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 health and safety practices, requirements for entry, and any geographic-specific impacts.
*PLEASE READ BEFORE ARRIVING AT YOUR TEST CENTER*
Face masks are required at any company-owned Pearson Professional Centers (PPCs) in the U.S. and U.S. territories in counties with a “high” COVID-19 community level as provided by the CDC. Check the requirements for your test center»
In all world areas where required by federal, state, local, or tribal regulations, face masks must be worn and proof of vaccination shown at Pearson VUE-owned test centers. 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 geographic-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 in test centers in counties with a “high” COVID-19 community level as provided by the CDC. 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.
- In areas where local requirements do not mandate the wearing of masks, they are still recommended in our test centers. Additionally, 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 exam programs require masks for all testing candidates. To find out if your program mandates mask-wearing, refer to your program-specific landing page.
Proof of vaccination policies:
Where required by local regulations, testing candidates must show proof of vaccination to enter Pearson VUE-owned test centers. Methods of proof may differ by region. Refer to the geographic-specific testing information to see if your test center requires proof of vaccination. Only those areas with proof of vaccination requirements are listed.
Sanitization and safety measures:
For the protection of both staff and visitors, we maintain a sanitizing regimen in our PPCs that includes regularly cleaning and disinfecting common areas and workstations, and providing hand sanitizer throughout waiting areas and testing rooms. We also encourage our third-party test centers to implement these precautionary measures.
For additional geographic-specific measures, please review the individual geographic 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.
Geographic-specific testing information
Most Pearson VUE-owned and operated Pearson Professional Centers (PPCs) are available for exam delivery. Any exceptions and/or unique requirements, including proof of vaccination, 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.
Important notices regarding select PPCs in China
- Beijing and Shanghai: Due to government-mandated lockdowns, suspension of exam delivery has been extended through June 4, 2022. Test-takers affected by this extension will receive cancellation notifications on May 26 and may reschedule exams for a later date.
Additionally, all candidates planning to take an exam in the Beijing PPC must show:
- Proof of a negative PCR test result received within the timelines recommended by local authorities. The PCR test certificate may be paper or electronic.
- Via the My Travel app that they have not traveled outside of Beijing within the 14 days immediately preceding and including the day of their exam. Any candidate who has traveled outside of Beijing in that time period will 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.
Important notes:
Per government regulations, candidates must:
- Use the LeaveHomeSafe mobile application upon entering and after exiting the PPC
- Comply with all relevant requirements under the Vaccine Pass arrangement
Additionally, the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEAA) recommends that before arriving at a test center, candidates should have received a negative result from a rapid antigen test the day of the exam. We do not require proof of the test result, but we expect candidates to comply with the recommendation.
Important notice
Before you can sit for your exam, 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 record your body temperature if it is above 37.5 Celsius and you are asked to reschedule your exam.
Face masks are required (regardless of vaccination status) at any company-owned Pearson Professional Centers (PPCs) in the United States and United States Territories in counties with “high” community levels per CDC guidelines and in compliance with Executive Order 14042. If you are not up to date on COVID-19 vaccines (as provided by the CDC), stay at least 6 feet away from other people. 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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