Tax Preparer / Washington
2026 data Washington board official source

Washington Tax Preparer License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

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Prepares tax returns. Some states require registration beyond federal PTIN.

What the Washington data shows for Tax Preparers

To practice as a tax preparer in Washington, the state licensing board requires board-approved training, a passing score on a state-approved exam. A criminal history background check is also part of the application. The regulation sits under Washington's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Varies".

Budget $100 to get started on a 2-year cycle. Washington doesn't require continuing education for this license, so upkeep costs stay confined to the renewal fee itself.

Washington handles out-of-state credentials on a case-by-case basis instead of a standing reciprocity list.

Licensing Ease Score

B
Licensing Ease Score
72/100
Tax Preparer · Washington

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training A+
None required
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee C-
$100
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden N/A
N/A
Renewal fee annualized over the renewal cycle
Continuing Education N/A
N/A
Continuing-education hours annualized over the renewal cycle
Experience Required N/A
N/A
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Washington

Education / Training Hours
Varies
Not specified
Exam Requirement
Required
Initial License Fee
$100
Renewal Fee
N/A
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
Not required
Criminal History Check
Required

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Tax Preparer All Washington licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Washington licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Tax Preparer in Washington? ▼
In Washington, the license path calls for, a passing exam score, and a $100 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Tax Preparer in Washington? ▼
Washington licenses tax preparers who complete its requirements and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Washington licensing board.
Can I transfer my Tax Preparer license to Washington from another state? ▼
There's no published blanket reciprocity rule for tax preparers in Washington - applications from other states are reviewed individually. Interstate licensing compacts cover many occupations and may still apply. Reach out to the Washington licensing board for the current process.
Does Washington require a background check for Tax Preparer licensing? ▼
Washington does require a background check before issuing a tax preparer license. What counts as disqualifying, and how it's reviewed, is up to the state licensing board.

Related Guides

What to do with this tax preparer license

Tax Preparer in Washington is one requirement row in a tax preparer-wide, 50-state comparison.

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Washington licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.