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, including a link to a video of the online proctoring experience and how to check in to your online proctored test. 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.

Prometric Testing Center in-person	Live Remote Proctoring virtual/online
Requires travel to a Prometric 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 other quiet, and uninterrupted space with sufficient internet access. Support only through remote proctor (e.g., must maintain a connection 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. Run the compatibility system test. 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. The tutorial can be launched up until 2 and ½ hours before your exam and up to 3 times. The tutorial includes a full system check to confirm you can launch the exam. PNCB strongly advises that you access the tutorial as soon as you receive your email from PSI. 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 your Remote Proctored Exam that can cause termination of your exam or invalidate your exam results.

Prometric Testing Center in-person

Live Remote Proctoring virtual/online

Requires travel to a Prometric 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 other quiet, and uninterrupted space with sufficient internet access.
Support only through remote proctor (e.g., must maintain a connection 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.
Run the compatibility system test.
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. The tutorial can be launched up until 2 and ½ hours before your exam and up to 3 times. The tutorial includes a full system check to confirm you can launch the exam. PNCB strongly advises that you access the tutorial as soon as you receive your email from PSI. 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 your Remote Proctored Exam 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

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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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