CPD Requirements

CPD Exemptions

CPD Exemption from the Basic Requirements

Members who meet all of the following criteria may be exempt from the prescribed minimum number of CPD hours:

1. Their Gross Active Revenues* does not exceed C$32,300 for the calendar year;
2. They do not engage in public practice as defined in the CPABC Bylaws at any time in the calendar year;
3. They do not serve in any of the following capacities for a public company or reporting issuer as defined in the CPABC Code of Professional Conduct at any time in the calendar year:
   1. As a member of its board or similar governing body; or
   2. As a member of its audit, finance, or similar governance committee; and
4. They comply with “Rule 203 (Professional competence)” in the CPABC Code of Professional Conduct.

*Gross Active Revenues include the aggregate of accounting and non-accounting revenues from employment, self-employment, and all other active sources, whether earned personally or through a business entity. Gross Active Revenues do not include Employment Insurance benefits, pension income, support payments, or disability income.

To declare eligibility for exemption from the prescribed minimum number of CPD hours, please sign into CPABC’s secure website.

Learning Plan

Members who no longer qualify for exemption after having been exempt for three or more consecutive CPD years are strongly encouraged to create a CPD learning plan to ensure that they develop the competencies necessary for their roles. We recommend that members contact CPABC’s professional advisory team at professionaladvisory@bccpa.ca for guidance on developing an effective learning plan. You can also refer to this article Effective Learning Plans to help you in developing your learning plan.

CPD Exemption from Annual Reporting

Members who meet the eligibility requirements for the CPD exemption from the Basic Requirements and who have no intention of performing activities that would cause them to lose eligibility may also make a declaration for exemption from annual reporting.

To declare eligibility for exemption from annual reporting, sign into CPABC’s secure online services area.

Non-Residents of BC

Non-resident members of CPABC who meet and report their CPD activities to another provincial/territorial CPA body in Canada do not need to duplicate their detailed CPD reporting.  The same applies to members who reside outside of Canada and meet and report their CPD activities to an international accounting body whose requirements are compliant with the International Federation of Accountants’ International Education Standard where they are also a member. Such members only need to indicate the jurisdiction in which their membership is held on the annual CPD exemption declaration. All other non-resident members must report their CPD, specifying verifiable and unverifiable CPD hours.

Note: All CPABC members regardless of residency must comply with the AML PD requirement.

Extenuating Circumstances

Under CPABC’s Bylaws, members who do not meet the CPD requirements may have their membership suspended and/or cancelled. These measures help protect the public, maintain trust in the profession, and uphold the reputation associated with the CPA designation.

Members who have a valid reason for an exemption from the prescribed minimum basic requirements of CPD may submit a written request to the Membership Committee to consider their circumstances using CPABC’s secure website. 

• Requests related to medical circumstances must include CPABC’s Medical Form, completed by the member’s medical practitioner.
• Please note that being “too busy” is not considered a valid basis for exemption, as members are expected to plan and allocate sufficient time for CPD annually.

All exemption requests are reviewed confidentially. After assessing the information provided, the Membership Committee will issue a determination to the member.

CPD Verification

Each year, CPABC verifies a sample of CPD reports and declarations for CPD exemption for the preceding three-calendar-year period.

Retention of Documentation

Members are required to retain documentation supporting their CPD activities for at least five years after the end of the reporting period. Please ensure you have access to your supporting documentation, if you change employers.

There is no need to submit the supporting records unless requested.

Verifiable CPD documentation should:

• Describe the learning activity;
• Identify the provider of the activity, where applicable;
• Connect the member to the activity;
• Identify when the activity took place; and
• Provide a basis for concluding that the number of reported hours is reasonable.

