Important COVID-related testing information
Updated:
We continue to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and adjust test center operations as needed. On this page you will find general information regarding exam requirements, health and safety practices, and any country-specific impacts.
In areas where required by federal, state, local, or tribal regulations, face masks must be worn at Pearson VUE-owned test centers. Face masks are recommended at all other locations. More information»
Health and safety practices at Pearson VUE-owned test centers
At our company-owned test centers, we are taking steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 while protecting testing candidates and our staff. We ask candidates to comply with the health and safety guidelines outlined below to keep others safe. Prior to any examination appointment, candidates should check the location listings below for any country-specific requirements, and use the search field near the bottom of this page to find out if face masks are required at a particular testing location.
Face mask policies:
In the United States: Face masks are required at all company-owned Pearson Professional Centers (PPCs) in the U.S. and U.S. territories regardless of vaccination status, per the requirements set forth in Executive Order 14042. Candidates who do not comply may forfeit their ability to take current and future exams. We will not issue refunds to candidates who do not comply.
For all world regions: Where required, you must bring and properly wear your own face mask the entire time you are at the test center, including throughout your exam. We are unable to provide face masks to candidates.
Check the face mask requirements at your test center by using the search field near the bottom of this page. In these locations, testing candidates without a face mask will be denied testing services. Face masks are recommended at all other locations.
- In areas where local requirements do not mandate the wearing of masks in general, any unvaccinated candidates must still wear masks and maintain six feet of physical distance while in a PPC.
- A surgical or cloth face mask is acceptable as long as your nose and mouth are fully covered. Face masks with exhalation valves and face shields are not acceptable. Please refer to the CDC, WHO, or your local health organization for best practices on choosing effective face masks.
- Regardless of local regulations, some programs require masks for all testing candidates. To find out if your program mandates mask-wearing, refer to your program-specific landing page.
Sanitization, health and safety measures:
We have implemented a thorough sanitizing regimen in our PPCs and enforce safety standards as follows:
- Candidates must wash their hands or use hand sanitizer upon arrival.
- Hand sanitizer is readily available in waiting areas and testing rooms.
- Common areas are cleaned and disinfected frequently.
- Workstations are disinfected between each testing appointment.
- Candidates may wear disposable gloves if they choose.
- We also encourage our third-party test centers to implement these precautionary measures.
For additional country-specific measures, please review the individual country information below.
Admittance restrictions and rescheduling guidance:
| You will not be admitted to the test center and should reschedule your exam if… |
Unless… |
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You have tested positive for COVID-19:
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- You have been symptom-free and fever-free for at least 72 hours without the use of fever reducing medicine
AND
- At least 14 days have passed since your diagnosis or you have received two negative COVID-19 test results in a row, 24 hours apart
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You are currently experiencing or have experienced one or more associated symptoms within the last fourteen (14) days:
- shortness of breath
- cough
- fever
- chills
- sore throat
- loss of smell
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- You have been symptom-free and fever-free for at least 72 hours without the use of fever reducing medicine
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You live with or have had close contact with someone who has confirmed or suspected COVID-19.
*Medical and healthcare professionals - please see exception below.
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- At least 14 days have passed since your last exposure
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You have been or are under home quarantine or centralized observation by government or healthcare authorities
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- At least 14 days have passed since the start of your quarantine or centralized observation has been lifted by the government or healthcare authorities
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You have traveled to or from, within the last 14 days, a location that the State, County, City or other local government you are currently in has placed travel restrictions on.
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*Medical and healthcare professionals where both the medical/healthcare professional and the patient were wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) are an exception.
Country-specific testing information
Most Pearson VUE-owned and operated Pearson Professional Centers (PPCs) are available for exam delivery. Any exceptions and/or unique requirements are noted in the list below. Please note: If you exhibit symptoms of COVID-19 upon arrival at any test center, you may be asked to reschedule your exam.
Some independent third-party test centers (PVTC and PVTC Selects) around the world may be operating at limited or changed capacity based on their own discretion or in response to government mandates. They may also institute additional precautionary measures to protect candidates and employees during this time. We continue to deliver exams to any third-party test centers with the ability to operate.
For information on scheduling/rescheduling exam appointments, please review our FAQ.
All candidates planning to sit for exams at Pearson Professional Centers (PPCs) in Australia must check in with the CBR app and comply with the local vaccination guidelines.
