EnrolledAgentKit

EA exam dates and testing window

The 2026-27 SEE testing window for U.S. candidates runs from July 1, 2026 to Feb. 28, 2027; there is no testing in March and April while the IRS updates the exam for new tax law.

Updated 2026-09-23 · 1 source · By the EnrolledAgentKit team

Key dates

Window opens
July 1, 2026
domestic
Window closes
Feb. 28, 2027
Blackout
March-April
exam update
Usual start
May 1
delayed this year
Attempts
4 per part
per window
Carryover
3 years
per passed part

International candidates

International testing is remote-only with a proctor, and it is temporarily delayed: scheduling was expected Sept. 1, 2026 with testing from Sept. 2, but the IRS says new dates have not been set. Candidates whose passed parts would expire under the 3-year carryover because of the delay get extra time.

Planning around the window

  • The exam tests 2025 law all window long, so studying in fall 2026 means studying 2025 figures, not 2026 ones.
  • Parts passed before March 2027 carry over for 3 years from each pass date.
  • If you plan all three parts, spacing them 4-8 weeks apart fits comfortably before Feb. 28.

How many weeks do you need?

Hour ranges are editorial estimates; the biggest-domain share uses the IRS question counts.

Planning estimates only. Domain weights from the IRS SEE content specifications; hour ranges are EnrolledAgentKit editorial estimates.

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Frequently asked questions

When does the EA exam window open each year?

Generally May 1, running through the end of February. The 2026-27 window opened July 1, 2026 because of the transition to PSI.

Can I take the EA exam in March?

No. March and April are the annual blackout while the exam is updated.

Sources

  1. IRS - Enrolled agents: Frequently asked questions (accessed 2026-09-23)
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