counted on an hour-for-hour basis if it meets National CPE Standards interactivity provisions. [1]

This summary covers the licenses listed above. The topics below are selected verified requirements; consult the board’s full rules for all subjects and conditions.

State-mandated topics

Good to know

Rules change, and your own license record decides your deadline. Confirm with the North Dakota State Board of Accountancy ↗ before you renew.

Your next step

Look up. Verify. Renew.

Full North Dakota license guide
01 / Public record

Look up a license

Match the name or license number. Check status, expiration, and any restrictions shown.

North Dakota CPA verification Covers: Public registry for individual CPAs and firms.
02 / Official confirmation

Verify a credential

A public search may be enough for a status check. Another board or employer may require a verification sent directly by the issuer.

Check verification instructions Confirm the recipient’s required format and any fee.
03 / Keep it current

Renew your license

Confirm your due date, complete the required education, and submit to the licensing authority.

North Dakota CPA renewal instructions Covers: Complete all applicable Certemy steps and board approval.

Renewal at a glance

CredentialCPA / accounting firm
Renewal cycleRenewal is annual and due by June 30. A $100 late fee begins July 1; failure to renew by July 31 leads to involuntary relinquishment and reinstatement requirements. [source 1] [source 2]
Verified feesIndividual license renewal is $85 from April 15 through June 30, or $185 during July. The board requires reinstatement after involuntary relinquishment; firm permits have a separate fee. [source]
Renewal applicationNorth Dakota CPA renewal instructions

Fees can differ for active, inactive, late, and reinstatement applications. Your official license record controls your deadline.

Source review dates · 4 sources

Dates show when we retrieved the source pages. They do not certify a person’s license, guarantee a portal is online, or establish that every renewal rule was reviewed.

  1. Boards of Accountancy - NASBA Retrieved Oct 13, 2026
  2. CPA Registry | State Board of Accountancy, North Dakota Retrieved Oct 13, 2026
  3. Certemy Renewal Instructions and Login Link | State Board of Accountancy, North Dakota Retrieved Oct 13, 2026
  4. CPA Renewal FAQ | State Board of Accountancy, North Dakota Retrieved Oct 13, 2026

Free courses that count toward the hours

Free CE accepted in North Dakota

All 75 free accounting (cpa) courses

The board accepts continuing education accredited by NASBA [1]. These current free courses state that accreditation. State-mandated topics can require a specific approved course, so check those separately.

CPAacademy.orgFree
Available on demand

BILL's FINANCIAL OPERATIONS PLATFORM PRODUCT WALKTHROUGH

Self-study activity in Computer Software and Applications, offered through CPAacademy.org. Complete the attendance or assessment requirements to claim credit.

0.5 CPEOn demand
Checked Oct 22, 2026
CPAacademy.orgFree
Available on demand

BILL'S AI PRODUCT WALKTHROUGH

Self-study activity in Accounting, offered through CPAacademy.org. Complete the attendance or assessment requirements to claim credit.

0.5 CPEOn demand
Checked Oct 22, 2026
CPAacademy.orgFree
Available on demand

BILL's AP PRODUCT WALKTHROUGH

Self-study activity in Computer Software and Applications, offered through CPAacademy.org. Complete the attendance or assessment requirements to claim credit.

0.5 CPEOn demand
Checked Oct 22, 2026
CPAacademy.orgFree
Available on demand

MONEY LAUNDERING 101 FOR CPAs

Instant webinar in Specialized Knowledge, offered through CPAacademy.org. Start and finish within the provider’s access window.

1 CPEOn demand
Checked Oct 22, 2026

Your next credential

Free exam preparation for certified public accountants

Explore North Dakota and national exam practice for your profession on OpenExamPrep.

OpenExamPrepFree exam preparation

These are exam-preparation resources, separate from continuing education credit. Exam registration fees and eligibility are set by the exam sponsor.

Questions

North Dakota accounting (cpa) CE, answered

How many CE hours do North Dakota CPAs need?

North Dakota CPAs need 120 credit hours of continuing education every 3 years. 1 state-mandated topic may apply, depending on the license and practice. Public practice CPAs must complete 120 credit hours of acceptable CPE in the immediate preceding three reporting periods and at least 20 credit hours each year.

Does North Dakota require specific CE topics for CPAs?

Ethics (6 hours): Licensees holding out as CPAs must report 6 ethics credits over a rolling three-year period.

Do free online CE courses count in North Dakota?

Programs offered by NASBA CPE Registry sponsors qualify if they meet North Dakota CPE requirements; self-study is counted on an hour-for-hour basis if it meets National CPE Standards interactivity provisions. Free courses accredited by NASBA are listed on this page; a state-mandated topic may need a specific approved course.

Sources & verification

Every fact above links to the official page it comes from. We fetched each page on the date shown and confirmed the exact wording below appears on it.

  1. CPA Renewal FAQ | State Board of Accountancy, North Dakota ↗www.ndsba.nd.gov · HTML · Retrieved Oct 28, 2026
    Quoted wording (8)
    “out to the public as a licensee in this state, must have completed 120 credit hours of acceptable CPE in the immediate preceding three reporting periods and at least 20 credit hours each year. Beginning with the year ending June 30, 2022 going forward those who hold out must report 6 credits of ethics over a rolling 3-year period. 2. All others who in”
    “out to the public as a licensee in this state, must have completed 120 credit hours of acceptable CPE in the immediate preceding three reporting periods and at least 20 credit hours each year. Beginning with the year ending June 30, 2022 going forward those who hold out must report 6 credits of ethics over a rolling 3-year period. 2. All others who in”
    “out to the public as a licensee in this state, must have completed 120 credit hours of acceptable CPE in the immediate preceding three reporting periods and at least 20 credit hours each year. Beginning with the year ending June 30, 2022 going forward those who hold out must report 6 credits of ethics over a rolling 3-year period. 2. All others who in”
    “out to the public as a licensee in this state, must have completed 120 credit hours of acceptable CPE in the immediate preceding three reporting periods and at least 20 credit hours each year. Beginning with the year ending June 30, 2022 going forward those who hold out must report 6 credits of ethics over a rolling 3-year period. 2. All others who in”
    “out to the public as a licensee in this state, must have completed 120 credit hours of acceptable CPE in the immediate preceding three reporting periods and at least 20 credit hours each year. Beginning with the year ending June 30, 2022 going forward those who hold out must report 6 credits of ethics over a rolling 3-year period. 2. All others who in”
    “National CPE Standards interactivity provisions. Programs offered by NASBA CPE Registry sponsors qualify if they meet ND CPE requirements; NASBA registration is not mandatory.Limits: Teaching will qualify for credit to the extent that it contributes to the individual’s professional competence, to”
    “the Board of address changes within 30 days. Retain CPE documentation for at least 5 calendar years past the participation year. Copy Link Random Audit Notice: A percentage of renewal applications may be randomly selected for an audit of compliance with continuing education requirements.”
    “Beginning with the year ending June 30, 2022 going forward those who hold out must report 6 credits of ethics over a rolling 3-year period. 2. All others who in any way hold out as a CPA or LPA in this state, except those on “retired” status, must have completed 120 hours in the prior 3 years and at least 20 each year. Beginning with the year endin”

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