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USI Certification Testing Policy

Purpose

The purpose of this Certification Testing Policy is to establish standardized procedures for the administration, security, integrity, and reporting of industry certification examinations. This policy ensures compliance with Rule 6A-6.0576, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.), USI requirements, and applicable state and federal laws.

Scope

This policy applies to all instructors, proctors, monitors, administrators, staff members, and students participating in industry certification testing programs.

I. Testing Program Administration

A. Instructor Eligibility

  1. Instructors must hold a current certification in the industry area for which students are expected to earn certification prior to endorsing students for examination.
  2. Instructors must certify at least five (5) business days before submitting an exam request.
  3. All exam requests must be submitted by the course instructor using the approved Exam Endorsement Form.
  4. Exam requests must be submitted a minimum of three (3) business days before the requested testing date.

B. Proctor Approval

  1. All proctors must be approved by the school or district.
  2. All proctors must complete annual test compliance training.
  3. All Florida proctors must annually sign the Florida Career and Professional Education Act Industry Certification Test Administration and Security Agreement (Form FCAPE-03) or any successor form required by the Florida Department of Education.
  4. Records of training and signed agreements shall be maintained for a minimum of five (5) years.

II. Test Security Requirements

The security and integrity of all certification examinations shall be maintained at all times.

A. Instructors Providing Direct Instruction Shall Not:

  1. Assist students with answering exam questions during an active test administration.
  2. Create any study guide or other document that includes any exam questions that are part of a current test form for the industry certification.
  3. Administer an industry certification exam to students to whom they provide direct instruction for the certification, or to any student taking an industry certification exam for which the teacher provides direct instruction.
  4. Administer an industry certification exam to themselves.
  5. Administer an industry certification exam to other staff members, if they provide direct instruction for the certification.
  6. Administer any industry certification exam to a family member.
  7. Preview active exam content, even in the presence of a monitor or assigned proctor.
  8. Access any testing materials, either computer-based or paper-based.
  9. Reveal, print, copy, screen capture or otherwise reproduce test questions that are part of an active version of an industry certification exam.
  10. Take any industry certification exam using any name other than their own legal name.
  11. Allow or entice another person to take an exam for a test candidate.
  12. Interfere in any way that jeopardizes the integrity of the test with persons assigned to administer or proctor industry certification exams.
  13. Provide answer keys to any student before, during or after test administration.
  14. Assist USI in reviewing and creating exam questions for an industry certification exam for which they provide direct instruction.
  15. Participate in, direct, aid, counsel, assist in, or engage in conduct or activity which could result in inaccurate measurement of student achievement on industry certification exams.

B. Proctors and Monitors Shall Not:

  1. Assist students with answering exam questions during an active test administration.
  2. Create any study guide or other document that includes any exam questions that are part of a current test form for the industry certification.
  3. Reveal, print, copy, screen capture or otherwise reproduce exam questions, unless expressly authorized by USI for the industry certification.
  4. Provide access to an exam to any teacher or other district employee, except as part of any official administration of the exam for the purpose of that teacher or employee obtaining the industry certification.
  5. Take any industry certification exam using any name other than their own legal name.
  6. Allow or entice another person to take an exam for a test candidate.
  7. Provide answer keys to any student before, during, or after test administration.
  8. Share credentials provided by USI for the purpose of administering industry certification exams.
  9. Administer any industry certification exam to a family member.
  10. Participate in, direct, aid, counsel, assist in, or engage in conduct or activity which could result in inaccurate measurement of student achievement on industry certification exams.

C. Testing Materials

  1. Examination content shall be delivered in a secure manner.
  2. Testing materials shall remain inaccessible, except as necessary by official administration.
  3. Examination scoring shall be conducted by USI or its authorized vendor (GMetrix).
  4. Examination questions shall not be retained, copied, stored, or reproduced by school personnel.

III. Testing Environment

A. Proctor Responsibilities

  1. The assigned proctor must enter their authorized testing credentials to unlock each student's examination.
  2. The proctor must remain present throughout the entire testing session.
  3. The proctor must actively monitor testing conditions, student conduct, and testing time.
  4. The proctor shall verify student identity prior to testing.
  5. The proctor shall ensure compliance with all USI requirements.

B. Instructor Presence

  1. Instructors may not remain in the testing room once testing begins.
  2. Instructors may not communicate with students regarding examination content during testing.

C. Permitted Materials

Students may not use:

  • Textbooks
  • Workbooks
  • Notes
  • Coursework
  • Study guides
  • Electronic devices not authorized for testing
  • Internet resources
  • Any other unauthorized materials

during the testing period.

IV. Student Testing Procedures

A. Examination Attempts

  1. Students may test only once during a testing period.
  2. Each ‘access code’ is valid for one examination attempt.
  3. Students must wait a minimum of twenty (20) calendar days between examination attempts.
  4. Examinations may not be administered more than three (3) times within a single academic year.
  5. No exceptions shall be made to the twenty-day waiting period unless expressly authorized by USI due to an invalidated examination not caused by student misconduct.

B. Retesting

  1. Students who fail an examination may retest after twenty (20) calendar days.
  2. The instructor shall coordinate retesting with the authorized proctor.
  3. Certifications earned through examinations administered in violation of retesting requirements may be invalidated and may not be awarded.

V. Testing Accommodations

  1. Students with documented accommodations, including those under an IEP or Section 504 Plan, shall receive approved accommodations consistent with USI requirements.
  2. Instructors must notify the testing coordinator of approved accommodations before scheduling examinations.
  3. Standard examinations shall allow ninety (90) minutes for seventy (70) questions unless otherwise specified by USI.
  4. Approved extended-time accommodations shall provide one hundred thirty-five (135) minutes unless otherwise required by USI.
  5. Extended-time examinations shall be administered in accordance with USI requirements.

VI. Testing Irregularities and Violations

A. Reporting Requirements

  1. Any suspected testing irregularity, security breach, misconduct, or compromise of examination integrity must be reported immediately to the testing coordinator (Support@FlyUSI.org).
  2. The school or district shall investigate all reported incidents.
  3. Violations involving industry certification examinations shall be reported to the Florida Department of Education and the applicable certifying agency within five (5) business days, or sooner if required by the certifying agency.

B. Examples of Testing Irregularities

  • Unauthorized assistance
  • Possession of prohibited materials
  • Sharing testing credentials
  • Reproduction of examination content
  • Candidate impersonation
  • Failure to follow testing procedures
  • Security breaches or unauthorized access to examination materials

C. Consequences

Violations may result in:

  • Invalidation of examination scores
  • Denial or revocation of certification
  • Removal of testing privileges
  • Employee disciplinary action
  • Referral to state authorities or certifying agencies
  • Other sanctions permitted by law or policy

The school shall not award, report, or recognize any certification obtained through activities that violate this policy or Rule 6A-6.0576, F.A.C.

VII. Certification Issuance and Reporting

  1. Certifications shall be issued by USI upon successful completion of examination requirements.
  2. Students are responsible for claiming and accepting certifications through the designated credentialing platform (Accredible).
  3. Official examination reports shall be distributed by USI annually or upon authorized request.

VIII. Annual Training Requirements

  1. All instructors, proctors, monitors, and testing personnel shall complete annual training on:
    • Test security requirements
    • Florida statutes and administrative rules governing certification testing
    • Testing irregularities and reporting procedures
    • Ethical responsibilities and professional conduct
  2. Documentation of training completion shall be maintained by the school or district.