Best Online CPE Providers for CPAs 2026 (NASBA-Registered)

TL;DR: The best online CPE provider for CPAs depends on what you need credits for. Learnsignal (a NASBA-registered sponsor) suits accountants who want practical, finance-focused courses on a subscription. Becker and Surgent are the exam-prep giants with deep CPE libraries, Gleim is strong on self-study value, and the AICPA's own store is the reference point for authoritative technical content. Always verify a sponsor on the NASBA Registry before buying — your state board will.

How we compared CPE providers

We weighed NASBA registration, course breadth and practical relevance, format (self-study vs webinar vs live), how easy credits are to track and evidence for state-board reporting, and value across a full renewal cycle. Note that CPE requirements vary by state board — check your board's specific hour and ethics requirements before planning a cycle.

1. Learnsignal — best for practical finance and AI-era skills on subscription

Learnsignal is a NASBA-registered CPE sponsor (see our NASBA sponsor details) offering a CPD/CPE course library spanning AI in finance, ESG, financial reporting, audit, tax and leadership — taught by practitioners and designed for skills you use the same week, not just hours logged. A subscription model means a full renewal cycle costs the same whether you take five courses or fifty.

Less suited to: CPAs needing highly US-state-specific technical content such as state tax updates.

2. Becker — best-known brand with a deep CPE library

Becker's CPE catalogue benefits from its exam-review heritage: broad technical coverage, regular updates and strong name recognition with employers. Firms frequently buy it at enterprise level, so check whether you already have access through work.

Less suited to: individual buyers prioritising value or more engaging course formats.

3. Surgent — best for webinar volume and flexibility

Surgent runs one of the largest live-webinar schedules in the market alongside self-study, making it easy to find credits that fit your calendar late in a reporting period — a common CPA emergency.

Less suited to: learners who prefer structured, course-based progressions over one-off sessions.

4. Gleim — best self-study value

Gleim has decades of self-study pedigree and prices competitively, with solid technical coverage across accounting, auditing and tax. A workhorse choice for CPAs who just want reliable credits without frills.

Less suited to: anyone wanting live interaction or modern production values.

5. AICPA & CIMA store — best for authoritative technical updates

For standards-heavy updates — A&A, ethics, tax law changes — the AICPA's own courses are the canonical source, and its conferences carry significant credit volumes. Typically priced at a premium; membership discounts matter.

Less suited to: cost-conscious CPAs covering general-hours requirements.

Comparison at a glance

Frequently asked questions

How do I verify a CPE sponsor is legitimate?

Check the NASBA National Registry of CPE Sponsors. If a provider isn't listed and your state requires registry sponsors, the credits may not count — verify before you buy, not at renewal.

How many CPE hours do CPAs need?

It varies by state board — commonly around 40 hours per year or 80–120 per two-to-three-year cycle, usually including an ethics requirement. Always confirm with your own board; state rules differ on carry-over, technical vs non-technical splits and reporting dates.

Do international qualifications count toward CPE?

Often, where the sponsor is NASBA-registered and the subject is relevant — which is how internationally focused providers like Learnsignal serve US CPAs. Keep certificates and check your board's documentation rules.

Want practical, NASBA-registered CPE that's actually worth watching? Browse the Learnsignal course library.