The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) and the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) have approved significant revisions to the Statement on Standards for Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Programs, effective January 1, 2024. These updates include key changes such as the introduction of virtual learning under the “Group Live” instructional format, provided certain criteria are met.

Jointly published by NASBA and AICPA, these standards offer a framework for developing, delivering, measuring, and reporting CPE programs. Alongside this, the NASBA Fields of Study document has also been revised to include more relevant topics under existing classifications, ensuring that the educational content remains current.

The revisions were finalized in October by NASBA and recently approved by AICPA. One of the most notable changes is the addition of a virtual learning option under the Group Live delivery method. The updates also clarify how CPE credits should be awarded, particularly when multiple instructors are involved, and outline the necessary mechanisms for tracking attendance in internet-based programs.

Jessica Luttrull, NASBA’s Associate Director of the National Registry, emphasized that these changes reflect the collective effort of various committees and industry feedback. Michael Grant, Senior Director of Learning Innovation at AICPA, highlighted the flexibility that the new standards provide in adapting to modern educational needs and trends.

For those interested, the updated Standards and Fields of Study documents are available for download on www.nasbaregistry.org website.