State Requirements
Iowa CPA CPE Requirements (2026)
What CPAs licensed in Iowa need to know about continuing professional education — hours, reporting period, and ethics.
Total CPE
120 hours
Reporting period
3 years
Annual minimum
Per board cycle
Iowa CPE at a glance
- ✓120 hours every 3 years
- ✓Reported per the board's cycle
- ✓Ethics CPE required — verify the exact rule
Ethics requirement
Four hours of ethics and rules of professional conduct CPE are required per three-year reporting period, and a state-specific ethics course is not mandated (general ethics courses are accepted).
How to meet it
CPE is earned in 50-minute credit hours through qualifying programs — including live webinars, which most boards accept as group-internet-based learning. To stay compliant: track your hours by field of study, complete any required ethics course, and keep your certificates of completion in case of audit. Spreading hours across your reporting period (rather than cramming at the deadline) keeps renewal stress-free.
Always verify with your board
Requirements change and can include details not summarized here. Confirm the current rules with the Iowa Accountancy Examining Board before relying on them. This page is general information, not legal or compliance advice.
Iowa CPE — frequently asked questions
How many CPE hours does Iowa require for CPAs?+
Iowa CPAs generally need 120 hours of CPE every 3 years. Confirm current rules with the Iowa Accountancy Examining Board.
Does Iowa require ethics CPE?+
Four hours of ethics and rules of professional conduct CPE are required per three-year reporting period, and a state-specific ethics course is not mandated (general ethics courses are accepted).
Can I earn Iowa CPE through free live webinars?+
Yes. Live webinars typically qualify as group internet-based CPE, which most boards accept. CPE Society offers free live webinars you can apply toward your IA requirement — always confirm acceptance with your state board.