How to Register for the EA Exam From India in 2026: PTIN, PSI, and Remote Testing
Indian candidates must secure a PTIN via the IRS Tax Pro account, then register and schedule each SEE part through the PSI portal, paying $317 per part, with remote testing availability depending on the current cycle.
Last reviewed: August 3, 2026. This article reflects the current IRS and PSI schedule for international candidates.
Registering for the EA exam from India is now primarily a remote-testing workflow. For the current cycle, the IRS lists international testing as remote-only, with appointments running from September 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027. Here is the practical sequence.
Step 1. Get your PTIN
You need a Preparer Tax Identification Number before you can schedule any EA exam. Apply online at IRS.gov. The process takes about 15 minutes. You'll need your passport, your address, and an email address. The fee is $18.75 and you pay by credit card or US bank account.
The PTIN application asks for your Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. If you don't have either. most Indian candidates don't. select "Foreign" under the identification section and use your passport number. The IRS issues PTINs to foreign applicants who don't have US tax identification numbers.
Your PTIN arrives by email, usually within minutes. Keep it. You'll use it every time you schedule an exam and every year you prepare returns.
Step 2. Create your PSI account
Go to the PSI scheduling portal and create an account. Select "IRS Special Enrollment Examination" as your exam type. Enter your PTIN when prompted. Verify your name matches your passport exactly. the proctor will check this on exam day.
PSI's portal shows available exam dates, times, and delivery methods for your location. Because the current international schedule is remote-only, confirm that the appointment details match your country and save the confirmation.
Step 3. Schedule your exam
Pick your part. Many candidates start with Part 1 (Individuals), while candidates with practice experience may prefer Part 3 (Representation). Choose the order that fits your background; the IRS allows the parts to be taken in any order.
Pick a date and time. The international 2026–2027 testing window runs from September 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027. The exam is not generally offered in March or April while the IRS updates it for new tax law. The current testing fee is $317 per part; confirm the amount in PSI before paying.
You'll need to pass all three parts within three years of your first passing result. If you pass Part 1 in July 2026, the three-year window begins from that passing date. You may attempt each part up to four times during a testing window, and every retake requires the current fee.
Step 4. Set up for remote proctoring
PSI's remote proctoring uses a live proctor who watches you through your webcam. The requirements:
A private room with a door that closes. No other people. No phones, tablets, smartwatches, or second monitors. A desk or table clear of everything except your computer, keyboard, and mouse. A webcam that can show your face and your workspace. A stable internet connection. A computer that passes PSI's system check, which you can run before exam day.
You'll do a room scan at the start. the proctor will ask you to use your webcam to show them the room, the desk, the walls, under the desk. This takes about five minutes. Then the exam begins.
Follow the current PSI rules about breaks, permitted items, and room scans rather than relying on a Prometric checklist. If your internet or equipment fails, follow PSI's incident instructions and keep the confirmation details for the appointment.
Step 5. After you pass
When you pass all three parts, you'll receive instructions from the IRS for completing Form 23, the Application for Enrollment to Practice Before the Internal Revenue Service. File it through Pay.gov. Pay the $140 enrollment fee. The IRS will conduct a suitability check. tax compliance, criminal background. If you pass, you receive your enrollment card.
The IRS still performs its suitability and tax-compliance review. If you have U.S. filing obligations, resolve them before applying for enrollment or be prepared to explain your filing history to the IRS.
Your EA status requires renewal every three years. The standard requirement is generally 72 hours per three-year cycle, including 6 ethics hours, with at least 16 hours in each year and 2 ethics hours per year. First-cycle requirements can be partial. See EA continuing education requirements and the IRS CE FAQ. You renew your PTIN annually regardless.
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Related: Becoming an EA From India: Career Path and Outlook · EA Exam Remote Testing Now Available · How to Schedule Your EA Exam With PSI · EA Continuing Education Requirements