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Welcome to the IVC to EA program. The goal of the IVC to EA program is to prepare you to pass the Enrolled Agent (“EA”) exam. In addition to preparing IVC to EA members for the EA exam, IVC to EA will be working with local accounting firms to assist members of the IVC to EA program to get internships and/or hired full time.

If you have any questions, please contact Accounting Instructor Steven Grinberg  through Canvas or email.

Steps to Become an Enrolled Agent (EA)

Get a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN -Login).  It usually takes 15 minutes to get your PTIN if you apply online; 4 – 6 weeks if you apply by mail. If you want to check the status of your initial PTIN or PTIN renewal application, you can manage your account by logging in to the IRS Tax Professional PTIN System

  • IRS makes applications available in mid-October for the following year’s tax returns.
  • PTIN must be renewed annually. It expires on December 31.
  • The cost of a PTIN is $19.75 annually.

Schedule a test date with Prometric.

  • Pass all 3 parts within 3 years.
  • It costs $267 per part.
  • Call Prometric at 1-800-306-3926 or at 1-443-751-4193.

Once you pass the EA exam, apply for enrollment with the IRS using electronic Form 23: Application For Enrolled Agents.

  • Fee is $140 and must be paid within 1 year of passing the EA exam.

Pass a suitability check, which will include tax compliance to ensure that you have filed all necessary tax returns and there are no outstanding tax liabilities; and criminal background.

Upon receipt of your license, update your information at www.irs.gov/ptin.

Complete continuing education requirements to maintain EA license.

  • Complete 72 hours of continuing education in federal taxes or federal tax matters every 3 years.
  • 16 hours of continuing education must be annually. (2 hours annually must be in ethics.) 
  • Continuing education must be done at an IRS approved provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. An EA is licensed by the IRS. 
  2. EAs are licensed to prepare federal tax returns for a fee.* 
  3. EAs with California residency can prepare tax returns for a fee in California.** 
  4. EAs can represent people in front of the IRS for a fee or for free.

*There is no restriction to prepare tax returns for free. 
**Most states have similar requirements to California. If your state of residency is not California, please check with your state of residency.

  1. For the IRS: Enrolled Agents (EA) have equal status to CPAs or attorneys.
  2. The cost to become an EA is a fraction of the cost to become a CPA or attorney.
  3. You can become an EA in a fraction of the time it takes to become a CPA or attorney.
  4. There is no educational requirement to become an EA.
  5. There is no experience requirement to become an EA.
    Once a person passes the EA exam and pays the licensing fee, they are now licensed to prepare tax returns for a fee in California and represent people in front of the IRS.
  6. The EA exam is a test focused solely on federal tax law. For the general public, it can demonstrate an expertise in taxation.

Note: Most states have similar rules for their state residents. 

There are 3 parts to the EA exam:

  1. Individual
  2. Business
  3. Practices and Procedures

There is no requirement to sit for all 3 parts at the same time or to take them in any prescribed order. 

Each part will have 100 multiple choice questions. You will have 3.5 hours to complete each part. 

The testing period is May through February. You are allowed to take each part up to 4 times per testing period.

Individual part of EA exam

  • Accounting 206A
  • Accounting 206B

Business part of EA exam

  • Accounting 207A
  • Accounting 207B

Practices and Procedures 

  • Accounting 1A
  • Accounting 208

There are numerous services that have EA review courses. The goal of IVC to EA is to prepare you for the EA exam. Outside preparation services are optional. Just like many people take a CPA exam review course to expand on what they learn at IVC, an EA review course will allow you to prepare for the exam on your own time schedule and build on the foundation that you learned in the tax classes at IVC. 

IVC currently has an agreement with Gleim, Surgent and Becker to provide the EA review course at a discount. These discounts are not available to the general public. If you are interested in purchasing any of these review courses, please email Steve Grinberg and he will forward your request to our  coordinator. 

We are working to get discounts on other review courses. Please check back regularly to see what other review courses are offering discounts.

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