Best Florida CPA Ethics CPE Providers
Introduction
The state has specific rules about which hours count, which courses qualify, and which ethics providers the Board of Accountancy actually recognizes. Florida CPAs must complete specific ethics requirements to maintain their licenses.
The top providers for Florida CPA ethics and Continuing Professional Education (CPE) are led by the Florida Institute of CPAs (FICPA) and major national providers.
Key Takeaways
- Florida CPAs need 80 CPE hours every two years, including 4 Board-approved ethics hours.
- Only Florida Board-approved ethics courses count — NASBA-only approval does not satisfy this requirement.
- At least 8 hours must cover accounting and auditing; behavioral subjects are capped at 20 hours.
- FICPA, Becker, Accounting Tools, and Western CPE are trusted, Board-approved Florida ethics providers.
- Missing the June 30 deadline triggers automatic extensions requiring extra accounting and auditing hours.
- Always verify a provider's DBPR course approval number before enrolling in any ethics course.
Florida CPE Quick Rules
- Total Hours: 80 hours every two years (reporting period ends June 30 biennially).
- Ethics Requirement: 4 hours of Florida Board-approved regulatory ethics.
- Important Caveat: If you split your 4-hour ethics requirement into two separate modules, both modules must be completed with the exact same provider.
- A&A Requirement: At least 8 hours in accounting and auditing.
Top Florida CPA Ethics & CPE Providers
| Comparison Aspect | FICPA | MYCPE ONE | Becker Professional Education | Western CPE | Surgent CPE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Per-course pricing; Florida ethics course ~$104 (member) / ~$169 (non-member) | Unlimited annual subscription at $199/year | Bundled renewal packages (price varies by bundle) | Credit packages redeemed against courses (no subscription tier) | Tiered plans; Unlimited PLUS at $899/year |
| Content Library Size | Focused ethics catalog; smaller general CPE library | 15,000+ hours of content | 700+ self-paced courses plus live webcasts and podcasts | Moderate library; conference-based content adds depth | 10,000+ credits across formats |
| Credentials/Qualifications Covered | CPA (Florida-focused) | 100+ qualifications: CPA (US & Canada), EA, CMA, CIA, CFE, CFP, SHRM, HRCI | Primarily CPA | Primarily CPA | Primarily CPA |
| Course Formats | In-person, online, webcast, on-demand | Live webinars, self-study, audio, video | Live webcasts, self-paced, on-demand, podcasts | Flex Cast (pause/resume webcasts), multi-day conferences | Daily live webinars (incl. Saturdays), self-study |
| Florida Ethics Approval | Yes — Board-approved, developed by FICPA | Yes — Florida Board-approved ethics courses | Yes — Florida-specific ethics course (e.g., Ethics Essentials for Florida CPAs) | Yes — Florida-specific ethics course | Yes — Florida Board-approved ethics course |
| Compliance Tracking Tools | Basic tracking for members | AI-powered CPE wallet and compliance tracker | Compliance Tracker across reporting periods | Not highlighted | Not highlighted |
| Support | Standard member support | 24/7 via Zoom, email, and chatbot | Standard platform support | Standard platform support | Standard platform support |
| Ratings/Reviews | Not publicly listed | 4.8 stars on Google and Trustpilot | Not publicly listed | Not publicly listed | Not publicly listed |
| Free Trial | No | 7-day free trial | No | Free ethics course with destination conference purchase | No |
| Mobile Access | Not highlighted | iOS and Android apps | Not highlighted | Not highlighted | Not highlighted |
| Best For | CPAs wanting Florida-specific content straight from the state society | CPAs and multi-credential professionals wanting the broadest unlimited access | CPAs who want a large, familiar, all-in-one bundled catalog | CPAs who want scenario-based ethics learning plus conference-style CPE | CPAs who prefer live, daily webinars with flexible scheduling |
1. FICPA (Florida Institute of CPAs)
state's own professional society, FICPA is a natural first stop. It offers state-specific, Florida Board-approved, in-person, via webcasts, and on-demand webinar. Members also get access to free CPE bundles and comprehensive tracking.
Pros
Cons
2. MYCPE ONE
MYCPE ONE operates as an all-access CPE platform serving multiple professional credentials through a single subscription model. The platform houses 15,000+ hours of content spanning 100+ qualifications. These qualifications have CPA (US), CPA (Canada), EA, CMA, CIA, CFE, CFP, SHRM, and HRCI. This breadth positions it as one of the more expansive options for professionals holding multiple certifications.
Pros
Cons
3. Becker Professional Education
Renounced and endorsed by Big 4 accounting firms provides dedicated on-demand regulatory ethics courses explicitly tailored for Florida CPAs (such as Ethics Essentials for Florida CPAs), alongside broad general CPE libraries.
Course formats span multiple delivery methods as live webcasts, 700+ self-paced options, on-demands, and Podcasts. A Compliance Tracker to monitor progress and help you stay on track across multiple reporting periods
Pros
Cons
4. Western CPE
Western CPE has built a reputation for practical, well-written ethics content that goes beyond box-checking. Its Florida ethics courses walk through the conceptual background of professional ethics, the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct, and Florida-specific rules of professional conduct, with real-world scenarios woven throughout.
Pros
Cons
5. Surgent CPE
Delivering over 10,000+ credits across multiple formats, Surgent is known for extensive webinar and self-study options that map directly to Florida’s 80-hour biennial reporting rules, including accounting, auditing, and state ethics.
Pros
Cons
How to Choose the Right Provider for You?
- Confirm the Board approval number. Every legitimate Florida ethics course lists a DBPR course approval number - don't enroll without seeing one.
- Match the format to your schedule. Self-study works for busy schedules; live or group formats suit firms for training multiple staff at once.
- Check the catalog breadth. A provider with strong accounting, auditing, and behavioral electives saves you from juggling multiple vendors.
- Compare pricing structures. Some providers charge per course; others offer unlimited annual subscriptions, which pay off if you need many hours.
- Look at the renewal timing. Choose a provider that flags Florida's biennial deadlines and extension rules clearly, so nothing sneaks up on you.
Common Mistakes Must Avoid
- Assuming a NASBA-approved ethics course automatically counts in Florida — it doesn't unless the Board separately approves it.
- Forgetting the 8-hour accounting and auditing minimum while focusing only on the ethics requirement.
- Exceeding the 20-hour behavioral subject cap and having those extra hours go to waste.
- Waiting until June to start and then relying on the automatic extension without accounting for the extra required hours it demands.
Conclusion
Florida's CPE and ethics rules are specific for a reason. Once you know the framework (80 hours, 8 in accounting and auditing, 4 in Board-approved ethics, a 20-hour behavioral cap), choosing a provider becomes a much simpler decision.
FAQ
No. Florida requires a 3-semester-hour ethics course as part of the 150-hour education requirement, not a separate standalone ethics exam.
Florida only accepts ethics courses approved directly by the Florida Board of Accountancy, regardless of other state approvals.
Excess behavioral hours simply won't count toward your 80-hour total, so you'll need additional technical hours elsewhere.
President, Dinesen Tax & Accounting, P.C. LinkedIn
Jason (LPA, EA) is a highly experienced tax professional, entrepreneur and educator with more than 18 years of expertise in accounting, tax preparation and business advisory services. As the founder of Dinesen Tax & Accounting, P.C., he is dedicated to helping professionals master complex tax topics with clarity and confidence. Jason has educated over 200,000 professionals on tax updates, ethics, and IRS regulations. Renowned for his practical insights and engaging teaching approach, he empowers CPAs, EAs and finance professionals to stay current and navigate today's rapidly changing tax landscape.
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