As an alternative to an in-person exam at a testing center, you may choose to take your exam from your own computer in a quiet, private location of your choice. AACN Certification Corporation’s exam administrator and testing service partner, PSI, offers remotely monitored testing, known as live remote proctoring. Your selected testing location must be free from distractions, and your computer must meet specific compatibility requirements.
Technology Requirements
- If you select live remote proctoring (LRP) as your testing option when scheduling your exam, you must confirm that your computer operating system is compatible with the LRP platform. A Chrome-based browser is recommended.
- PSI will email you a link to their system compatibility verification tool, which must be used to confirm that LRP is an option. You will be required to download a secure lock-down browser, from which you will take your exam. This browser prohibits certain actions, including accessing other browsers, screen sharing or recording, copying/pasting, using dual or extended monitors, etc.
- Your setup must include a webcam and a microphone.
- For additional details, refer to the Certification Exam Policy Handbook.
What to Expect
Your Exam Day Experience
This short video from PSI provides an overview of a typical remote proctored exam experience.
Check-in Process
- Please log in to the LRP platform 15 to 30 minutes before your scheduled exam appointment.
- You can access your exam session from your AACN customer dashboard by clicking “Take Exam” or from the AACN scheduling page under “Launch Exam.”
- Upon log-in, you will be greeted by a live proctor who will guide you through the check-in process. If you log in more than 30 minutes late, you will not be admitted.
- Using your webcam, you will be asked to take a photograph of yourself and your government-issued ID that includes your signature and photograph. The only acceptable forms of ID include a driver’s license, state/province ID, U.S. visa or international travel passport. Your ID must match the name in your AACN customer record.
- You will also be asked to use your webcam to perform a thorough scan of the room where you will be testing.
- No reference material or personal items are allowed in your testing area. If you require a disability exemption from this policy, refer to our ADA Accommodations information.
Taking the Exam
- After successfully checking in, your certification exam will be released to you in a secure lock-down browser.
- Your entire exam session will be recorded and monitored by a live proctor.
- Communication between you and the proctor is limited to type chat messaging. The proctor will be able to see and hear you, but you cannot see or hear the proctor.
- A digital notepad within the testing platform is available for your use.
- Breaks are permitted, but they are considered part of your exam time.
- The proctor will advise you to avoid covering your mouth and to be sure your entire face is visible to the camera.
- Proctors will continuously monitor your testing session for exam policy violations. If a violation occurs, the proctor may provide a warning or terminate the exam.
Please review the following list of remote proctored exam violations. These rules exist to ensure exam security and protect the integrity of AACN’s certification programs. The number in parentheses indicates the maximum number of warnings allowed before an exam is terminated.
- Tapping fingers or feet (3)
- Looking around/taking eyes off screen (3)
- Closing eyes (longer than blinking) (2)
- Touching face/covering mouth (2)
- Moving lips/mouthing words/whispering (2)
- Talking to self/reading exam questions aloud (2)
- Using explicit/abusive language – aloud or via chat (2)
- Having improper lighting – too dark or bright (2)
- Having improper webcam placement (2)
- Having headset or earbuds (2)
- Eating, drinking or chewing gum (2)
- Losing internet connection/system errors (2)
- Moving out of camera view (2)
- Talking to others/making noise (1)
- Having phone/device/references/papers (1)
- Using phone/device/references/papers (0)
- Copying exam content/screen recording (0)
- Browsing the web (0)
- Seeking exam help/having others in room (0)
- Displaying explicit/abusive behavior (0)
- Covering camera or leaving test area (0)
After the Exam
- Upon completing the exam, your results will appear on-screen. A detailed score report will be emailed to you within 24 hours of exam completion.
- The day after you take your exam, your certification will appear in AACN’s online Certification Verification system. This is where you can request to have a letter verifying your certification emailed directly to anyone, including yourself, your employer and/or your state board(s) of nursing.
For additional details about this testing option and the most current certification exam policies and procedures, please refer to the Certification Exam Policy Handbook.