EA Exam at PSI: Registration, Check-In, and What to Expect on Test Day

2026-07-09

The PSI transition changes the logistics of taking your EA exam. The content hasn't changed. The process has.

Step 1: Get Your PTIN

You need a Preparer Tax Identification Number before you can register for any EA exam part. Apply at irs.gov — it's free and takes about 15 minutes. Your PTIN is your exam ID across all three parts and both testing vendors.

Step 2: Register Through PSI

PSI's scheduling portal is separate from Prometric's. Go to the EA exam section on PSI's website and enter your PTIN. Select your part (Part 1, 2, or 3). Choose a date and time at an available testing center. Pay the $209 fee. You'll receive a confirmation email with your appointment details — save it.

Tip: PSI has more testing centers than Prometric (~500 vs ~300 US locations). Check the PSI locator before picking a date. You may have a center closer to home than you did under Prometric.

Step 3: What to Bring

Government-issued photo ID — driver's license, passport, or state ID. Must be current, not expired. The name on your ID must match the name on your registration.
Your PTIN — have the number accessible. You likely won't need the physical card, but know the number.
Confirmation email — PSI may ask for your confirmation number at check-in.
Layered clothing — testing rooms run cold. Bring a sweater you can remove.

What NOT to Bring

Cell phone, smartwatch, fitness tracker — leave in your car or at home
Wallet, purse, backpack — PSI provides lockers but they're small
Notes, books, study materials
Food or drink (water may be allowed in some centers — check PSI's candidate guide)
Calculator (the exam software has a built-in calculator)
Your own scratch paper — PSI provides dry-erase boards or laminated sheets

Check-In at PSI

Arrive 30 minutes early. The check-in process:

Present your ID and confirmation
PSI staff verify your identity against your PTIN registration
You'll be asked to empty your pockets and store belongings in a locker
You may be asked to turn out your pockets, roll up sleeves, and lift your pants legs
You may be wanded or asked to pass through a metal detector
You'll be escorted to your testing station

The check-in is thorough. PSI administers high-stakes exams for FINRA (securities licensing) and multiple state bar associations — their security protocols reflect that.

During the Exam

100 multiple-choice questions
3.5 hours
PSI's testing software includes: highlighting, strikeout, flag-for-review, calculator
The interface may look different from Prometric's — the exam engine is PSI's, not Prometric's
You can mark questions for review and return to them
Unanswered questions count as wrong — answer every question

Breaks

PSI's break policy: you can take unscheduled breaks, but the clock keeps running. There's no scheduled meal break in a 3.5-hour exam. Use the restroom before check-in. If you need a break during the exam, raise your hand and the proctor will escort you. Your 3.5-hour timer does not pause.

After the Exam

Your score appears on screen immediately after you submit. You'll also receive a printed score report at the front desk. The passing score is 105 (scaled). If you pass, your result is automatically linked to your PTIN and counts toward your three-year window.

If you don't pass, you get a diagnostic report showing your performance by topic area. Use it to focus your restudy. You can retake a failed part in the next testing window — the IRS sets the retake schedule, not PSI.

Remote Proctoring

PSI offers remote proctoring. The requirements are similar to Prometric's ProProctor: a private room, a clear desk, a webcam, a stable internet connection. PSI's room scan procedure may differ — the proctor will instruct you. Check PSI's remote proctoring guide for current technical requirements and forbidden items.

Remote proctoring is convenient but carries risks: technical failures, proctor interruptions, and a more invasive room scan than Prometric's. If you have a testing center within reasonable distance, take the exam there.

The Bottom Line

PSI tests the same exam. The venue is different. Study the same content, take the same three parts, get the same credential. If you're ready for the content, you're ready for PSI.

Start studying for the EA →