EA Exam Dates 2026 | India Schedule & PSI Guide
The IRS previously said international scheduling would open on 1 September 2026 and testing on 2 September 2026. As of the IRS FAQ update on 27 August 2026, both dates have been paused and new start dates have not yet been determined. U.S. domestic testing at PSI centres and U.S. remote proctoring remain live for the 1 July 2026 â 28 February 2027 window.
Score carryover extended for international candidates: for passed parts that would expire after 1 May 2026, the IRS says the 3-year carryover period is extended until international testing resumes. Watch the IRS Enrolled Agents FAQ for updated dates.
For Indian candidates, the 2026 EA exam international testing window was set to run 1 September 2026 to 28 February 2027, but the IRS has now delayed international scheduling and testing (announced 27 August 2026) with new dates yet to be confirmed. The U.S. window is still open (from 1 July 2026). The exam is administered by PSI Services, international testing will be remote-only, and there is no testing during the annual MarchâApril blackout. The fee is $317 per part, and you can reschedule free up to 48 hours before your slot.
EA Exam Dates 2026: The Official Testing Window
The SEE is generally offered from May 1 to the end of February, with March and April reserved as the annual blackout. For 2026, the IRS set a transition schedule because PSI replaced Prometric â testing paused after 28 February 2026 and resumes 1 July 2026.
| Candidate location | 2026 testing window | Scheduling opens | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. domestic | Jul 1, 2026 â Feb 28, 2027 | May 1, 2026 | U.S. candidates can test earlier in the new PSI cycle. |
| International (incl. India) | Was Sep 1, 2026 â Feb 28, 2027 â now delayed | Delayed â new date TBC | IRS paused international scheduling on 27 Aug 2026; watch the IRS FAQ for the new start date. |
| Blackout | March & April | â | No testing while the exam is updated for current tax law. |
For a broader certification calendar, see our finance exam dates guide. This page focuses only on EA exam dates, India remote testing, and scheduling decisions.
EA Exam Dates in India: Remote-Only Testing (Currently Delayed by IRS)
Don't plan around physical international test-centre appointments for the 2026 EA-SEE. The IRS states that international testing for the SEE is available only by remote online proctoring â there is no in-person international testing. On 27 August 2026, the IRS also delayed the international scheduling and testing start (previously 1 and 2 September 2026), with new dates yet to be announced. Passed parts expiring after 1 May 2026 have their 3-year carryover extended until international testing resumes.
Your international window was set to open on 1 September 2026 but is now delayed by the IRS with no new date confirmed. Use the wait to finish your PTIN, complete Surgent study, and hit ReadySCORE green â so you can book on day one when international scheduling reopens. Once the window opens, don't schedule all three parts at the end of February â reschedules and retakes become difficult as the window closes.
Because testing is remote, plan your laptop, internet, room setup, ID documents and time zone carefully before booking. For a deeper setup walkthrough, see our EA exam access guide for India, and for the vendor change, the EA exam PSI transition guide.
The MarchâApril Blackout: Why It Matters
The SEE isn't offered in March and April, because the IRS updates the exam for the latest tax law. Candidates who leave a part until late February lose flexibility if they fail, hit a technical issue, or need to reschedule.
Treat January as your practical final month for first attempts. Keep February for emergency reschedules or one carefully planned part â not for all three exams.
| Month | Good use for EA candidates | Risk to watch |
|---|---|---|
| MayâAug 2026 | PTIN (Form W-12/8946 if needed), study plan, Surgent baseline | India can't test until Sep 1. |
| SepâNov 2026 | Best window for your first and second parts | Book remote slots early. |
| Dec 2026âJan 2027 | Final part, retake prep, or later starters | Holiday and year-end work pressure. |
| Feb 2027 | Emergency or one planned final part | Limited buffer before blackout. |
| MarâApr 2027 | No testing | Annual blackout. |
How to Book Your EA Exam Date Through PSI
For the 2026 cycle you schedule the EA-SEE through PSI â online at the PSI website, or by phone (844-645-2218 toll-free; 913-456-7498 internationally). Confirm PTIN readiness, name matching, your remote-testing environment, and study readiness before you choose a date.
Complete your PTIN first. Most candidates need a PTIN before planning. Indian candidates without an SSN apply by post â see our PTIN guide.
Choose the part. Parts can be taken in any order. If unsure, see which part to take first.
Check readiness before paying. Use mock exams and ReadySCORE â don't pay just because you finished the videos once.
Book the PSI appointment. Schedule only after confirming your remote setup, ID details, and time zone.
Save the confirmation number. You'll need it to reschedule, cancel, or access score reporting.
Rescheduling & Cancellation Rules
The fee is $317 per part. Under PSI, the reschedule rule is a simple 48-hour line:
| Timing | What happens |
|---|---|
| 48+ hours before | No fee to reschedule or cancel. |
| Less than 48 hours before | You must pay another full $317 examination fee. |
| Missed, or 30+ minutes late | Your entire fee is forfeited. |
A no-show or arriving 30 minutes late forfeits the whole $317. Build a buffer for internet or ID issues on a remote sitting, and never schedule when you're unsure you can attend. Full cost detail is in our EA exam cost guide.
