ONLINE EXAM RULES AND POLICIES
Disclaimer:
The Exam Rules and Policies is compliant to ISO/IEC 17024 requirements, to make it also compliant to ASTM E2659-18 Standard Practice for Certificate Programs, the following considerations must be made only for Foundation certificates:
- "Certification scheme" refers also to "Certificate Program"
- “Certification” refers also to “Certificate Program”
- “Certification Body” refers also to “Certificate Issuer”
- “Revoke” refers also to “Invalidate”
EXAMINATION AND CERTIFICATION
ONE STEP BEFORE CERTIFICATION
PECB EXAMS
Taking the PECB certification exams is an easy process Our exams are carefully developed to reflect the covered content during the training course and encourage critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
1. Prepare and Schedule the Exam
PECB is a certification body which provides education1 and certification in accordance with ISO/IEC 17024 for individuals on a wide range of disciplines.
It is highly recommended that at least 48 hours prior to the online exam date the candidate accesses the PECB Online Examinee Guide and checks the technical requirements by clicking here.
Candidates are responsible for their own studying and preparation for certification exams. No specific set of training courses or curriculum of study is required as part of the certification process. Nevertheless, attending a training course can significantly increase the chances of successfully passing a PECB exam. This does not apply to Foundation Certificate Program exams requirements, as in this case attending the training course is part of the requirements for the Certificate Program.
To ensure equal opportunities for all qualified persons, INTI.Q will make reasonable accommodations for candidates, when appropriate. If candidates need special accommodations because of a disability or a specific physical condition, they should inform this at [email protected] in order to make proper arrangements. Any information candidates provide regarding their disability/need will be treated with strict confidentiality.
2. Take the Exam
Candidates are required to arrive/be present at least 30 minutes before the exam starts. Candidates who arrive late will not be given additional time to compensate and may not be allowed to sit for the exam.
Candidates are required to bring a valid identity card (national ID card, driver’s license, passport) and show it to the Invigilator.
Exams are provided electronically via the PECB Exams application. The use of electronic devices, such as tablets and phones, is not allowed. The exam session is supervised remotely by a PECB Invigilator via the PECB Exams application and an external/integrated camera.
PECB Exam Types:
- Multiple-choice closed book exams - candidates are not allowed to use anything but the exam paper and a pen.
- Multiple-choice open book exams - essay-type exams transitioning to multiple-choice. Exams comprise scenario-based questions that allow PECB to evaluate candidates’ knowledge, abilities, and skills to use information in new situations (apply), draw connections among ideas (analyze), and justify a stand or decision (evaluate).
Candidates can use the following reference materials:
- Essay-type, open-book, where candidates are allowed to use the following reference materials: (Important Note: all training courses that have been updated will only have the multiple-choice exam available)
Note: Essay-type exams will be gradually transitioning to Multiple-choice, open-book exams.
For specific information about exam types, languages available, and other details, visit the List of PECB Exams
3. Receive the Exam Results
Essay type exams
Exam results will be communicated via email. The only possible results are pass and fail; no specific grade will be included. The time span for the communication of those results starts from the exam date and lasts three to eight weeks.
Candidates who successfully complete the exam will be able to apply for one of the credentials of the respective certification scheme.
For candidates who fail the exam, a list of the domains where they have performed poorly will be added to the email to help them prepare better for a retake.
Candidates who disagree with the results may request a re-evaluation by writing to [email protected] within 30 days of receiving the results. Re-evaluation requests received after 30 days will not be processed. If candidates do not agree with the results of the re-evaluation, they have 30 more days from the date of receiving the re-evaluation results to file a complaint through the PECB Ticketing System. Complaints received after 30 days will not be processed.
Multiple-choice exams
Candidates will see their exact grade instantly after submitting the exam, and they will be informed if they passed or failed. Exam results will also be communicated via email.
Candidates who successfully complete the exam will be able to apply for one of the credentials of the respective certification scheme.
