In news release IR–2011–111 the IRS announced that the Registered Tax Return Preparer competency exam is now available. Paid preparers who obtain a PTIN before April 18, 2012 have until December 31, 2013, to pass the exam. CPAs, attorneys, Enrolled Agents, and certain supervised preparers are not required to take the exam. Provisional PTIN holders may schedule an appointment to take the exam through their online PTIN account at www.irs.gov/ptin.

• A user fee of $116 (consisting of a $27 IRS fee and an $89 exam vendor fee) must be paid when the appointment is scheduled.
• The test is timed at 2½ hours and covers tax year 2010 Form 1040 and its related schedules.
• There are 120 questions in a combination of multiple choice and true and false formats.
• Exam takers may not bring any materials with them but will be provided electronic access to Form 1040, Form 1040 instructions, and Pub. 17.
• There is no limit to the number of times a preparer can take the exam; once the preparer passes the exam and meets other IRS requirements he or she will have the designation Registered Tax Return Preparer.
• The vendor, Prometric, will eventually offer the test at 260 sites throughout the U.S. New sites are being added daily and international sites may be offered in the future.

See Fact Sheet FS–2011–12 and the Candidate Information Bulletin for additional details about preparing for and taking the exam.