Certification Testing Policy

 

Purpose
This policy establishes the procedures and requirements for administering certification examinations in compliance with Rule 6A-6.0576, Florida Administrative Code. The intent is to ensure the integrity, fairness, and consistency of all certification assessments offered under this program.

I. Eligibility for Certification

To be eligible for certification, each candidate must complete a minimum of one hundred fifty (150) hours of instruction in the applicable program area prior to attempting the certification examination.

II. Certification Examination Requirements

All certifications must meet the following general requirements:

Competency-Based Assessment

    • Each certification requires a written and/or performance-based examination that measures student competency or proficiency in the certification area.
    • Certificates are only awarded when a student demonstrates the required level of skill or knowledge.

Development and Administration

    • Examinations must be developed by the certifying agency (USI) and administered according to the procedures established by that agency.

Secure Test Administration

    • Written examinations must be proctored by a third party who is not the individual providing direct instruction for the certification.
    • Performance-based competency examinations must be independently evaluated by an individual other than the student’s direct instructor.
    • Examination materials must be delivered in a secure manner and remain in the proctor’s possession only for the time necessary to receive, administer, and return the materials to the scoring entity.

Scoring

    • All written examinations must be scored by the certifying agency or an approved vendor (GMetrix) of that agency.
    • Exams may not be scored by any representative of the school district or by the examinee.

III. Proctoring Requirements

Independent Proctoring

    • Written exams may not be proctored by the individual who provided direct instruction for the industry certification.

Exception for Limited Proctor Availability

    • If the only individual authorized by the certifying agency to serve as proctor is also the instructor, and only one eligible proctor is available at the school, the following must occur:
      • A second individual who does not provide direct instruction must independently monitor the testing session.
      • All written exams must be administered following the certifying agency’s official procedures.

Secure Handling of Exam Materials

    • Exam questions and materials must be delivered and stored securely.
    • Paper-based exams may only be handled by the proctor for the limited time required to conduct and return the assessment to the scoring entity.

IV. Retesting Procedures

  1. A candidate may not attempt the same industry certification examination more than three (3) times during a single year.
  2. A minimum of twenty (20) calendar days must pass between test administrations.
  3. If a test attempt is invalidated by the certifying agency due to a testing irregularity not caused by student misconduct, the district may authorize a retest prior to the 20-day waiting period.

V. Performance-Based Certification Exams

If a certification consists solely of a performance-based competency examination, the instructor who provides direct instruction may not serve as the evaluator or proctor.

VI. Compliance

All certification testing must be conducted strictly in accordance with the test administration procedures (i.e., Proctor Guide) and with all security and ethical standards outlined in this policy. Non-compliance may result in the invalidation of test results.