Continuing Professional Education (CPE)
Overview

CPE Requirements for CPA Members

All CPA members, whether engaged in public practice, the public sector, or private sector employment, must complete the prescribed number of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) hours within the 2026 - 2028 cycle.

  • Members Not in Practice / Not in Professional Offices
    • Total Requirement: 120 CPE hours over three years
    • CPE Breakdown:
    • a) 60 hours Structured CPE
      b) 60 hours Unstructured CPE
    • Annual Minimum:
    • a) 20 CPE hours per year
      b) At least 10 hours must be Structured CPE
  • Members in Practice / Professional Offices
    • Total Requirement: 120 CPE hours over three years
    • CPE Breakdown:
    • a) 75 hours Structured CPE
      b) 45 hours Unstructured CPE
    • Annual Minimum:
    • a) 30 CPE hours per year
      b) At least 15 hours must be Structured CPE

    These requirements are aligned with the Institute’s CPE Guidelines and apply for the 2026 - 2028 cycle unless revised.

Core Competency Areas & CPE Accreditation

Members in practice and those working in professional offices must complete a minimum of 40 hours of their Structured CPE within one or more of the following core competency areas:
  • Financial Accounting
  • Auditing
  • Taxation
  • Professional Ethics
  • Practice Management

Structured CPE – Accredited Learning Formats
Structured CPE may be earned through the following formats:
  • Classroom-based programmes
  • Online learning programmes
  • CD-ROM, video, DVD, and audio-based courses

Other qualifying Structured CPE activities include:
  • Participation in lectures and technical committees
  • Service on professional panels
  • Learning related to occupational or industry changes
  • Responsibilities arising from major corporate or organizational changes
Definition of a CPE Hour
  • 1 CPE hour: 50 minutes of participation
  • Full-day programme: 8 CPE hours
  • Half-day programme: 4 CPE hours

Annual CPE Return – Online Submission

All CPA members are required to submit an Annual CPE Return by 31 January each year, covering CPE activities completed in the preceding calendar year, in accordance with the Institute’s Bye-Laws.

How to Submit Your CPE Return

1. Log in to www.icpasrilanka.com using your membership number
2. Update your Employment Details under My CPA Profile
3. Select Step 2: Submit Your CPE Return
4. Add a new CPE return for the relevant year

CPA England / Sri Lanka courses are recorded automatically.
If a CPA course does not appear, do not enter it manually - please contact the Institute for assistance.

Recording External & Unstructured CPE

External Structured CPE activities must be entered manually with the following details:
  • Course title
  • Course date
  • Number of hours
  • Course provider
  • CPE category
  • Course type
Unstructured CPE activities must also be recorded, including a brief description and the number of hours claimed.
Terms, Conditions & Course Policies
  • Course fees include all learning materials and assessments
  • Cancellations: No refunds for cancellations within 7 days of the course start date
  • No-Shows: No refunds and no Structured CPE hours awarded
  • Pre-booking is required to secure participation
  • The Institute reserves the right to admit additional participants or cancel programmes
  • In the event of cancellation, refunds are limited to fees paid
  • Participants with special requirements should inform the Institute in advance
Further Information
For further inquiries, please contact the Asia Pacific Institute of Business Analytics (APIBA)