CPE Policies Procedures
General Information
CPE Requirements
LCPA does not have any CPE requirements for membership, but we provide continuing education that complies with the outside CPE regulatory bodies that govern our members:
CPE Registration Policies
LCPA’s CPE is subject to various registration fees based on member status and date of registration. Please review our comprehensive CPE Registration Policy for more information.
CPE Credit
To calculate CPE credit, 50 minutes of instruction is equal to one CPE credit. After at least one 50-minute hour credit has been earned, half credits (of 25 minutes) are permitted. When the total program minutes are greater than 50, but not equally divisible by 50, the CPE credits granted must be rounded down to the nearest one-half credit. Visit the State Board's website for more details (see §1309. Credit Hours Granted).
CPE Reporting Period – New State Board Rule Changes Effective Jan 1, 2016
(Excerpted from the State Board's website.)
Starting January 1, 2016, for the 2016 reporting year, Louisiana licensed CPAs will be required to report CPE hours annually to the State Board during the annual renewal process instead of every third year as currently required.
Conceptually, each CPA should earn 40 hours each year. There will continue to be minimum requirements for those CPAs who perform attest services, and annual limits on hours earned in areas like personal development, presentation and teaching, publishing, etc.
To allow for flexibility, Louisiana licensed CPAs will be required to earn and report a minimum of 20 hours of CPE each year.
Equally important is that the current year’s reported CPE hours will be combined with the preceding year’s reported CPE hours (starting with the 2017 reporting year); the total CPE hours earned and reported for that rolling 2-year period must equal at least 80 hours. Going forward in any given year, the sum of that current year’s hours and the prior year’s hours must always equal at least 80 hours. As noted above, conceptually each CPA should earn 40 hours each year.
View State Board rules (Chapter 13 only) regarding CPE reporting.
Course Times
Unless otherwise noted:
- 8-hour courses are from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
- 4-hour courses are either 8:30 am – 12:00 pm, or 1:00 – 4:30 pm
For more information, please contact LCPA’s Member Service Center at 504.464.1040, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm CT.
LCPA CPE Registration Policies
Early Bird Discounts
A discount is often given for registrations received at least two weeks prior to the course date. Fees are assessed by when the transactions are RECEIVED, not when the item was mailed or postmarked. The early bird expiration date listed on all course descriptions is two weeks before the course date, not including the actual course date.
If registering less than a week before the course, members should fax, call or go online to register. Registrations received after the early bird expiration date will be charged an additional $50.00 late fee per course.
Non-Member Surcharges
Non-members fees are $100/8-hour, $50/4-hour, and $25/2-hour course. This applies to all CPAs who are not members of LCPA or a reciprocal state CPA society. Non-certified staff of LCPA members and LCPA applicants qualify for the discounted member rate. Upon registration, the staff member or CPA applicant must identify themselves as such. The reciprocal state registrant cannot reside in Louisiana.
Cancellation Charges
There is no fee if your cancellation is received at least 10 business days prior to the course date. After that, fees are assessed to cover the cost of pre-ordered materials and facility guarantees for meals, etc. Within 10 business days of the course date, cancellation fees are $50/8-hour course, $25/4-hour course, and $12/2-hour course. This only applies to live courses.
Transfers
You may transfer your registration from one course to another, however additional fees may apply.If the transfer is within 10 working days prior to the original course date.
No-Shows
NO REFUND will be given when registrants fail to show up, without canceling prior to the course.
Educator Discount
Full-time accounting educators can attend most Society CPE courses at a 50% discount by meeting the following requirements:
- Society membership
- Employment as a full-time instructor in a Louisiana institute of higher education
- May not have a part-time practice
On-Site Coordinator Discount – Save up to 50%
For in-person courses held in any location, Course Coordinators receive 50% off the already discounted member rate. In exchange, Course Coordinators serve as the on-site LCPA representative, handling registration, distributing materials, and collecting attendance verification cards. (Does not apply to conferences, selected workshops, and webcasts.)