🧭 Overview: Ethics Exam Done? Start with a CPE Course Comparison
Passing the CPA Ethics Exam is a significant achievement — for many, it’s the final hurdle before applying for licensure. But becoming a licensed CPA isn’t the end of the road. In fact, it’s just the beginning of your responsibility to stay current, compliant, and competent in a constantly evolving profession.
Once licensed, CPAs are required to complete Continuing Professional Education (CPE) on an ongoing basis — often 40 hours per year, depending on your state. CPE for CPAs is more than a box to check: it’s a crucial step in maintaining ethical standards, understanding new laws, and adapting to changes in tax, audit, and financial reporting.
If you’ve recently completed your ethics exam (or are planning to), the next logical step is choosing a CPE provider that aligns with your learning style, budget, and professional goals.
This page is designed to help you make that decision with clarity and confidence.
We’ve drawn on our deep knowledge of the CPA licensing process — from ethics exam prep to post-licensure maintenance — to provide a clear CPE course comparison and highlight four top-rated providers trusted by thousands of professionals:
- 🥷 Ninja CPE
- 📘 Gleim CPE
- 🏛️ Becker CPE
- 📚 Surgent CPE
Each provider has unique strengths, whether you’re looking for affordability, technical depth, or high-quality video content. Below, we provide a detailed CPE course comparison, including pros, cons, and best-fit use cases — so you can move into your continuing education phase with confidence.
Disclosure: CPAexam.com may have affiliate partnerships with courses on this page.
Ninja CPE
Ninja CPE is a newer player in the space, but it’s quickly gaining popularity among CPAs for its straightforward pricing, unlimited access, and no-nonsense user experience. It’s a great option for professionals who value simplicity, flexibility, and affordability — all while staying fully NASBA-compliant.
| Ninja CPE | |
|---|---|
| Pros | Cons |
| 💸 Very affordable (~$120/year) | ❌ No live webinars |
| ✅ NASBA-approved in all 50 states | 📚 Smaller catalog than Becker/Surgent |
| 🔁 Unlimited self-study access | |
| 📜 AICPA-branded certificates | |
| 🧘 Clean, user-friendly interface | |
| 💯 30-day money-back guarantee |
Ready to move forward?
Take a closer look at this provider’s CPE and ethics offerings to see if it’s the right fit for you.
Gleim CPE
Gleim is known for its text–heavy, exam-style content and deep technical coverage. It’s especially strong in areas like audit, ethics, and taxation, making it a solid choice for CPAs who prefer detailed reading materials and self-paced study.
| Gleim CPE | |
|---|---|
| Pros | Cons |
| 📖 Strong technical depth | 🕰️ Outdated user interface |
| ✅ Great for audit, ethics, and tax | 🎬 No video or interactive media |
| 📥 Self-paced downloadable format | 💰 Higher cost (~$259/year) |
| 🛡️ NASBA-compliant nationwide |
Ready to move forward?
Take a closer look at this provider’s CPE and ethics offerings to see if it’s the right fit for you.
Becker CPE
Becker is a well-established name in the CPA world and offers a polished, premium CPE for CPAs experience. With high-quality video content, interactive tools, and a mobile app, Becker is ideal for CPAs looking for a modern and multimedia-driven approach to continuing education.
| Becker CPE | |
|---|---|
| Pros | Cons |
| 🎥 Premium, interactive video content | 💸 Expensive (~$399/year) |
| 🧱 Trusted industry reputation | 🚫 Mostly self-paced formats |
| 📱 Mobile-friendly with app | 🤔 Overkill for basic CPE needs |
| 🔄 Regularly updated with current standards |
Ready to move forward?
Take a closer look at this provider’s CPE and ethics offerings to see if it’s the right fit for you.
Surgent CPE
Surgent offers one of the widest selections of CPE courses for CPAs, with live webinars, on-demand content, and text-based options. It’s well-suited for CPAs who need frequent updates on tax law, or want the flexibility to choose from multiple learning formats.
| Surgent CPE | |
|---|---|
| Pros | Cons |
| 🌐 Broad course catalog | 💻 UI can feel cluttered |
| 🕒 Offers live, on-demand, and self-study options | 🧪 Content quality varies by topic |
| ⚖️ Frequent tax/regulatory updates | 💰 Mid-to-high pricing (~$299/year) |
| 🧩 Custom learning paths |
Ready to move forward?
Take a closer look at this provider’s CPE and ethics offerings to see if it’s the right fit for you.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right CPE for CPAs depends on your personal preferences, state requirements, and how you like to learn. Here’s a quick summary:
- ✅ Go with Ninja CPE if you want affordable, unlimited CPE with no fluff
- 📘 Choose Gleim if you prefer deep reading and technical content
- 🏛️ Use Becker for premium, high-production video courses
- 📚 Try Surgent if you value variety and need regular tax law updates
Whichever provider you choose, make sure the courses you take are NASBA-approved and meet your state’s CPE and ethics requirements.
