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Newly Licensed in Florida? Here's What to Know Next

Congratulations on becoming a Newly Licensed CPA in Florida!

Now that you've achieved this major milestone, it’s important to understand what comes next for maintaining your license and staying in good standing. This guide outlines key steps and timelines you need to know and follow. 

License Renewal Timeline

License renewal is based on your issue date, using the fiscal year calendar (July 1 – June 30)

  • Licensed on or before June 30? Renew by December 31 of the same year.
  • Licensed on or after July 1? Renew by December 31 of next calendar year.

Example:

  • Licensed in June 2025 → Renewal due December 31, 2025
  • Licensed in September 2025 → Renewal due December 31, 2026

The license renewal fee window runs from October 1st – December 31st

Click Here to Renew your license – DBPR Account

Pro Tip: Mark Your Calendar, Don’t Miss Your Deadline!

 

First CPE Reporting Period (Re-establishment Period – July 1, 20XX to June 30, 20XX)

Your first reporting period depends on when you are licensed: before or after June 30

  • Rule of Thumb: Three June 30ths from date of initial licensure

Example: Licensed Before June 30:

  • License Date: April 3, 2025
  • First June 30 after licensing: June 30, 2025 (then add 2 more)
  • CPE Reporting Period: July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2027
  • Complete Required CPE by: June 30, 2027

Example: Licensed After June 30:

  • License Date: July 8, 2025
  • First June 30 after licensing: June 30, 2026 (add 2 more June 30ths)
  • CPE Reporting Period: July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2028
  • Complete CPE by: June 30, 2028 

 

CPE Hour Requirements 

You must complete 80 Total CPE credit hours by June 30 of your Reporting Period.

These 80 hours consist of:

  • 8 hours of Accounting & Auditing (AA)
  • 4 hours of Board-approved Florida Ethics (ET)
  • No more than 20 hours of Behavioral (BE)
  • Unlimited Technical Business (TB)

Note: CPE hours do not carry over to the next reporting cycle, and you may begin taking CPE courses right after licensure.

The required hours are to be reported to the DBPR by July 31st of your reporting period - MyFloridaLicense

Tools to help you upload your CPE - Reporting Tools

 

Automatic Extensions  

If you could not complete the 80 hours by June 30th of your reporting period don’t worry, there are 2 automatic extensions:

  • September 15: complete 8 additional hours of A&A = 88 hours in total
  • December 31: complete 16 hours of A&A = 96 hours in total

Missing these extensions will result in your license falling into a delinquent status, requiring additional CPE hours and fees.

 

Summary Checklist for Newly Certified Florida CPAs:

⬜ Know Your First CPE Reporting Period (using the three June 30ths rule)
⬜ Complete the Required 80 Hours of CPE (by the end of your first reporting period)
⬜ Ensure You Have Met the Category Requirements (AA, ET, BE limits)

⬜ Upload Your CPE to the DBPR
⬜ Complete CPE for Automatic Extensions (if necessary)

⬜ Renew Your License by Dec 31 20XX (timeframe determined above)

If you have further questions regarding your first year of licensure, please contact Member Services:

📧 Email: msc@ficpa.org 
📞 Phone: 800-342-3197 or 850-224-2727 
🕒 Hours: Monday – Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.