Becoming an Enrolled Agent (EA) can take your career and practice to the next level, but what’s involved in getting an enrolled agent certification?

Unless you were previously employed by the IRS for five years and working in a position where you interpreted tax code, you must pass a three-part comprehensive IRS test in order to become an EA. The tests cover individual and business tax returns and administrative practices. Once certified, you must follow certain ethical standards and complete 72 hours of continuing education every three years.

The steps to become an enrolled agent are easy:

  1. Obtain a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) if you do not already have one.
  2. Visit the IRS Special Enrollment Examination (SEE) testing site to apply to take the test and review the candidate information bulletin and other useful information.
  3. Review old special enrollment examination questions through the IRS or through an Enrolled Agent Exam Review course.
  4. Achieve passing scores on all three-part of the Special Enrollment Examination (SEE).
  5. Apply for enrollment and pay enrollment fees electronically at Pay.gov or by downloading Form 23 and mailing the completed form and a check to the IRS.
  6. Pass a tax compliance check to ensure that you have filed all necessary tax returns and there are no outstanding tax liabilities. This check is conducted on your behalf after submission of Form 23.

Preparation courses and guides can help you best prepare for the SEE. For example, Surgent’s EA Exam Review Course uses “adaptive learning” technology to create a personalized, online study program to focus on specific areas you need the most help with, reducing your study time and stress.  A built-in study planner will help you stay on track by showing you exactly how much study time you’ll need to invest in order to be prepared by your scheduled exam date.

Surgent’s EA Exam Review Course includes questions in a format similar to the actual exam (many of the questions taken directly from past exams), in-depth explanations, direct references to the corresponding IRS publications, related glossary terms and unlimited simulated exams.

Learn more about Surgent’s EA Exam Review course.