PSI Is Taking Over the EA Exam From Prometric: What Changed and What Didn't

2026-07-09

The IRS announced that effective March 1, 2026, the EA Special Enrollment Exam (SEE) is no longer developed and administered by Prometric. The new vendor is PSI Services — the same company that administers exams for FINRA, the FAA, and multiple state bar associations.

This is the biggest operational change to the EA exam in years. But the exam itself hasn't changed. Three parts, 100 questions each, $209 per part. The content is the same. The scoring is the same. The IRS, not PSI, still sets the exam specifications.

What Changed

Testing centers. Prometric had roughly 300 US locations. PSI runs about 500 US testing centers, plus international sites. More locations means fewer candidates driving hours to a test center. Check the PSI EA exam locator for the current list — it may include centers closer to you than Prometric had.

Scheduling system. You no longer schedule through Prometric's website. PSI has its own scheduling portal. The process is similar: enter your PTIN, select a part, pick a date and time, pay $209. But the interface is different. If you were 80% of the way through Prometric's scheduler, you'll need to redo it on PSI's system.

Check-in procedures. Every testing vendor has its own security protocols. PSI's procedures may differ from Prometric's — different ID requirements, different locker policies, different scratch paper rules. Do not assume Prometric's process applies. Check PSI's candidate guide before you go.

Practice exams. The practice exam experience may change. Prometric had a specific interface for the SEE (highlighting, strikeout, flag-for-review). PSI uses its own testing software. The question format remains the same — multiple choice with four options — but the on-screen tools may be slightly different. Practice exams from review courses will need to be updated to reflect the new interface.

Remote proctoring. Prometric offered at-home testing through ProProctor. PSI has its own remote proctoring system. The availability of online testing, the technical requirements, and the room scan procedure may change. If you're planning to test from home, verify PSI's current remote proctoring policy before your test date.

What Didn't Change

The exam content. Three parts: Individuals (Part 1), Businesses (Part 2), Representation (Part 3). 100 multiple-choice questions per part. 3.5 hours per part. The IRS publishes the exam content outlines — and those haven't changed.

The passing score. Scaled score of 105 or higher. The scaling methodology is the same. The pretest (experimental) questions are still included and don't count toward your score.

The fee. $209 per part. PSI charges the same fee the IRS sets.

The three-year window. You still have three years from the date you pass your first part to pass the remaining parts. Your Prometric pass history carries over. If you passed Part 1 under Prometric in January 2026, you take Part 2 under PSI in April 2026 — your Part 1 pass is still valid.

The enrollment process. After passing all three parts, you still file Form 23, pay $140, and complete the tax compliance check. The IRS, not PSI, handles enrollment. Nothing about that process has changed.

What This Means for Current Candidates

If you're studying now: the content is the same. Keep using your existing study materials. Practice questions, flashcards, and textbooks don't care which vendor administers the test. The tax code didn't change because the testing company did.

If you've already passed one or two parts under Prometric: your passes are still valid. Schedule your remaining part through PSI. Your PTIN links your exam history across both vendors.

If you scheduled a test at Prometric for after March 1, 2026: your Prometric appointment was automatically canceled. Reschedule through PSI. The IRS should have notified you, but check your email and spam folder.

If you're outside the US: Prometric had limited international testing centers. PSI's international footprint may be different. Check the PSI locator for availability in your country. Some international candidates may gain access to a closer center; some may lose their previous option. Plan accordingly.

The SEO-Safe Takeaway

The EA exam itself is unchanged. Three parts, 100 questions, pass all three, you're an EA. The testing vendor changed but the credential didn't. Study the same content. Use the same practice questions. Show up at PSI instead of Prometric.

Last reviewed: July 9, 2026. PSI transition is active as of March 1, 2026. Verify the IRS EA FAQ for the latest vendor information.