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CTEC Qualifying Qualifying Education Requirements

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Satisfy Your Qualifying Education Requirements with WebCE

WebCE is your one-stop-shop for all your professional education requirement needs. We provide education courses for multiple industries and professions. Whether you are studying to become a licensed professional, fulfilling your continuing education or just learning something new, WebCE can help with our affordable pricing and easy-to-use platform. Our goal is to make completing your education requirements as simple as possible. We have your course requirements listed below, as well as on the catalog page.

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Current Catalog:

CTEC Tax Preparer Education Requirements

CTEC Provider Number: 6216

CTEC Acceptance: WebCE has been approved by the California Tax Education Council (CTEC) to offer continuing education courses that count as credit towards the annual continuing education requirement imposed by the State of California for CTEC Registered Tax Preparers.
IRS Provider Number: RPBX8

What are the Qualifying Education requirements for CTEC?

60-hours in the following subject areas:
  • 45-hours of federal tax subjects of which 2-hours are ethics
  • 15-hours of California state tax subjects

How to become a CTEC Registered Tax Preparer

  1. Complete the online application for new preparers
  2. Pass a background check and fingerprinting procedure (Live Scan). If approved, you will receive an email from CTEC with instructions on how to proceed with the Registration Process. A certificate of completion will be sent to you within 4-6 weeks after approval and paid registration. If denied, the notification will be sent via email and USPS within 5 weeks. You will not need to share the results with CTEC. The California DOJ will notify CTEC of your background information. CTEC may request additional information via email.
  3. Complete 60 hours (45 hour federal and 15 hours state) of qualifying tax education from a CTEC Approved Provider
  4. Register for an IRS Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN)
  5. Purchase a $5,000 Tax Preparer Surety Bond from a surety bond company
  6. Within 18-months from the completion date listed on your qualifying education course completion certificate provided by your education provider register with CTEC at ctec.org

What are the WebCE CTEC Qualifying Education course requirements?

As a CTEC Qualifying course provider, WebCE is required to provide a course covering the all the subject requirements. The WebCE CTEC Qualifying course is made up of three different courses each will have its own multiple choice exam with no time limit to complete.
  1. 2-hour Ethics course
  2. 15-hour California Tax course
  3. 43-hour Federal Tax course

Students must be tested on their mastery of each of the three parts of the course:

  • Passing score: 70%
  • If the final exam is not passed on the first attempt, students have an unlimited number of retakes.

What is the access period for WebCE CTEC Qualifying Education courses?

12 months from the original date of purchase

How often does WebCE report CTEC Qualifying Education course completions?

WebCE reports to CTEC every business day.


Note:

  • The student must have completed all 3 individual parts of the course before the 60 hour Qualifying Education course can be reported
  • The student must have created an application and a CTEC ID assigned before the 60 hour Qualifying Education can be reported. WebCE does not register students with CTEC.
  • Once course completion is reported, students must go back into their CTEC account to complete their registration

Does WebCE supply a certificate of completion for CTEC Qualifying Education courses?

WebCE will provide online printable Certificates of Completion which will be emailed to the student within 2 business days after the final exam is passed.

Are there any CTEC QE exemptions?

The following individuals may apply to receive an exemption from the requirement to complete the full 60 hour CTEC Qualifying Education course
  • Anyone who has had a CPA, EA, or Attorney license for the 2 most recent years
  • Anyone who was employed by a CPA, EA or Attorney for the 2 most recent years
  • Anyone who has relocated into California and has been a tax preparer in another state for the 2 most recent years
For additional details on how to apply to receive an exemption, visit ctec.org.

Who to contact for additional questions

California Tax Education Council (CTEC)

IRS PTIN Info

WebCE® has provided information above as a courtesy to individuals interested in becoming a registered tax preparer in California. Although reasonable efforts have been made to ensure the information provided here is accurate and current, neither WebCE nor its employees warrant or represent this information is accurate and current. Since regulations are constantly changing, we suggest you check with your state to answer any questions or confirm any information.
Last updated on 11/13/2023