When TAAD receives your registration
Confirmation will be sent to the student via email, fax or mail. TAAD will send course materials when we 1) have received payment for the course, and 2) you have noted on your registration form that you request the materials be mailed to you prior to class. If you will pay using a purchase order, please advise in advance.

TAAD ships materials via media rate so that students receive course materials no later than two weeks prior to the course. (NOTE: If you haven’t received your class materials by the two-week mark, please call TAAD to confirm registration.)

If registering less than two weeks before the course, students should first call TAAD to check on availability of space in the class before sending in the registration form. If space is available, class materials will be held for pickup at the registration table on the first morning of class.

Before Attending Class
It’s always a good idea to review the course material prior to class. Being prepared for class will make it a more rewarding experience for the student and will help to lessen anxiety!

Course Time Schedule
Registration begins at 8 a.m. on the first day of class; this is almost always a Monday. Generally, courses start at 8:30 a.m. and end at 5 p.m. each day. If in doubt, ask your instructor, because occasionally an instructor may suggest a slightly different schedule to complement the class environment.

The end of course testing schedule generally follows this pattern; however, check with your instructor at the beginning of class for specific times and review options.
• 7 hour (1 day) classes end at 5 p.m.; includes Course 31(no exam)
• 13-14 hour (2 day) classes end about 3 p.m. on day 2; exam follows immediately; includes Course 30, 32
• 16 hour (2½ day) classes end at 5 p.m. on day 2; exam is on morning of day 3; includes Course 11, 12, 13, and 14
• 16 hour (2 day) instructor training classes end by 5 p.m. on day 2; while there is no exam, trainees will perform teaching demonstrations on Day 2; includes Course 26
• 21 hour (3 day) classes end at 5 p.m. on day 3; includes Course 7 (exam at end of each of the three class days) and Courses 10 and 23 (exam is on morning of day 4)
• 24-25 hour (3½ day) classes end at 5 p.m. on day 3; exam is on morning of day 4; includes Courses 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 25, 27
• 32 hour (4½ day) classes end no later than noon on day 5: exam is after lunch of day 5; includes Courses 1, 2, 8.

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End of Course Exams
The Board of Tax Professional Examiners allows up to two hours to complete the end of course exam. The exam is taken directly from the written course material and class lectures.

What to Bring to Class
Students should bring with them:
• Student course outline (if received in advance)
• Any textbooks required for class
• A silent calculator (12-digit display)
• Your favorite writing utensils
• Light sweater or jacket, just in case

At class you’ll be asked if you wish to complete a waiver of confidentiality. TAAD requires this if your grades are to be released to your employer.

Suggested Dress Code
Casual business attire is suitable for all courses. Since you can’t predict the temperature of the room, bring a sweater or jacket if you’re concerned you’ll get cold.

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Class Hours: Auditing or Taking for Certification?
Students already certified as an RPA, RTA, or RTC who are auditing a course must inform the instructor before the course whether they are taking the exam (for full credit) or auditing.

Note: Only BTPE registrants who are already certified may audit the course. Students working toward their certification must take the exam for credit. Students who audit a class do not take the course exam(s); BTPE grants ¾ hour CEUs per classroom hour for auditing.

Students taking a class and seeking certification credit through another agency (for example, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation) must notify TAAD in advance and provide any documentation materials that are to be submitted to the other agency to substantiate the student’s course completion.

Waiver of confidentiality
TAAD will not release your confidential grades unless you have signed a “waiver of confidentiality” before leaving the class.

When to expect your grades
In most cases you should receive your grade, confirmation of passing grade and course completion certificate from TAAD within a week after your end of course exam. The same is true if you are receiving a notice of failing the course or a confirmation that you audited the course.

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Reporting to BTPE
TAAD reports your passing grade (or confirmation of course audit) to BTPE as soon as they are completed. Please advise us in advance if you are on a tight schedule to complete a course for certification or recertification credit. BTPE updates its continuing education data monthly; students may wish to confirm that credit has been noted.

Retaking an exam
If you have already taken a course with TAAD, but did not pass the exam, you may retake the exam the next time TAAD offers that course in Austin. For a returning TAAD student, the cost to retake the exam is $25. If you did not take the course from TAAD, the charge to retake an exam is $50.

Under either circumstance, we suggest you check on the course schedule so that you arrive in time to attend the final review of course materials.

Challenging a course
Currently, BTPE has no provisions for challenging a course – that is, foregoing the class and instead taking the exam for a grade.

Replacing a lost certificate or pass letter
There is a $5 charge to replace a lost course completion certificate or to issue a duplicate "pass letter."

Retaking an RPA Review Course
If you have already taken a review course with TAAD, but did not pass the BTPE exam, you may retake the review course the next time TAAD offers it. For a returning TAAD student, the cost to retake the review course is $25.

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Cancellation and refund policy

To be eligible for a refund, notice of the cancellation must be received in writing at least seven days prior to the first day of class.  A refund, less a $75 administrative fee, will be issued. [Effective 1-1-07]  No refund will be given for class materials mailed in advance or optional textbooks purchased in advance.  TAAD does not accept or re-sell previously mailed materials.

No-shows
If you have not notified TAAD in writing by noon of the day before class starts that you will not attend a class for which you have registered, you will be marked as a “no-show”. There are no refunds for no-shows.

Insufficient enrollment
At least five students must register for a class in order for it to be held. Should registration fall short of that number, TAAD will notify students approximately one week prior to the first day of class. Full refunds will be issued to registrants.

Inclement weather
TAAD intends to offer classes as advertised. In case of inclement weather, the decision to continue or cancel classes will be made on a case by case basis, and students will be notified immediately.

Location
For 2007, TAAD uses the Austin Doubletree Hotel as the site for all its state certification courses and RPA review courses. The hotel is located at 6505 IH-35 North.

Room rates are $85 for a single or $125 double, with free parking.  When making reservations, students should call (512)454-3737 or (800)347-0330 and ask for the TAAD block rate. Reservations must be made no later than three weeks prior to class to secure the rate.  TAAD cannot guarantee room availability or rates when reservations are made after this time.

Current as of September 6, 2006

It's always a good idea to review the course material prior to class.  Being prepared for class will make it a more rewarding experience for the student and will help to lessen anxiety!