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Paid preparers with valid PTINs must take the exam and, if they pass, earn the Registered Tax Return Preparer designation. Ongoing compliance requires annual PTIN renewals and 15 hours of continuing education, with some professional groups exempt. 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The IRS also estimates the number initially subject to the requirement and refers readers to a related fact sheet for specifics.","Answer",{"name":116,"@type":111,"acceptedAnswer":117},"What happens after someone passes the competency test?",{"text":118,"@type":114},"Successful preparers who meet other requirements receive the Registered Tax Return Preparer designation. To maintain it, they must renew their PTINs annually and complete 15 hours of continuing education each year.",{"name":120,"@type":111,"acceptedAnswer":121},"How is the test fee set, and when are results available?",{"text":122,"@type":114},"The competency test fee is $116, including the IRS portion and the fee for Prometric as the third-party test vendor. Initial test takers receive scores two to six weeks later, after IRS validation; later computer-based takers can receive scores at the test center after validation is complete.","https://schema.org",{"og:url":83,"og:type":125,"og:title":65,"og:site_name":95,"og:description":67},"article",{"robots":127,"canonical":83},"index,follow",{"doc_id":129,"site_id":62},394637,1790533294,{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":132},{"doc_id":129,"user_id":133,"nickname":92,"user_avatar":134,"doc_module":4,"category_id":19,"category_name":20,"doc_title":65,"doc_description":67,"doc_content":135,"file_id":136,"file_url":137,"file_type":138,"file_size":139,"view_count":105,"is_deleted":4,"is_public":8,"is_downloadable":8,"audit_status":8,"page_count":81,"language":140,"language_code":63,"site_id":62,"html_lang":63,"table_of_contents":141,"faqs":142,"seo_title":143,"seo_description":67,"update_tm":144,"read_time":39,"preview_page_count":4},18829141979164,"https://eur-avatar.wpscdn.com/davatar_6f874abed73319feea01a86fa6f0fab8","| Media Relations Office | Washington, D.C. | Media Contact: 202.622.4000 |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| [www.IRS.gov/newsroom](www.IRS.gov/newsroom) |  | Public Contact: 800.829.1040 |\n\nIRS Moves to Next Phase of Return Preparer Initiative; New  \nCompetency Test to Begin  \nIR-2011-111, Nov. 22, 2011  \nWASHINGTON—The Internal Revenue Service is moving into the next phase of its effort to improve the tax preparation industry by launching the new Registered Tax Return Preparer competency test.  \nThe new competency test is part of a larger initiative to increase oversight of the tax preparation industry. Last year, the IRS required all paid tax return preparers to obtain a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) . Those tax return preparers who currently have a valid PTIN and are required to take the new test will have until Dec. 31, 2013, to pass it.  \nPreparers who pass the test and meet other requirements will be given a new designation: Registered Tax Return Preparer. In order to maintain that designation, the individuals must renew their PTINs annually and complete 15 hours of continuing education each year. Enrolled Agents, Certified Public Accountants, and attorneys, among others, are exempt from the new testing and education requirements. These professional groups already meet more stringent guidelines to obtain their professional credentials.  \n“This is another major step forward in our effort to enhance tax preparation service to millions of taxpayers. People should feel assured that the person they hire to prepare their federal tax returns has a working knowledge of the tax code,” said Doug Shulman, IRS Commissioner.“The majority of tax return preparers are reputable professionals but the few bad apples cause great harm to taxpayers and the industry.”  \nThe fee for the competency test is $116, which includes the IRS portion of the fee and the fee for Prometric Inc. , a third-party test vendor. The test covers preparation of the Form 1040 and its related schedules. Test scheduling begins next week. Initial test takers won’t receive their test scores for two to six weeks to allow the IRS to validate the exam and determine the pass/fail cutoff. Once validation is complete, around midJanuary, those taking the computer-based test will receive their scores at the test center immediately upon completing the test.  \nPrometric will eventually administer the test at more than 260 centers nationally, but the test is not available at all locations currently. Test sites will be added daily and international locations may be added in the future.  \nOver 750,000 tax return preparers have obtained PTINs. The IRS estimates that approximately 350,000 people may be initially subject to the Registered Tax Return Preparer test requirement.  \nFact Sheet 2011-12 provides additional details about the test, including which preparersare required to take it and how to schedule an appointment.  \nWork on background check implementation plans continue  \nThe IRS continues to study the most appropriate ways for requiring certain tax return preparers to undergo a background check. The background check is necessary to ensure tax return preparers have not engaged in disreputable conduct and are suitable for practice before the IRS. The IRS will provide additional guidance concerning the background check in coming months.  \nWhile the IRS continues to review the issues surrounding background checks, it will issue Registered Tax Return Preparer certificates to individuals who pass the Registered Tax Return Preparer test and a tax compliance check. Individuals issued Registered Tax Return Preparer certificates may begin using the Registered Tax Return Preparer designation, but they still may be subject to additional background checks that the IRS may implement in the future.  \nSpecial Enrollment Examination remains unchanged  \nThe process for individuals to become an Enrolled Agent remains unchanged. Most Enrolled Agents have passed a comprehensive three-part IRS","cbCaik7OuTkSe4nv","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaik7OuTkSe4nv","pdf",69322,"English","# IRS Registered Tax Return Preparer Competency Test Phase\n## New competency test timeline and requirements\n## Test fee, scope, and scoring process\n## Exemptions and continuing education\n## Background check implementation plans\n## Special Enrollment Examination and PTIN renewal reminder","[{\"question\":\"Who needs to take the Registered Tax Return Preparer competency test?\",\"answer\":\"Paid tax return preparers with a valid PTIN and who are required to take the new test must take it. The IRS also estimates the number initially subject to the requirement and refers readers to a related fact sheet for specifics.\"},{\"question\":\"What happens after someone passes the competency test?\",\"answer\":\"Successful preparers who meet other requirements receive the Registered Tax Return Preparer designation. To maintain it, they must renew their PTINs annually and complete 15 hours of continuing education each year.\"},{\"question\":\"How is the test fee set, and when are results available?\",\"answer\":\"The competency test fee is $116, including the IRS portion and the fee for Prometric as the third-party test vendor. Initial test takers receive scores two to six weeks later, after IRS validation; later computer-based takers can receive scores at the test center after validation is complete.\"}]","IR-2011-111 - IRS Registered Tax Return Preparer Competency Test Phase | PDF",1790409546]