Beginning January 12, 2021, Colorado’s operator certification exam administrator, PSI, began offering the option of remotely proctored examinations. This option allows approved exam candidates to take their certification tests from their home computers. However, before signing up for a remotely proctored exam, candidates need to make sure they have the right equipment, the right environment, and are able to comply with all security and professional requirements.
System Requirements for Remotely Proctored Exams
Your computer set-up must include the following:
- Web camera
- Speakers
- Microphone
- Stable broadband internet connection
PSI provides a compatibility check on its scheduling website. This online tool will check the audio/video features of your computer (the one you plan to use for the exam) as well as verify that your internet browser, platform and connection speed are sufficient. You should use the online compatibility tool only when you are in the location where you will be testing. Please note, you will be required to verify your system’s functionality again immediately before beginning your exam. If you have any questions about your compatibility check, you may contact PSI’s remote proctoring technical support team at 844-267-1017.
Environment Requirements
The room where you are testing must be a secure testing environment:
- You will be asked to scan the room from which you are testing prior to launching your exam. You will need to use your web camera. Electronic devices and recording devices, including cell phones, pagers, cameras (other than your web camera), etc. are not permitted in the testing environment.
- If there are notes, drinks, a box of tissues or any such items on your desk, you will be asked to remove them prior to beginning the exam.
Security Requirements
- You must present a valid, unexpired identification in order to take your test. Military IDs are not accepted.
- You may connect with PSI Remote Proctors for testing up to 15 minutes prior to your scheduled start time provided your exam is ready to launch. Your launch button will be enabled when your exam is fully prepared for delivery.
- No conversing or any other form of communication is permitted once your exam has been released. You will want to make sure no one enters the room while your test is in progress.
- If you need assistance during your exam, you should initiate a chat with the online test administrator using the exam chat tool.
- You may not exit the camera view or use your cell phone or other electronic devices during the examination.
- Your hands must be visible to the camera at all times. Talking or mouthing words while testing is prohibited.
- You are prohibited from reproducing, communicating or transmitting any test content in any form for any purpose. Copying or communicating content is a violation of PSI security policy. Either one may result in the disqualification of examination results, may lead to legal action and will be reported to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
- The only electronic or recording device allowed in the testing environment is your testing machine.
Professional Requirements
- PSI requires all employees and exam takers to conduct themselves in a professional and courteous manner at all times. Exhibiting abusive behavior towards a proctor via chat will be reported to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and may result in criminal prosecution.
Remotely proctored exams add one more layer of flexibility for the Colorado Certified Water Professionals Program. In some cases, where individual operators do not have the equipment and/or environment necessary to take advantage of remotely proctored exams, employers may be able to provide both the equipment and the secure testing space. Otherwise, if you are not fully equipped and prepared for a remotely proctored exam, save yourself a lot of frustration by scheduling your exam at a PSI test center.
