How to Get Free CPA CPE Courses in 2025: A Step-by-Step Guide

Did you know that Free CPA CPE Courses help over 250,000+ professionals meet their continuing education requirements?

CPAs must participate in ongoing professional education to meet state and organizational standards. Each state requires a specific number of CPE credits within a renewal period. But the costs to earn these credits can quickly become expensive.

Free CPE Courses for CPAs can help reduce the financial burden of continuing education. Professional development opportunities include free webinars on various accounting topics and resources from national CPA organizations. These options provide quality continuing education for accountants without compromising content standards.

The numbers tell an impressive story. Modern platforms give access to over 15,000+ hours of content, 700+ content creators, and 500+ subject areas. They also include 50+ state ethics courses with approval from 25+ regulatory bodies.

This piece will show you the best ways to find and maximize these free CPA courses online in 2025. Let's head over to the world of free CPE credits for CPA professionals and find how you can maintain your credentials affordably.

Understanding CPA CPE Requirements

Continuing Professional Education (CPE) forms the foundation of a CPA's professional competence. Let's understand what these courses actually mean before exploring free options.

What are CPE credits and why they matter

CPE credits are formal education units that help CPAs stay sharp in their professional skills. One credit equals 50 minutes of qualified instruction. These credits serve a vital purpose. The accounting field changes constantly with new regulations and practices, and CPE will give a current and competent professional edge.

The AICPA and NASBA set the standards for CPE programs together. Your CPE courses, whether free or paid, must meet these strict standards:

• A licensed CPA must help develop the content
• Learning objectives should boost professional competence
• Materials must stay current and accurate
• Content needs external review

How many free CPE credits CPAs need annually

State requirements need 40 CPE hours annually on average, with different reporting structures:

• 40 hours each year
• 80 hours per two years
• 120 hours per three years

Many states with longer reporting periods need minimum yearly completions. AICPA members must complete 120 hours every three years. States like Georgia require 80 hours every two years with at least 20 hours yearly.

State-specific rules to keep in mind

Requirements vary by a lot between states. You need to know your jurisdiction's specific rules:

• Ethics requirements: Ethics training is mandatory in most states (2-4 hours per period)
• Technical subject minimums: Several states need specific percentages in accounting, auditing, or taxation
• Format restrictions: Some states put limits on self-study hours or need minimum live instruction

Record keeping is vital. Most states suggest keeping CPE records for five years in case of an audit. The NASBA Course ID number proves that your state board will accept a free course.

Check with your state board of accountancy or visit the NASBA website to verify that any free CPE course meets your state's requirements.

Top Online Platforms Offering Free CPA CPE Courses

Quality free CPE courses are out there if you know the right places to look. Let's explore three reliable platforms that offer complimentary CPE for CPAs in 2025.

MYCPE ONE: Free CPE courses for CPA

MYCPE ONE stands out as a NASBA-approved continuing education platform with several high-quality free courses. Their free options cover everything from fraud detection to financial modeling and analytics-based performance management. Each free course gives you 1 CPE credit with user ratings that average 4.5+.

The platform's approach to free offerings serves as a gateway to their complete platform. While you get select free courses, their 7 Day Free Trial opens up access to over 15,000 hours of content across 500+ subject areas from 700+ industry experts.

MYCPE ONE has been a big name in continuing education, but few platforms are raising the bar. If you're weighing your options, don’t miss 5 Top-Rated Online CPE Platforms CPAs Use in 2025

CPAacademy: Free webinars with limited technical content

CPAacademy has become a go-to destination for free CPE through live webinars that cover various accounting topics. The platform runs multiple webinars daily, making credit accumulation convenient. All the same, keep in mind that many free webinars are basically marketing or sales presentations.

The biggest problem: all but one of these technical subject areas (accounting, auditing, taxes) require paid options. The process is straightforward - create a free account, register for upcoming webinars, and attend live sessions. Just make sure to respond to polling questions to receive credit.

Corporate Finance Institute: Free finance-focused CPE courses

Corporate Finance Institute (CFI) specializes in free courses with a strong focus on finance-related domains. Their free offerings include introductory modules on Excel, financial analysis, and accounting fundamentals. On top of that, CFI provides one complete free course called "Careers in Finance" that introduces various aspects of the finance industry.

