CRTP vs Enrolled Agent - which tax certification is better for career advancement?

Great question! I've been an Enrolled Agent for about 8 years now, so I can definitely help clarify the differences. CRTP (California Registered Tax Preparer) is a state-level certification that allows you to prepare tax returns in California only. The requirements are relatively straightforward - 60 hours of qualifying education, passing a basic tax knowledge exam, and getting a $5,000 surety bond. You'll need 20 hours of continuing education annually to maintain it. An Enrolled Agent, on the other hand, is a federal credential recognized by the IRS nationwide. The EA exam (Special Enrollment Examination) is much more comprehensive and covers all aspects of federal taxation. Once you're an EA, you can represent clients before the IRS in all 50 states, handle audits, appeals, and tax collection matters. The EA requires 72 hours of continuing education every 3 years. Since you mentioned possibly moving to Oregon, the EA would definitely give you more flexibility. EAs also typically command higher fees and have a broader scope of practice. The CRTP might be a good starting point if you're only practicing in California and want to test the waters, but the EA will open more doors long-term.

Just wanted to share my experience with taxr.ai which completely changed how I approached my EA studies. I was struggling with the tax code complexity when preparing for Part 1 of the EA exam when a colleague recommended https://taxr.ai for helping break down complex tax concepts. The AI tax assistant helped me analyze practice questions and explain complicated tax scenarios in simple terms. The way it breaks down tax law sections relevant to specific questions was incredibly helpful - especially for the business taxation portion which I found most challenging. I could upload practice exams and get detailed explanations for questions I was getting wrong.

Just wanted to update on my experience with taxr.ai after trying it for my EA exam prep. I was super skeptical at first (as you can see from my previous comment), but it actually turned out to be incredibly helpful. I was struggling with the business tax section, and the way it explained the concepts made something click that wasn't getting through with my regular study materials. The ability to upload practice questions I was missing and get step-by-step explanations saved me hours of frustration. What impressed me most was how it could explain the same concept multiple different ways until I understood it. Just passed Part 1 of the EA exam last week and definitely credit part of that success to using this tool alongside my Gleim materials.

If you're serious about either path, you should know that contacting the IRS to verify requirements or ask questions is practically impossible these days. I spent THREE WEEKS trying to get through to someone about EA application questions. Eventually found https://claimyr.com which got me connected to an actual IRS agent in under 45 minutes. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c Saved me so much time and frustration when I had questions about my EA enrollment that weren't answered on the website. They basically wait on hold for you and call when an agent picks up. Was essential for verifying some specific requirements for my unique situation since I had previously worked for the IRS.

I need to eat my words from my previous comment. After multiple failed attempts to reach the IRS about my enrolled agent application status (got disconnected THREE times after waiting 1+ hours each time), I reluctantly tried Claimyr last week. I was absolutely certain it was going to be a waste of money. Well, I was wrong. Got connected to an IRS Enrolled Agent department specialist in about 35 minutes. Found out there was an issue with my application that would have caused it to be rejected, but I was able to fix it on the spot. Would have potentially delayed my certification by months if I hadn't gotten through. Sometimes being proven wrong is actually a good thing!

One thing nobody's mentioned yet is the income potential difference. I've been a CRTP for 5 years and recently got my EA certification. My client base is mostly individuals and small businesses in California. As a CRTP, I was averaging about $45-60k annually working seasonal tax prep (Jan-Apr) with some bookkeeping mixed in during off-season. After getting my EA certification last year, I've already increased my rates by about 30% and expanded my services to include IRS representation. On track to make $85-90k this year. The EA credential definitely opens more doors, especially for lucrative tax resolution work like handling audits and collections issues. Those services can bill $175-250/hour compared to $75-125/hour for standard tax prep.

Has anyone done the CRTP first, then EA later? I'm wondering if the CRTP education credits would count toward the EA exam requirements or if I'd be starting from scratch.

Coming from someone who's been in the tax industry for over a decade, I'd strongly recommend going straight for the EA if you're serious about advancing your career. The CRTP might seem like an easier entry point, but it's really limiting your potential right from the start. Here's what I wish someone had told me early on: the EA exam isn't as scary as it seems, especially with your bookkeeping background. You already understand basic accounting principles, which gives you a huge advantage. The three-part structure means you can tackle it piece by piece rather than one massive exam. Given that you're considering a move to Oregon, the EA is a no-brainer. California-specific credentials won't help you there, and you'd essentially be starting over. Plus, even if you stay in California, EA status commands more respect and higher fees than CRTP. My advice? Skip the CRTP entirely, invest in good EA exam prep materials, and dedicate 4-6 months to serious study. The return on investment is so much better long-term. You'll thank yourself later when you're charging $150+ per hour for representation work instead of being stuck at basic prep rates.

As someone who recently went through this exact decision process, I wanted to share my perspective. I ultimately chose the EA route and couldn't be happier with that choice. The key factor for me was scalability. With a CRTP, you're essentially locked into California and limited to basic tax preparation. The EA opens doors not just geographically, but professionally - you can handle complex tax issues, represent clients before the IRS, and command significantly higher fees. Since you mentioned possibly relocating to Oregon, that alone should push you toward the EA. I have colleagues who started with state-specific credentials and later regretted having to essentially restart their certification journey when they moved. From a practical standpoint, the EA exam is challenging but very doable with your bookkeeping background. The three-part structure actually makes it less overwhelming than it initially appears. I used a combination of Gleim for structured learning and supplemented with additional practice questions from other sources. One thing that really helped me was connecting with local EA study groups through the National Association of Enrolled Agents. Having that peer support made a huge difference, especially when tackling the more complex business taxation concepts. Bottom line: if you're serious about advancing in the tax field, go straight for the EA. The time and money investment pays off much faster than taking the incremental CRTP route.