Innovation in Challenging Times: CPS to Offer Live Remote Proctoring for All Examinations

In our communication on March 16th, we made a clear and unwavering commitment to the health and safety of our community amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic. We acknowledged the profound uncertainty of the moment and pledged to approach the challenge with flexibility, empathy, and transparency. In the weeks since, as test centers have closed and our personal and professional lives have been disrupted in unprecedented ways, we have been deeply grateful for your patience and understanding.

Throughout this period, our entire team has been guided by a single, critical question: How do we uphold our mission to provide a fair and accessible path to professional certification when the traditional methods of doing so are unavailable? We knew that simply waiting for the storm to pass was not an option. Your professional journeys cannot be put on indefinite hold.

Today, after weeks of intensive research, collaboration with leading technology partners, and rigorous testing, the Council on Pharmacy Standards (CPS) is proud to announce a groundbreaking solution. We are officially launching Live Remote Proctoring (LRP) for all CPS certification examinations, effective immediately for candidates affected by the ongoing test center closures. This innovative solution ensures that you can continue on your path to certification safely and securely, from the comfort of your own home or office, without compromising the integrity of the credential you are working so hard to earn. 

What is Live Remote Proctoring (LRP)?

For many, the concept of taking a high-stakes certification examination outside of a traditional test center may be new. It is important to understand that Live Remote Proctoring is far more than a simple online test; it is a comprehensive, secure, and professionally monitored testing experience designed to replicate the security and integrity of an in-person exam.

Here’s how it works:

• The Same Exam, A New Location: You will take the exact same, full-length CPS certification exam on your own computer in a private, secure location of your choosing, such as a home office. The exam content, format, and time limits are identical to the examinations administered at test centers.

• A Live, Human Proctor: Throughout your entire examination session, a trained, professional proctor will be monitoring you in real-time through your computer’s webcam and microphone. This is not a passive recording; it is an active, one-on-one monitoring session. The proctor is there to guide you through the check-in process, ensure the security of the environment, and provide assistance if any technical issues arise.

• Advanced, Secure Technology: You will use a specialized, secure browser application that locks down your computer, preventing access to any other programs, files, or websites during the exam. This secure software creates the connection between you and your live proctor, providing a safe and contained testing environment.

This powerful combination of live human oversight and advanced technology allows us to provide a testing experience that meets the same high standards of security and psychometric rigor that are the hallmarks of a CPS credential.

Our Unwavering Commitment to Examination Security and Integrity

The value of your certification rests upon the trust that employers, regulators, and the public place in its integrity. Our primary challenge in developing an LRP solution was to ensure that this trust would be unequivocally maintained. We are confident that the multi-layered security protocol we have implemented not only meets but, in some ways, exceeds the security of a traditional test center.

Here are the key security pillars of the CPS Live Remote Proctoring system:

• Advanced Identity Verification: The check-in process is rigorous and multi-faceted. It begins with capturing a high-resolution photo of your government-issued ID, which is validated using AI-assisted technology. You will then take a live photo of yourself, which is compared against your ID photo using biometric facial recognition to confirm your identity. This is all reviewed and confirmed by your live proctor before the exam can begin.

• 360-Degree Environmental Security Scan: Before launching the exam, your proctor will ask you to use your webcam to perform a complete, 360-degree scan of your room. This includes showing your desk surface, the area under your desk, and all corners of the room. This process ensures that your testing environment is secure, private, and free of any unauthorized materials or devices.

• Continuous Real-Time Monitoring by a Live Proctor: From the moment your exam begins until you submit it, a trained proctor is watching and listening. They are trained to detect any unusual behavior, such as looking away from the screen for an extended period, the presence of another person, or audible prompts. The proctor is supported by an AI system that flags potential anomalies for human review, adding a second layer of intelligent oversight. If a potential issue arises, the proctor can communicate with you directly and discreetly via a private chat window.

• Secure Browser Technology: The proprietary secure browser creates a digital fortress around your examination. Once launched, it prevents you from opening any other applications, switching tabs, taking screenshots, or accessing any files on your computer. This ensures that your focus is solely on the examination content provided.

• End-to-End Session Recording and Auditing: For quality assurance and integrity purposes, your entire testing session—including video from your webcam, audio from your microphone, and all on-screen activity—is recorded. These recordings are stored securely, with access strictly limited to trained CPS staff for the purpose of auditing proctor performance and investigating any flagged security incidents. This permanent record serves as a powerful deterrent to misconduct and is a cornerstone of our quality control process.