The sort of thing I love about CFI is they give you free certificates and CPE credits after completion. Credits usually range from 1.0-1.5 per free course. The platform welcomes you to visit their website, create a free account, and browse their "Free Courses" section.

How to verify if a course is NASBA-approved

Make sure your free CPE course is NASBA-approved before you start:

• Look for the NASBA Registry ID number on course descriptions
• Check if the provider appears on the NASBA Registry website
• Confirm your state board recognizes the provider

Note that you should always check your state board's specific guidelines, especially for free webinar CPE credits.

Free CPE from Professional Associations and Societies

Professional associations and societies are a great way to get free CPE opportunities for accountants in 2025. These organizations give their members exclusive benefits that can substantially reduce continuing education expenses.

AICPA

AICPA membership has an impressive 30 hours of free CPE credits. This makes it a smart investment for CPAs looking for budget-friendly continuing education. The package has:

• Town Hall Series providing up to 24 free CPE credits throughout the year
• Transformative Skills Pack offering 6 free CPE credits focused on in-demand technical competencies

Members get up to 20% discounts on additional CPE products and events. AICPA Tax Section members receive an extra benefit of 8 complimentary webcasts. These provide up to 16 hours of CPE in a full membership year.

BDO Alliance

BDO Alliance USA connects independent accounting firms with resources from one of the world's leading accounting networks. Alliance members can access:

• Free CPE training programs and courses
• Monthly webcasts scheduled at 3 PM EST
• Topics ranging from AI risk management to international taxation and cybersecurity frameworks

Each BDO webcast equals one CPE credit. You can participate by registering with the BDO Online CPE Network and joining their complimentary events at 60+ local US offices nationwide.

BDO Alliance

BDO Alliance USA connects independent accounting firms with resources from one of the world's leading accounting networks. Alliance members can access:

• Free CPE training programs and courses
• Monthly webcasts scheduled at 3 PM EST
• Topics ranging from AI risk management to international taxation and cybersecurity frameworks

Each BDO webcast equals one CPE credit. You can participate by registering with the BDO Online CPE Network and joining their complimentary events at 60+ local US offices nationwide.

State CPA societies: Local events and workshops

State CPA societies often provide budget-friendly or free continuing education opportunities for their members. These local resources have:

• Weekly seminar series with relevant, timely information
• Flexible formats including Zoom-based instructor-led courses
• Evening scheduling options (typically 6:00-9:00 PM) that work well for professionals

Many state societies host networking events that can qualify for CPE credit. Note that CPE credits are awarded based on one credit for every 50 minutes of classroom attendance. Plan your schedule around these local opportunities.

Smart Strategies to Maximize Free CPE Opportunities

Success with free CPE goes beyond finding courses—you need to optimize your approach. Smart planning will help you meet requirements quickly while building valuable knowledge.

Set a learning schedule and stick to it

Your CPE coursework deserves the same attention as other professional commitments. The best approach is to block specific time on your calendar and maintain this schedule. You should set aside 1-2 hours weekly for CPE—between meetings, after work, or during weekend mornings—to avoid last-minute rushing. Working backward from certification deadlines helps create achievable milestones that keep you motivated throughout the year.

Mix formats: webinars, podcasts, e-books

Learning becomes more engaging when you broaden your format choices to match different learning priorities:

• Webinars: Live sessions from providers like Deloitte's Dbriefs and PwC's webcast library
• Self-study courses: On-demand options that let you learn at your own pace
• Professional events: Networking opportunities that earn you credits simultaneously

This variety lets you complete courses anywhere—at home, in the office, or during commutes.

Use CPE trackers to monitor your progress

The right tracking tools make compliance management easier. CPE Monitor® automatically uploads credits from ACPE-approved activities to your profile. Checkpoint Learning shows exactly where you stand against requirements across all 50 state boards. You can also create your own spreadsheet to log completed courses, earned credits, and remaining requirements.

Avoid sales-pitch disguised courses

Free webinars often turn into marketing presentations. You should check the educational value before investing your time. Free Live CPE displays a calendar showing free webinars from respected firms like PwC and KPMG, which helps you find genuine educational content.

