NAEA is calling upon our members to comment on new and revised regulations that have been proposed by the Oregon Board of Tax Practitioners (OBTP).   

NAEA acknowledges that exempting ALL enrolled agents from Oregon’s current licensure requirements for tax preparers will ultimately require legislative action. That remains our ultimate goal. These new and revised regulations continue to reinforce the stance that EAs do not meet the same professional standards as other credential holders and are subject to onerous and unnecessary oversight.

Here are a few examples: 

  1. 800-002-0000- Requiring out of state firms to register with the board.  
  2. 800-010-0045- Requiring a licensee to seek assistance from a person who is competent in an area of concern.  
  3. 800-010-0050- All advertising must be approved in advance by a registered tax preparation business’s designated consultant.  
  4. 800-015-0000- OBTP would accept IRS-approved coursework for continuing education credit, yet it still refuses to recognize enrolled agents credentialed and regulated by the IRS. This contradiction undermines the logic of the rule. 

The OBTP is holding a public hearing on April 30, and now is the time to make your voice heard. The last day and time to submit comments to OBTP is May 5, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time. We’ve prepared a template comment letter for you to send directly to OBTP. 

Click here to download the letter and submit your comments 

These are the board’s rules and regulations and they have the ability to revise or reject them. 

New and revised regulations like the ones being proposed just continue to disenfranchise enrolled agents and do nothing to support the need for more qualified tax preparers to serve Oregon residents.   

We continue to urge the OBTP to take a proactive stance in helping to facilitate a legislative change to exempt EAs from the tax preparer requirements. This is why we continue to reiterate our desire for an exemption in all our communications. The Board has demonstrated its ability to introduce and support legislation in the past—most recently by advancing the proposal for a new “Registered Tax Aide” designation. This illustrates that when the Board identifies a policy goal worth pursuing, it is capable of working with the legislature to make it a reality.  

If the OBTP is genuinely committed to consumer protection and a fair, inclusive regulatory environment, we ask that it support or introduce legislation granting enrolled agents the same exemption from state licensure already afforded to CPAs and attorneys.  

Enrolled agents are federally credentialed, ethical, and highly competent professionals who have earned the right to be recognized for their qualifications. The OBTP’s support in advocating for this exemption would demonstrate its integrity and leadership in advancing a regulatory framework that truly protects the public.