For candidates who fail the exam, a list of the domains where they have performed poorly will be added to the email to help them prepare better for a retake.
If candidates do not agree with the results, they have 30 days from the date of receiving the results to file a complaint through the PECB Ticketing System. Complaints received after 30 days will not be processed.
4. Exam Retake Policy
There is no limit to the number of times a candidate can retake an exam. However, there are certain limitations in terms of the time span between exam retakes.
- If a candidate does not pass the exam on the 1st attempt, they must wait 15 days after the initial date of the exam for the next attempt (1st retake).
Note: Candidates who have completed the training course but failed the exam are eligible to retake the exam once for free within a 12-month period from the initial date of the exam. Otherwise, retake fees apply.
- If a candidate does not pass the exam on the 2nd attempt, they must wait three months after the initial date of the exam for the next attempt (2nd retake). Retake fees apply.
Note: For candidates that fail the exam on the 2nd retake, PECB recommends they attend a training course in order to be better prepared for the exam.
- If a candidate does not pass the exam on the 3rd attempt, they must wait six months after the initial date of the exam for the next attempt (3rd retake). Retake fees apply.
- After the 4th attempt, the waiting period for further retake exams is 12 months from the date of the last attempt. Retake fees apply.
To arrange exam retakes (date, time, place, costs), candidates need to contact the PECB Partner/Distributor who has initially organized the session.
5. Reschedule the Exam
For any changes with regard to the exam date, time, location, or other details, please contact [email protected]
6. Exam Security
A significant component of a professional certification credential is maintaining the security and confidentiality of the exam. PECB relies upon the ethical behavior of certification holders and applicants to maintain the security and confidentiality of PECB exams. Any disclosure of information about the content of PECB exams is a direct violation of PECB’s Code of Ethics. PECB will take action against any individuals that violate such rules and policies, including permanently banning individuals from pursuing PECB credentials and revoking any previous ones. PECB will also pursue legal action against individuals or organizations who infringe upon its copyrights, proprietary rights, and intellectual property.
1 Education refers to training courses developed by PECB
Paper-based Exam Rules and Policies (only available with public courses)
Disclaimer: The Exam Rules and Policies is compliant to ISO/IEC 17024 requirements, to make it also compliant to ASTM E2659-18 Standard Practice for Certificate Programs, the following considerations must be made only for Foundation certificates:
1. Prepare and Schedule the Exam
PECB is a certification body which provides education1 and certification in accordance with ISO/IEC 17024 for individuals on a wide range of disciplines.
Candidates are responsible for their own studying and preparation for certification exams. No specific set of training courses or curriculum of study is required as part of the certification process. Nevertheless, attending a training course can significantly increase the chances of successfully passing a PECB exam. This does not apply to Foundation Certificate Program exams requirements, as in this case attending the training course is part of the requirements for the Certificate Program.
To ensure equal opportunities for all qualified persons, INTI.Q will make reasonable accommodations for candidates, when appropriate. If candidates need special accommodations because of a disability or a specific physical condition, they should inform this to [email protected] in order to make proper arrangements. Any information candidates provide regarding their disability/need will be treated with strict confidentiality.
2. Take the Exam
Candidates are required to arrive/be present at least 30 minutes before the exam starts. Candidates who arrive late will not be given additional time to compensate and may not be allowed to sit for the exam.
Candidates are required to bring a valid identity card (national ID card, driver’s license, passport) and show it to the Invigilator.
If requested on the day of the exam, additional time can be provided to candidates taking the exam in a non-native language, as follows:
Exams are provided on paper, where candidates are not allowed to use anything but the exam paper and a pen. The use of electronic devices, such as laptops, tablets, or phones, is not allowed. The exam session is supervised by a PECB approved Invigilator at the location where the Partner has organized the training course.
PECB Exam Types:
- Multiple-choice closed book exams - candidates are not allowed to use anything but the exam paper and a pen.
