As of January 1, 2004, the Colorado State Board has adopted the CPE standards of the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Colorado does not pre-approve courses or providers. If both the licensee and the CPE provider comply with the NASBA/AICPA CPE Standards, the continuing education will be accepted as meeting the CE requirements for the Colorado State Board.
- Information on Reporting Periods
Q: What is the 'reporting period' to take CPE?
A reporting period is a two year period from January 1 of an even-numbered year through December 31 of an odd-numbered year.
Q: If I did not complete all my CPE within the reporting period, will changing my license into an 'inactive' or 'retired' status or allowing my license to expire resolve the issue?
No. Changing the Certificate status to Retired, Inactive, or Expired does not eliminate the obligation to complete CPE that was accrued but not completed as of the date of such change. Failure to complete required CPE is cause for discipline up to and including revocation.
Q: How long should I keep my CPE records/documents?
Certificate Holders must retain documentation for a minimum of five (5) years from the end of the year in which the CPE was completed. The documentation must be submitted to the Board upon request.
- Information on Required CPE Hours
Q: How many CPE hours are required?
A Certificate Holder, including the holder of an initial Certificate, must complete ten (10) hours of CPE for every full quarter during which the holder's Certificate is in Active status.
No more than 20 percent of CPE can be in Personal Development, as defined by the Fields of Study. Four (4) hours of CPE must be in Ethics, of which two (2) hours may be in CR&R. No more than 50 percent of CPE can be in any combination of teaching or publishing an article or book.
Q: I hold an active Colorado certificate but do not practice public accounting, do I need to complete Continuing Education?
Yes. If you hold an active Colorado license, you must comply with all applicable laws, rules, and policies of the State Board of Accountancy, including those related to Continuing Education. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action.
Q: How many CPE hours in Ethics are required?
Four (4) hours of CPE must be in Ethics, of which two (2) hours may be in CR&R. The two (2) hours of CR&R allowed as CPE must cover all Practice Act and Board Rules and comply with the content outline set forth in Board Rule.
Q: Can I use any of the activities I completed in order to reinstate, reactivate or return to active status from retired status for my CPE requirement?
No. Any activity submitted to meet the requirements for licensure reinstatement, reactivation, or return to active status from retired status cannot be used for the reporting period requirements as a condition of holding an active license.
Q: Can I use any of the activities I completed before my license reinstatement, reactivation or return to active status from retired status for my CPE credit?
Yes. As long as it was completed during the reporting period, complies with the Board's requirements, and was not submitted to meet the CPE requirements for licensure reinstatement, reactivation, or return to active status from retired status.
Q: Do study sessions count as CPE?
No. Study sessions do not qualify as CPE.
Q: I hold an active Colorado certificate but do not practice public accounting; do I need to complete Continuing Education?
Yes. If you hold an active Colorado license, you must comply with all applicable laws, rules, and policies of the State Board of Accountancy, including those related to Continuing Education. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action.
- Information on Continuing Education for Non-Residents
Q: If I don't live in the State of Colorado or the United States, do I need to complete Continuing Education?
Yes. If you hold an active Colorado license, you must comply with all applicable laws, rules, and policies of the State Board of Accountancy, including those related to Continuing Education. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action.
- Information on Noncompliance Self-Reporting
Q: If I am not in compliance with the CPE requirements, who can I contact?
If you are not in compliance with the CPE requirements, you can self-report to the Board via email at dora_accountancyboard@state.co.us. Staff will provide you with additional information. Failure to comply with the CPE requirements may result in disciplinary action.
- Information on Initial License Requirements and Activities
Q: What are my requirements for the first reporting period that I am initially licensed?
A Certificate Holder, including the holder of an initial Certificate, must complete ten (10) hours of CPE for each full quarter in which the Certificate Holder is actively licensed during a CPE Reporting Period. Of which no more than 20 percent shall be in Personal Development, defined by the Fields of Study. At least four (4) hours of CPE must be in Ethics, two (2) of which may be satisfied by the CR&R you are required to take within six (6) months of licensure, as long as the course was taken during the reporting period.
Q: Can I use any of the activities I completed before my initial licensure for my CPE credit?
Yes. Based on Board Rule, a CPE course taken prior to certification (but within the reporting period) that complies with the Board's requirements may be eligible for CPE credit if it was not used to meet the education requirements for initial certification.
- Information on CR&R and Ethics
Q: What is CR&R?
CR&R is Colorado Rules and Regulations. Defined as CPE per Practice Act and Colorado State Board of Accountancy Rules. In order to qualify as a CR&R course, the course must stand alone and cover the contents outlined in the Board's Colorado Rules &, Regulations (CR&R) section to be in compliance with Practice Act and rules regarding CPAs. The Board reserves the right to deny a course if it is shown that the course does not comply with the requirements.
Q: Where can I take the CR&R Course?
