Exam Security
Mission
PMI is dedicated to keeping the highest levels of security, integrity, and validity for all of our examination programs. In early 2019, PMI formed an internal Exam Security team who, in coordination with external vendors and exam security experts, has the sole purpose of maintaining the integrity of PMI sponsored exams. Our Exam Security team does that by ensuring that:
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Only qualified individuals pass our exams and earn PMI certifications.
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No candidate has an unfair advantage over another.
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Exam content is secure.
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PMI’s certification programs, policies, and procedures meet or exceed the international standards for high-stakes testing, as described by ISO 17024.
Candidate Responsibilities
All candidates in PMI sponsored examination programs agree to the PMI Certification Application / Renewal Agreement. As part of this agreement, candidates are required to follow the PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct as well as all PMI Certification Program policies and requirements. Certification Program policies can be found in each respective examination program’s handbook. Exam takers are reminded of these responsibilities during the Candidate Security Acknowledgement, which is presented immediately prior to beginning an exam.
Candidates who violate the Agreement, Code of Ethics, or any Certification policies or requirements will have disciplinary action taken against them.
Data Forensics
As mentioned in the PMI Certification Application / Renewal Agreement, PMI performs statistical analyses (data forensics) on test administrations. These analyses, which are common in the testing industry, are designed to protect the validity of the examination by looking for evidence that suggests a candidate’s score may not be a true measure of their knowledge or ability, including evidence of candidate misconduct. If PMI sees evidence of severe misconduct, we will cancel the test score and categorize the exam as a security failure. If a candidate chooses to retake the exam after receiving a canceled score, they must do so in-person at a test center and pay the applicable re-examination fee.
Proxy Testing and Other Candidate Misconduct
Since the switch to online testing for the PMP, PMI has seen a significant increase in the advertisement of services that promise a “100% pass guarantee” or “pass without taking the exam.” We have also noticed that these services are being advertised using direct messages on WhatsApp, LinkedIn, WeChat, and other social media platforms. For the most part, these services are simply a trick to take candidates’ money. However, the Exam Security team has found that a few of these services are instructing candidates to commit intentional misconduct during their exam session.
PMI uses multiple methods to detect all forms of candidate misconduct, including but not limited to those who hire someone take the exam for them (proxy testing), stealing exam content, having access to exam questions prior to taking the exam, and having live assistance during the exam. PMI has already begun taking action against candidates who commit misconduct. Such actions include score cancellations, revocation of certification, permanently banning candidates from being able to take any PMI examinations, and even working with local authorities to pursue criminal action. Please know that PMI will do everything in its power to protect our exams and our credentials. If you are contacted by any of these services, please send an email to [email protected] with a screenshot or picture of the message so that we can investigate.
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We make sure exam candidates are qualified through our certification application process, which ensures that only qualified candidates are able to take PMI sponsored exams.
All our professional certification exams are proctored. A proctor is an individual who actively monitors test-takers during exams. If you take an exam at a testing center, the proctor remains in the room while you complete your exam. If you take your exam online, your proctor will monitor you live through your webcam and microphone. Proctors are specially trained to identify signs of misconduct.
Misconduct includes any behavior that is against PMI's rules, including receiving assistance on the exam, having unauthorized people or items in your exam area, stealing exam content or using stolen content to prepare, providing fraudulent documents at any time during your exam journey, and/or having others take the exam for you (i.e. proxy testing services). If they detect misconduct, proctors have the power up to and including immediately ending your testing session.
We also employ a practice called data forensics. We conduct statistical analyses of testing data to look for patterns of responses that indicate potential misconduct or other issues with scoring accuracy. We then use these analyses to take remedial action, including, but not limited to invalidating your exam score or revoking your certification. If your exam is invalidated, you will not receive a score report or analysis of your exam performance. We may permit you to take the exam at your own cost if you have remaining eligibility, but we may limit where you can retake the exam.
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Exam misconduct includes, but is not limited to:
- Receiving – and not reporting – confidential information about test questions prior to your exam
- Taking pictures of exam questions and content and sharing them with individuals in any way
- Leaving the testing room during an exam (unless it is during a scheduled exam break)
- Bringing unapproved products or personal items into the testing room, including: calculators, notebooks, cell phones, etc.
- Participating in proxy testing: Proxy testing is when someone is paid to take and pass an exam on behalf of a registered candidate.
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We’ve seen a significant increase in the advertising of services that promise a “100% pass guarantee” or “passing without taking the exam.” While many of these services are a scam to take candidates’ money, some are actually services offering proxy testing. These services are often advertised via direct messages on WhatsApp, LinkedIn, WeChat, TaoBao, and other social media platforms. If you are solicited by any of these services, please send an email to [email protected].
