The CFP Board announced it is offering eligible CFP candidates the option of taking its September certification exam remotely from their home, office or other location because of the Covid pandemic.
The option of taking the test online, rather than at a testing center, will be allowed if candidates have to travel more than 50 miles to get to a testing center or if they have legitimate health reasons for taking the test remotely, the board said.
The remote option is only available to test takers in the U.S., the board added.
"The CFP Board is committed to supporting the health and safety of all candidates who are sitting for the September CFP exam," the CFP Board said in the news release. "It is imperative for us to offer a safe, secure and valid remote proctoring option that allows candidates to continue on their financial planning professional journey."
CFP candidates can ask for permission to take the test remotely at the CFP Board's website. More information is available here.
To take a test remotely, candidates must use personal computers that meet the minimal technical requirements to use the Prometric platform used to administer the test, the board said. Among the required devices is a webcam that will be used by exam proctors to monitor those taking the test, the board said.
The board laid out the following testing environment requirements for those taking the test:
• Testing location must be indoors (walled), well lit, free from background noise and disruptions.
• No third party may be present in the room or enter the room for the duration of the exam. If this occurs, the proctor will terminate your exam and/or invalidate your results.
• Your workstation and surrounding area must be free of pens, paper, electronic devices, etc. No content that could potentially provide an unfair advantage during your exam, including that posted on walls or within your immediate area, should be present during your exam session.
• Regulations allow two tissues at the workstation, but the [exam] proctor will inspect the tissues prior to the start of the exam.
The September 2020 CFP exam is also notable for being the first this year to include questions covering key elements of the 2019 SECURE Act, which were supposed to be included on the July exam that was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. As a result, the CFP Board expects many more candidates to take the September CFP exam, whether remotely or in-person.