- Multiple-choice open book exams - essay-type exams transitioning to multiple-choice. Exams comprise scenario-based questions that allow PECB to evaluate candidates’ knowledge, abilities, and skills to use information in new situations (apply), draw connections among ideas (analyze), and justify a stand or decision (evaluate).
Candidates can use the following reference materials:
- Essay-type, open-book, where candidates are allowed to use the following reference materials: (Important Note: all training courses that have been updated will only have the multiple-choice exam available)
Note: Essay-type exams will be gradually transitioning to Multiple-choice, open-book exams.
For specific information about exam types, languages available, and other details, visit the List of PECB Exams
3. Receive the Exam Results
Exam results will be communicated via email. The only possible results are pass and fail; no specific grade will be included.
Essay type exams
The time span for the communication of results for essay type exams starts from the exam date and lasts three to eight weeks.
Candidates who successfully complete the exam will be able to apply for one of the credentials of the respective certification scheme.
For candidates who fail the exam, a list of the domains where they have performed poorly will be added to the email to help them prepare better for a retake.
Candidates who disagree with the results may request a re-evaluation by writing to [email protected] within 30 days of receiving the results. Re-evaluation requests received after 30 days will not be processed. If candidates do not agree with the results of the re-evaluation, they have 30 more days from the date of receiving the re-evaluation results to file a complaint through the PECB Ticketing System. Complaints received after 30 days will not be processed.
Multiple-choice exams
The time span for the communication of the results for multiple-choice exams starts from the exam date and lasts two to four weeks.
Candidates who successfully complete the exam will be able to apply for one of the credentials of the respective certification scheme.
For candidates who fail the exam, a list of the domains where they have performed poorly will be added to the email to help them prepare better for a retake.
If candidates do not agree with the results, they have 30 days from the date of receiving the results to file a complaint through the PECB Ticketing System. Complaints received after 30 days will not be processed.
4. Exam Retake Policy
There is no limit to the number of times a candidate can retake an exam. However, there are certain limitations in terms of the time span between exam retakes.
- If a candidate does not pass the exam on the 1st attempt, they must wait 15 days after the initial date of the exam for the next attempt (1st retake).
Note: Candidates who have completed the training course but failed the exam are eligible to retake the exam once for free within a 12-month period from the initial date of the exam. Otherwise, retake fees apply.
- If a candidate does not pass the exam on the 2nd attempt, they must wait three months after the initial date of the exam for the next attempt (2nd retake). Retake fees apply.
Note: For candidates that fail the exam on the 2nd retake, PECB recommends they attend a training course in order to be better prepared for the exam.
- If a candidate does not pass the exam on the 3rd attempt, they must wait six months after the initial date of the exam for the next attempt (3rd retake). Retake fees apply.
- After the 4th attempt, the waiting period for further retake exams is 12 months from the date of the last attempt. Retake fees apply.
To arrange exam retakes (date, time, place, costs), candidates need to contact the PECB Partner/Distributor who has initially organized the session.
5. Reschedule the Exam
For any changes with regard to the exam date, time, location, or other details, please contact [email protected]
6. Exam Security
A significant component of a professional certification credential is maintaining the security and confidentiality of the exam. PECB relies upon the ethical behavior of certification holders and applicants to maintain the security and confidentiality of PECB exams. Any disclosure of information about the content of PECB exams is a direct violation of PECB’s Code of Ethics. PECB will take action against any individuals that violate such rules and policies, including permanently banning individuals from pursuing PECB credentials and revoking any previous ones. PECB will also pursue legal action against individuals or organizations who infringe upon its copyrights, proprietary rights, and intellectual property.
1 Education refers to training courses developed by PECB
Depending on the type of examination scheme, the duration of the exam varies:
Foundation exam:
1 hour
Manager exam:
2 hours
Lead exam:
3 hours
Note: both online and paper-based exams have the same duration as above.