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First, if your proctor detects misconduct during your exam, they can immediately end your testing session. Additionally, our Exam Security team will investigate any instances of suspected misconduct. If the investigation shows misconduct did occur, we can take disciplinary action, including:
- Canceling your score
- Revoking your certification(s)
- Banning you from taking PMI exams, either permanently or for a period of time
- Pursuing legal action
PMI Certification Application / Renewal Agreement
This Agreement may be updated or revised from time to time. It is your responsibility to obtain the most up-to-date copy online. Document last updated September 2024.
- I agree to satisfy and conduct myself in accordance with all PMI certification program policies and requirements, including this Agreement and the PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct (as they may be revised from time to time); and I shall maintain confidentiality of PMI examination questions and content. Furthermore, I agree not to discuss, debrief or disclose, in any manner, the specific content of PMI examination questions and answers, to any individual.
- I agree that I shall always act in a truthful and honest manner and provide truthful and accurate information to PMI. I agree that any intentional or unintentional failure to provide true, timely and complete responses to questions in this application or renewal form may lead to further investigation and/or sanctions by PMI. I also agree to promptly report to PMI any possible violations of the terms of this Agreement or the PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct by PMI members or by persons who have applied for a PMI credential or have been awarded a credential by PMI.
- I agree to notify the PMI Certification Department in a timely manner of changes concerning the information I have provided, including my current address and telephone number.
- I have reported, and will continue to report, to the PMI Certification Department, within sixty (60) days of occurrence, any matters, proceedings, lawsuits, settlements and/or other agreements, administrative agency actions, or organizational actions relating to my profession or occupation, including all complaints relating to my professional activities as a project management practitioner, and matters or proceedings involving, but not limited to certification, credentialing, malpractice, disciplinary ethics or similar matters. I also agree to promptly report, within sixty (60) days of occurrence, any felony criminal charges, convictions, or plea agreements or other criminal charges, convictions, or plea agreements relating to acts of dishonesty or unethical conduct.
- I agree that if my compliance with any of the terms of this agreement requires or includes an explanation and supporting documents, I will provide a complete and accurate explanation and true copies of the materials to the PMI Certification Department with this application.
- I agree that the PMI Certification Department has the right to communicate with any person, government agency or organization to review or confirm the information in this application or any other information related to my application for PMI credentialing. Further, I agree to and authorize the release of any information requested by the PMI Certification Department for such review and confirmation.
- I agree that the PMI credential status does not imply licensure, registration or government authorization to practice project management or to engage in related activities.
- I agree that all materials that I submit to the PMI Certification Department become the property of the PMI Certification Department, and that the PMI Certification Department is not required to return any of these materials to me.
- I agree that upon achieving the PMI credential, my name may be posted on the PMI website as part of an Online Registry to be created and maintained by PMI.
- I agree that information related to my participation in the PMI certification process may be used in an anonymous manner for research purposes only.
- I agree that all disputes relating in any way to my application for a PMI credential and/or my involvement generally in a PMI certification program, will be resolved solely and exclusively by means of PMI Certification Department policies, procedures and rules, including the Appeals Process.
- PMI reserves the right to suspend or revoke the credential of any individual who is determined to have failed to uphold, or otherwise breached this Agreement, or committed a violation of the PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.
- PMI conducts statistical analyses (data forensics) of test administration data to look for evidence of validity issues or misconduct. PMI may use these analyses to take remedial action including, but not limited to, cancellation of exam scores and revocation of certification. A candidate whose exam score is canceled based on statistical evidence alone may be permitted to retake the exam if they have eligibility remaining and after they have paid the reexamination fee. PMI reserves the right to place restrictions on exam retakes, including limiting candidates to in-person testing, in order to protect the validity and integrity of the exam.
- I release and indemnify PMI and the PMI Certification Department from all liability and claims that may arise out of, or be related to, my project management and related activities.
- I hereby release, discharge and indemnify PMI, its directors, officers, members, examiners, employers, attorneys, representatives, agents and the PMI Certification Department from any actions, suits, obligations, damages, claims or demands arising out of or in connection with this application, the scores given with respect to the examination or any other action taken by PMI with regard to credentialing, testing and professional development including, but not limited to, all actions related to ethics matters and cases. I understand and agree that any decision concerning my qualification for any credential, as well as any decisions regarding my continuing qualification for any credential and my compliance with the PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, rest within the sole and exclusive discretion of PMI, and that these decisions are final.
- I acknowledge the terms of this Agreement for the following reasons:
- to comply with the relevant provisions of the certification scheme;
- to make claims regarding certification only with respect to the scope for which certification has been granted;
- not to use the certification in such a manner as to bring the certification body into disrepute, and not to make any statement regarding the certification which the certification body considers misleading or unauthorized;
- to discontinue the use of all claims to certification that contain any reference to the certification body or certification upon suspension or withdrawal of certification, and to return any certificates issued by the certification body;
- not to use the certificate in a misleading manner.