People like PRONTO: The new wave of virtual learning

The International Code Council unveiled its cloud-based testing system — Proctored Remote Online Testing Option (PRONTO) — in 2017 as part of its commitment to ensure access to the latest technology-based solutions. It enables candidates to take ICC certification exams at their convenience on their home or office computer. PRONTO also allows users to immediately see their exam results. The innovation of PRONTO originated from the need for building and fire code professionals to achieve certification in a manner most convenient to them. Since its initial launch, PRONTO has improved accessibility in testing to impact building safety professionals on a local, state and global level.

“The Code Council is the first building safety professional credentialing organization to provide this convenient testing option to their candidates,” said ICC Director of the Assessment Center Michelle Porter. “We are always looking for new ways to increase the availability and ease of access to exams for our members and other test takers, and we are excited to be able to offer this innovative service.”

While PRONTO has surpassed the initial goal of connecting individual candidates to the exam experience in the comfort of their homes, this new method of virtual, digital learning has gained momentum and devoted followers as it reveals itself to be a more convenient and accessible means of furthering professional development in the field of building safety. A recent survey of PRONTO users had rankings from 76 percent to 85 percent and questioned users on their ability to connect to the exam proctor; the knowledge, efficiency and professionalism of the exam proctor; the security of the registration process; the quality of the user interface; and the efficiency of the examination functions (bookmark, notes, etc.).

“PRONTO is a huge step forward in making ICC certification accessible,” said Michael Frasure, building inspection supervisor for the city of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. “Studying and preparing for an exam requires time and dedication. It was a relief to be able to sit in my own office at a time convenient for me, simply log in, follow clear instructions and two hours later have the exam completed with immediate test results. I encourage other professionals to give PRONTO a try. It’s easy, fast and straight forward.”

As jurisdictions quickly realized the benefits to its employees, expansion of PRONTO became necessary. PRONTO@work emerged in the fall of 2018, offering organizations the option to dedicate an on-site testing area for their employees to take Code Council examinations through PRONTO. By creating a space where employees can complete their proctored remote online test, organizations demonstrate their commitment to building safety and their employees’ professional development.

As one of the first in the nation to implement PRONTO@work as an additional option for achieving certification, the Development Services Department of the city of San Antonio, Texas, moved quickly to test this new venue to acquire ICC certifications with much success. “The availability of PRONTO fits with one of our city’s core values — innovation. With this technology, we anticipate more staff will be able to take their certification exams,” said Development Services Department Director Michael Shannon, P.E., CBO. “As a department, we strongly encourage our employees to obtain ICC certifications in various areas to make our building and code enforcement team better equipped to handle the construction, inspection and maintenance of code-compliant structures.”

As jurisdictions quickly realized the benefits to its employees, expansion of PRONTO became necessary. PRONTO@work emerged in the fall of 2018, offering organizations the option to dedicate an on-site testing area for their employees to take Code Council examinations through PRONTO. By creating a space where employees can complete their proctored remote online test, organizations demonstrate their commitment to building safety and their employees’ professional development.

The city of San Antonio, Texas, has taken advantage of PRONTO with the anticipation that utilizing PRONTO@work will incentivize staff to pursue additional certifications. To amplify the accessibility for its employees to gain professional development, San Antonio became the first jurisdiction in the United States to designate PRONTO as the only testing method for candidates to take San Antonio jurisdiction-specific exams.

Similarly, individual voices across Florida made it clear that there was a need for a more convenient testing method to achieve Code Council certification in the state. The enthusiasm surrounding PRONTO prompted the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation to utilize this testing method in addition to computer-based testing.

PRONTO has also become an attractive tool internationally. Saudi Arabia revitalized its efforts to improve building safety in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by utilizing current provisions of the 2015 International Codes. The Code Council recently announced that Saudi Arabia will be the first program outside North America to take advantage of the Code Council’s exam development and administration through PRONTO.

The Code Council’s dedication to developing codes and standards ensures that our communities can use our codes with confidence. Thanks to the many voices of its members, the Code Council continues to empower code professionals by integrating new technologies that strengthen code enforcement in preparation for the future.