MYCPE ONE

AFSP Continuing Education Requirements

Know Your Requirement

AFSP CE Requirements Overview

Last Reviewed on: 20 Oct, 2026

CE RequirementsAFSP participants required to complete AFTR must earn 18 CE hours annually; those exempt from AFTR must earn 15 hours.
License Renewal PeriodDecember 31st, annually.
CE Reporting CycleDecember 31st, annually.
Ethics RequirementTwo (2) hours of federal ethics.
Carry Over CreditsCarry forward of credits is not allowed.
Subject Area Restriction

PTIN holders who are required to complete the AFTR course:  

    • 6-hour Annual Federal Tax Refresher (AFTR) course  
    • 10 hours of Federal Tax Law  
    • 2 hours of Federal Ethics  

PTIN holders who are exempt from the AFTR course:  

    • 3 hours of Federal Tax Updates   
    • 10 hours of Federal Tax Law  
    • 2 hours of Federal Ethics.

Note: The Annual Filing Season Program (AFSP) is a voluntary program designed to recognize non-credentialed tax return preparers who seek to achieve a higher level of professionalism. To participate, preparers must complete 18 hours of continuing education (CE), including a 6-hour Federal Tax Law Refresher (AFTR) course with a test. They must also renew their Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) for the upcoming year and agree to comply with the obligations outlined in Circular 230, Subpart B and Section 10.51. Upon fulfilling all these requirements, participants receive an Annual Filing Season Program – Record of Completion from the IRS. Click here for more info

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compliance requirements

Simplifying Regulations for 2026

AFSP CE RequirementAFSP participants who are required to take AFTR must complete 18 CE hours each year, while those exempt from AFTR must complete 15 CE.
Ethics RequirementTwo (2) hours of federal ethics. View more
Content Requirement

PTIN holders who are required to complete the AFTR course: 

    • 6-hour Annual Federal Tax Refresher (AFTR) course 
    • 10 hours of Federal Tax Law 
    • 2 hours of Federal Ethics

PTIN holders who are exempt from the AFTR course: 

    • 3 hours of Federal Tax Updates 
    • 10 hours of Federal Tax Law 
    • 2 hours of Federal Ethics.
Subject AreasThe subject areas for CE credits for AFSPs include Federal Ethics, Federal Tax Law Update, and Federal Tax Law Topics. View more
Learning ModesAll CPE can be completed through self-study programs.
Eligible Learning ActivitiesAnnual Filing Season Program (AFSP) can complete their CE through formal programs requiring attendance, individual study (Self-Study) or correspondence programs (including taped programs like Live Webinars). View More
CE DeadlineCE credits must be completed by December 31st, annually.
Fast Track CEOur Fast Track AFSP CE packages are expertly curated bundles that meet AFSP’s exact continuing education requirements. Save significant time selecting individual courses by choosing our comprehensive packages that cover all your CE needs. View more
ReportingCE credits must be reported on December 31st, annually.
License RenewalRenew your license by December 31st, annually. Failure to renew may result in revocation of the Record of Completion and possible disqualification from the Annual Filing Season Program based on noncompliance. View more
Carry ForwardCarry forward of credits is not allowed. 
Record RetentionMaintain records of completed CE credits for 1 year as they may be subject to audit by the state board. View more
Renewal FeesEach IRS-approved CE provider sets its own fees for course participants, but the IRS does not impose any fees for program participation. View more

Are MYCPE ONE Courses Approved for CE credits for the Annual Filing Season Program (AFSP)? - Yes!

Annual Filing Season Program (AFSP) accepts continuing education courses from IRS sponsors, and MYCPE ONE is a registered sponsor and specializes in various learning formats, including -  

  • Self-Study 
  • Onlin/Group Internet Based
  • In Person

You can verify our IRS CE Provider Registration under MYCPE ONE on the IRS Registry. For convenient access to our courses, Click here to explore the MYCPE ONE course catalog. We offer an all-inclusive subscription model, similar to Netflix, where a single subscription gives you access to the most extensive online course catalog. Plus, our subscription rates are 60% lower than other platforms. Subscribe today!

Contact Information for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

Internal Revenue Service 

Office of Professional Responsibility 

IR Room 7238 

1111 Constitution Avenue NW 

Washington, DC 20224 

Main Line: 202-317-6897 

eFax: 855-814-1722 

Website: IRS


We Review CE Compliance Requirements Every Six Months

At MYCPE ONE, we are committed to providing professionals across all designations with the most accurate and up-to-date continuing education information. Our team reviews and updates the CE requirement information for Annual Filing Season Program (AFSP) every Six months to reflect the latest standards and policies set by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

While we work diligently to ensure accuracy, we encourage professionals to confirm the requirements directly with their respective boards or credentialing authorities through the official links provided here.

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Annual Filing Season Program (AFSP) CE Compliance

All-in-one package to fast-track your Annual Filing Season Program (AFSP) compliance, saving time and effort.

