Licensees - COVID FAQs

Temporary Continuing Education (CE) Waiver

Do I need to apply for this waiver?
No. If your license expires between March 2020 and May 2021, you have until September 30, 2021 to complete your required CE and submit your CE worksheet to the CBA.

Please note that this waiver is only for CE. Your renewal fee and renewal application must be submitted timely to avoid a lapse in licensure. Once your CE is completed, please send a copy of your renewal application with your CE records to the CBA. The easiest way is to scan and email it to renewalapp@cba.ca.gov.
I do not qualify for this waiver, but am having trouble completing my required CE on time. What should I do?
You may be able to complete your CE requirement through a webcast or self-study format. If that isn’t feasible, we may grant, on an individual basis, an extension of time to complete CE. Please contact renewalinfo@cba.ca.gov and provide your name, license number, and a brief description of why you require an extension.

Have automatic time/due date extensions for peer review been granted as a result of COVID-19?
Yes. The AICPA, which is the only approved peer review program provider in California, has granted automatic six-month time/due date extensions for all peer reviews originally scheduled for completion between January 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020.
Do firms receiving a time/due date extension have to request an extension from the CBA as well?
No. CBA Regulations section 43 allows the program provider (in this case the AICPA) to grant time/due date extensions, without the firm also needing to obtain an extension from the CBA.
Is a firm that has used a peer review time/due date extension required to report the extension to the CBA?
Yes. CBA Regulations section 43 requires firms to report the time/due date extension to the CBA. If at the time of license renewal, the firm has not completed the peer review, please write the extended due date (which is six months from the original date) at the top of the Peer Review Reporting Form (PR-1). Then, complete questions 1 through 8 (be sure to sign the PR-1 Form) and submit it along with the firm’s renewal application. We encourage the firm to attach a copy of the letter from AICPA granting the peer review time/due date extension.

How do I complete the renewal of my license?
The best way is to pay your renewal fee online then scan and email all your documentation to renewalapp@cba.ca.gov. We are unable to grant an extension to provide payment and a license cannot be renewed until payment is received.
I tried paying online, but the system did not allow me to proceed. What should I do?
If you cannot pay online because your address is incorrect, please fill out the Address Change Form and submit it via email to renewalinfo@cba.ca.gov.

If you cannot pay online for another reason indicated by the payment system, please email renewalinfo@cba.ca.gov for more information.
What happens if I cannot complete my continuing education before my license expires?
First, consider whether you can complete your continuing education (CE) requirement through a webcast or self-study format. If you are still unable to obtain all required CE hours you may request an extension. To do so, send an email to renewalinfo@cba.ca.gov and provide your name, license number, and a brief explanation of why you cannot complete your CE.
I need to convert my status to active. How do I do that?
Please fill out the Status Conversion Application, then scan and email the application and related CE records to renewalinfo@cba.ca.gov.
I need another renewal application. Can you help?
Please send a request to renewalinfo@cba.ca.gov and we will email it to you.