Scheduling
For the greatest probability of obtaining the preferred test center and date, BPS recommends submitting an application as early as possible.
Pearson provides telephone and email support to candidates on matters related to scheduling an examination appointment. Pearson provides a voicemail box for inquiries outside of normal business hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (U.S. Eastern Time).
Once the application is approved, the candidate will receive the authorization to test (ATT) email which is required to schedule an appointment with Pearson.
Once an examination appointment is scheduled, the candidate will receive a confirmation email from Pearson outlining the appointment details.
The candidate must bring a current, government-issued photo identification with a signature to the test center. Acceptable forms of identification include driver’s licenses, passports, and government-issued identification cards. Digital IDs are not accepted.
The candidate must confirm that the first name and last name on the application are exactly as they appear on the photo identification presented at the test center. Candidates will be denied admission to the test center if there is a name mismatch and will forfeit all fees paid to BPS.
Candidates must request a name change through their MyBPS profile and will be required to upload a PDF or JPG copy of a government-issued identification. Name change requests must be received no later than 30 calendar days after application submission.
BPS candidates may schedule their examinations at more than 5,500 test centers in 180+ countries and territories. Locations can be found on the Pearson Website. The Pearson network available to candidates generally has ample seats to meet demand for the BPS examinations. Pearson will employ reasonable efforts to secure the test center and date requested by the candidate; however, BPS cannot guarantee availability of an examination session at a specific location within the designated period. Seats are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, based on test center availability. It is recommended that examinations be scheduled as soon as possible.
Candidates must schedule an examination appointment after receiving the authorization to test (ATT) email from BPS.
BPS does not provide information on hotel or travel arrangements. Candidates are encouraged to use their own travel agent or one of the online search engines to locate hotel accommodations near a test center as well as maps and driving directions.
Checking-In on Examination Day: Test Center
Candidates should arrive at the test center 30 minutes prior to the scheduled examination appointment. Candidates who arrive 30 minutes after their scheduled appointment may be refused admission. Refunds will not be issued in the event of a forfeited appointment.
The candidate must present a valid (i.e., unexpired) government-issued photo identification (ID) with a signature. Digital IDs are not accepted. Candidates are required to sign in and will be instructed on where to store personal items and where to keep identification. The candidate’s identity will be verified every time they enter or leave the testing room.
Once the candidate has been checked in, they will be escorted by examination staff to a workstation. The candidate must remain at the workstation unless authorized to leave by test center staff. Candidates may not leave the room without test center staff permission. If the candidate leaves the room without permission prior to completing their examination, they will forfeit the examination appointment and will not be refunded any fees paid to BPS or Pearson.
Onsite staff will provide the candidate with an erasable note board and writing utensils which may be replaced as needed during the examination. The candidate may not remove the note boards and candidates are not allowed to use their own scratch paper or writing tools. Additionally, candidates taking the computer-based examination will be provided with a scientific calculator available on their computer screen for use during the examination.
The examination room temperature can be unpredictable; therefore, we suggest that candidates bring appropriate clothing with them (e.g., sweater, sweatshirt without hood) to help them adapt to a cooler or warmer climate in the examination room. Candidates may bring soft earplugs with no wires or cords attached, which will be subject to inspection.
Additional Test Center Policies
Candidates are expected to conduct themselves in a professional and respectful manner in all interactions with BPS personnel, volunteers, examination vendors, proctors, and other candidates. Candidates who violate test center or approved remote proctored exam regulations or rules, engage in irregular behavior, misconduct, disruptive, threatening, abusive, or inappropriate conduct, or fail to comply with a test administrator’s instruction to discontinue such behavior may be dismissed from the test center. Such conduct, whether occurring in person, by telephone, electronically, or in writing, may result in disciplinary action. Examination fees will not be refunded, examination results may be withheld or canceled, and additional disciplinary action may be imposed, including disqualification from future BPS specialty examinations.
Candidates testing at Pearson Test Centers are subject to all test center security protocols and check-in procedures. These measures are in place to ensure a secure and standardized testing environment. Questions about Pearson’s policies can be submitted here.
If a test center closes due to inclement weather, Pearson will email impacted candidates to notify them of the closure. Pearson’s website is also updated with this information.
