1. Complete a CTEC 20 Hour Continuing Education Course from a CTEC Approved Education Provider.
The course should include 15 hours of federal tax law topics and 5 hours of California tax law topics. We offer this course in a bundle that includes all 20 hours.

2. Renew your PTIN (Preparer Tax Identification Number) Number with the IRS each year.
You can renew your PTIN number for free by going HERE.

3. Maintain a $5,000 Tax Preparer Bond
You can purchase tax preparer bonds from many different places online, and they typically cost anywhere in between $25 and $40.

4. Renew your registration and pay the $33 annual registration before October 31 of each year.
You can renew your CTEC Registration by going to CTEC.org. You cannot renew your registration until the first three steps have been completed.

If you renew your registration after October 31st, a $55 dollar late fee will be applied and you will have until January 15th to renew. If you fail to renew by January 15th, your CTEC Registration will be revoked.