The CR&R course is available through several CPE vendors. Please do an internet search for "Colorado Rules and Regulations CPE" to locate potential providers. It is the responsibility of the certificate holder to ensure the course meets the Board's definition: 2 hours of CPE concerning the Practice Act and Colorado State Board of Accountancy Rules. In order to qualify as a CR&R course, the course must stand alone and cover the contents outlined in the Board's Colorado Rules &, Regulations (CR&R) section to be in compliance with rules regarding CPAs. The Board reserves the right to deny a course if it is shown that it does not comply with the requirements.
- Information on Certificates of Completion/Attendance
Q: Where do I send certificates of completion/attendance?
Please do not send certificates to the Board unless specifically requested to do so. If you are selected for an audit, you will be provided with forms and specific instructions to submit your documentation.
Q: Will I need to submit all my certificates of completion/attendance when I renew my license?
No. You do not need to submit documentation to renew your license. You will be asked to attest compliance with the CPE requirements at the time of renewal. You are required to maintain CPE documentation, and if audited, you will be required to submit proof within 30 days.
Q: Will I need to submit proof of completed CPE when I reactivate or reinstate my license?
Possibly. The Board has discretion as to when it will request proof of completed CPE. If a license has been inactive or expired for six (6) years or more, the Board may request proof of CPE.
Q: What information must be included on a certificate of completion/attendance?
The document must be provider-generated and must include the following:
- Name and contact information of CPE program sponsor
- Participant's name
- Title of program
- Field of study (as described in Board Rule)
- Date the program was offered or completed
- Location of the program (if applicable)
- Method of instruction/delivery
- Number of CPE credits completed
- Verification by the CPE program sponsor (maybe in the form of a signature, seal, or other similar indicia)
- Information on Audits and Submission of Records
Q: If I am audited and I submit records, will my records be returned to me?
No. Anything that is submitted will not be returned. It is acceptable to submit copies of your certificates of completion or required documentation. Please ensure that you have copies of your records submitted for audit.
- Information on Approved Courses / Classes / Providers
Q: Who can I call at the Board's office to check if a course I have taken or am planning to take will comply with the Board's rules?
The Board does not pre-approve any course or provider and staff cannot advise you if a particular activity will or will not be acceptable. It is the responsibility of the certificate holder to determine the acceptability of any activities claimed for CPE compliance with the Board Rules and the Joint AICPA/NASBA Standards. View the AICPA/NASBA Statement on CPE Standards.
- Information on Online vs. In-Person Classes
Q: Is there a limit to the number of online versus in-person classes?
No.
- Information on Claiming CPE for Teaching or College Classes
Q: Am I able to claim CPE for teaching?
Possibly, if the activity complies with the Joint AICPA/NASBA Statement on CPE Standards, maintains or increases your professional competence as a CPA, and meets the Board's definition of teaching. Study sessions do not qualify. You will need to provide the following documentation:
- Documentation with provider/sponsor name and contact information, confirming teaching or performing as a discussion leader
- Proof of the number of in-classroom hours taught
- Proof the activity was new or substantially revised (if substantially revised, the date the activity was first taught)
- Brief statement on how the activity met the standards and fulfilled the CPE requirements of the attendees
- Activity/course syllabus or outline
- Field(s) of Study listed, compliant with Joint AICPA/NASBA CPE Standards)
- CPA resume that documents your qualifications to teach the subject matter
- CPA-provided signed statement that describes how the activity maintained and/or improved your professional competence
Q: Am I able to claim CPE for taking or completing a college class?
Possibly. The course cannot have been used for any licensure requirements and must be in a Field of Study related to maintaining or increasing your professional competence as a CPA. You must retain a copy of the official grade card or transcript from the accredited institution showing the course title, semester, or quarter credit hours attended and the grade earned. (One semester hour qualifies for 15 CPE hours. One-quarter hour qualifies for 10 CPE hours.)
If the course was \'audited\' or taken without credit, the course instructor, with contact information, must sign an affidavit verifying the actual hours attended by the certificate holder.
- Information on Requirements of Other Organizations/States
Q: Can I use the CPE credits I completed to meet the Accountancy Board's requirements to meet the requirements of other organizations, agencies, or jurisdictions (states)?
Possibly. The coursework must comply with the Joint AICPA/NASBA Statement on CPE Standards. For example, if you are both a CPA and an attorney, you may use the same CPE to meet the Board's requirements and your CLE, if the coursework complies. If you are a CPA licensed in more than one state, you may use the same CPE to meet the Board's requirements and the other State Board's requirements if the coursework complies with the Standards. It is the responsibility of the certificate holder to determine the acceptability of any activities claimed for CPE for compliance with the Board Rules with the AICPA/NASBA Standards.
Please note that CPE accepted by other states, jurisdictions, and/or organizations does not guarantee automatic acceptance by the Colorado Board and CPE accepted by the Colorado Board does not guarantee acceptance by another state or licensing jurisdiction.