Because closures can occur at any time during inclement weather, it is the responsibility of the candidate to contact Pearson to receive the most up-to-date information regarding whether a test center is open or to reschedule the examination appointment. If a test center is officially closed, candidates will not be charged a rescheduling fee. If a test center is open and the candidate does not keep their appointment, the candidate forfeits all fees.
BPS specialty certification examinations are delivered via computer. While it is not the norm, technology issues can occasionally occur, as there could be software loading, keyboard, or other workstation issues. These types of issues may require the proctor to log the candidate back into their examination. If this happens, the candidate should notify the proctor immediately and await further instruction. Most technical issues are resolved quickly with a simple refresh of the screen or by the proctor logging back into the examination. If a problem is not resolved to the test takers satisfaction, contact BPS as soon as possible upon completion of the exam.
If a technical issue lasts longer than 30 minutes and prevents the candidate from continuing with the examination, the candidate may choose to stop and reschedule to another day or continue to wait for the resolution.
Candidates at a test center may not leave the room without test center staff permission. If the candidate leaves the room without permission prior to completing their examination, the proctor will note the time of departure and terminate the exam immediately and the candidate will not be refunded.
Pearson staff will provide candidates with instructions regarding items that may be securely stored during the examination and accessed during the optional, unscheduled break time. Candidates are expressly prohibited from bringing the following items into the examination room:
- Cameras, cell phones or other mobile devices, optical readers, or other electronic devices that include the ability to photograph, photocopy, or otherwise copy test materials
- Notes, books, dictionaries, or language dictionaries
- Book bags or luggage
- iPods, MP3 players, headphones, or pagers
- Computers, PDAs, iPads, or other electronic devices with one or more memory storage banks
- Personal writing utensils (e.g., pencils, pens, and highlighters)
- Watches
- Food and beverage (in the examination room)
- Hats, hoods, or other headwear unless required for religious purposes
- Calculators
At this time, we are expanding the Personal Item Exception policy to allow medical masks and medical rubber gloves.
Candidates wearing surgical or medical masks should be mindful of the following:
- The candidate should briefly remove the mask so identification can be visually verified at check-in for security purposes. Test center administrators should not touch or handle the masks during inspection.
- Candidates choosing to wear masks during testing need to keep the mask on for the entire testing session. If the mask is removed, it should be stored in the candidate’s locker.
- The mask should be removed for image capturing if it is required for the examination.
Candidates are also permitted to wear medical rubber gloves in the test room. Gloves will be briefly visually inspected per our security policies and checked for any notes concealed or written on them.
All items are subject to inspection by the proctor. If on-site staff determines that a candidate has brought any prohibited items to the examination center, they may request that candidates surrender them for safekeeping for an indefinite period. BPS and Pearson reserve the right to review the memory of any electronic device that may be in the candidate’s possession at the examination center to determine whether any examination materials have been photographed or otherwise reproduced.
If the review determines that any examination materials are in the memory of any such device, BPS and Pearson reserve the right to delete materials and/or retain them for subsequent disciplinary or legal action. Upon completion of the review and any applicable deletions, BPS and Pearson will return the device to the candidate. BPS and Pearson will not be responsible for the deletion of any materials that may result from the review, whether or not such materials are examination materials.
By bringing any such device into the test center in contravention of BPS and Pearson policies, the candidate expressly waives any confidentiality or other similar rights with respect to the device, BPS and Pearson review of the memory of the device and/or the deletion of any materials. BPS, Pearson, the examination center, and the test center staff are not liable for lost or damaged items brought to the examination center.
Candidates sitting for an examination in a test center are not permitted to bring their own scratch paper or writing utensils. Erasable boards or scratch paper and writing utensils are provided at the test center.
All items must be answered in the order they are presented, and a candidate is not able to skip items. Once a candidate confirms their answer choice and moves to the next item, they will not be able to go back and change their response.
Candidates testing at Pearson VUE test centers may bring water to the test center; however, water is not permitted in the testing room.
Water must be stored in the candidate’s assigned locker and may be accessed during a break. Please note that the exam clock will continue to run during a break.