Registration for new applicants starts November 1, 2020. As of July, new registrants must also pass a background check before their application can be approved.
California Business & Professions Code Section 22251.3 was amended to require new applicants who would like to become a CTEC Registered Tax Preparer (CRTP) to pass a criminal background check and submit fingerprint images to CTEC to determine an individual’s eligibility to register.
This means new registrants must complete the following before their application will be considered:
Complete 60 hours (45 hours federal, 15 hours state) of qualifying education (QE) by an approved CTEC education provider
Obtain a $5,000 tax preparer surety bond
Register for an IRS Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN)
Complete a criminal background check and submit fingerprint images to CTEC
The new requirements are NOT applicable to current CRTPs, only new applicants who register on or after July 1, 2020.
However, CRTPs who allow their CTEC registration to expire and would like to reregister with CTEC on or after July 1, 2020, will not only be required to retake the 60 hour QE course, they will also be required to go through a background check and resubmit fingerprint images to CTEC.
Already completed the requirements? Click here to register >>
I have completed all steps but app is still pending for Live Scan. Since registration is closed does that mean I must wait until the next season to prepare taxes? Or will I be able to register once my Live Scan is approved?
Only renewal registration is closed. New registrations are still open. You can register once your live scan is approved, and as long as your background check is complete.
Hello- Does a felony conviction 9 years ago preclude one from becoming a tax preparer. Not theft/fraud/money related, violent or sexual.
Registration is dependent upon the results of the background check. In some cases, the results will be forwarded to legal for final review. Please call CTEC at 877.850.2832 for additional questions.
Hello, what course year do I need to complete in order to qualify being registered for the 2023/2024 cycle? I am currently enrolled in 2022 CTEC 60 hour QE (which I have not yet completed). Do I need to purchase a new course (one thats in 2023) in order to qualify for registration and be able to prepare taxes in 2024?
Please call the CTEC office 877-850-2832 to go over your account status.
Hello, I submitted my CTEC application on 12/28/2022 (cant remember if I had to pay the $33 fee). My application has been approved but I have not completed the required education yet. Will my registration date be the day I submitted my application or the day they receive my QE? How do i know which cycle I'd be registered for? Im not sure if I should start a new application for 2023/2024. I've tried but I get told I have an application in progress already. What course of action should I take if I plan on finishing my course by December 2023? Or if I finish my course by February 2024?
Hi Jackie, At this point, you need to complete your QE course from an approved CTEC provider. You'll also need to obtain a PTIN from the IRS and purchase a $5,000 tax preparer surety bond. You can usually get one from your insurance provider. Once those requirements are complete, you can register with CTEC and pay the $33 registration fee. Registration for new preparers starts November 1st of each year. Whether you complete the education this year or next, if you register on or after November 1, 2023, you'll be registered for the 2023/2024 cycle. Keep in mind, you have 18 months from the date you completed the QE course to register as a new preparer.
Hi, I'm taking a tax preparation course with a college, and they will transfer my 'Required Education Course' to CTEC once I pass. I'm not planning to immediately register after I pass, I want to wait. My question is, how long can I wait until registering with CTEC so that the 60 hours of education completed don't expire? Is a year lot of time?
Registration for new applicants begins November 1st of year. You have 18 months from the date you completed the QE course to register with CTEC.
Hi, I was told by a potential employer that I need to go through the CTEC registration process but was told by one of your staff that I don’t (I’m a current, CA-licensed CPA. Can you help, do I or don’t I need to do this process? Thanks so much!
If you're a current California CPA, then you are exempt from registering with CTEC.
I am a federally convicted marijuana offender. The conviction occurred more than 10 years ago. Is there any sort of administrative appellate process for a potential applicant such as myself? (That is, one that will have a criminal record on their background check). Or, am I completely statutorily barred from being a CTEC registered tax preparer? Thank you.
Yes, we have an administrative process that reviews each potential applicant and their background check.
In my case CTEC webpage says ‘Required Education Course’ ( Not Reported by Provider). I checked from my course provider. they say we have issued you I tax preparer course pass certificate so no further action is required from their side. Can pl guide how to meet the observation of CTEC under this circumstance. My CTEC Regn is pending only on this account. Thanks
It is our understanding you were able to reach out to CTEC staff regarding this issue and that the 60 hours of education completed has expired. Keep in mind, once you retake the 60 hour course, do not register with CTEC until November 1st. That's the start of the new registration cycle. Should you register before November 1st, you will be required to take another 20 hours of continuing education by October 31st.
Does CTEC ever respond to this blogs question ?
Our sincere apologies, our blog comment alerts went down. Please see below answers.
Hello, how long does it take for background check to be approved by CTEC after it is received from DOJ?
Depending on the circumstance, it can take weeks.
Tax preparer completed ALL requirements except paying $33 registration fee. How is it possible they have to start over due to a small fee, especially during a pandemic?
Registrations cannot be completed or accepted until the fee is paid.
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Tax preparer completed all requirements by October 1, 2020 except for paying the registration fee. Information for the CEs were submitted on October 1, 2020 to CTEC. CTEC online payment was down on several occasions. Does the tax preparer need to start over as a new preparer?
As long as the preparer registers by the late renewal deadline of January 15th the following year (i.e. January 15, 2021) and pays the late fee, they do not need to start over.
What recourse do we have concerning a tax preparer that has ignored his duty year after year, we realized this after some time, then asks for POA to clean up his mess and then says that the IRS won't talk to him they want to speak with the POA. This guy ignored his client after many calls to speak and meet and handle the situation. This preparer is the only person that knows what he did or didn't do. He has put off this elderly client always extending her because, in my opinion, he felt he could neglect her because she is elderly. What recourse do we have to make him do his due diligence and clean up his mess?
A complaint can be filed here -https://www.ctec.org/complaint/preparer?nav=taxpayers
Can a Tax Preparer obt out of having his/her address and phone number open to the public? How do can we keep our personal address and phone number private from the public?
This is public information.
What is deadline with penalty fee after Oct. 31, 2020
The late fee is $55.
By when does CTEC need to received the qualifying education requirement?
We don't have a deadline necessarily. If you'd like to register as a new preparer, the registration cycle starts November 1st of each year and ends October 31st the following year.
Is ITIN # Ok to register?
No, only social security numbers are accepted.