{"id":3055,"date":"2024-11-13T16:13:39","date_gmt":"2024-11-13T22:13:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kansascity.com\/careers-education\/?p=3055"},"modified":"2026-06-19T08:49:43","modified_gmt":"2026-06-19T14:49:43","slug":"become-an-enrolled-agent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kansascity.com\/careers-education\/become-an-enrolled-agent\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Step Checklist to Become an Enrolled Agent"},"content":{"rendered":" <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you&#8217;re interested in a career working with tax preparation and returns, Becoming an Enrolled Agent (EA) is an excellent choice. You need minimal education to get started, and you can earn the highest credentials the IRS can give.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And, with only around <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/tax-professionals\/return-preparer-office-federal-tax-return-preparer-statistics\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">60,000<\/a> other EAs in the U.S., it&#8217;s a fantastic opportunity to join a growing career pool before it gets oversaturated.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Plus, with the ability to represent clients before the IRS on a wide range of tax matters, enrolled agents are in high demand and have strong job security.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What&#8217;s not to love?<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whether you\u2019re looking to work for an established firm or start your own tax business, this guide will show you exactly how to become an enrolled agent in five straightforward steps.<\/p> <p class=\"custom_key wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Key Takeaways<\/strong><\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list custom_underline\"> <li><strong>Start with a PTIN<\/strong>: Getting a Preparer Tax Identification Number is your first step to becoming an enrolled agent.<\/li> <li><strong>Pass the SEE Exam<\/strong>: The Special Enrollment Exam is essential for testing your knowledge of the tax code across three parts.<\/li> <li><strong>Suitability Check Matters<\/strong>: After passing the SEE, the IRS will ensure you have a clean tax history and background.<\/li> <li><strong>Keep Learning with CE<\/strong>: You must complete 72 hours of continuing education every three years to maintain your EA status.<\/li> <li><strong>Unlock IRS Representation<\/strong>: Enrolled agents have unlimited rights to represent clients in any tax matters before the IRS.<\/li> <\/ul> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-to-become-an-enrolled-agent-5-step-checklist\"><strong>How to Become an Enrolled Agent: 5-Step Checklist <\/strong><\/h2> <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-step-1-get-a-preparer-tax-identification-number-ptin\"><strong>Step 1: Get a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN)<\/strong><\/h3> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before anything else, you\u2019ll need to apply for a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) from the IRS. This ID number is essential because it allows you to prepare tax returns. As a result, it&#8217;s the first step toward becoming an enrolled agent.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>[Note that your personal tax identification number is different; it is an ITIN (individual taxpayer identification number).]<\/em><\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here\u2019s how to get your PTIN:<\/p> <ol class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Visit the IRS website and access the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/tax-professionals\/ptin-requirements-for-tax-return-preparers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">PTIN registration<\/a>.<\/li> <li>Create an account with basic information.<\/li> <li>Provide your Social Security Number (SSN) and personal tax details.<\/li> <li>Complete the process by paying the PTIN application fee.<\/li> <\/ol> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once you\u2019ve got your PTIN, you\u2019re officially set to start the journey to enrolled agent status. And don\u2019t worry\u2014it\u2019s a quick process you can complete online.<\/p> <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-step-2-pass-the-special-enrollment-examination-see\"><strong>Step 2: Pass the Special Enrollment Examination (SEE)<\/strong><\/h3> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Special Enrollment Examination, or SEE, is the main hurdle to earning EA status. Passing this exam shows that you thoroughly understand the Internal Revenue Code and the knowledge required to represent clients in tax matters. Here\u2019s a quick rundown of what you need to know about the exam:<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Exam Structure<\/strong>: The SEE has three parts: Individuals, Businesses, and Representation; Practices; and Procedures. Each section is separate, and you can take them in any order. Each section has 100 questions to answer.<\/li> <li><strong>Exam Duration:<\/strong> Each part of the exam takes 3.5 hours, but the actual sitting time is 4 hours to make room for a tutorial, survey, and a quick break. This adds up to a total of around 12 seated hours for the exam.<\/li> <li><strong>Scoring<\/strong>: You need a passing score of at least 105 on each section out of a total of between 40 and 130 points. You can retake any section if you fail.<\/li> <li><strong>Scheduling the Exam<\/strong>: Visit a test center near you or use remote proctoring if available. The test can be scheduled any time within the test window, typically from May through February. Currently, the window is May 1, 2024, to Feb. 28, 2025.<\/li> <\/ul> <h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-tips-for-passing-the-ea-exam\"><strong>Tips for Passing the EA Exam<\/strong><\/h4> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To prepare, consider investing in an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kansascity.com\/careers-education\/best-enrolled-agent-prep-courses\/\">EA review course<\/a>. These courses cover the main topics on the exam, and most include practice exams to help you assess your readiness. This is far and away the best tool you can use to prepare for success on exam day.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many candidates find the candidate information bulletin on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.prometric.com\/sites\/default\/files\/IRS\/IRS-SEE-Candidate-Information-Bulletin.