Teresa

I am a little confused with the PTRT & EA Exams. When I got the provisioanl PTIN from IRS's website a few days ago, It showed the next step was to pass a compentency test, which is PTRT test, and had 15 hours CE in 2012. My first question is must I pass the PTRT test first then go to EA exams? Or can I take the EA exams first? Secondly, if I am preparing the EA exams with a provisional PTIN, should I study 15hours (or 16 hours) CE courses to renew the PTIN?