WRITTEN COURSE / FOR CAA APPLICANTS
Forensic Document Training for Certifying Acceptance Agents
Learn to examine the original, compare the evidence and record a defensible decision. Taught by Burak Genc, EA, founder of Arc & Ledger.
$149 one-time · No subscription · U.S. certificate mailing included
12 modules · Free unlimited retakes · Two embossed originals mailed with tracking after passing and providing a complete U.S. mailing address. Outside the U.S.? Contact us before purchasing.
No IRS endorsement or course-specific acceptance is represented. Review the IRS requirements and refund terms before enrolling.
OFFICIAL SPECIMEN / U.S. NEXT GENERATION PASSPORT
An example from the course. Original SPECIMEN watermark retained. A flat reference image cannot authenticate a physical document.
U.S. Department of State · Source01 / THE DOCUMENT EXAMINATION MANUAL
Twelve modules. One consistent method.
All ten document types named in IRS forensic training guidance, plus foundations and a mixed-document capstone. Suggested total study time: about 4 hours 10 minutes; actual time varies.
Official scope: IRS forensic training guidance
- 1Foundations: forensic document examination and your duties as a CAAThe Certificate of Accuracy, the W-7 document rules, and the examination workflow25 min
- 2PassportsData page anatomy, MRZ check digits, polycarbonate vs laminated paper pages25 min
- 3USCIS photo identificationEAD (Form I-766) and Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551), the 2017 and 2023 redesigns, card generations15 min
- 4U.S. driver's licensesAAMVA standards, REAL ID markings, laser engraving, ghost images, PDF417 cross-checks20 min
- 5Foreign driver's licensesThe recurring international toolkit: polycarbonate, laser engraving, changeable laser images20 min
- 6Birth certificatesCertified copies vs photocopies, security paper, seals, delayed and amended records20 min
- 7VisasVisa foil anatomy, the red foil number, machine-readable-zone consistency checks20 min
- 8National ID cardsThe IRS five-element test, card formats by region, the unfamiliar-card protocol20 min
- 9U.S. military ID cardsCAC vs Uniformed Services ID, the Next Generation USID, INDEF cards, and the deadline DoD withdrew15 min
- 10U.S. state ID cardsNon-driver IDs, enhanced IDs, Federal Limits Apply vs privilege cards15 min
- 11Foreign voter registration cardsMexico's INE credencial feature by feature, QR data and validity checks, why it is never stand-alone15 min
- 12Capstone: mixed-document practicum, the document-failure playbook in action, and the final examSix mixed cases, the failure playbook, and the 30-question final exam40 min
Times are guided study estimates for reading, diagrams, quizzes and case work. Module 12's estimate includes the final exam. Modules 1–11 each have five questions; pass at least 4/5 (80%). Complete the capstone and pass at least 24/30 (80%) on the final. Retakes are free and unlimited.
02 / INCLUDED TOOLS
Useful at the examination desk.
Application walkthrough, preparation and upload checklists, unsent IRS email templates and the document-failure playbook. Printable quick reference, glossary and lesson checklists are included.
03 / YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Burak Genc, EA
Burak Genc is an Enrolled Agent and founder of Arc & Ledger, a tax and accounting practice in Culver City, California. His background includes tax instruction and tax content work for Intuit’s Tax Pro Center.
Professional references: IRS active Enrolled Agent listings · Intuit author profile.
04 / FROM COMPLETION TO CERTIFICATE
A physical original. A clear record.
Pass and confirm your address
Pass the module quizzes and final exam. Completion saves to your account; download the courtesy record for your files and confirm the complete mailing address on your dashboard.
Receive two embossed originals
After you pass and provide a complete U.S. mailing address, we print your certificate on Arc & Ledger letterhead, emboss the seal and mail two originals with tracking. U.S. certificate mailing is included in the $149 price. For a destination outside the U.S., contact us before purchasing; international mailing is not included in this offer. No fixed dispatch or delivery date is promised. This does not limit your rights under applicable law.
Keep the original, follow current IRS upload instructions
When the originals arrive, scan or photograph one embossed original and upload the requested image with your CAA application. Keep the second original in your files. The downloadable courtesy completion record is for your files and must not be used for the IRS application.
Free reissue if your originals have not arrived within 10 business days of the ship notice. Lost or damaged originals are replaced free at any time. Contact us for help.
05 / ONE ENROLLMENT. EVERYTHING INCLUDED.
$149 one-time
Full English course, reference tools, unlimited free retakes, access that does not expire and two embossed originals mailed with tracking to a U.S. mailing address. U.S. certificate mailing is included. For a destination outside the U.S., contact us before purchasing; international mailing is not included in this offer.
Certificate acceptance refund: If the IRS does not accept your certificate as satisfying the forensic document training requirement, contact us and we refund 100% of your purchase price, and we will work with you through the IRS review of our course.
Change of mind: Full refund within 30 days of purchase if you have not completed the course.
Replacements: Lost or damaged certificate originals are replaced free.
No subscriptions. No upsells. Secure checkout through Stripe. After payment is confirmed, use the sign-in link sent to the student's email address. Read the course terms and privacy policy before enrolling.
06 / QUESTIONS
Know what you are enrolling in.
Does this course satisfy the IRS forensic document training requirement for my CAA application?
The course covers the document types, testing, and original-certificate elements described in IRS guidance. The IRS does not endorse providers, and its listed providers are not mandatory. The IRS separately evaluates provider and certificate acceptance. This offer does not represent that the IRS has reviewed or accepted this course or its certificates. Completion does not guarantee certificate acceptance or approval of a CAA application. Check the current IRS requirements before relying on a certificate.
Where can my physical certificates be mailed?
The $149 price includes tracked certificate mailing to a U.S. mailing address. International mailing is not included. If you need a destination outside the U.S., contact us before purchasing to discuss whether service is available. No international service, price or delivery date is promised.
What exactly do I upload to the IRS?
A scan or photo of the embossed physical original, following the current IRS upload instructions. The downloadable courtesy completion record is for your files and must not be used for the IRS application.
How long does the course take, and can I finish in one day?
Suggested study time is about 4 hours 10 minutes. Actual time varies with reading, review and retakes; work in one sitting or many at your own pace.
What if I fail a quiz or the final exam?
Retake free, as many times as you need. The certificate releases only on a pass.
Is the course available in Spanish?
Not yet. The course is in English. A Spanish edition is in preparation; it is not available yet and is not included in the current enrollment.
I have several Responsible Parties in my office. How do we enroll?
Each person enrolls separately under their own name and unique email address. The course record and certificate belong to that student; one card may pay for several separate enrollments.
How long is my certificate good for, and when do I retrain?
IRS guidance limits forensic training certificates to four years. Check the current requirements when applying or renewing and complete training again when required. Your course access does not expire, so you can return to the material for a refresher. Access and practice retakes do not extend the certificate's age or change your original completion date.
Does this course include IRS CE credits, or the IRS's own Acceptance Agent training?
No to both. This course carries no IRS CE credits. The IRS's separate Acceptance Agent training is described in Publication 5726.
Learn the method. Examine with care.
U.S. certificate mailing included. Outside the U.S.? Contact us before purchasing. 100% refund if the IRS does not accept your certificate. See the refund terms above.