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">IRS<\/a> website helpful, as it explains test center regulations and outlines the topics covered in each section.<\/p> <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left\" id=\"h-step-3-complete-a-suitability-check\"><strong>Step 3: Complete a Suitability Check<\/strong><\/h3> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After passing all three sections of the SEE, you\u2019ll undergo a suitability check conducted by the IRS. This check confirms that you\u2019re eligible to become an enrolled agent and don\u2019t have any red flags in your personal tax compliance history. The IRS will review your background for things like:<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Outstanding tax liabilities<\/strong>: Ensure that your taxes are up-to-date, with no overdue payments.<\/li> <li><strong>Criminal background<\/strong>: Only serious tax-related or financial offenses disqualify candidates.<\/li> <\/ul> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Essentially, the suitability check is there to confirm that you\u2019re a trustworthy candidate who\u2019s been following tax law. Once you pass, you\u2019ll be one step closer to becoming an EA.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, be sure to do some research on this step in advance. If you don&#8217;t think you&#8217;ll pass a suitability check, you definitely shouldn&#8217;t put all of the hard work and study hours into trying to pass the enrolled agent exam.<\/p> <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-step-4-apply-for-enrollment-with-the-irs\"><strong>Step 4: Apply for Enrollment with the IRS<\/strong><\/h3> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After passing the suitability check, you\u2019ll be ready to apply for official enrolled agent status. Here\u2019s how the process works:<\/p> <ol class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Submit the Application<\/strong>: Go to the IRS website and submit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/pub\/irs-pdf\/f23.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Form 23<\/a>, the Application for Enrollment to Practice Before the Internal Revenue Service.<\/li> <li><strong>Pay the Enrollment Fee<\/strong>: A small enrollment fee is required at this stage, which can also be completed online.<\/li> <\/ol> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If everything\u2019s in order, the IRS will notify you that you\u2019ve successfully achieved EA status. At this point, you can represent clients before the IRS on issues like tax returns, compliance, and more.<\/p> <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-step-5-maintain-your-ea-certification\"><strong>Step 5: Maintain Your EA Certification<\/strong><\/h3> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once you\u2019re an enrolled agent, the journey doesn\u2019t end there. Maintaining your enrolled agent status means staying up-to-date with tax law changes and completing continuing education (CE) requirements. Here\u2019s what you need to know to keep your certification active:<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Continuing Education Requirements<\/strong>: You\u2019ll need 72 hours of CE every three years. Annually, you need a minimum of 16 hours per year, including 2 hours on ethics.<\/li> <li><strong>Renewing Your Status<\/strong>: Every three years, you\u2019ll also need to renew your EA status with the IRS by completing the enrollment cycle requirements.<\/li> <\/ul> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These ongoing requirements ensure that you\u2019re always equipped to handle the latest tax regulations and represent clients effectively. If you stay on top of these, your EA status will remain active, allowing you to practice without interruptions.<\/p> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-benefits-of-becoming-an-enrolled-agent\"><strong>Benefits of Becoming an Enrolled Agent<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now that you know how to become an enrolled agent, let\u2019s go over why this career path is worth the effort. Here are some top benefits:<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Unlimited Practice Rights<\/strong>: Unlike other tax professionals, enrolled agents have unlimited rights to represent taxpayers in front of the IRS.<\/li> <li><strong>Job Security<\/strong>: With the growing demand for skilled tax professionals, EAs enjoy job stability and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kansascity.com\/careers-education\/enrolled-agent-salaries\/\">competitive salaries<\/a>.<\/li> <li><strong>Flexibility<\/strong>: EAs have the flexibility to work with tax firms and corporations or even start their own tax business.<\/li> <li><strong>Specialized Knowledge<\/strong>: You\u2019ll gain expertise in the Internal Revenue Code and be well-equipped to handle complex tax issues, which sets you apart from other tax preparers.<\/li> <\/ul> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whether you dream of helping clients with tax compliance or representing taxpayers in IRS offices, pursuing a career as an enrolled agent can open up a world of opportunities.<\/p> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-conclusion\"><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Becoming an enrolled agent is a smart career move for those interested in tax law and IRS representation. By following these five steps\u2014getting your PTIN, passing the SEE, completing the suitability check, applying for enrollment, and keeping up with CE requirements\u2014you can build a career with high earning potential and unique privileges, even without a bachelor&#8217;s degree.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Plus, as an enrolled agent, you\u2019ll have the satisfaction of helping people navigate their tax issues and achieve peace of mind. Add in the job stability and high demand, and you&#8217;re setting yourself up for a successful, enjoyable career.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, are you ready to start your career path toward becoming an enrolled agent? Get ready to tackle the EA exams and put in the effort, and you\u2019ll be on your way to becoming an invaluable tax professional.<\/p> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-faqs\"><strong>FAQs<\/strong><\/h2> <div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1731309715861\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>What is the Special Enrollment Examination (SEE)?