What to expect in a Pearson VUE test center.

The examination proctor will check your identification, have you sign in, and may assign you a seat. The examination proctor will explain the procedures for taking the examination; answer questions related to taking the exam and provide notification to begin the examination.

• Metal detectors may be randomly used to search examinees entering and/or leaving the exam room.
• You will be asked to empty all of your pockets and place personal items in a locker.
• Proctors may inspect all materials an examinee carries into and from the exam room.
• NOTE: If your reference materials do not meet test site regulations (relating to tabs, pencil notes, etc.), you will not be allowed to take these references into the exam room. You will still be allowed to test, but without these materials.

Code Council testing procedures are designed to minimize negative conditions at the examination site such as bad lighting, excessive noise, or uncomfortable temperature conditions. In unlikely cases where such conditions may occur, the required passing score will not be changed. Should you feel your exam experience or conditions at the test site to be unfavorable, notify the proctor.  If you would like to file a complaint, you must ensure that an Incident Report (IR) is created by the test personnel, and then follow up using the appeals process. In order for the Code Council to investigate and respond to your complaint, an IR must be filed before you leave the test site. Once the investigation is completed, you will receive a letter of determination from the Code Council.

General comments regarding the exam experience are encouraged. Please forward your comments to appeals@iccsafe.org. Please note all comments will be read; however, you will not receive a written response.

What should I bring to the test site?

For electronic examinations, examinees must provide their testing confirmation number (that was provided by the Pearson VUE representative at the time of exam registration) at the testing site on the exam day in order to be admitted to take the exam.

Examinees must possess and present a valid (unexpired) photo ID with signature, issued by a governmental agency, e.g., a driver’s license, passport, etc.

The name on the exam reservation must match the name on the ID provided. If it does not, you will not be allowed to test, and will forfeit your exam fee. Neither ICC nor Pearson VUE can make an exception to this policy. If you are unable to present identification as required by the ICC and Pearson VUE, or have questions about what will be allowed, you must call Pearson VUE prior to your scheduled exam to make other arrangements.

Examinees may bring the following items to the examination:
Reference material(s) - please make sure the reference(s):
     • Are bound (either original bound book, three-ring binder, or stapled). Photocopies of copyrighted materials are not allowed.
     • Have notes written in ink or highlighted
     • Have permanently attached tabs (tabs that can’t be removed without destroying the page)
Magnifying glass
Eyeglasses, if necessary
Architects’ scale or ruler
Foreign language/English translation dictionaries 
Basic, battery-operated, four-function calculator that is:
• limited to addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, square roots, and percentages
• non-programmable
• not capable of storing examination information
• not capable of printing; ribbon-free

Examinees may not bring the following items to the examination:
No food or drink (unless approved through testing accommodations)
Any kind of ink (ballpoint, felt-tip, gel, etc.) pens, colored pencils, highlighters, writing paper, or briefcases
Personal items such as purses, wallets, or watches 
Calculators with print capability and/or that store formulas (i.e, adding machines, construction calculators)
Copying, recording, or photo devices
Cell phones, beepers, radios, MP3 players, and/or PDAs

Examinees are responsible for arriving at the exam site on the proper date, at the proper time, and with proper identification.  You should determine in advance the exact location of the test site, how to get there, and how much time it will take you to get to the site. Arrive at the exam site at least 30 minutes before the examination is scheduled to begin. Remember, it is your responsibility to already be familiar with the regulations governing Code Council examinations. Examinations will be given only on the date and time scheduled.

Please note: The Pearson VUE confirmation letter automatically adds 30 minutes to the actual exam time for you to complete the tutorial and exit surveys. Please arrive at the test site with required reference(s), if desired, for use during the exam. Required examination references are listed with the examination outlines found in this bulletin. References for examinations are not supplied by the Code Council or the testing center.

The Examination Site Proctor will check your identification, have you sign in, and may assign you a seat.

The name on the exam reservation must match the name on the ID provided. If it does not, you will not be allowed to test, and will forfeit your exam fee. Neither the Code Council nor Pearson VUE can make an exception to this policy. If you are unable to present identification as required by the Code Council and Pearson VUE, or have questions about what will be allowed, you must call Pearson VUE prior to your scheduled exam to make other arrangements.

You must have your government-issued photo identification ready to show the proctor. Examples include a driver’s license or a passport.
The identification must:
•have the same legal first name and last name that matches your exam record
•be original (no photo copies)
•not be expired
•have a signature

The examination proctor will explain the procedures for taking the examination; answer questions related to taking the exam and provide notification to begin the examination. Metal detectors may be randomly used to search examinees entering and/or leaving the exam room. You will be asked to empty all of your pockets and place personal items in a locker. Proctors may inspect all materials an examinee carries into and from the exam room. If your reference materials do not meet test site regulations (relating to tabs, pencil notes, etc.), you will not be allowed to take these references into the exam room. You will still be allowed to test, but without these materials.

NOTE: You are not allowed to communicate, verbally or nonverbally, with other candidates during the examination, and you may not share references.

The Site Proctor has two main jobs: to give the examinations and make sure the exam materials at the test site are protected. Proctors are well-trained and treat candidates with respect, and in turn, expect the same level of respect from candidates. Threatening a proctor or interfering with the administration of an examination at any time may be considered a criminal offense and punishable by law. In addition, proctors cannot discuss contents of the exam or reference materials with a candidate.

Proctors have the right to remove a candidate’s test and ask the individual to leave the building if the candidate:
Gives or receives help during the examination
Attempts to remove exam materials or notes from the room
Creates a disturbance
Copies or attempts to copy examination questions or answers
Is found to have prohibited materials (cell phone, recorder, etc.) during the exam

If a candidate is asked to leave the test site for any reason, the candidate will not receive a refund, may jeopardize their right to take a Code Council examination in the future, and may face possible prosecution.

NOTE: The Code Council randomly videotapes examination sessions. You are not allowed to write or mark in or on your reference books during the examination.  The proctor will give you a whiteboard and markers for use during the exam.  While the examination is being administered, you are not allowed to leave the building and return to the exam room. If you wish to leave the exam room for any reason, you must receive permission from the proctor and turn in all of your examination materials and references to the proctor. Only one examinee at a time is allowed outside the exam room, and you are not allowed additional test time for time spent outside the exam room.  The exam countdown clock will not stop during any absence from your seat. 

It is highly recommended that if you are taking a computer-based exam, especially for the first time, you complete the tutorial available to you at the beginning of your exam. The time spent on the tutorial does not count against your exam time. You will receive important information about how to keep track of your time remaining, how to mark items for review, where to find the number of the question you are on, and more.

After submitting the exam, the candidate will receive a printed score report from the Test Administrator.

If you pass your examination, you cannot retake the examination you passed except as necessary for recertification.

If you do not pass your examination and wish to comment on your experience, please visit our Candidate Services page.