Chartered Tax Professional GES 219 » 180 hours

As you complete the six courses of the CTP program, you can accumulate the required 500 hours of experience as a tax professional to qualify for the prestigious Chartered Tax Professional designation. There is a shortage of qualified tax preparers and a great demand for seasonal tax preparers. Alternatively, you can become self-employed as a tax professional.

Upon successful completion of the program, you'll receive a certificate of completion from the college or university you registered with, in addition to a very impressive CTP certificate, which you'll earn when you meet the final experience requirements. As a CTP, you'll easily be able to pass the IRS Exam of basic tax knowledge that will be required for tax preparers (who are not CPAs, attorneys or EAs) and you’ll also have the tax knowledge and experience to prepare for the IRS Enrolled Agent (EA) exam if you wish to add the coveted EA credential to your professional designation as a CTP.

Each of the six courses consists of 10 three-hour lessons and can be completed in five to ten weeks (one or two lessons per week). The entire program could be completed in less than eight months, but many students will take 18-24 months, during which time they'll also gain experience and earn money as tax professionals.

If you're a CPA, CFP, attorney, or if you hold some other professional license, you may be able to satisfy some or all of your continuing education requirements through your program work in the CTP program. Income tax knowledge is valuable to many professionals because financial decisions usually involve tax consequences for their clients. Providing tax preparation services is also a great way to diversify and recruit new financial services clients.

The Steps to Becoming a CTP

1. Successfully complete The Income Tax School series of six 30-hour Income Tax Programs (four additional Programs beyond the 60-hour Comprehensive Tax Program). An average grade of at least 80% must be attained (our adult students average 90%+).

2. Meet the experience requirement of working at least two tax seasons (a minimum of 500 hours) as a tax preparer while in the program (prior tax preparation experience will count for experienced tax professionals who test out of the basic and/or intermediate programs).

After completing this comprehensive certificate program, you’ll be well prepared to handle almost any individual and small business income tax situation you encounter. You’ll also be ready to take the next step in your career as a tax professional by preparing for and taking the IRS Enrolled Agent (EA) exam. The EA designation is the most significant credential in the income tax preparation industry, even more relevant than the CPA designation.

Attention California Residents!

If you live in California and plan to become a preparer of Federal and/or state income tax returns, you must meet the requirements of the California Tax Education Council (CTEC) to become licensed to practice as a California Tax Preparer. Therefore, you should take our California Chartered Tax Professional certificate program, which will enable you to meet the CTEC requirements while also earning your professional CTP designation. For the California CTP program please click here.

Internship Opportunities

An internship offers you practical experience to enhance your education, while helping you earn hours to satisfy the CTP experience requirement. You may be paid as an intern, and you can make professional connections that can lead to career growth.

To qualify for an internship, you must have completed at least the first 30-hour program in the Chartered Tax Professional Certificate Program with a grade of 80% or higher. You may be paid a modest hourly wage to work (or work unpaid if both parties agree) on a trial basis. Although internships aren’t guaranteed, hundreds of firms nationwide register each year to work with CTP interns.

Click here to learn more about the CTP Internship program.