Balance free and paid CPE for technical coverage

Self-employed CPAs benefit from a smart mix of free and paid resources to create the right financial balance. Technical subjects like accounting, auditing, and taxes usually require paid options. Becker provides several free courses in specialized areas like AI ethics and fraud detection, making them valuable additions to your learning plan.

Conclusion

You don't need to spend a fortune to maintain your CPA credentials through continuing education. In this piece, we've looked at many ways to access quality free CPE courses that meet your state's requirements.

Your CPE strategy needs a solid foundation based on understanding exactly what you need. States have different rules about ethics training, technical subjects and formats they accept. Make sure any free courses have NASBA approval before you spend time on them.

MYCPE ONE, CPAacademy, and Corporate Finance Institute are a great way to get free resources, though they do have limits. On top of that, professional associations bring substantial benefits - AICPA members get 30 free CPE hours, and state CPA societies run local events that count toward credit.

Finding opportunities is just the start - you need smart strategies to make them work. A regular learning schedule helps avoid last-minute pressure, and different formats keep things interesting. Of course, tracking tools help you stay on course during your reporting period.

Free resources are plentiful, but balance matters. Free webinars cover lots of topics, but paid courses often dive deeper into technical content you need for well-rounded growth.

As you map out your 2025 CPE plan, note that the goal goes beyond just meeting requirements. These learning opportunities sharpen your professional skills and keep you current in our faster evolving field. Smart planning and the resources outlined here let you meet CPE requirements without hurting quality or your wallet.

Key Takeaways

Here are the essential strategies to secure free CPA CPE courses and maintain your credentials cost-effectively in 2025:

• Leverage AICPA membership benefits: Members receive 30 free CPE hours annually, including Town Hall Series and Transformative Skills Pack courses.
• Use NASBA-approved platforms strategically: MYCPE ONE, CPAacademy, and Corporate Finance Institute offer quality free courses, but verify NASBA approval before enrollment.
• Create a structured learning schedule: Block 1-2 hours weekly for CPE study and work backward from certification deadlines to avoid last-minute cramming.
• Mix free and paid resources wisely: While free webinars cover general topics, invest in paid technical courses for accounting, auditing, and tax subjects.
• Track progress systematically: Use CPE Monitor® or create spreadsheets to monitor completed credits and ensure compliance with your state's specific requirements.

Remember that most states require approximately 40 CPE hours annually, with specific ethics and technical subject minimums. By combining professional association benefits, online platforms, and local CPA society events, you can significantly reduce continuing education costs while maintaining the quality needed for professional growth.

FAQs

Q1. How can CPAs earn free CPE credits?

CPAs can earn free CPE credits through various methods, including attending webinars, participating in professional association events, completing online courses from approved providers, and utilizing member benefits from organizations like AICPA. It's important to verify that the free courses are NASBA-approved and meet your state's specific requirements.

Q2. What free CPE resources does AICPA offer to its members?

AICPA members receive 30 free CPE hours annually, which includes access to the Town Hall Series providing up to 24 CPE credits and the Transformative Skills Pack offering 6 CPE credits. Members also get discounts on additional CPE products and events.

Q3. Are there any reputable online platforms offering free CPA CPE courses?

Yes, several reputable platforms offer free CPA CPE courses. MYCPE ONE provides NASBA-approved courses on topics like fraud detection and financial modeling. CPAacademy offers free webinars, though with limited technical content. Corporate Finance Institute provides finance-focused free courses with CPE credits upon completion.

Q4. How can I ensure I'm meeting my state's CPE requirements with free courses?

To meet your state's CPE requirements with free courses, always verify that the course is NASBA-approved and check your state board's specific guidelines. Use CPE tracking tools or create a spreadsheet to monitor your progress. Balance free resources with paid options, especially for technical subjects like accounting, auditing, and taxation.

Q5. What strategies can I use to maximize free CPE opportunities?

To maximize free CPE opportunities, set a consistent learning schedule, mix different learning formats (webinars, podcasts, e-books), use CPE trackers to monitor progress, avoid sales-pitch disguised courses, and strategically balance free and paid CPE for comprehensive coverage. Also, consider joining professional associations and state CPA societies for additional free CPE resources.