Examples of documentation:

• Certificate of completion or official transcript
• Confirmation of participation by provider or employer (e.g. registration confirmation)
• Attendance record (e.g. sign-in sheet)
• Course assignment and exam results
• Copy of course outline/agenda
• Copy of course payment/invoice

Members who have declared eligibility for a CPD exemption may be requested to provide proof of eligibility for the CPD exemption.  This may include proof of Gross Active Revenues.  Failure to provide satisfactory proof when requested may result in a revocation of the CPD exemption and/or a referral to the Investigation Committee.

Additional CPD Information

New Members Admitted to CPABC Membership

New members admitted to membership are required to report CPD in the calendar year of admission. The CPD reporting year is the calendar year. There is no proration of the CPD requirements in the year of admission. CPD completed anytime in the calendar year will be eligible for CPD credit. The first rolling three-calendar-year period begins in the year of admission.

Anti-Money Laundering (AML) PD Requirement

CPABC has introduced a mandatory requirement to take AML PD. This was deemed necessary in order to:

• raise and enhance membership awareness regarding money laundering and its risks;
• assist the profession in detecting, preventing, and combatting money laundering; and
• understanding the related obligations for CPAs under the federal anti-money laundering regime.

Effective January 1, 2024, the new Bylaw Regulation, requires all new members to take 1.5 AML hours by the end of the second calendar year following the calendar year of their initial admission as a member. Members are able to take any AML courses, including those offered by other PD providers or internally through your place of employment. CPABC offers a number of AML PD courses, for additional information, please visit our CPABC PD Website.

Transitional Provision for Student PD Requirements (CFE graduates)

Beginning 2019, Effective Management Skills and the seven-hour soft skills course are no longer required to be completed prior to admission to membership. As a transitional provision, students who have completed these courses prior to the year of admission may carryover these courses into their first CPD reporting year. Outside of this transitional allowance, CPD cannot be carried from one calendar year to another.

The seven-hour introductory course on the privileges, obligations and ethics of the profession (i.e., Gateway to Membership: Welcome to the Pros, or formerly, You and Your Designation) continues to be required before admission. Because this requirement has not changed, Gateway to Membership cannot be carried forward for CPD credit to a future year.

The Gateway to Membership course will qualify for 7 verifiable CPD hours (including 4 hours of professional ethics) only if it is completed in the same calendar year in which the candidate is admitted to membership. If taken in a different calendar year, it is not eligible for CPD credit.

Competency Declaration for Audit Licensees

Practitioners seeking or renewing an Audit License are required to complete an annual self-assessment and declaration that they have undertaken sufficient relevant CPD to develop and maintain professional competence for their role. This new requirement is the result of revisions to International Education Standard 8 (Revised) and CPABC’s adoption of the standard in accordance with our commitment to meeting international standards.

The objective of IES 8 (Revised) is to protect the public, contribute to audit quality, enhance the work of Engagement Partners, and promote the credibility of the audit profession. IES 8 (Revised) requires “professional accountants performing the role of an Engagement Partner to develop and maintain professional competence that is demonstrated by the achievement of learning outcomes. For a list of the learning outcomes and additional information on this new requirement, please visit our Competency Declaration for Audit Licensees webpage.

Competency Declaration for Audit Licensees

Practitioners seeking or renewing an Audit License are required to complete an annual self-assessment and declaration that they have undertaken sufficient relevant CPD to develop and maintain professional competence for their role. This new requirement is the result of revisions to International Education Standard 8 (Revised) and CPABC’s adoption of the standard in accordance with our commitment to meeting international standards.

The objective of IES 8 (Revised) is to protect the public, contribute to audit quality, enhance the work of Engagement Partners, and promote the credibility of the audit profession. IES 8 (Revised) requires “professional accountants performing the role of an Engagement Partner to develop and maintain professional competence that is demonstrated by the achievement of learning outcomes. For a list of the learning outcomes and additional information on this new requirement, please visit our Competency Declaration for Audit Licensees webpage.

Under CPABC’s Bylaws, members who do not meet the CPD requirements may have their membership suspended and/or cancelled. These measures help protect the public, maintain trust in the profession, and uphold the reputation associated with the CPA designation.