Frequently Asked Questions

AFSP participants who must take the AFTR course need 18 CE hours annually. Participants who are exempt from AFTR must complete 15 CE hours annually.

Yes, AFSP participants must complete 2 hours of federal ethics during each reporting cycle. Click here to view the ethics course on MYCPE ONE.

Yes, those completing the AFTR must take a 6-hour AFTR course, 10 hours of Federal Tax Law, and 2 hours of Federal Ethics. Exempt participants need 3 hours of Federal Tax Updates, 10 hours of Federal Tax Law, and 2 hours of Federal Ethics.

Approved subject areas include Federal Ethics, Federal Tax Law Update, and Federal Tax Law Topics.

Yes, all CPE hours can be completed through self-study programs from approved providers.

Annual Filing Season Program (AFSP) can complete their CE through formal programs requiring attendance, individual study (Self-Study) or correspondence programs (including taped programs like Live Webinars). View more 

CPE credits must be completed by December 31st each year.

Fast Track CPE from MYCPE ONE offers expertly curated AFSP packages that meet the CE requirements of IRS. These comprehensive packages cover all your CE needs and save time selecting individual courses.

CE credits must be reported by December 31st annually.

AFSP licenses must be renewed by December 31st each year.  

No, carry forward of credits is not allowed.

Participants should maintain records of completed CE credits for at least one year, as they may be subject to audit.

Each IRS-approved CE provider sets its own fees for course participants; however, the IRS does not impose any fees for program participation. Read more

For additional details, you can refer to the IRS official website. 

Yes, MYCPE ONE courses are approved for Annual Filing Season Program (AFSP), as we are registered as CE Provider with the IRS (Approval ID: GEHNZ) and also recognized by NASBA as an approved provider (Sponsor ID: 143597). You can check the eligibility of each course by referring to the "CREDITS" section on the course page.

No, it's voluntary. Anyone with a preparer tax identification number (PTIN) can prepare tax returns for compensation, but continuing education is encouraged for all tax return preparers.

Complete the required continuing education by December 31 of the calendar year before the filing season. For example, to receive a Record of Completion for filing season 2027, finish your CE by December 31, 2026. You must also have an active PTIN for the year of participation and agree to follow the applicable duties and restrictions under Circular 230. Failure to comply may result in revocation of your Record of Completion and disqualification from future participation. Read more

Some unenrolled preparers are exempt from the AFTR course requirement because they have completed recognized state or national competency tests or meet other qualifying criteria. Exempt preparers must still meet the other AFSP requirements, including completing 15 hours of IRS-approved CE: 10 hours of Federal Tax Law, 3 hours of Federal Tax Law Updates and 2 hours of Ethics.

The following return preparers may obtain an AFSP Record of Completion without taking the AFTR course:

    • Individuals who passed the IRS Registered Tax Return Preparer test between November 2011 and January 2013.
    • Active registrants in state-based return preparer programs with testing requirements, including those of the Oregon Board of Tax Practitioners, California Tax Education Council and Maryland State Board of Individual Tax Preparers.
    • Tax practitioners who passed Part I of the Special Enrollment Examination (SEE) within the past three years.
    • VITA volunteers who are quality reviewers or instructors and have active PTINs.
    • Holders of an accredited tax-focused credential from the Accreditation Council for Accountancy and Taxation, including the Accredited Business Accountant/Advisor (ABA) or Accredited Tax Preparer (ATP).

If you are exempt from the AFTR course, you must meet the alternative requirements to receive an AFSP Record of Completion. These include completing 15 hours of IRS-approved CE, having a valid PTIN for the upcoming filing season and consenting to the Circular 230 practice requirements.

You do not need to notify the IRS of your exemption. The IRS obtains exemption information directly from the relevant testing source, such as the Oregon Board of Tax Practitioners.

After you complete your CE requirements and renew your PTIN for the upcoming year, the IRS will email you from Taxpros@ptin.irs.gov. The email will explain how to consent to the Circular 230 practice requirements and access your certificate in your online secure mailbox.

If you do not have an online PTIN account, you will receive a letter with instructions for completing the application process and obtaining your certificate.

Any Federal Tax Law Update credits earned beyond the required amount will count toward your Federal Tax Law requirement for that calendar year. The PTIN system will automatically apply the excess credits to the Federal Tax Law category, although they will still appear in the Federal Tax Law Update category in your online account.

Yes. PTIN holders may continue to have limited representation rights before certain IRS offices for clients whose returns they prepared and signed on or before December 31, 2015.

For returns prepared and signed after December 31, 2015, limited representation rights are available only to AFSP participants who receive a Record of Completion. PTIN holders without an AFSP Record of Completion or another professional credential cannot represent clients before the IRS for those returns.

Attorneys, CPAs and enrolled agents continue to have unlimited representation rights and may represent clients before any IRS office.

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