How long do you have to pass all three parts of the EA exam?
2026-11-03 · 3 minute read · By Binod Raj Singh, CPA
Each passed part counts for three years from the date you pass it. The clock is rolling, so plan the other two parts inside it.
The IRS lets you carry over a passing score for up to three years from the date you passed that part. Each part has its own clock.
How the rolling window works
Say you pass Part 1 on August 1, 2026. It stays valid until August 1, 2029. If you have not passed Parts 2 and 3 by then, Part 1 expires and must be retaken, while any parts you passed later keep their own dates.
Recent extensions
- US candidates whose parts were due to expire between May 1 and June 30, 2026 received a two month extension.
- For international candidates, the carryover is extended until international testing resumes.
Planning tips
- Remember the March and April closure every year; it shortens the time you can test.
- Leave room for one retake inside your window.
- After passing all three, apply for enrollment on Form 23 promptly.