All active, probationary, and CPA-retired North Carolina CPAs are required to renew their licenses annually before July 1. The renewal is completed through each CPA’s dashboard account in the Board’s portal. If you do not have a portal account, please follow these step-by-step instructions. If a CPA fails to renew their license or request a change to inactive status before July 1, the Board will send a Letter of Demand (late renewal letter) to the CPA at the mailing address on file with the Board.
On July 1, 2025, the Board mailed Letters of Demand (late renewal letters) to nearly 900 CPAs who had not renewed their license for the 2025-2026 period or requested inactive status by 8:00 a.m. on July 1, 2025. If you renewed your certificate or requested inactive status after 8:00 a.m. on July 1, you may disregard the letter and the July 2, 2025, email. To confirm that your renewal was completed (expiration date updated to 06/30/2026) or your request for inactive status was approved, you may log in to your dashboard account and look at the license information section. You may also confirm your license status in our searchable database.
If you do not respond within 30 days of the date of the late renewal letter (July 31, 2025), your CPA certificate will be automatically forfeited under NCGS 93-12(15). In the event of forfeiture:
CPE Compliance Reporting
If you do not plan to renew your certificate, you may request inactive status using the online form or by completing this form and mailing or emailing it to the Board.
Reinstatement to Active Status
An individual on inactive status may request reinstatement to active status by completing the application form, paying the current certificate application fee, submitting three (3) certificates of moral character and endorsements of eligibility, and furnishing the Board with documentation of the completion of the necessary minutes of CPE, including the required course on the North Carolina accountancy statutes and rules. [21 NCAC 08J .0105]
If you have questions about inactive status or reinstatement, please contact Alice Grigsby, Licensing Specialist.
If you are considering CPA-retired status, please make sure you review and understand the limitations of the status before submitting your CPA-retired status application. You must submit your CPA-retired application and receive approval from the Board before renewing your certificate for 2025-2026.
Reinstatement to Active Status
An individual on CPA-retired status may request reinstatement to active status by furnishing the Board with evidence of satisfactory completion of 40 hours (2,000 minutes) of CPE courses during the 12 months immediately preceding the application for change of status. Eight of the required hours (400 minutes) shall be credits derived from a course or examination in North Carolina accountancy statutes and rules (including the Code of Professional Ethics and Conduct as outlined in 21 NCAC 08N contained therein) outlined in 21 NCAC 08F .0504 and submitting three certificates of good moral character completed by CPAs on active status. [21 NCAC 08J .0112]
If you have questions about CPA-retired status or reinstating your retired CPA certificate, please contact Alice Grigsby, Licensing Specialist.
1101 Oberlin Road
Suite 104
Raleigh, NC 27605-1169
(919) 733-4222
(919) 733-4209 fax
PO Box 12827
Raleigh, NC 27605-2827
Information on applying for the Uniform CPA Exam as a North Carolina candidate
Information on applying for an original or reciprocal North Carolina CPA license
Information for North Carolina CPAs on license renewal, status changes, and CPE requirements
Information on registering a CPA firm, firm registration renewals, peer review compliance, and the practice privilege for out-of-state firms
Information on choosing a CPA or CPA firm, verifying a practitioner’s license, and filing a complaint
Search the database for information on North Carolina CPAs and CPA firms
Search the Database1101 Oberlin Road
Suite 104
Raleigh, NC 27605-1169
Mailing Address
PO Box 12827
Raleigh, NC 27605-2827
(919) 733-4222 Phone
(919) 733-4209 Fax
©2025 NC State Board of CPA Examiners
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