Enrolled agents have a lot to keep track of. Aside from your day-to-day work life, you have to consider how you’ll complete the required continuing education courses each year.
Via the IRS, EAs must complete seventy-two hours of CE over three years. This consists of at least sixteen hours per year, and two of them must be ethics-specific. That’s a lot of hours, and spending them in an enjoyable way can make the time fly by a little faster.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the best EA continuing education courses and tell you which one may be ideal for your learning style, budget, and overall needs. Here’s what I gathered from my experience testing and comparing these providers.
Enrolled Agent CE Course Comparison
| Provider |  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $329/yr | $756/yr | $899/yr | $499/yr |
| Discounts | Save $131 | Save $349 | Save 20% | Save 10% |
| Format | Self-Paced & Live Webinars | Self-Paced Only | Self-Paced & Live Webinars | On-Demand Video & Live Webinars |
| IRS-Approved? |  | | | |
| Direct Reporting? | | | | |
| Get Started | Start Now | Start Now | Start Now | Start Now |
Best Enrolled Agent CE Providers
- Best Overall Course: Becker
- Best Mobile-Friendly Format: Gleim
- Best For Last-Minute Hours: Surgent
- Best Support: Lambers
1. Becker: Best Overall
When I reviewed the Becker’s CE course, I was impressed by how streamlined and professional the entire platform felt. Whether I was working through a self-study video or tuning into a live webcast, the content was consistently thorough and clearly written by professionals who understand the nuances of tax law and real-world EA work.
The built-in CE compliance tracker is one of Becker’s standout features—it automatically keeps tabs on your completed hours and makes it easy to stay aligned with IRS requirements. With over 160 hours of IRS-approved continuing education, including ethics and tax updates, there’s plenty of depth here. The pricing may be a bit higher than some competitors, but if you’re looking for quality, expert-led instruction, and a platform built for working professionals, Becker is an excellent choice.
“Not only do they have the best content around, it’s continually updated. No other CPE provider I can find offers that. Add in their low subscription prices and I’m a customer for life! Thank you, Becker, for helping me keep my CPA license current while actually enjoying my CPE credits.”
John Markez, Becker Customer
Features
- 160+ hours of IRS-approved continuing education
- Personalized CE compliance tracker
- Flexible live webcast schedule
- Self-study video
- Downloadable resources
- Direct IRS reporting
Becker EA Discount Codes
Becker is our #1 recommended CE course bundle for EAs with a personalized compliance tracker and over 160 hours of approved courses. Save $131 off on your course with our exclusive deal.
Pros
- Trusted brand with content written by industry experts
- Excellent customer support
- Courses designed with real-world tax preparers in mind
- Most affordable
- Excellent user interface
Cons
- Slightly more expensive than some other options
- No bundled pricing for unlimited CE hours
Bottom Line
Becker is an excellent fit for enrolled agents who want access to high-quality instruction, a smooth user experience, and a wide range of IRS-approved CE topics. With over 160 hours of content and a built-in compliance tracker, it’s beneficial for professionals who value structure and want to stay organized throughout their renewal period.
Becker: Best Overall
2. Gleim: Best Mobile-Friendly Format
When I tested Gleim’s enrolled agent CE platform, it felt like it was built for learners who value structure and want to knock out a lot of hours efficiently. The Unlimited CE package opens up over 100 hours of coursework, and I liked being able to scroll through and filter by topic. I went through a few modules on ethics and estates, and while the interface isn’t the most modern, the course layout was easy to follow and clearly written.
I also appreciated that courses could be started, paused, and picked up later without losing your place—useful when I wanted to break a long session into chunks. That said, the content is pretty text-heavy, and if you prefer video or interactive elements, this probably won’t be your favorite option. Still, for EAs who want detailed, IRS-approved material and a customizable path through their CE, Gleim delivers precisely what it promises.
Features
- ~100 hours of CE-specific continuing education courses
- Topics include federal tax law, ethics, and tax forms
- Direct reporting to the IRS
- Mobile-friendly format
- Great for detailed learners who enjoy structure
Gleim EA Discount Codes
Gleim’s Unlimited courses come with a high price tag. Save $349 on your course with our exclusive deal.
Pros
- Frequent updates to reflect changes in tax laws
- New courses added often
- You can customize your CE package by topic or hour
- Ideal for meeting enrollment cycle requirements
Cons
- Interface feels dated
- Some courses can be text-heavy
- No live instruction
Bottom Line
When I reviewed Gleim’s EA continuing education platform, I found it packed with a wide variety of detailed, IRS-approved topics. The ability to filter courses by subject made it easy for me to focus on the areas I wanted to improve. While the interface felt a bit outdated and the content leaned heavily on text, the flexibility to start, pause, and resume courses across devices made it a convenient choice. If you’re looking for a straightforward, mobile-friendly way to complete your CE hours efficiently, Gleim is a dependable option.