Important notes regarding proof of vaccination:
Melbourne and Box Hill (Victoria) PPC test centers
Per government regulations, effective November 1, candidates must present one of the following upon arrival to a Pearson Professional Center located in Victoria:
- A COVID-19 digital certificate from the Australian Immunisation Register, Service Victoria App, or equivalent smartphone wallet
- Printed version of the COVID digital certificate or immunization history statement
- Appropriate proof of medical exemption from an Australian licenced doctor / medical practitioner.
Candidates vaccinated outside of Australia
Our Pearson VUE-owned and operated Pearson Professional Centers (PPCs) are available for testing in Canada. We will continue to deliver exams to any independent third-party test centers (PVTC and PVTC Selects) who have the ability to operate within Canada.
Important notes regarding proof of vaccination:
Alberta PPC test centers
Per government regulations, effective November 20, 2021, candidates must present one of the following upon arrival to the test center:
- Proof of vaccination via the QR code within the Alberta COVID Records Verifier App
- Documentation of a medical exemption from the vaccine
- Proof of a privately paid negative PCR or rapid test taken within 72 hours of exam appointment (tests from AHS or Alberta Precision Laboratories not allowed)
Ontario PPC test centers
Per government regulations, candidates in Ontario must present their enhanced vaccine certificate with official QR code, sometimes called a vaccine passport or vaccine record, as proof of vaccination upon arrival at a test center.
- Vaccine receipts without a QR code will no longer be accepted as valid proof of vaccination.
- Negative COVID tests will not be accepted.
- A written medical exemption will no longer be accepted.
- If you are participating in a Health Canada approved COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial, you must show the following two items:
- Your valid personal identification
- Proof of participation in that trial via an enhanced vaccination certificate with official QR code
Nova Scotia PPC test centers
Per government regulations, effective December 3, 2021, candidates must present proof of vaccination upon arrival at a test center.
- At minimum, a record must show all the following information to demonstrate proof of full vaccination:
- the candidate’s name
- the brand(s) of vaccine received (e.g., Moderna, Pfizer, etc.)
- an indication that all required doses for that brand of vaccine were received
- the date when the final dose was received
- Exceptions
- the candidate has an exception letter for a medical reason
- the candidate has an exception letter because they are in a clinical trial for COVID-19 vaccine
Important Beijing PPC Notice: Effective December 13, test delivery has resumed at the Beijing PPC. All candidates planning to take an exam in the Beijing PPC:
- Must show proof of a negative PCR test result from within the previous 72 hours. The PCR test certificate may be paper or electronic.
- GMAT Alert:
In compliance with a notice from the National Education and Examination Authorities (NEEA), all GMAT candidates must show proof of a negative PCR test result from within the previous 48 hours (counting from the time the PCR test result is shown to Test Administrator). The PCR test certificate maybe paper or electronic.
- Must show (via the My Travel APP) that they have not traveled outside of Beijing within 14 days, including the day of the exam. Any candidate who has traveled outside of Beijing in that time period will be not be admitted to the PPC.
Most Pearson VUE-owned and operated Pearson Professional Centers (PPCs) are available for testing in China. We will continue to deliver exams to any independent third-party test centers (PVTC and PVTC Selects) who have the ability to operate within China.
In order to be admitted into the test center, candidates must acknowledge both that they meet certain health requirements and that they will follow health and safety guidelines while testing.
- You must show your health monitor app (updated on the date of the test) before entering the test center (you may have to show this to the building landlord in addition to Pearson VUE).
- You will have your temperature taken with a contactless thermal sensor at your forehead (this may be taken by the building landlord in addition to Pearson VUE). If your temperature is above 37.3 Celsius, you will be asked to reschedule your exam for a different day (free of charge).
- Bring and wear your own face mask in the testing room. The mask will be inspected prior to entering the test room.
- Stay > 1m away from other people in the waiting area and during the admissions process.
- You have not been in close personal contact with someone who recently traveled outside of mainland China within the last 14 days.
*Please note that the test center will log the temperature data and health code of test-takers for two months. However, if 1) you dispute with regard to attendance of the test in two months, 2) you are suspected to be infected or 3) there is a request from authorities, then your health log will be maintained until no longer reasonably required.
Our Pearson VUE-owned and operated Pearson Professional Center (PPC) is available for testing in Frankfurt.
Important note:
The Frankfurt PPC is following Germany’s 3G rule (“Geimpft, Genesen oder Getestet”), which requires anyone entering a test center to show proof of vaccination against, recovery from, or a negative test result for COVID-19. Required evidence is as follows:
- Proof of vaccination: Candidates may present either their yellow vaccination booklet or digital vaccination certificate, which may be displayed on a smartphone.
