How to become an Enrolled Agent

This is an IRS information page with information about EAs

0710,00.html

This is an information page from the National Asociation of Enrolled Agents

Here is past NAEA president Gina Jones, EA, with a similar explanation

This link is from Prometrics, the organization contracted by the IRS to administer the SEE exam. It contains links to specifications for each of the three parts of the SEE.

This google will get you links to professional study courses for taking the Special Enrollment Exam (SEE)

google Enrolled Agent SEE Study Course

I prefer not to use this Board to recommend one commercial study course over another.

There might be a subtle difference between "recommending" and "reporting experience" -- I can't do the former (due to lack of study and comparison between products) but could certainly do the latter.

To the OP, if you provide the name of the US state where you live, and your professional plans, it might get you some better, more specific advice.

For example, in California, I would strongly recommend you visit the CSEA web page (state affiliate of NAEA) at

There you will find a whole calendar full of local chapter monthly dinners, where you could meet and mingle with other EA practitioners, hear a 1-hour tax talk (CPE), and maybe even get a free dinner as a first-time guest! (Doesn't hurt to ask).

What do you hope to do with the EA designation? Start your own practice? Become an employee for a tax firm? Something else? That might influence the path you take. For example, one path that is fairly easy, if not very fast, might be to work for your local H&R Block office for a few years as a seasonal tax preparer. They strongly encourage their employees to become EA's and provide free training materials and other types of support for passing the SEE, plus increased commission rates for EA employees. (Disclaimer: HRB is a former employer of mine, information may not be current).

Beyond that, you should decide if you want instructor-led training for SEE preparation (such as is offered by many of the same California local chapters I mentioned above), or self-study. Your previous experience with tax preparation, and your learning style, will influence that choice.