Choosing a Testing Option

Considerations for Choosing a Testing Option

PNCB’s Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) and Pediatric Primary Care Mental Health Specialist (PMHS) exams offer two ways to test:
• Testing Centers in person
• Live remote online proctoring

Please use the following information to help you decide which testing option is best for you. For system requirements, review the PNCB Exam Candidate Handbook. You will find helpful information here as you make your decision; NOTE: PNCB exams are Live Remote Proctored, which means there will always be a person available to you during your exam to offer guidance and troubleshoot any issues that may arise.

Please contact exam@pncb.org if you have any questions not addressed below.

PSI Testing Center in-person	Live Remote Proctoring virtual/online
Requires travel to a PSI testing center. In-person support/proctors available throughout the testing experience. No computer compatibility issues. Low likelihood of IT connectivity issues.	Ability to take the exam from home or another quiet location that includes a walled room where you will not be disturbed. A room scan is required before the start of your exam. If you cannot meet these requirements or do not agree to a room scan, register to take the exam at an on-site center. Run the compatibility system test before as soon as possible. Support is only through a remote proctor (e.g., a connection must be maintained for support). Laptop or desktop computers only. The computer must include a webcam, microphone, stable broadband internet connection (a wired connection is preferred), and a current version of your web browser. If you are using a work computer for your exam, you must have administrative rights and permission to disable the firewall for remote access. You must also be able to download and install PSI’s secure browser. *The compatibility test does not check for administrative rights.* You will receive a link to the tutorial test in the confirmation email sent to you by PSI after scheduling your exam. *The tutorial MUST be completed* on the same computer, location, and Wi-Fi or broadband internet connection that you will use on test day. It can be launched up until 2 and ½ hours before your exam and up to 3 times and includes a full system check to confirm you can launch the exam. PNCB strongly recommends running the tutorial right after scheduling your exam and again 3 days prior to your appointment. If issues arise, you have an opportunity to troubleshoot/correct or reschedule. If you have technical issues launching the tutorial, please reach out to PSI tech support at 855-340-3705. Please create a plan with your IT team if you are having issues downloading the secure browser and set up a time with them to go through the tutorial. Review PSI’s guide to online proctoring. Review the Need to Know Critical Rules for PSI Exams that can cause termination of your exam or invalidate your exam results.

PSI Testing Center in-person

Live Remote Proctoring virtual/online

Requires travel to a PSI testing center.
In-person support/proctors available throughout the testing experience.
No computer compatibility issues.
Low likelihood of IT connectivity issues.

Ability to take the exam from home or another quiet location that includes a walled room where you will not be disturbed. A room scan is required before the start of your exam. If you cannot meet these requirements or do not agree to a room scan, register to take the exam at an on-site center.
Run the compatibility system test before as soon as possible.
Support is only through a remote proctor (e.g., a connection must be maintained for support).
Laptop or desktop computers only. The computer must include a webcam, microphone, stable broadband internet connection (a wired connection is preferred), and a current version of your web browser.
If you are using a work computer for your exam, you must have administrative rights and permission to disable the firewall for remote access. You must also be able to download and install PSI’s secure browser. The compatibility test does not check for administrative rights.
You will receive a link to the tutorial test in the confirmation email sent to you by PSI after scheduling your exam. The tutorial MUST be completed on the same computer, location, and Wi-Fi or broadband internet connection that you will use on test day. It can be launched up until 2 and ½ hours before your exam and up to 3 times and includes a full system check to confirm you can launch the exam. PNCB strongly recommends running the tutorial right after scheduling your exam and again 3 days prior to your appointment. If issues arise, you have an opportunity to troubleshoot/correct or reschedule. If you have technical issues launching the tutorial, please reach out to PSI tech support at 855-340-3705. Please create a plan with your IT team if you are having issues downloading the secure browser and set up a time with them to go through the tutorial.
Review PSI’s guide to online proctoring.
Review the Need to Know Critical Rules for PSI Exams that can cause termination of your exam or invalidate your exam results.

Faces of Certification

PNCB-certified nursing professionals work in a variety of roles and settings throughout the US and beyond. Share your photo today!

Jill Davis, CPNP-PC, PMHS Harmony Health Clinic Fairfax, VA

Margot Bernardino, CPN Driscoll Children's Hospital Corpus Christi, TX

Tajmara Eaton, CPNP-AC, CPNP-PC Grand Valley Pediatrics Grand Junction, CO

View more Faces of Certification

Considerations for Choosing a Testing Option

In-person vs. live remote proctoring for the CPN and PMHS exams

Considerations for Choosing a Testing Option

Faces of Certification

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