An Enrolled Agent (EA) is a federally authorized tax practitioner who has demonstrated technical competence in tax matters and has earned the highest credential awarded by the IRS.
How to become an EA: 1. Pass the Special Enrollment Examination (SEE): A three-part exam covering individual taxation (Part 1), business taxation (Part 2), and representation, practices, and procedures (Part 3). 2. OR: Former IRS employees with at least 5 years of technical experience may apply for EA status without the exam. 3. Background check: IRS checks suitability (tax compliance, criminal history).
EA scope of practice: - Represent taxpayers before all levels of the IRS: examinations (audits), collection proceedings, IRS Appeals, Tax Court (as a non-attorney practitioner). - Unlimited representation rights — can represent any taxpayer in any tax matter.
EA vs. CPA vs. Tax Attorney:
| | Enrolled Agent | CPA | Tax Attorney | |---|---|---|---| | Who licenses | IRS (federal) | State board | State bar | | Focus | Taxation | Accounting + tax | Law + tax | | IRS representation | Yes (unlimited) | Yes (unlimited) | Yes (unlimited) |
Continuing education: EAs must complete 72 hours of CE every 3 years (minimum 16 hours per year, including 2 hours of ethics annually).
Renewal: EA status must be renewed every 3 years; must be in good tax compliance standing.
Circular 230: All EAs are subject to Treasury Department Circular 230, which governs standards of conduct and practice before the IRS.
> Exam tip: EAs have unlimited representation rights before the IRS — they can handle any client, any tax matter. The SEE has 3 parts. EAs need 72 CE hours per 3-year cycle (16+/year with 2 ethics). Key foundation for all three EA exam parts.