Which States Accept CPE Credits From an Approved State of Illinois CPE Provider?
✦ Direct Answer
All 50 U.S. states, Washington D.C., and all U.S. territories accept CPE credits from an approved State of Illinois CPE provider. Illinois-approved CPE sponsors are registered with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) or the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA). Because all 55 NASBA member jurisdictions have adopted substantial equivalency under the Uniform Accountancy Act (UAA), CPE credits earned through an Illinois-approved, NASBA-registered provider are recognized in
every U.S. jurisdiction.
Based on NASBA Substantial Equivalency determinations, IDFPR CPE regulations (68 Ill. Admin. Code §1420), and the NASBA National Registry of CPE Sponsors.
Always verify current requirements with your state board before your renewal deadline.
NASBA source →
Why Illinois CPE Credits Are Accepted Nationwide
Three interconnected systems make Illinois CPE portable across all U.S. jurisdictions:
1. NASBA Substantial Equivalency
All 55 U.S. accountancy board jurisdictions have been certified as substantially equivalent under the Uniform Accountancy Act. This means any state recognizes the licensure and CPE standards of any other state — including Illinois.
2. NASBA National Registry of CPE Sponsors
Illinois-approved CPE providers registered on NASBA's National Registry of CPE Sponsors or Quality Assurance Service (QAS) program are automatically accepted by every state board of accountancy in the country.
3. Illinois IDFPR Registration
Sponsors registered directly with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) meet Illinois's CPE sponsor standards. Other states recognize IDFPR-approved sponsors under interstate CPE reciprocity provisions of the Uniform Accountancy Act.
All States and Territories That Accept Illinois CPE Provider Credits
Every jurisdiction listed below participates in NASBA substantial equivalency and recognizes CPE from Illinois-approved providers.
55
Total U.S. Jurisdictions — All Accept Illinois CPE Provider Credits
50 states + Washington D.C. + Puerto Rico + Guam + U.S. Virgin Islands + Northern Mariana Islands
✓ Alabama
✓ Alaska
✓ Arizona
✓ Arkansas
✓ California
✓ Colorado
✓ Connecticut
✓ Delaware
✓ Florida
✓ Georgia
✓ Hawaii
✓ Idaho
✓ Illinois
✓ Indiana
✓ Iowa
✓ Kansas
✓ Kentucky
✓ Louisiana
✓ Maine
✓ Maryland
✓ Massachusetts
✓ Michigan
✓ Minnesota
✓ Mississippi
✓ Missouri
✓ Montana
✓ Nebraska
✓ Nevada
✓ New Hampshire
✓ New Jersey
✓ New Mexico
✓ New York
✓ North Carolina
✓ North Dakota
✓ Ohio
✓ Oklahoma
✓ Oregon
✓ Pennsylvania
✓ Rhode Island
✓ South Carolina
✓ South Dakota
✓ Tennessee
✓ Texas
✓ Utah
✓ Vermont
✓ Virginia
✓ Washington
✓ Washington, D.C.
✓ West Virginia
✓ Wisconsin
✓ Wyoming
U.S. Territories also accepted: Puerto Rico · Guam · U.S. Virgin Islands · Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) — all are NASBA member jurisdictions under substantial equivalency.
What Qualifies as an Approved State of Illinois CPE Provider?
Illinois recognizes CPE from sponsors in one of the following six categories (68 Ill. Admin. Code §1420.70):
1. NASBA National Registry of CPE Sponsors
Any organization listed on NASBA's National Registry of CPE Sponsors is automatically an approved Illinois CPE provider. This is the most portable credential — accepted by every state board. CPA Trendlines Academy has applied for NASBA registration, with approval currently pending.
2. NASBA Quality Assurance Service (QAS) Members
Providers accepted into NASBA's QAS program meet a higher standard of self-study course quality and are approved in Illinois and all other NASBA jurisdictions.
3. IDFPR-Licensed CPE Sponsors
Organizations that have applied for and received CPE sponsor registration directly from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) are approved Illinois providers. You can verify IDFPR-registered sponsors at
idfpr.illinois.gov.
4. American Institute of CPAs (AICPA)
All AICPA-sponsored CPE programs are automatically approved in Illinois and accepted across all U.S. states and territories.
5. Illinois CPA Society / Foundation (ICPAS / ICPAF)
Programs sponsored by the Illinois CPA Society and its educational foundation are approved CPE in Illinois and widely recognized by other state boards under interstate reciprocity.
6. Accredited Illinois Colleges & Universities
Universities and colleges authorized by their governing board in Illinois to award accounting degrees are approved CPE sponsors. One semester hour equals 15 CPE hours; one quarter hour equals 10 CPE hours.
Important Notes for CPAs Using Illinois CPE Credits in Other States
Ethics CPE May Differ by State
While CPE hours from an Illinois-approved provider are accepted everywhere, some states require ethics courses specific to their own statutes. Illinois requires 4 hours of ethics CPE per 3-year cycle. If you hold a license in another state, verify whether their ethics content requirement differs from Illinois's.
Report CPE to Your Home State
If you are an Illinois CPA practicing in another state under mobility (without a second license), you report your CPE to Illinois only. If you hold dual licenses, the same CPE hours typically count toward both states — as long as the provider is approved in both, which NASBA-registered providers are.
Keep Your Completion Certificates
Illinois requires CPAs to retain CPE certificates of completion for six years in case of an IDFPR audit. Other states have similar requirements. Always save your course completion certificates and note the provider's NASBA or IDFPR sponsor number.
Verify Your Provider Before Enrolling
Before enrolling, confirm your provider's status at the NASBA National Registry (nasbaregistry.org) or the IDFPR License Lookup Tool. A sponsor number on your certificate is your proof of eligibility in any CPE audit.
About CPA Trendlines Academy & NASBA Registration: CPA Trendlines Academy courses are developed in full compliance with NASBA's Statement on Standards for Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Texas accept CPE from an Illinois-approved provider?
Yes. Texas accepts CPE credits from any NASBA-registered or Illinois IDFPR-approved CPE provider. Texas is a NASBA substantial equivalency state, and NASBA-registered providers — including those registered in Illinois — are accepted by the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy (TSBPA).
Does California accept CPE from an Illinois-approved provider?
Yes. California is a NASBA substantial equivalency state. The California Board of Accountancy (CBA) accepts CPE from NASBA-registered sponsors, which includes all Illinois IDFPR-approved providers that also hold NASBA registration. Note: California has specific CPE subject-matter hour requirements — ensure your course subjects satisfy California's breakdown in addition to confirming provider approval.
Does Florida accept CPE from an Illinois-approved provider?
Yes. Florida accepts CPE credits from NASBA-registered sponsors, including those approved by the State of Illinois. The Florida Board of Accountancy (DBPR) requires CPAs to complete 80 CPE hours per 2-year period. Any Illinois NASBA-registered provider satisfies Florida's sponsor approval standard.
Does New York accept CPE from an Illinois-approved provider?
Yes. New York accepts CPE from NASBA-registered providers. New York CPAs must complete 40 CPE hours per year (with a 4-hour ethics requirement). Courses from an Illinois-approved, NASBA-registered provider count toward New York's CPE requirements.
What is NASBA substantial equivalency and why does it matter for CPE?
NASBA substantial equivalency is a formal determination that a state's CPA licensure requirements meet or exceed the Uniform Accountancy Act (UAA) standards. All 55 U.S. accountancy board jurisdictions have been certified as substantially equivalent. For CPE, this means NASBA-approved CPE providers from any state — including Illinois — are recognized for CPE credit in every other state. See NASBA's official list →
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