All Maine CPAs must complete continuing professional education to maintain an active license. Maine operates on an annual reporting period from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30. Licenses renew annually on Sept. 30.
Annual CPE requirements
Maine requires 40 hours of CPE annually during the reporting period from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30. The requirement includes:
- 4 hours of ethics every three years
Ethics requirements
Four hours of ethics CPE are required every three years. No specific state board approval is required, and general ethics courses qualify for this requirement.
Credit limitations
Soft course limitation
Credit for soft courses may not exceed 50% (20 hours) of the required 40 hours of annual CPE. If carrying forward excess CPE, the 50% rule applies based on hours actually credited for the year, including carryover. Soft course subjects include:
- Communication arts
- Mathematics, statistics, probability, and quantitative applications in business
- Economics
- Business, securities, and administrative law
- Human resources policies
- Computer software applications
Carryover credits
The board allows rollover of up to 20 CPE hours for the next renewal period. The 50% soft course limitation applies to the total hours credited, including carryover.
Instructor credit limitation
An instructor, discussion leader, or speaker may receive CPE credits for the first presentation only, on a basis of 3 hours for each hour of class time. Credits may not exceed 50% of the hours required under these rules.
Published material credit limitation
Credit is allowed for published articles and books, limited to 50% of the renewal requirement.
Acceptable CPE programs
Programs qualify as acceptable CPE if they are formal programs of learning that contribute directly, at a professional level, to the professional competence of a licensee in public practice. Licensees determine the course of study to pursue. Maine accepts courses from NASBA National Registry sponsors.
Renewing your Maine CPA license
The annual reporting period runs from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30. At renewal, licensees verify completion of CPE.