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">The IRS Special Enrollment Examination, or SEE, is a three-part exam administered by the IRS that tests your knowledge of individual and business tax law and representation practices.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1731309722027\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>How long does it take to become an enrolled agent?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">The process varies but generally takes around three to six months, depending on how quickly you pass the exams and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kansascity.com\/careers-education\/enrolled-agent-requirements\/\">complete other requirements<\/a>.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1731309727564\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>Do I need a college degree to become an enrolled agent?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">No, a college degree isn\u2019t required. However, you\u2019ll need a solid understanding of tax law and IRS procedures, often gained through study or tax preparation experience.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1731309734532\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>What are some of the costs to consider when becoming an enrolled agent?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Costs include the PTIN fee, exam fees for each part of the SEE, and an enrollment fee. Additional costs may consist of review courses or study materials.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1731309741964\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>What rights do enrolled agents have?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Enrolled agents have unlimited practice rights. This means that they can represent taxpayers in any type of tax matter before the IRS, from audits to appeals.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div> ","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you&#8217;re interested in a career working with tax preparation and returns, Becoming an Enrolled Agent (EA) is an excellent choice. You need minimal education to get started, and you can earn the highest credentials the IRS can give. And, with only around 60,000 other EAs in the U.S., it&#8217;s a fantastic opportunity to join [&hellip;]<\/p> ","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":3056,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,241],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3055","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-careers-education","category-accounting"],"acf":{"external_author":[129],"external_editor":"","select_template":"default","not_show_feature_image":false,"hide_toc":false},"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.kansascity.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/11\/how-to-become-an-enrolled-agent-768x427.png","author_info":{"display_name":"","author_link":"https:\/\/www.kansascity.com\/careers-education\/author\/"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.7 (Yoast SEO v27.7) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>5 Step Checklist to Become an Enrolled Agent<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn how to become an enrolled agent in this step-by-step guide. 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Unlock IRS representation rights and start a rewarding tax career in 5 simple steps!\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.kansascity.com\/careers-education\/become-an-enrolled-agent\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Kansas City Star - Careers &amp; Education\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-11-13T22:13:39+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-06-19T14:49:43+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.kansascity.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/11\/how-to-become-an-enrolled-agent.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"7500\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"4170\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.kansascity.com\\\/careers-education\\\/become-an-enrolled-agent\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.kansascity.com\\\/careers-education\\\/become-an-enrolled-agent\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"image\":false,\"name\":null,\"jobTitle\":\"Writer\",\"url\":false,\"description\":\"\"},\"headline\":\"5 Step Checklist to Become an Enrolled Agent\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-11-13T22:13:39+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-06-19T14:49:43+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.kansascity.com\\\/careers-education\\\/become-an-enrolled-agent\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1520,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.kansascity.com\\\/careers-education\\\/become-an-enrolled-agent\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.kansascity.com\\\/careers-education\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/7\\\/2024\\\/11\\\/how-to-become-an-enrolled-agent.png\",\"articleSection\":[\"Careers &amp; Education\",\"Accounting\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":[\"WebPage\",\"FAQPage\"],\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.kansascity.com\\\/careers-education\\\/become-an-enrolled-agent\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.kansascity.com\\\/careers-education\\\/become-an-enrolled-agent\\\/\",\"name\":\"5 Step Checklist to Become an Enrolled Agent\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.kansascity.com\\\/careers-education\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.kansascity.com\\\/careers-education\\\/become-an-enrolled-agent\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.kansascity.com\\\/careers-education\\\/become-an-enrolled-agent\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.kansascity.com\\\/careers-education\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/7\\\/2024\\\/11\\\/how-to-become-an-enrolled-agent.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-11-13T22:13:39+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-06-19T14:49:43+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"\"},\"description\":\"Learn how to become an enrolled agent in this step-by-step guide. 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