Online Proctored Testing for PMI Certifications

Candidates can schedule their new exams appointments through their online Pearson VUE account. Here, you can choose the online proctored testing option or the traditional center-based testing option. If the testing centers in your area have been reopened, you will be able to select a location and an available seat. Please note, even if testing centers in your area have not been reopened, you will still see the center-based testing option, but it will say there are not any seats available.

In your online Pearson VUE account, you first need to cancel your existing exam date. Then you can schedule a new exam date choosing the online proctored testing option.

Since you are required to be video monitored by a live proctor during your exam, the exam is not “on-demand” and you will need to schedule it ahead of time. However, appointments are offered 24/7 so you should be able to find a time that is convenient for your schedule.

PMI certifications exams can be taken online for the Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP), and PMI Professional Business Analysis (PMI-PBA) certifications.

Almost all candidates for the PMP, CAPM, PMI-ACP, and PMI-PBA can take their exam online. However, online proctored testing is not permitted in Cuba, Iran, Sudan, North Korea, and Mainland China. Candidates in these countries may see the online proctored testing option when they schedule their exam, however, they will be unable to see availability for online testing. Candidates in China must take their exam during paper-based exam events that occur four times a year. PMI is not permitted to conduct business in Cuba, Iran, Sudan, and North Korea due to sanctions.

If you require test accommodations in order to take your exam, you must apply for these and receive approval from PMI before scheduling your exam. You can apply for approval during the examination payment process. Once the request is submitted, you must send supporting medical documentation to [email protected]. Please note, PMI will not consider requests for accommodations without supporting documentation, and you will be unable to schedule your exam until your accommodations are approved.

Certification exams are translated into multiple languages. Please check the Certification Handbook for details on specific languages available. At this time, all communication with your proctor will be conducted in English, even if you are taking the exam in a different language.

Before you can schedule your exam you must submit your application payment. Once payment is received, you will then be eligible to schedule your online proctored exam. Log in to PMI.org and navigate to “Review Application Status” under myPMI. Click "Schedule Exam". You will be directed to schedule your online proctored exam through Pearson VUE.

Taking the PMP exam online is very similar to taking the exam on a computer testing center. The only difference is the online check-in process and that you are being proctored by a remote proctor via your microphone and your webcam. However, as a way to prepare for your online exam, we suggest you visit home.pearsonvue.com/pmi/onvue to review instructions for running a system test prior to your exam. This page also includes a short video overview of the testing experience.

Similar to center-based testing, online proctored testing requires that you be monitored by a proctor while you take your exam, but they will do so through your microphone and webcam.

Before starting the exam, you will need to complete a self-check-in process. You will be prompted to take a headshot photo, a picture of your identification card/driver’s license, and pictures of your surroundings. Once you begin the exam, you will not be permitted to leave the room or move out of the proctor’s view unless it is during a built-in break (in the exams which allow a break(s). 

If you have a question during the exam, you can use the “Chat” function at the top of the screen to contact the proctor. For more about the online proctor testing experience, visit home.pearsonvue.com/pmi/onvue.

When it is time for your scheduled exam, find a quiet, private location. Whether it is your home or your office, you should be in a walled room, with a closed door, and without distractions. Once the exam begins, you are not permitted to talk, stand, or move from your seat. Also, no one else is permitted in the room with you while you are testing.

During the check-in process after you have submitted all required photos, the proctor may ask to see your environment, including the walls, floor space and the desktop. This is to ensure you are not within arm’s reach of books, notepads, post-it notes, papers, pens, pencils, or other writing instruments/objects. Additional monitors must be unplugged, and additional computers must be turned off. Items on the wall such as wall art, posters and whiteboards will be inspected. If you are unable to complete this room scan, you are not permitted to proceed further or to take the exam.

During the online exam session, you are not allowed to use exam-specific materials and are not permitted to use scratch paper, erasable whiteboards, a calculator, or any other physical writing objects such as a pen, marker, or pencil. 

Instead, the exam has a built-in calculator feature. Whether you are taking the exam online or at a testing center, you will have access to the built-in calculator. You can access it by clicking on calculator icon in the exam screen. 

For the online exam, you will also be able to access a built-in whiteboard while taking your online proctored exam. This feature gives candidates the choice to work through items visually by entering notes or drawing shapes. You can access it anytime during the exam by clicking the eraser icon at the top of the screen. You can learn more about this feature here.

Please note, during your online exam, you can access both the built-in whiteboard and calculator at the same time to perform notes and calculations.

You will need a strong internet connection and a reliable device with a webcam. Please visit home.pearsonvue.com/pmi/onvue to review a full list of system requirements and instructions for running a systems test prior to your exam.

