Internal Revenue Service officials announced more details of changes to the Special Enrollment Examination, which will take effect at the end of this year.
The IRS has agreed with recommendations from Thomson Prometric, the testing firm the agency partnered with to develop a computer-based version of the exam, that the new version of the test will be administered in three parts: Individuals; businesses, and finally, representation, practice and procedures.
Additionally, the IRS said that each part of the new exam will have about 100 questions, candidates will not be required to take all parts in one sitting and that the new exam is scheduled to be available in October at about 300 testing centers operated by Thomson Prometric.
After passing the examination and an additional background check, a n enrolled agent can practice before the IRS. There are currently about 40,000 active enrolled agents, many of whom are attorneys and CPAs, who represent taxpayers in both examinations and collection matters.
Information on transition rules for the new format of the exam are available at the IRS Web site, at
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