Rhode Island operates on a triennial continuing professional education cycle. CPAs must complete 120 hours every three years, including 6 hours of ethics. The reporting period runs July 1 through June 30, with license renewal occurring June 30 every three years.
General requirement
CPAs must complete at least 120 CPE hours during each three-year reporting period. The reporting cycle runs from July 1 through June 30.
For example, a current reporting cycle may run from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2026.
Renewal applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on June 30. Applications submitted on or after July 1 require reinstatement.
Ethics requirement
Rhode Island requires 6 hours of professional ethics during each triennial period. Acceptable ethics programs include those covering the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct, as well as legal, professional and ethical standards issued by authoritative organizations.
New licensees
New CPAs are not required to complete CPE during the calendar year in which their certificate is issued.
During the first renewal cycle, new licensees must complete 80 hours of CPE instead of 120 hours, including 4 hours of ethics.
Credit limitations
- Self-study: Maximum of 80 hours per triennial period. Courses must be NASBA QAS-approved or interactive.
- Instruction, speakers and discussion leaders: Maximum of 60 hours per reporting period.
- Published materials and authorship: Maximum of 60 hours per reporting period.
- Personal development and marketing: Maximum of 24 hours per reporting period.
Credit calculation
- Standard measurement: One CPE credit equals 50 minutes of instruction.
- Instruction: Credit equals presentation time plus preparation time, with preparation limited to two times presentation time.
- Partial credit: Accepted in 0.2, 0.5 or 1.0 hour increments.
- Nano learning: Credit awarded in 0.2-hour increments.
- College courses: 15 CPE hours per semester credit hour.
Approved subject areas
Acceptable subject areas include:
- Accounting and auditing: Accounting, governmental accounting, auditing and governmental auditing
- Technical business subjects: Business law, finance, management advisory services, economics, statistics, information technology and specialized knowledge
- Personal development and marketing: Communication, business management, personnel and marketing (subject to 24-hour limit)
- Ethics: Professional conduct, legal and regulatory ethics
Nonqualifying subjects
Courses that do not contribute directly to professional competence do not qualify for CPE. Examples include self-realization, spirituality, personal health or fitness, sports and recreation, and foreign languages or cultures.
Provider requirements
Rhode Island does not preapprove CPE programs or sponsors. The Board accepts programs offered by NASBA National Registry sponsors and follows the AICPA/NASBA Statement on Standards for CPE Programs.
Nonresident exemption
Nonresident CPAs may meet Rhode Island’s CPE requirements by complying with the requirements of the state where their principal place of business is located. Licensees must certify compliance on their Rhode Island renewal application.
If the principal state does not require CPE, Rhode Island requirements must be met.
CPE audits
The Board conducts random and for-cause audits. Selected licensees must provide documentation for the preceding three-year period. Failure to provide documentation may result in disciplinary action. Deficient CPE identified during an audit must be completed within 30 days.
Reinstatement
To reinstate an expired license, CPAs must complete 120 CPE hours during the preceding three years and pay applicable fees.
If a license has been expired for five years or more, an additional 120 hours (240 total) and completion of a Board-approved CPA exam review course may be required.