EA Exam Registration With PSI: 2026 Steps, Fees, and Dates

Last reviewed: September 16, 2026. This article reflects current IRS rules and EA exam requirements as of this date.

EA exam registration in 2026 runs through PSI Services, which replaced Prometric as the administrator of the Special Enrollment Examination effective March 1, 2026. The sequence is short. Get a PTIN, create a PSI profile from the IRS enrolled-agent page, choose the part you want to sit, and pay $317 at scheduling. Registration is open now for a testing window that runs July 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027 for domestic candidates.

Do not use an old Prometric account or a Prometric-era fee table to schedule a 2026 exam. Prometric appointments ended February 28, 2026.

1. Obtain a PTIN

You need a valid Preparer Tax Identification Number before scheduling. A 2026 PTIN costs $18.75 and most first-time online applications take about 15 minutes. A PTIN is an identifier, not proof of tax competence. IRS PTIN requirements

2. Use the PSI portal

Start from the IRS enrolled-agent page and follow its link to PSI. Create a PSI profile using the same first and last name shown on the unexpired government-issued photo ID you will present on exam day.

You may take Parts 1, 2, and 3 in any order. You do not have to schedule all three together.

3. Choose the delivery method and date

For the 2026 cycle:

• Domestic testing runs July 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027.
• International scheduling and testing is temporarily delayed. The IRS had expected scheduling to open September 1, 2026 with testing from September 2, 2026, and now says new start dates have not been determined. Carried-over parts get extended while testing is paused.
• International appointments will be remote-only when they open; the IRS says there is no in-person international testing for this cycle.
• The annual blackout period is generally March and April.

Available dates and delivery options can change, so treat the PSI portal—not an article screenshot—as the source of truth. The PSI Candidate Information Bulletin explains the current appointment and scoring rules.

4. Pay the current fee

The current fee is $317 per part, paid when the appointment is scheduled. The fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. IRS EA examination FAQ

5. Review the confirmation

PSI emails the appointment date, time, location or remote-delivery details, examination name, and confirmation number. Check every field immediately and keep the confirmation number; it is required for changes.

Rescheduling and failed attempts

• Rescheduling or cancellation at least 48 hours before the appointment has no fee.
• Changing or canceling less than 48 hours before the appointment requires another full exam fee.
• Missing the appointment or arriving 30 minutes or more late forfeits the fee.
• After failing a part, wait 24 hours before scheduling that same part again.
• A candidate may attempt each part up to four times during a testing window.

For accommodations, call PSI using the number and accommodation hours listed in the IRS FAQ rather than completing ordinary online scheduling first.

Registering is the easy part, and it is not the same as being ready. Give each part about eight weeks with this working-candidate study schedule, then practice under timed conditions on EA Dojo.

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