To start your exam, login to PMI.org account and click on the “Certifications” tab in the purple banner. Click on “Apply Now.” This will bring you to the Certification Program Overview page. Here, you will click “Begin Exam.” The “Begin exam” link will be available 30 minutes before your scheduled exam time.

Make sure you have your acceptable identification available so that your identity can be verified. Acceptable forms of identification include: Driver’s license, military ID, national identification card, passport, and alien registration card (green card, permanent resident, and visa). The form must collectively contain both a photo and signature of the test candidate. We will only accept original documents and will not accept photocopies.

The check-in process takes approximately 15 minutes for candidates who have previously completed a system test. For more about the online proctor testing experience, visit: home.pearsonvue.com/pmi/onvue.

Your computer will be locked down once you start your exam. You will not be able to access the internet or use other software applications while taking an exam.

The use of mobile phones is prohibited during your exam. Using your phone may result in your exam session being terminated and you should prepare to be unreachable by phone while taking your exams. Mobile phones and other electronic devices must be placed out of arms reach before you begin your exam. 

If there is a technical software issue during the exam, the proctor will try to contact you through online chat or Voice over IP (VoIP) using the OnVue software. If the proctor cannot contact you via chat or VoIP, they will try to call you at the phone number you provided during the check-in process. While you are not allowed to have your phone in your immediate workspace during the exam, you are permitted to use your phone in case of a technical issue to access technical support.

You may only take a break if one is provided during your examination. Currently, only the PMP, PMI-PBA and PMI-RMP exams have a break available when delivered as an online proctored test. 

For the PMP exam, there are now two 10-minute breaks in the exam. The first will appear after you complete questions 1 - 60 and review all of your answers. The second break will appear after you have completed question 120 and confirmed that you have reviewed all of your answers. Please note, once you have reviewed your responses and start your break you will not be able to return to the questions from the previous section of the exam.

For the PMI-PBA exam, there is a 10-minute break that will appear after you complete the first exam section (between 85 - 100 questions) and review all of your answers. Please note, once you have reviewed your responses and start your break you will not be able to return to the questions from the previous section of the exam.

For the PMI-RMP exam, there is a 10-minute break that will appear after you complete the first half of the exam (85 of the 170 questions) and review all of your answers. Please note, once you have reviewed your responses and start your break you will not be able to return to the questions from the previous section of the exam.

Once your 10-minute break is over, you will be able to resume your exam to continue with the next section. Please remember that once you re-enter the webcam view you, are expected to remain in view and all personal items must be placed out of arm’s reach. If you do not return to the room at the conclusion of your 10-minute break, your exam timer will resume counting down until you return. You will not be permitted to take any additional breaks during the exam for any reason and leaving your desk will invalidate your score.

For the PMI-ACP and current CAPM certification exam, breaks are not allowed during the exam for any reason and leaving your desk will invalidate your score.

NEW for CAPM in 2023: The new CAPM exam, to be released in 2023, will have a 10-minute break that will appear after you complete the first half of the exam (75 of the 150 questions) and review all of your answers. Please note, once you have reviewed your responses and start your break you will not be able to return to the questions from the previous section of the exam.

If there is a technical software issue, the proctor will try to contact you through online chat or Voice over IP (VoIP) using the OnVue software. If the proctor cannot contact you via chat or VoIP, they will try to call you at the phone number you provided during the check-in process. While you are not allowed to have your phone in your immediate workspace during the exam, you are permitted to use your phone in case of a technical issue to access technical support.

The proctor will work with you to try to resolve the technical issues. Any lost time because of the technical issue cannot be added back into the exam and you will not be compensated for any lost time. If you would like to reschedule, the proctor will direct you to contact the Pearson VUE Call Center with an Incident Report number they provide you. You may not be compensated depending on what technical issue occurred. 

PMI places the highest priority on protecting the integrity of the PMP exam and is committed to ensuring that risks associated with online testing are properly addressed. We have implemented several security safeguards, including:

• A rigorous data forensics program to identify and take action on candidate misconduct and other exam validity issues;
• AI-enhanced identification authentication and face-to-photo matching during the check-in process;
• AI-assisted, live remote proctoring, which includes the ability to immediately end a testing session if misconduct is detected

While PMI recognizes that online testing poses unique challenges for security, we remain dedicated to ensuring that the process of earning the PMP designation remains as rigorous and prestigious as it has always been.

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 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, or stealing exam content. 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.

Exam misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

• Receiving - and not reporting - confidential information about the exam 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.

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, and other social media platforms, which are hard for us to monitor. If you are solicited by any of these services, please send an email to [email protected].

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 the following actions:

• Canceling your score
• Revoking your certification(s)
• Banning you from taking PMI exams, either permanently or for a period of time
• Pursuing legal action