Enrolled Agent (IRS SEE) Cost
At a glance
- Exam fee
- $317
- Issuing body
- IRS / Prometric
- Domain
- Finance & accounting
- Validity
- 3-year enrollment cycle (72 CE hrs)
Informational only — not financial or career advice. Exam fees and certification requirements change, and the figures here are accurate only as of the listed verification date. Confirm the current fee and rules directly with the certifying body before you register or budget. We report the official-body exam fee for a single attempt; it excludes prep courses, materials and retakes, and is not the total cost of certifying.
The Enrolled Agent certification, administered by the IRS through Prometric, requires candidates to pass the Special Enrollment Examination (SEE). The base official exam fee is $317 per attempt, as of June 2026, composed of a $66 user fee and $251 administrative fee per part across three parts. This fee covers the single examination attempt only and does not include third-party training courses, study materials, prep resources, or retake fees. Candidates should verify the current fee directly with the IRS or Prometric before budgeting or registering, as certification bodies adjust pricing periodically.
Enrolled Agents commonly pursue roles in tax preparation and related tax services. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for tax preparers was $50,560. This figure represents the median wage for the occupation and does not constitute a guaranteed salary, raise, or financial outcome tied to certification. Eligibility requirements, official fee schedules, and renewal policies are determined by the IRS and should be confirmed on the issuing body's official website.
Related pay (occupation median). The U.S. BLS reports a median annual wage of $50,560 (typically $30,500–$96,240 from the 10th to the 90th percentile) for Tax Preparers, the occupation this certification most often targets. That is the occupation’s pay, not a guaranteed lift from the certificate — actual pay depends on role, employer, location and experience. Source: BLS OEWS national file.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Certification | Enrolled Agent (IRS SEE) |
| Issuing body | IRS / Prometric |
| Base exam fee | $317 |
| Fee notes | $66 user fee + $251 admin per part (3 parts) — 2026 IRS rule |
| Prerequisites | PTIN; no degree required |
| Validity / renewal | 3-year enrollment cycle (72 CE hrs) |
What this fee does and doesn’t include
The figure here is the official-body exam fee for a single attempt. It does not include third-party training, prep courses, study materials, or retake fees — those are separate and vary by provider. Membership-tiered bodies may offer a lower member rate (noted above). Confirm the live fee on the issuer’s registration page before budgeting.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Enrolled Agent (IRS SEE) exam?
Does this include a prep course?
Exam fee compiled from issuer’s registration page →, verified June 2026. How we compile this. Confirm the current fee before you pay — bodies re-price periodically.
Prerequisites & how to register → · Prep guide → · Compare Finance & accounting certs →