How Many Enrolled Agents Are There?

If you’re asking how many enrolled agents are there, the short answer is: about 66,700 active enrolled agents worldwide, based on IRS data last updated in September 2024. Most of them are in the United States, which shows both strong demand for tax representation and a well-established EA profession.

What the IRS data says

The IRS maintains a public list of active enrolled agents, and that list is updated twice a year. Based on the most recent update referenced in the source, there were more than 66,700 active EAs worldwide as of September 2024.

That number matters because enrolled agents are federally authorized tax practitioners. Unlike many tax roles that are limited by state rules or employer scope, EAs can represent taxpayers before the IRS nationwide.

A few key points:

• The EA credential is issued by the IRS
• EAs can represent individuals, businesses, and other taxpayers before the IRS
• The active EA count includes professionals both inside and outside the U.S.

So while the profession is specialized, it’s not tiny. There are tens of thousands of active EAs, which makes it a recognized and practical credential for tax professionals.

Where are most enrolled agents located?

The vast majority of enrolled agents are in the United States. According to the source data, roughly 94% of active EAs are U.S.-based.

California has the largest number of enrolled agents by a wide margin, followed by states such as Florida and New York. That pattern makes sense: larger states with heavy tax-prep activity tend to have more EAs.

There are also enrolled agents outside the U.S. Because EAs handle U.S. tax matters, some work internationally with:

• U.S. citizens living abroad
• Expats with filing obligations
• International clients with U.S. tax issues
• Businesses dealing with U.S. tax compliance

So if you’re wondering whether the credential has value beyond a local market, the answer is yes. The EA license is tied to federal tax practice, which gives it broad reach.

What this means if you want to become an EA

The number of active enrolled agents shows that this is a real, established career path—but not an overcrowded one. For aspiring EAs, that’s encouraging.

To become an enrolled agent, most candidates must:

1. Get a PTIN
2. Pass all three parts of the Special Enrollment Examination (SEE)
3. Apply for enrollment with the IRS after passing

The three exam parts are:

• Part 1: Individuals
• Part 2: Businesses
• Part 3: Representation, Practices, and Procedures

There are no formal education requirements to sit for the exam, which is one reason the credential appeals to tax preparers, bookkeepers, accounting staff, and career changers.

If you’re studying while working full time, focused practice matters more than collecting endless materials. A platform like Enrolled Angel at enrld.com can help with targeted EA practice questions, mock exams, and review across all three parts.

Practical takeaway

There are about 66,700 active enrolled agents worldwide, with most based in the U.S. For candidates, that’s a useful signal: the EA is a respected credential with steady relevance in tax practice, and it remains accessible to professionals willing to prepare well for the SEE.