How It Works: Your Step-by-Step Guide to the LRP Experience

We want to demystify the process and ensure you feel prepared and confident on exam day. Here is a step-by-step guide to what you can expect when choosing the LRP option.

Step 1: Scheduling Your LRP Examination When you log in to our scheduling system, you will now see an option to schedule your exam via “Live Remote Proctoring.” Simply select this option and choose a date and time that is convenient for you. The LRP model offers a much wider range of available appointment times, including evenings and weekends.

Step 2: Performing the Mandatory Pre-Exam System Check After scheduling, you will be prompted to run a mandatory system readiness check on the exact computer you plan to use for your exam. This is a critical step that must be completed at least 72 hours before your appointment. This automated check will verify that your computer’s operating system, webcam, microphone, and internet connection meet the minimum requirements for a stable and successful testing experience.

Step 3: Preparing Your Testing Environment On exam day, you are responsible for creating a secure testing environment. This means you must be in a private, well-lit room with a closed door. No other individuals are permitted in the room for the duration of the exam. Your desk or workspace must be completely clear of all books, papers, electronic devices (including cell phones, which must be turned off and out of reach), and any other materials not explicitly permitted. You will be asked to show the proctor that your desk is clear during the check-in scan.

Step 4: The Live Check-In Process Plan to log in to the testing portal 15-20 minutes before your scheduled appointment time. You will be guided to launch the secure browser and will be connected to your live proctor. The proctor will greet you and guide you through the identity verification and room scan procedures described above. Once they have confirmed your identity and the security of your environment, they will officially launch your examination.

Step 5: Taking Your Examination Once the exam begins, the experience is very similar to testing at a center. The exam interface is identical. Your proctor will remain present but will not be intrusive. You will see a small window on your screen showing your own webcam feed so you can be assured you are in view. If you have a question or need technical assistance, you can communicate with your proctor using the chat function.

Step 6: Completing Your Examination When you have finished, you will submit your exam using the on-screen prompts. Your proctor will then guide you through the final steps to close the secure browser and end your session.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is the LRP exam the same as the one offered at the test center? Yes. The content, number of questions, time limit, format, and scoring are absolutely identical. The only difference is the delivery modality.

What are the specific technical requirements for my computer? You will need a desktop or laptop computer (tablets and mobile devices are not permitted) with a reliable, high-speed internet connection, a working webcam, and a microphone. A detailed list of supported operating systems (Windows and Mac OS) and browser requirements is available on our LRP information page.

What happens if my internet disconnects or I lose power during the exam? The secure browser is designed to handle minor, brief interruptions. If your internet disconnects, the exam timer will pause, and the system will attempt to reconnect you. Your proctor will try to contact you via the chat function. If the disconnection is prolonged, your exam session will be terminated, and a detailed incident report will be generated. A CPS staff member will then work with you to reschedule the remainder of your exam.

Am I allowed to use scratch paper? To maintain security, physical scratch paper is not permitted. The testing software includes a built-in digital whiteboard and calculator for your use during the exam. If the exam requires it, a physical whiteboard may be allowed but it must be erased on camera at the end of the exam.

Is my privacy protected during the LRP session? Absolutely. We and our technology partners are fully compliant with global privacy regulations. All data, including the session recordings, is encrypted and stored in a highly secure environment. Access is restricted to trained and authorized personnel for the sole purpose of maintaining examination integrity. The recordings are permanently deleted after a set period of time in accordance with our data retention policy.

Who is eligible to take their exam via LRP? Initially, the LRP option is being made available to all candidates in the Spring 2020 testing window whose appointments were canceled due to test center closures, or who are unable or unwilling to test in person due to health and safety concerns. We will provide updates on future eligibility as the situation evolves.

A New Standard of Accessibility

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges, but it has also been a catalyst for innovation. The launch of Live Remote Proctoring is more than just a temporary solution; it is a significant step forward in our ability to provide a secure, accessible, and candidate-focused path to certification. This has turned a challenge into an opportunity, and we believe LRP will become a valuable and permanent option for the pharmacy community.

We thank you for your continued trust and patience as we have worked to build this solution. We are honored to support the vital work you do, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to helping you achieve your professional goals, no matter the circumstances.

The Leadership Team, Council on Pharmacy Standards (CPS)