Internal Revenue Service United States Department of the Treasury
Level Basic Intermediate Advanced Military International

Course Introduction

Student Certification Paths

Returning Student Optional Shortcut

Returning students are those individuals who have served as volunteer preparers for VITA/TCE in the past, and have received previous VITA/TCE training. Volunteers who are returning students, may not need all of the instruction that a new student requires. You are encouraged to view the Returning Student lesson that pertains to the certifications in Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, Military, or International.

Two choices are available from the Returning Student optional shortcut. You may:

  1. Take the certification tests without the benefit of training, or
  2. Take the training as a refresher course

Here are the minimal training requirements:

  • Returning Student Lesson
  • Complete and pass the Volunteer Standards of Conduct training, test, and sign Form 13615, prior to working at a VITA/TCE site.
  • At least one of the five course certification tests—remember that all students must be certified in Basic, then Intermediate, and then any of the other three
Collage: Volunteer and Returning Student introduction screen.