Best Enrolled Agent Continuing Education Courses
The IRS makes changes to the tax code every day, according to the National Taxpayers Union. So, the demand for continuous education for tax practitioners, especially EAs, has skyrocketed.
Through continuing education, EAs can stay on top of these updates and meet their compliance requirements. However, finding the right courses can be challenging, especially for those more comfortable with tax returns than with evaluating the value of an online subscription.
Luckily for you, we’ve spent a lot of time becoming the leading authority on everything EA-related, including CE. Here are our top choices for tax professionals.
Best Enrolled Agent Continuing Education Courses
1. Becker EA CE Review
Becker’s EA CE courses offer a comprehensive suite of resources tailored for enrolled agents seeking to maintain their credentials and stay up to date with the latest tax laws.
The subscription provides access to over 160 IRS-approved credit hours and more than 75 courses specifically curated for EAs. This extensive selection ensures that professionals can choose topics that align with their interests and professional needs. Additionally, Becker’s Compliance Tracker simplifies the process of managing and planning credits, allowing agents to focus more on learning and less on administrative tasks.
Courses are delivered by experienced, licensed professionals who bring practical knowledge and in-depth insights to the table. With both self-study and live webcast options, the program offers flexibility to accommodate various learning styles and schedules.
Course Features
- Access to over 160 IRS-approved continuing education credit hours
- More than 75 courses tailored for enrolled agents
- Personalized CE Compliance Tracker for efficient credit management
- Flexible learning formats, including self-study and live webcasts
- Direct IRS reporting of CE credits
Pros & Cons
-
Over 160 IRS-approved CE credit hours with a variety of topics tailored for enrolled agents
-
Flexible learning options, including self-study and live webcasts
-
Personalized CE Compliance Tracker simplifies credit management and ensures accurate tracking
-
Expert instructors include those from Becker’s courses, so if you liked them there, you’ll enjoy them here
-
Limited interactivity, as most courses are self-study or webcast-based
-
Higher tiers can be pricey compared to other options
-
Primarily focused on CPA courses, so while there are a lot of EA options, there’s an “illusion of choice” at times
$132 Discount on Becker EA CE Subscription
2. Surgent Continuing Education
Surgent’s continuing education for enrolled agents is a strong fit for tax professionals who want a large IRS-approved course selection without paying for a broader CPE package they may not need. With 200+ self-study courses and 100+ live webinars, Surgent gives enrolled agents plenty of flexibility to complete CE in the format that works best for their schedule. That makes it especially useful for EAs who want options throughout the year instead of scrambling for credits close to renewal deadlines.
One of Surgent’s biggest advantages is that its EA-only subscription keeps the focus on enrolled agent continuing education while still offering a surprisingly strong course catalog. The mix of self-study and live webinar options gives tax professionals room to cover required topics, stay current on federal tax updates, and choose courses that match the kind of work they actually do with clients. It’s a practical choice for enrolled agents who want depth, flexibility, and solid value in one CE provider.
Course Features
- 200+ self-study courses
- 100+ live webinars
- Frequent updates for timely topics
- Packages affordable compared to their CPE pricing
- Courses cover all necessary tax forms and procedures
- IRS-approved continuing education provider
Pros & Cons
-
300+ courses to choose from
-
Choose live webinars or on-demand lectures to earn credits from
-
Comprehensive coverage of tax laws
-
Unique, interactive course options
-
High time commitment required for maximum benefits
-
Many sessions run two to four hours, making them tough to fit into a busy schedule
-
Surgent’s unlimited packages are among the most expensive on the market
Save 30% on Surgent EA CE Course Package
3. Lambers EA CE Review
Lambers’ continuing education for enrolled agents is a good fit for tax professionals who want flexibility in how they complete their CE. Instead of locking you into one format, Lambers offers 60+ IRS-approved CE courses across live webinars, on-demand video, and PDF-based self-study, so you can choose the format that works best for your schedule and learning style. The catalog is especially useful for EAs who want practical tax-focused continuing education without making the process more complicated than it needs to be.
One of Lambers’ biggest strengths is that it gives enrolled agents multiple ways to stay compliant. If you prefer a more structured experience, you can attend live webinars; if you need to fit CE around client work or tax season, the video and PDF options make it easier to complete courses on your own time. It’s a strong choice for experienced EAs who want straightforward IRS-approved CE with enough format variety to keep continuing education manageable.
Course Features
- 60+ IRS-approved CE courses
- Mix of PDF, video, and live webinar formats
- 1-year or 2-year access
- Courses also available for purchase individually
Pros & Cons
-
Practical, real-world approach to learning
-
Comprehensive coverage of federal tax law
-
Course completion is directly reported to the IRS
-
60+ courses to choose from
-
The real-world approach might not align with everyone’s learning style
-
No live webinars or bells and whistles
-
A bit outdated when compared to other courses
Get 10% Off Lambers EA Courses
4. Fast Forward Academy EA CE
Fast Forward Academy’s continuing education for enrolled agents is built for tax professionals who need to stay compliant while keeping up with practical tax topics they may actually use with clients. This is not EA exam prep; it’s IRS-approved CE for enrolled agents, CPAs, and tax preparers who already need continuing education credit. The course library includes 40 courses covering areas like tax planning, IRS representation, healthcare-related tax topics, and other federal tax subjects.
One of the biggest advantages of Fast Forward Academy is that it keeps the CE process simple. Enrolled agents get one year of access, a broad course library, and fast reporting to the IRS and CTEC, which makes it easier to complete credits without chasing down paperwork afterward. It’s a good fit for busy tax professionals who want practical, flexible CE in one place, rather than buying random one-off courses every time a deadline approaches.
Course Features
- 40 IRS-approved CE courses for EAs
- California-specific bundle available for CA residents
- 6-hour AFTR course included
- 1 year of subscription access
Pros & Cons
-
Optimizes learning time with a targeted approach
-
Comprehensive and up-to-date course materials
-
IRS-approved provider
-
Most EA-focused of the bunch
-
The targeted learning approach might not align with everyone’s learning style
-
There’s no option for real-time help, which can be frustrating if you need quick clarification.
-
Courses are mostly self-paced, with little engagement or instructor feedback.
Go To Fast Forward Academy EA CE Review
FAQs
What should I look for in an enrolled agent continuing education course?
Look for IRS-approved courses that clearly identify the credit type, topic, format, and completion requirements. The best enrolled agent continuing education courses should help you stay compliant while also covering tax topics that are useful in your actual client work.
How many CE hours do enrolled agents need?
Enrolled agents generally need 72 hours of continuing education every three years, with at least 16 hours completed each year. Each year also needs to include at least 2 hours of ethics.
Are self-study CE courses accepted for enrolled agents?
Yes, self-study CE courses can count as long as they come from an IRS-approved provider and meet IRS course requirements. They’re a good fit for EAs who want to complete credits on their own schedule instead of attending live webinars.
Are live webinars better than self-study CE?
Live webinars are useful if you want scheduled instruction, real-time updates, or a more interactive format. Self-study courses are usually better if you need flexibility during tax season or want to complete credits in smaller blocks.
Can enrolled agent CE help beyond renewal requirements?
Yes, CE can be more than a compliance task if you choose courses strategically. Topics like tax updates, IRS representation, ethics, business returns, and tax planning can help you serve clients better while meeting your renewal requirements.
