How to Schedule Your EA Exam at [Prometric](https://www.prometric.com/test-takers/search/irs): Step-by-Step

2026-07-11

Last reviewed: July 9, 2026. This article reflects current IRS rules and EA exam requirements as of this date.

Scheduling the EA exam isn't complicated, but there are specific steps and a few traps that cost people time and money. Here's the walkthrough.

Step 1: Get Your PTIN

Before you can schedule anything, you need a Preparer Tax Identification Number from the IRS.

Go to irs.gov/ptin. Click "Apply for a PTIN." Create an account or log in. Fill out the application with your personal information, previous year's tax return details, and professional credentials (if any).

The PTIN is free. You get it immediately online. Write down the number. You'll need it when you schedule the exam and for every return you prepare professionally.

Step 2: Create a Prometric Account

Go to prometric.com/irs. Click "Schedule" under Special Enrollment Examination (SEE). You'll be prompted to create an account or log in.

The account requires your name exactly as it appears on your government ID, your email, and a password. The name matching is critical. If your Prometric registration says "Jonathan Smith" but your ID says "Jon Smith," you may be turned away at the test center.

Step 3: Select Your Exam Part

You'll be asked to select which part you're taking. Choose any order you want. Most people start with Part 1 (Individuals).

You can schedule one part at a time. You don't have to schedule all three upfront. In fact, don't. Schedule each part when you're confident you'll be ready.

Step 4: Pick Your Test Center

Enter your ZIP code. Prometric shows nearby test centers with availability. Each center lists the dates they have open.

Things to check before selecting a center:

Distance from home (traffic on exam morning)
Parking situation (some centers are in office buildings with paid parking)
Availability of your preferred date and time (morning slots fill first)

You can take the exam at any Prometric center in the U.S. You're not restricted to your state. If you live near a state border, check both sides for better availability.

Step 5: Choose Your Date and Time

Prometric shows a calendar with available dates. Green dates have openings. Click a date to see available time slots. Typically 8:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and occasionally 3:00 PM.

Morning slots are best. You're fresher. The test center is quieter. Afternoon slots work if you're not a morning person, but you'll spend the morning anxious.

Book 4-6 weeks out if possible. Popular centers near major cities fill 3-4 weeks in advance during peak periods (January-April, when tax season preparers rush to finish exams).

Step 6: Pay

Each exam part costs $209. You pay by credit card or electronic check during scheduling. The fee is non-refundable.

You can reschedule up to 30 days before your exam date for no additional fee. Rescheduling within 5-29 days costs $35. Rescheduling within 4 days or less. You lose the $209 and pay again.

Step 7: Confirm

After payment, you'll get a confirmation email from Prometric. It contains your confirmation number, the test center address, the exam date and time, and the part you registered for.

Keep this email. Print it or save it to your phone. You'll need the confirmation number at check-in. Also double-check that the name on the confirmation matches your ID exactly.

Common Scheduling Traps

Trap 1: The name mismatch. Your Prometric account name, confirmation name, and government ID name must all match. If you registered as "Michael" and your driver's license says "Mike," fix it before exam day. Call Prometric support to update your registration.

Trap 2: Scheduling too far out. "I'll take Part 1 in four months" sounds safe. In practice, you'll procrastinate for three months and cram for one. Schedule 6-8 weeks out. The deadline pressure helps.

Trap 3: Back-to-back scheduling. Some candidates try to schedule all three parts in one week. Don't. The pass rate for back-to-back attempts is terrible. Take at least 3-4 weeks between parts to process the material.

Trap 4: Friday afternoon exams. Test centers are tired. You're tired. The weekend is calling. Fridays have the lowest reported satisfaction scores. Take the exam Tuesday through Thursday if you can.

After Scheduling

Your exam date is your new deadline. Work backward: if your exam is February 15, you need to finish new material by February 1 and spend the last two weeks on review and mock exams.

Schedule your mock exams. One full-length timed practice exam one week before the real thing. Another 2-3 days before. If you're hitting 80%+ on practice, you're ready.

Practice questions with timed mock exams →