The National Association of Tax Professionals announced Thursday two credentials available for tax practitioners through its new professional credentialing program.
The NATP said the designations are an essential component of its newly established Center for Professional Excellence, helping to elevate the standards of taxpayer representation across the industry.
The Center for Professional Excellence administers NATP credentials and establishes the expectations that support competence, ethics, and trust in tax practice, the organization said. Credentials offered through the Center for Professional Excellence reflect an earned commitment to ongoing education, professional development, and accountability.
“The representation credentials offered through the National Association of Tax Professionals are designed for professionals who work directly with taxpayers facing issues before the Internal Revenue Service. These credentials validate practical and advanced competencies in handling audits, collections, penalty relief, offers in compromise, and administrative appeals, while upholding ethical standards and taxpayer rights,” the NATP said. “NATP credentials are built through a rigorous standards-based process that ensures credibility, transparency, and recognition within the tax profession.”
The two new credentials are:
- Accredited Tax Professional in Representation (ATPR): The ATPR credential recognizes practitioners who have mastered the skills necessary to represent clients before the IRS on routine post-filing matters.
- Advanced Accredited Tax Professional in Representation (AATPR): The AATPR credential represents a higher level of proficiency in representation, with holders possessing deep technical expertise.
These credentials are open to any tax professional who meets the established eligibility, examination, and continuing education requirements and are designed for practitioners engaged in or interested in representation work who want formal recognition of their expertise and professional standing, the NATP said.
Both the ATPR and AATPR credentials are valid for one calendar year, beginning Jan. 1 and ending Dec. 31. Credential holders must:
- Maintain an active IRS-recognized credential in good standing.
- Complete an annual attestation confirming compliance with NATP’s Code of Ethics.
- Pay the annual renewal fee.
Continuing education required to maintain an IRS-recognized designation satisfies NATP’s CPE requirement. NATP said it doesn’t require additional CPE reporting for these credentials.
“These credentials are about more than testing knowledge,” NATP CEO Scott Artman said in a statement. “They represent a commitment to professional excellence, ethical practice, and continuous learning. Through the Center for Professional Excellence, NATP is providing tax professionals with a meaningful way to demonstrate their value and advance their careers.”
The launch of the representation credentials is the first phase of NATP’s broader credentialing framework. Additional credentials will be introduced later in 2026, including Core Individual Tax and Advanced Individual Tax, Core Business Tax and Advanced Business Tax.
“Tax professionals face increasing complexity and greater scrutiny,” Artman said. “These programs help professionals differentiate themselves while reinforcing public trust in the profession as a whole.”
More information about the credentialing program can be found here.
Thanks for reading CPA Practice Advisor!
Subscribe Already registered? Log In
Need more information? Read the FAQs
