-
Home
-
Tax Professionals
-
California
- California CTEC
California Tax Return Preparer
Registered Tax Preparer Continuing Education
California registered tax preparers need to complete 20 hours of continuing education each year before October 31st. We offer the continuing education online in an easy to use self-paced format. Our course covers all of the required topics including federal tax law topics, tax law updates, ethics, and state specific. Courses are "question style" to help you facilitate understanding of the topic, and are available from almost any device, any time. We hope that you will make RocketCert your home to complete your California Tax Preparer Continuing Education.
-
Coming Soon...20 Hours
Online Education
How do I renew my tax preparer license in California?
In California, the license expires every year. The next renewal date is October 31st, 2021. To renew, you are required to complete 20 hours of education and we will submit your renewal to the State.
We offer the required training online. Our courses come with lifetime access (though we know it won't take that long!)
20 hours are required for license renewal. With us, the training is available 24/7 on nearly any device.
After you complete the continuing education, you can instantly print your certificate of completion. We will notify the State the next business day.
The state also requires a $5000 tax preparer bond from an insurance/surety agent. The annual renewal fee is $33 if paid before October 31st. Renew your PTIN number with the IRS each year
What are the required topics and hours for my license?
Tax Preparer (20 Hours)
- 10 Hours of Federal Tax Law Topics
- 3 Hours of Tax Law Updates
- 2 Hours of Ethics
- 5 Hours of State-Specific
What courses are available for me to take online?
With RocketCert, our education is designed to improve your knowledge of the industry by taking you through the resources (available digitally with our program) and providing practice questions. We pride ourselves on providing industry leading customer service. Also, if you find a better original price on any online course that we offer, we will beat it by 10%.
Why should I choose RocketCert?
At RocketCert, we strive to be the best (while having fun in the process). This means having not only the best quality of education, but also industry leading technology. Best yet, we are here for you 7 days a week. Have a question or comment? Give us a call or contact us to send us a message. Ready to begin? Select from the training below and start immediately. Of course, you can resume later!
Why pay for something knowing your time with it is limited? At RocketCert, we believe in offering lifetime access to your training, even though it will not be needed.
Our education is written by industry experts. We believe in helping you with your career, and that help begins with offering best in class education.
We are here for you. Have a question? Need support? Our team is available 7 days a week for technical support. We pride ourselves in taking care of you.
Our training is available 24/7, and you can start and stop as needed. With our mobile ready courses, you can take from nearly any device at any location.
Certificate & Reporting
- Instant certificate of completion
- State notified daily (excluding weekends / holidays
Approval Info
- Provider Name: Pending
- Provider Number: Pending
- Course Number(s): #PENDING | #PENDING
- Approval Letter(s)
20 Hours of continuing education are required each year, prior to October 31st. Our course covers all required topics including federal tax law topics, tax law updates, ethics, and state specific. Take it with us today online!
- Price: Coming Soon...
Requirements to Obtain Registered Tax Preparer License
The state of California requires all individuals who wish to prepare tax returns in return for compensation to satisfy certain education requirements before applying. There is no state-issued exam.
To become a CTEC registered tax preparer, you must:
- Take a 60-hour qualifying education course from a CTEC approved provider within the past 18 months
- Purchase a $5,000 tax preparer bond from an insurance/surety agent
- Get a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) from the IRS
- Register and pay the $33 registration fee online
Annual renewal
You must renew your registration with CTEC annually to legally prepare income tax returns. Visit CTEC for more information.
To renew your CTEC registration, you must:
- Take a minimum of 20 hours continuing education from a CTEC approved provider, which must include:
- 15 hours of federal tax curriculum
- 5 hours of California tax curriculum
- Renew your PTIN number with the IRS each year
- Maintain a $5,000 tax preparer bond
- Renew your registration and pay the $33 annual registration before October 31 of each year
- After October 31, the registration fee is $55
- If you fail to renew by January 15 of the following year, you are considered new tax preparer and subject to the new preparer registration requirements.
Exempt from Licensing Requirements:
California CPAs
Enrolled Agents
California BAR Attorneys
Specified Banking or Trust Officials