CPE — Continuing Professional Education
What it means
CPE is ICAI's mandatory lifelong-learning requirement for members — a prescribed number of structured and unstructured learning hours per rolling block so that qualified CAs stay current with law, standards and technology.
Where you meet it in the CA course
Not in the exam syllabus itself, but the moment you qualify: members in practice must complete prescribed CPE hours per three-year block, tracked through ICAI's CPE portal.
Worked example
Attending an ICAI seminar on new Ind AS amendments earns structured CPE hours; reading the CA Journal counts toward unstructured hours.
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Talk to usHow many CPE hours does a practising CA need?
ICAI prescribes block-wise requirements (recently 120 hours per rolling three-year block for members below 60 holding COP, with minimum yearly structured hours) — check the current CPE advisory for exact numbers.
Does CPE apply to members in industry?
Yes, members not in practice also have CPE requirements, though lower and with more flexibility between structured and unstructured hours.