In today's world, if you need an electrician or plumber, you need to contract a person with a license. Even if you do the work yourself, you still need an inspector. As with taxes, you should be required to have a license to prepare income taxes. I have attended many classes and spent thousands of dollars for continuing ed credits over my 28 years as a paid preparer. Now i was required to buy the book to study for the test, pay to take the test which I passed and pay to more required continuing ed classes and buy e-file software each year. Each year I spend thousands before I open the door. If I have to pay, so should everyone else.