The Internal Revenue Service said it will regulate the tax-preparation industry for the first time, requiring companies to register and pay a fee.

Industry leaders H&R Block and Jackson Hewitt Tax Service backed the plan.

The plan, which the US agency said will take several years to implement, will require paid tax preparers to pass a competency test and supply an identification number when filing clients’ returns. The rules aim to stop fraudulent and untrained preparers from scamming the government and consumers.