How Exam Dates Affect Retakes
Each part can be taken up to four times per testing window. If you fail a part, you must wait 24 hours before rescheduling that same part â but you can book a different part without waiting.
- Early dates are better. Sit Part 1 in September or October and, if you fail, you still have time to review the diagnostic, do adaptive practice, and retake before the window closes.
- Late February is risky. Fail near 28 February and the MarchâApril blackout delays your next attempt and breaks momentum.
Already had a setback? See our retake strategy guide and the score report guide before booking again.
When Should Indian Candidates Start Studying?
The best exam date isn't the earliest available slot â it's the earliest slot after your readiness is strong. India testing was scheduled to open on 1 September 2026 but the IRS has now delayed it, with new dates to be announced. The table below assumes the original window; adjust once the IRS confirms a new international start date.
| Target exam date | Start studying by | Best for | Approach |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 2026 | MayâJun 2026 | Prior tax/accounting background | Baseline assessment, weak-area focus, ReadySCORE before booking. |
| OctâNov 2026 | JunâJul 2026 | Most working professionals | Steady plan with MCQs, mocks, weekly weak-area repair. |
| Dec 2026âJan 2027 | AugâSep 2026 | Fresh graduates / beginners | Build concepts first, then mixed MCQs and simulated exams. |
| February 2027 | Ready by January | Final part, retake, late starters | Avoid as a first serious attempt unless ReadySCORE supports it. |
Plan further with our study-plan strategies and the 100-hour blueprints for Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.
Book with readiness data, not emotion
Surgent's adaptive engine finds your weak areas and ReadySCORE predicts your exam-day score â so you book the PSI slot only when you're genuinely ready, not just because you've paid.
Explore the Surgent EA Course âWhat to Expect on Exam Day
Each part is 100 questions over 3.5 hours, now split into three sections (questions 1â34, 35â67, 68â100) with two optional 10-minute breaks after Q34 and Q67.
Once you submit a section, you cannot return to review or change answers in it (per the PSI candidate information bulletin). Finish and check each section before moving on. Full format detail is in our EA Exam 2026 guide.
India Booking Checklist
Run through this before you pay â it prevents booking errors, reschedule costs, and last-minute remote-testing problems.
Documents & system
- PTIN completed or in progress
- Name matches your ID documents exactly
- Remote-testing laptop available
- Stable internet connection
- Quiet, private room for the slot
- PSI confirmation number saved
Study readiness
- Chosen part is clear
- Core syllabus completed once
- Mixed MCQs attempted
- A timed mock exam completed
- ReadySCORE supports booking
- Error log shows weak areas improving
After Passing All Three Parts: The Enrollment Deadline
Once you pass all three parts, apply for enrollment within one year of passing your third part. Apply and pay the Form 23 fee electronically at Pay.gov (or by mail). Normal processing is around 60 days, longer for former IRS employees. Treat exam dates as part of a complete timeline â plan PTIN, study, exams, retakes, and the Form 23 application together. See our full 6-step EA roadmap.
FAQs on EA Exam Dates 2026
What are the EA exam dates for India in 2026?
For Indian candidates, the 2026 international testing window was set to open on 1 September 2026 and run to 28 February 2027, all remote-only. On 27 August 2026, the IRS delayed both international scheduling and testing with no new start date announced. Passed parts expiring after 1 May 2026 have their 3-year carryover extended until international testing resumes.
Is the EA exam offered every month?
No. It's generally offered May 1 to the end of February, but not during the annual MarchâApril blackout. For the 2026 PSI transition year, the international window was set to open on 1 September 2026 but the IRS has now delayed international scheduling and testing, with new dates to be announced.
Who conducts the EA exam in 2026?
PSI Services. The IRS moved the EA Special Enrollment Examination from Prometric to PSI, effective with the 2026 cycle.
Can Indian candidates test at a centre?
No. For the 2026 EA-SEE cycle, international testing is available only by remote online proctoring â there is no in-person international testing.
How much is the EA exam fee in 2026?
$317 per part, paid to PSI when you schedule the appointment.
Can I reschedule my EA exam date?
Yes â free if you reschedule or cancel at least 48 hours before your appointment. Inside 48 hours, you must pay another full $317 fee, and a no-show or arriving 30+ minutes late forfeits the fee entirely.
How many times can I retake a part?
Up to four times per testing window. After failing a part, wait 24 hours before rescheduling that same part; you can book a different part without waiting.
â EA Exam Fees | EA Exam Scores & Scoring â
Vicky Sarin, CA (INSEAD), is the Founder of Eduyush and an authorised global reseller for Surgent EA Review. He has supported thousands of candidates across India, the Middle East and Southeast Asia working toward global finance credentials including the EA, ACCA, DipIFR, CPA and CIA. Connect on LinkedIn.
Surgent EA via Eduyush â adaptive prep, ReadySCORE readiness tracking, access until you pass, and a free 2-year NAEA membership. Trusted by thousands of Eduyush candidates.
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