ICAI notifies CPE hours requirements for block period of 3 years (1st Jan 2020 - 31st Dec 2022)



Quick Summary
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has issued new guidelines for Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credit hours for its members. These rules apply to the three-year block period from 1st January 2020 to 31st December 2022. Different requirements are in place for members holding a Certificate of Practice, those not holding one, and members residing abroad, with varying total hours and minimum annual structured learning obligations. Members aged 60 and above, and certain other professional groups, are exempt.

A. All the members (aged less than 60 years) who are holding Certificate of Practice (except all those members who are residing abroad) are required to

  • Complete at least 120 CPE credit hours in a rolling period of three-years.
  • Complete minimum 20 CPE credit hours of structured learning in each calendar year.
  • Balance 60 CPE credit hours (minimum 20 CPE credit hours in each calendar year) can be completed either through Structured or Unstructured learning (as per Member's choice).

B. All the members (aged less than 60 years) who are not holding Certificate of Practice; and all the members who are residing abroad (whether holding Certificate of Practice or not) are required to

  • Complete at least 60 CPE credit hours either structured or unstructured learning (as per Member's choice) in rolling period of three-years
  • Complete minimum 15 CPE credit hours of either structured or unstructured learning (as per member's choice) in each calendar year.
ICAI CPE Hours: New Rules for 3-Year Block Period

C. All the members (aged 60 years & above) who are holding Certificate of Practice, are required to

  • Complete at least an aggregate of 90 CPE credit hours of either Structured or Unstructured Learning (as per member's choice) in a rolling period of three years
  • Complete minimum of 20 CPE credit hours being an aggregate of either Structured or Unstructured Learning (as per member's choice) in each calendar year

D. The following class of members are exempted from CPE credit hours requirement

  • All the members (aged 60 years and above) who are not holding Certificate of Practice.
  • Judges of Supreme Court, High Court, District Courtsand Tribunal
  • Members of Parliament/MLAs/MLCs
  • Governors of States
  • Centre and State Civil Services
  • Entrepreneurs (owners of Business (manufacturing) organizations other than professional services)
  • Judicial officers
  • Members in Military Service

E. Temporary Exemptions

  • Female members for one Calendar year on the grounds of pregnancy.
  • Physically disabled members on case to case basis having permanent disability of not less than 40% and above (Supported with medical certificates from any doctor registered with Indian Medical Council with relevant specialisation as evidenced by Post Qualifications (M.D., M.S. etc.).
  • Members suffering from prolonged critical diseases/illnesses or other disability as may be specified or approved by the CPED. (Supported with medical certificates from any doctor registered with Indian Medical Council with relevant specialisation as evidenced by Post Qualifications (M.D., M.S. etc.).

*The Council has decided to initially start with mandatory 2 Structured CPE Hours each on topics of “Standards on Auditing” and “Code of Ethics” (total 4 Structured CPE Hours) during every Calendar year (applicable from Calendar Year 2020 onwards) in Online/Virtual mode only for the Categories of members who are required to complete minimum 20 Structured CPE Hours in a Calendar year (COP Holder). This may be completed any time during the year in online/virtual mode.

As of now this is mandatory for COP Holders only.

FAQ :

Members holding a COP, aged under 60 and residing in India, must complete at least 120 CPE credit hours in a rolling three-year period. This includes a minimum of 20 structured CPE hours each calendar year, with the remaining 60 hours being a mix of structured and unstructured learning.

Members not holding a COP, or those residing abroad (regardless of COP status) and under 60 years old, need to complete at least 60 CPE credit hours in a rolling three-year period. A minimum of 15 CPE hours (structured or unstructured) is required annually.

Yes, members aged 60 and above who hold a Certificate of Practice must complete an aggregate of 90 CPE credit hours over three years, with a minimum of 20 hours (structured or unstructured) each calendar year. Those aged 60 and above not holding a COP are exempt.

Exemptions apply to members aged 60 and above who do not hold a Certificate of Practice, Judges of Supreme Court, High Court, District Courts, Tribunal Members, MPs/MLAs/MLCs, State Governors, Civil Services officers, Entrepreneurs, Judicial officers, and those in Military Service.

Temporary exemptions are available for female members for one calendar year due to pregnancy, and for physically disabled members (with 40% or more permanent disability) or those suffering from prolonged critical illnesses, subject to medical certification.

Yes, COP holders are required to complete a mandatory 2 structured CPE hours each on 'Standards on Auditing' and 'Code of Ethics' (total 4 structured hours) annually, starting from calendar year 2020. This must be completed in online/virtual mode.




News posted by

Finance news reporter covering taxation, GST, income tax, business compliance, and economy updates. I simplify complex financial topics into easy-to-understand articles for professionals, taxpayers, and business owners on leading finance and tax platforms.

Comments :


More »


Popular News





CCI Pro