Important COVID-related testing information
Updated:
We continue to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and, in accordance with government and local authorities, 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 following government and local guidelines 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 also 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 masks are required at a particular testing location.
Important candidate information
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.
Where required by federal, state, local, tribal regulations, or in accordance with guidance from the CDC based on the community transmission for the county you are in, you must bring and properly wear your own face mask the entire time you are at the test center, including throughout your exam. 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.
A surgical or cloth face mask, including a homemade face mask, is acceptable as long as your nose and mouth are fully covered. Please refer to the CDC, WHO, or your local health organization for best practices on choosing effective face masks. Face masks with exhalation valves and face shields are not acceptable. We are unable to provide face masks to candidates.
- 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.
Face mask policy and health and safety measures at Pearson VUE test centers:
- We comply with and enforce safety procedures per local government requirements and CDC guidance.
- Where required by federal, state, local, and tribal regulations, candidates must wear face masks properly while in the testing center.
- Effective December 1, 2021, in the United States and United States Territories, masks must be worn by everyone (regardless of vaccination status) in counties that have a high or substantial community transmission rate as defined by the CDC per Executive Order 14042.
- If you are unvaccinated, you must always wear a mask and maintain 6 feet of physical distance.
- Hand sanitizer is readily available in waiting areas and testing rooms.
- Candidates must wash their hands or use hand sanitizer upon arrival.
- Common areas are cleaned and disinfected frequently.
- Workstations are disinfected between each testing appointment.
- Candidates are permitted to wear disposable gloves if they choose.
For additional country specific measures, please review the individual country information below. We also encourage our third-party test centers to implement these precautionary measures.
| 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 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.
Sydney and Parramatta (New South Wales) PPC test centers
Per government regulations, effective October 18, candidates must present one of the following upon arrival to a Pearson Professional Center located in New South Wales:
- Successful completion of Service NSW QR check-in that includes vaccination confirmation
- An online immunization history statement
- A COVID-19 digital certificate from the Australian Immunisation Register, Medicare App, Service NSW App, or equivalent smartphone wallet
- Printed version of the COVID digital certificate or immunization history statement
- Vaccination information displayed on the Service NSW app
Important information for 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 test centers
Per government regulations, effective November 20th, 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)
Hamilton, Ontario Test Center
Per government regulations, proof of full vaccination is required for entry into the building where our Hamilton, Ontario testing center is located. Upon entering the building, candidate options of required evidence include:
- Paper or electronic version of vaccination records/receipts along with a valid ID.
- “MacCheck” result that shows that you have already provided proof to McMaster University.
- Electronic application being prepared by the Province (which will replace the paper process).
Individuals who cannot receive the vaccine due to medical exemptions will be permitted to enter with a doctor’s note until the medical exemption can be integrated as part of a digital vaccine certificate.
As defined by the provincial government, people are considered fully vaccinated if they have received:
- A full series of a COVID-19 vaccine authorized by Health Canada, or any combination of such vaccines.
- One or two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine not authorized by Health Canada (Sputnik, Sinovac, etc.), followed by one dose of a COVID-19 mRNA dose authorized by Health Canada.
- Three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine not authorized by Health Canada (Sputnik, Sinovac, etc.)
Important Beijing PPC Notice: Effective 30 October, in compliance with a notice from the National Education and Examination Authorities (NEEA), test delivery is suspended at the Beijing PPC. This temporary suspension is scheduled through 11 December. Candidates affected by this change will be notified and may either reschedule exams at PearsonVUE.com or request a refund.
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 to 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 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 2 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.
Our 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.
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