Gleim
3. Surgent: Best for Last-Minute Hours
Overview
When I reviewed Surgent’s EA continuing education options, I found the platform flexible and efficient for earning hours, especially if you need to complete them quickly. The interface is modern and relatively easy to navigate, though at times the sheer number of options can feel a bit overwhelming. Complex tax topics are explained in a way that’s approachable, but some lessons lean more on surface-level clarity than deeper technical insight.
Surgent offers over 50 live webinars and 50 self-study courses, with individual courses providing up to 16 credit hours. While the variety is useful, the catalog isn’t as expansive as some competitors, and longer sessions may be difficult to fit into a busy schedule. The ability to mix and match between live sessions and self-paced study makes it versatile, but not always the most streamlined option.
Features
- 50+ live webinars
- 50+ self-study courses
- Up to 16 credit hours for a single course
- Buy complete package for extra learning or EA-specific packages for credit only
- Weekly “Expert Hour”
Pros
- Great for last-minute CE needs
- Great option for visual and auditory learners
- Good balance of depth and clarity
Cons
- Unlimited package is pricey
- Limited offline materials
- Live webinars can fill up quickly
- Mobile platform feels clunky
Bottom Line
Surgent covers both ends of the spectrum when it comes to CPE hours. Their options for bite-sized packages of a couple of courses are great if you need to complete some last-minute CE. If you want to go the maximalist route, their Unlimited PLUS subscription gives you an all-access pass to every course and feature they offer however the cons tend to outweight the pros and I suggest Becker over this option if you can afford it.
Surgent
4. Lambers: Best Support
Overview
When I reviewed Lambers’ EA continuing education program, I found it to be a straightforward, no-frills option ideal for picking up a few CE credits quickly. The platform isn’t flashy, and the interface feels a little dated compared to newer providers, but the course content itself is solid and IRS-approved. I tested a few downloadable video courses and PDF-based modules, and while they didn’t offer much interactivity, the information was clear and practical for real-world application.
One area where Lambers really stood out during my experience was customer support. Their team was quick to answer questions and even helped recommend a customized course path based on my specific CE needs. For EAs who appreciate having someone readily available to guide them through the CE process, Lambers offers a level of personal service that many larger providers don’t match.
Features
- Downloadable video courses
- PDF self-study courses
- Live webinars
- Includes 2 hours of ethics in most course bundles
Lambers EA Discount Codes
Lambers brings over 50 years of experience in education courses. Save 10% on your course with our exclusive Lambers EA CPE promo.
Get 10% Off Lambers EA Courses
Pros
- Great for brushing up on key tax topics
- Individual courses ranging from 1 to 12 credit hours
- Straightforward, no-frills experience
Cons
- Fewer interactive features
- Interface feels outdated
- Smaller course library than competitors
Bottom Line
Lambers is a reliable choice for EAs who need a few extra CE credits without overpaying for unnecessary features. During my review, I found the content dependable, and the customer service team was especially helpful in tailoring a study plan. While the platform feels outdated and lacks interactive elements, it’s a safe option for straightforward continuing education, especially when you need quick, targeted hours.
Lambers
Enrolled Agent CE Course Comparisons + Final Thoughts
When comparing these enrolled agent CE options side by side, I found Becker and Gleim to stand out the most, though for very different reasons. Becker’s interface is sleek and intuitive, which made it easier for me to stay organized as I worked through multiple courses. The lessons felt polished, and I appreciated the use of visuals and interactive content. I especially liked the built-in progress tracking, which helped me stay on pace throughout my enrollment cycle.
Gleim, on the other hand, isn’t flashy, but it’s incredibly comprehensive. I liked that I could choose from a wide variety of federal tax law topics, and the self-study format was easy to follow at my own pace. I found it especially useful for brushing up on tax forms and navigating real-world tax law updates. While the platform looks a bit outdated, Gleim makes up for it with solid content and affordability—the unlimited CPE plan was a big plus when I needed to knock out a full year’s worth of CE credits.
Lambers was simple and reliable but didn’t quite measure up in terms of interactivity or content variety, and is just better suited for getting in some last-minute credit hours. Surgent is also a deep offering if the others don’t pique your interest, but for most professionals, Becker is the best bet.
| Provider | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $329/yr | $756/yr | $899/yr | $499/yr |
| Discounts | Save $131 | Save $349 | Save 20% | Save 10% |
| Format | Self-Paced & Live Webinars | Self-Paced Only | Self-Paced & Live Webinars | On-Demand Video & Live Webinars |
| IRS-Approved? | | | | |
| Direct Reporting? | | | | |
| Get Started | Start Now | Start Now | Start Now | Start Now |
FAQ
Enrolled Agents must complete 16 hours of continuing education annually, including 2 hours of ethics, for a total of 72 hours over a 3-year enrollment cycle.
CPE credits and CE are often used interchangeably, but enrolled agents specifically complete CE credits as defined by the IRS for license renewal.
Yes, most enrolled agent CPE courses are available online, and many providers offer flexible, self-paced options that let you work at your own pace.
Most IRS-approved continuing education providers, including the ones listed in this guide, offer direct reporting so your credits are submitted automatically.
If you fail to complete your continuing education requirements, your Enrolled Agent status may be in jeopardy, including suspension or loss of your EA designation.
