Become a Certified Tax Preparer in California: CTEC Qualifying Course
- Description
- Curriculum
- FAQ
- Notice
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
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Understand and apply federal and California income tax laws to prepare individual tax returns
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Identify and correctly report various types of income, deductions, and tax credits
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Determine filing status, claim dependents, and calculate tax liability
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Prepare federal and state tax forms, including Form 1040 and related schedules
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Navigate specialized tax topics such as small business income, retirement distributions, capital gains, and depreciation
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Stay current with recent tax law updates affecting the 2025 filing season
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Recognize and apply professional responsibilities and ethical standards, including those outlined in Circular 230 and California law
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Understand potential penalties for noncompliance and the importance of due diligence in tax preparation
Designed For:
This course is ideal for:
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Individuals new to the tax preparation industry
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Anyone seeking to become a CTEC Registered Tax Preparer (CRTP)
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Career changers exploring entry into the tax field
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Those needing a flexible, self-paced, CTEC-approved education option
Background
All CTEC-approved Qualifying Education (QE) providers are required to provide students with a copy of CP36-01 – Provider Notification to New Preparers upon completion of the 60-hour QE course.
Important Notice
Successfully completing the 60-hour QE course does not authorize you to prepare tax returns in California.
You must also register with the California Tax Education Council (CTEC) to legally prepare returns.
Registration Timeline
● You have 18 months from the date on your course completion certificate to register with CTEC.
● If you do not register within 18 months, you must retake the 60-hour QE course before registering.
● Continuing Education (CE) completed before your official CTEC registration cannot be applied toward renewal requirements.
How to Register with CTEC
Registration must be completed online at www.ctec.org.
You will need:
● Online application for new preparers
● Background check and Live Scan fingerprinting
● $5,000 tax preparer bond
● Valid IRS PTIN
● Registration fee: $33 (Visa, MasterCard, or debit card accepted)
Registration Options
Option 1: Register before November 1
● Registration expires October 31 of the same year.
● Example: If you register on October 15, 2023, your registration ends October 31, 2023.
● You must complete 20 hours of CE between October 15 and October 31, 2023, to renew for the next cycle.
Option 2: Register after October 31
● Registration applies to the next full cycle (Nov 1–Oct 31).
● Example: If you register on November 2, 2023, your registration is valid until October 31, 2024.
● You must complete 20 hours of CE between November 2, 2023, and October 31, 2024, to renew for the following cycle.
Key Reminders
● The CTEC registration year runs November 1 – October 31.
● After your initial registration, you must:
○ Complete 20 hours of CE annually (from a CTEC-approved provider)
○ Renew your registration by October 31 each year
● Late Renewal Period: November 1 – January 15 (late fee applies; you may not prepare taxes during this period).
● If you do not renew by January 15, you must start over by:
○ Retaking the 60-hour QE course
○ Submitting a new application
○ Completing Live Scan fingerprinting and background check
○ Obtaining a $5,000 tax preparer bond
○ Maintaining a valid IRS PTIN
○ Registering again as a new preparer