- Proof of recovery: Candidates who have recovered from coronavirus may present their positive test result as proof of recovery, 11 to 180 days after that positive result. They may also download the positive test result to either the Corona-Warn-App or the CovPass app to receive a digital certificate. Candidates must also have been symptom-free for at least 15 days.
- Proof of negative COVID-19 test: Candidates who are neither vaccinated nor recovered must present a negative test result. Negative PCR test results must be no more than 48 hours old; negative rapid antigen tests must be no more than 24 hours old. Candidates who are neither vaccinated nor recovered must present a negative test result. Negative PCR test results must be no more than 48 hours old; negative rapid antigen tests must be no more than 24 hours old.
Pearson VUE will review candidate evidence to confirm compliance with the requirements stated above; we will not retain copies of the documentation provided.
Test delivery is currently suspended at our Pearson VUE-owned and operated Pearson Professional Center (PPC) in New Delhi. We will resume exam delivery services at this location when it is safe.
Affected candidates will receive email cancellations, and they can attempt to reschedule exams at a later date at PearsonVUE.com. Candidates with canceled exams will either receive a refund (if paid to Pearson VUE) or an extension as determined by your exam sponsor.
Most Pearson VUE-owned and operated Pearson Professional Centers (PPCs) are available for testing in India.
In order to be admitted into the test center, candidates must acknowledge both that they meet certain health requirements and that they will follow health and safety guidelines while testing.
- You are strongly encouraged to show your Arogya Setu App (updated on the date of the test) on a best-effort basis before entering the test center. You will not be admitted to the test center if the App shows you are at risk.
- You will have your temperature taken with a contactless thermal sensor at your forehead. If your temperature is above 37.5 Celsius, you will be asked to reschedule your exam for a different day (free of charge). Please note that the test center will take record your body temperature if it is above 37.5 degree Celsius and you are asked to reschedule your exam.
- You must bring and wear your own face mask while at a Pearson VUE-owned test center and throughout your exam. Any surgical or cloth face mask, including a homemade face mask, is acceptable as long as your nose and mouth are fully covered. Face masks with exhalation valves and face shields are not acceptable. Candidates without a face mask will be denied testing services. We are unable to provide face masks to candidates. However, test-takers may be required to remove it during registration and ID checks and after any toilet breaks to confirm their identity.
- Stay > 2 yards away from other people in the waiting area and during the admissions process.
Our Pearson VUE-owned and operated Pearson Professional Centers (PPCs) are available for testing in Japan. We will continue to deliver exams to any independent third-party test centers (PVTC and PVTC Selects) who have the ability to operate within Japan.
Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare COVID-19 Guidance urges cooperation from business owners in preventing the spread of the disease, and specifically asks business owners holding events “to prevent the spread of infection, such as encouraging participants to wash their hands, installing alcohol disinfectants, and asking those who have symptoms such as colds not to participate”.
Based on guidance from the Singapore Government, Pearson VUE or its building owners are instituting temperature checks and collecting travel information from candidates entering its company-owned test centers in Singapore. In addition, it’s likely that our third-party Singapore test center network may institute similar requirements.
- If you are traveling from another country and have not quarantined for the required 14 days, please reschedule your exam.
- If you are exhibiting symptoms upon entering our test center, you will be asked to wear a mask or take your test in a separate room.
- If you have a fever above 37.5 degrees Celsius, you will not be allowed entry into the test center and will be asked to reschedule your exam.
Candidates who are asked to reschedule their exams will either receive a refund (if paid to Pearson VUE) or an extension as determined by your exam sponsor.
Effective December 1, 2021, face masks are required at all company-owned Pearson Professional Centers (PPCs) in the United States and United States Territories regardless of vaccination status per the requirements set forth in Executive Order 14042 and in compliance with CDC guidelines for areas with high or substantial community spread. Unvaccinated individuals are always required to wear masks and distance. Candidates who do not comply may forfeit their ability to take current and future exams. We will not issue refunds to candidates who do not comply.
Important notes regarding proof of vaccination:
District of Columbia PPC test centers
Per Mayor’s Order 2021-148, upon arrival at a Pearson Professional Center located in the District of Columbia, candidates must present proof of vaccination against Covid-19 as follows:
- Proof of at least first vaccination shot by Saturday January 15, 2022
- Proof of full initial course of vaccination by Tuesday, February 15, 2022
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