7 Continuing Education Mistakes Professionals Make and How to Avoid Them

According to a LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report, 94% of employees said they would stay longer at a company if it invested in their learning and development. That statistic shows continuing education is not only about compliance but also about career growth and retention.

Yet, too many professionals stumble into the same CPE mistakes year after year, wasting money, energy, and opportunity.

Let’s break down the seven most common pitfalls and explore how to avoid them.

One of the biggest continuing education mistakes is diving into courses without a clear purpose. For example, a CPA might say, “I’ll just complete 40 hours by December,” without aligning those hours with career goals.

• You end up with random credits that don’t add real value.

• There’s no way to measure whether you’re improving in areas that matter most.

• Start with a yearly review of your state board’s requirements, especially for ethics credits.

• Break your total hours into quarterly goals (ex: 10 credits per quarter for a 40-hour requirement).

• Align learning with career paths tax specialists can focus on federal updates, while auditors can expand into data analytics.

By setting clear CPE goals, you shift from ‘checking the box’ to building real skills that boost confidence and impact performance. Comparing the best online CPE providers can also help you align those goals with the right courses and platforms.

Procrastination is one of the most familiar CE mistakes. Too many professionals wait until year-end to cram in multiple webinars or on-demand courses.

• Rushed learning lowers retention.

• Limited time can force you to settle for whatever courses are available.

• Some states impose penalties for late reporting, leading to unnecessary stress.

• Plan CPE like financial planning, steady contributions are better than year-end scrambling.

• Schedule quarterly deadlines 2-3 weeks earlier than required to create buffer time.

• Use mobile-friendly or nano-learning platforms to chip away at requirements during commutes or breaks.

Another mistake? Professionals often repeat the same topics year after year, sticking only to “safe” areas like tax updates or basic ethics.

• Limits growth beyond your comfort zone.

• Leaves you behind in trending areas like AI in auditing, ESG reporting, or cybersecurity for finance.

• Employers may see you as stagnant rather than adaptable.

• Explore cross-disciplinary learning. For instance, accountants can take HR-focused CPE to understand workforce planning.

• Try one new emerging topic per quarter (ex: blockchain, sustainability, or advanced analytics).

• Use diverse formats like podcasts, nano-learning, or interactive workshops to keep learning engaging.

Professionals who branch out build versatility and become stronger candidates for leadership roles.

Every jurisdiction has its own rules on ethics education. Overlooking these is one of the riskiest continuing education mistakes.

• Ethics requirements differ by state in both content and required hours.

• Failure to meet them can result in license suspension, probation, or hefty fines.

• Always double-check your state board’s ethics policy at the start of the year.

• Choose courses that specifically state “approved by [State] Board of Accountancy.”

• Track ethics credits separately from technical/non-technical to avoid confusion.

In today’s digital-first world, not leveraging online platforms is a huge missed opportunity.

Sticking to in-person seminars adds unnecessary costs like travel and lodging.

Limited schedules can make it harder to balance learning with work demands.

• Use accredited online platforms such as MYCPE ONE that offer webinars, nano-learning, podcasts, and state-specific ethics.

• Compare features of platforms like Becker, Surgent, and MasterCPE to find the right mix.

• Look for user-friendly options with automatic credit tracking and certificates.

Not all CPE providers are created equal. One of the most damaging CE mistakes is investing time and money into courses that lack accreditation or quality instruction.

• Credits from non-approved providers may be rejected during board audits.

• Poor content fails to deliver meaningful learning or skill-building.

• Verify NASBA approval before registering for any course.

• Read reviews and ratings from other professionals.

• Stick with trusted providers like MYCPE ONE, Becker, and Surgent.

High-quality programs turn compliance into career growth, while low-quality ones leave you frustrated and unprepared.

The last and often ignored error is treating CPE like a must-do task rather than something you can benefit from.

• Reduces motivation and engagement.

• Leads to “minimum effort” learning that adds little to your professional toolkit.

• Reframe CPE as a chance to stay competitive and gain an edge.

• Choose topics that solve real workplace challenges or support career advancement.

• Celebrate milestones by recognizing how each course adds value to your skills.

The most successful professionals don’t just comply with CPE they leverage it to unlock promotions, new clients, and leadership opportunities.

Avoiding these seven continuing education mistakes can make all the difference in your career. When you set clear goals, plan ahead, explore diverse topics, and choose high-quality programs, CPE becomes more than compliance. It becomes a strategic investment in your growth. Professionals who treat continuing education as an opportunity consistently stay ahead of industry changes, gain confidence, and open doors to new opportunities. To maximize results, focus on providers that deliver accredited, flexible, and engaging options.