NAHQ's Convenient, Online Proctored CPHQ Exam

NAHQ offers the option of taking the CPHQ exam online with a live remote proctor. The remote proctored exam is offered through NAHQs testing vendor, PSI.

This online remote proctored exam means that a remote proctor is actively watching the exam candidate during the time of the test administration in order to safeguard the exam integrity and validity. This is similar to the role of a proctor during an in-person exam at a testing center.

NCCA has fully approved NAHQ to offer the exam online.

 

Is the Online Exam Option for You?

Please review the recommended videos to learn more about the online exam experience. This option does place more responsibility on candidates to ensure your equipment and location meet the technical requirements, including stable Internet and access to a webcam. It is recommended that you use your personal computer instead of a company-issued computer due to security settings that may block necessary functions.

If unable to meet these requirements, taking the CPHQ exam in person at a testing center will be the better option for you. Both the online and in-person testing environments for the CPHQ exam provide the same level of rigor and security.

Recommended Videos

Next Step: Test Your Computer's Compatibility and Prepare for Your Test Day Online

One of the most important things you must do is test your computer’s compatibility. It is recommended that you test compatibility as if you are getting ready to take the online exam. You should test compatibility of the exact computer and wi-fi connection you plan to use during the exam, in the room you will take the exam and at the time of day you will take the exam to help you decide if the online option is right for you.

If you run into any technical issues prior to your examination day, please contact PSI's technical support team  to ensure you are set up for success on the day of your exam. This team is available 24/7.

Test your system's compatibility.

View test day resources.

FAQs

How do I schedule my exam online?

After you’ve applied and paid for the CPHQ exam, you can schedule your exam directly through your NAHQ account with the following steps: 

  • Within your NAHQ account, select My Certification
  • Select the button labeled Schedule Exam
  • You will be redirected to our testing vendors site. From here, you can follow the prompts to schedule your exam
Where can I take the online exam?
  • You can check availability via the PSI website for online testing. Please keep in mind that test center availability is on a first-come, first-served basis. The available test dates and time are displayed in real time and the availability of your preferred test dates and times cannot be guaranteed until you have completed the scheduling process.
  • On exam day, please keep the following tips in mind:
    • Choose a quiet, well-lit area of your home or office to take the exam.
    • Avoid any space that may contain loud noises (i.e., television, radio, family, music, pets, visitors, etc.).
    • Do not choose public places (i.e., coffee shops, restaurants, libraries, parks, etc.).
    • Note that no one else is permitted in the room with you while you are testing.
Should I test my computer before my exam to make sure I have the correct requirements?
  • Yes, we encourage you to perform a compatibility check at least once before your online exam. 

What happens if my computer does not pass the compatibility test?
  • If you are using your work computer, please notify your IT department to review any security and privacy settings/restrictions in place. You may need to seek permission to lift or relax these settings in order to take the CPHQ Exam online.
  • Please contact PSI Technical Support if you or your IT department has any questions about your compatibility test results.
  • Note that exam purchases are nonrefundable. If your computer is unable to support taking the exam online, you will need to take the exam at a physical PSI location.
The date I selected no longer works for me. Can I reschedule my exam?
  • Yes. You can reschedule your online exam one (1) time at no charge, but it must be at least 48 hours before their scheduled time. If you cancel less than 48 hours before your scheduled time, you may experience a delay in rescheduling.
  • You can reschedule your exam online by logging into your PSI account. Please watch this video for assistance.
What happens on the day of the exam?
  • Prepare your workspace.
    • Choose a quiet area.
    • Clean your workspace. Note that many common office supplies will not be allowed, including but not limited to:
      • Reference materials, binders, books, magazines, etc.
      • Cell phones and chargers
      • Plants
      • Eyeglass cases
      • Sticky notes
      • Food and drinks – one (1) clear glass with water is allowed
  • We recommend setting up in the room where you will take the exam and logging into your PSI account at least 30 minutes prior to your online exam start time. However, your exam cannot be launched until 15 minutes prior to your scheduled start time.
    • Your remote proctor will only appear at the time of your scheduled exam. Please wait up to 15 minutes for the remote proctor to appear for your scheduled exam before reaching out to PSI for assistance. There is a chance that the proctor is finishing up another exam before joining you.
  • You will need a valid, government-issued photo ID. Your photo on the ID should be made clearly visible to the camera when prompted by the proctor. The name on the ID must be the same as the name used to register for the exam.
  • Ensure your computer has sufficient battery life and/or is plugged into a power source for the duration of the exam.
  • Ensure you have stable and continuous Internet connectivity for the duration of your exam. If you lose Internet connectivity during the exam, your session will end automatically and results voided.
  • If you experience issues while launching your examination and/or during your exam, please call PSI with the following numbers:
    • United States: 877.714.5686
    • International: 858.875.3688
How and when will I receive my score report?
  • If you are located within the United States, you will receive a copy of your score report in your PSI account immediately following the completion of your exam. You can access it by doing the following steps: 
    • Log into your PSI account. 
    • Click on the My Home link at the top right to go to your home page.  
    • You will now see a list of your previous examinations, even if this is your first time taking the exam, with a Score Report button next to the date and examination name.  
    • Select the Score Report button will open a new window with a PDF copy of your score report.  
      • To view PDF files, you must have Adobe Reader installed. 
  • If you are located internationally, you will be notified after the close of the international window of scores being released. You will be provided instructions to access online. 
    • Please add the @psionline.com domain to your address book or safe sender list or check your spam folder in case the email is directed there.