general5

An important characteristic of any profession is the body of knowledge which is its framework for educating and testing the competence of its members.

Each level of expertise has its own requirements included in the examination to reflect one's knowledge of that field.

A. The CTP examination includes:

* 250 questions on Form 1040 and related forms

* No trick questions or assumptions

* Questions are picked from a pool of 1200+ questions developed by the

Certification Committee

* 6-8 hours to complete

* The Open Book exam also includes a written comprehensive problem

B. The CTPS examination options include:

* Partnerships

* Corporations

* Exempt Organizations

* Estates, Gift Taxes & Fiduciaries

C. There are four steps required to attain the Masters:

The candidate for Master has first demonstrated his/her ability and expertise in the area of Tax Preparation through the successful completionof the CTP exam and three Specialty exams. The additional requirements are as follows:

1. Submit a Research Proposal

2. The Board of Regents will appoint a Reader/Mentor to the candidate.

3. Submit the Final Research Draft

4. Certification

After passing the examination, Certification must be renewed every two years. Sixty (60) hours of continuing education every two years will be required to renew Certification. A CTPS must have an additional five hours continuing education per specialty for each renewal period. A renewal fee will be required at that time.

Details for all requirements are found in the CPT Program Information Guide which may be obtained from the Registrar upon request.

Candidates for the Cerfication examination must meet the following standards:

* Be of sound moral character

* Be a natural person (not a partnership, etc.)

* Have one letter of recommendation from another Tax Preparer or Client attesting

to their moral character and employment

* ITC encourages membership in a national tax oriented organization

* Be a graduate of post secondary accounting programs, or, Be a graduate of post

secondary income tax programs, or, have been in the income tax preparation field

as a paid preparer for a minimum of three of the last four years