Apply and Schedule

BE Ready

Exam applications are taken on a year-round basis but don't apply until you’re ready to take the test. You’ll have to take the exam no later than 90 days from the date your application is approved. 

IMPORTANT TESTING SITE INFORMATION ON COVID-19

If you are scheduled to take the certification exam and have questions regarding whether or not your exam site is open please contact PSI for the most up-to-date information. PSI has provided us with information on the Coronavirus and its testing centers - you can access the information here.

For a listing of the OPEN testing centers, you can access the list here. 

We encourage candidates to check their emails and voice mails often in order to review communications regarding last-minute updates regarding their scheduled test date. If you have questions on your testing date or site, please contact PSI at 833-333-4754. PSI customer service is available Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.; 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday; and 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday (all times Central Time). Peak times are during the lunch time and at end of day. Please note that there may be higher than normal response times and thank you for your patience and understanding during these times. We encourage you to utilize the on-line services through the PSI website to check site availability and any other important notices that are available for that site.

Should you need to reschedule your exam, you can do so in your PSI online account. Log into your PSI account, click on "Reschedule" to select your new day or time. Please be mindful of the  required timeframes for rescheduling as some fees may apply. 

Looking for the test center locations? Visit the CBDCE test center webpage at PSI for test center locations.

The health of candidates and employees continue to be theirs and our top priority. PSI is receiving questions regarding their procedures to ensure employee and candidate's safety as they re-open. To assist in answering these questions, PSI has created a frequently asked questions document which can be found here. We encourage candidates to review the information as questions may be answered in this document. As questions are asked that are not included on this FAQ, PSI will be updating it to ensure they are being responsive to questions and concerns. 

Ready to apply for the CDCES Examination? Clicking the link below "Apply for the Examination" will redirect you to the CDCES Examination webpage  on our testing agency's, PSI, website to place your  Exam application.

Responsive Image

Apply and Schedule

Once all the eligibility requirements are met and you are ready to test, it’s time to apply for the exam. You will apply for the CDCES Exam through our testing vendor's, PSI, website but will first need to create an account with PSI (not CBDCE). To apply, click the link above "Apply for the Examination" and you will be redirected to the CDCES Examination webpage on PSI's website.
If you apply online, notification of approval to take the exam or that you have been selected for audit is provided at the time of application. Before you can complete the application process, you’ll need to pay the application fee. The fee for initial certification is $350.

If approved, you will be emailed an eligibility confirmation notice which includes the 90-day window during which you’ll need to schedule and take your exam. Keep it handy. There's a lot of important and valuable information in it.  Once you’ve got the confirmation notice, you can schedule your exam through the PSI account that you created. Because appointments are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, you will want to schedule your exam appointment as quickly as possible after approval in order to have the most flexibility.

To schedule, log into your PSI account, click on "Schedule" then select if you want to test at a testing center or via live remote proctoring and continue through the scheduling prompts to select your exam day and time. 

Should you need to reschedule your exam, you can do so, easily, in your PSI online account. Log into your PSI account, click on "Reschedule" to select your new day or time.  Please be mindful of the  required timeframes for rescheduling as some fees may apply. 

The process is handled by our testing agency, PSI/AMP

For full details, review the
Exam Handbook

If you're pursuing the Unique Qualifications Pathway

Just a reminder: You’ll need to be pre-approved and follow the UQ process.

Requests for Special Accommodations

Individuals with documented disabilities or qualifying medical conditions needing special accommodations for the exam are required to submit a Request for Special Accommodations and the Documentation of Disability-Related Needs form along with your application. Requests must be made prior to scheduling your exam appointment. Refer to the Exam Handbook for more information about the process and to access the form. (Exception: Comfort items that appear on the Pre-Approved Comfort Aids list--refer to Comfort Items and Accommodations below.) 
 

A PSI representative will notify you once your accommodation has been approved. After approval of your accommodation, you will need to complete an online form through the PSI website to schedule your exam. This form will identify the type of request as well as desired dates, times, and modality or test center locations. This online form is set up to streamline the process to create fewer back and forth emails. Need assistance with your special accommodation? Contact the PSI special accommodations team at 1-800-367-1565 Ext. 6750.

Comfort Items and Accommodations:
Effective May 2023, test takers no longer need to formally request testing accommodations for items that fall on the "Pre-Approved Comfort Aids" list (List). This List includes specific medicine and medical devices including those attached to a person's body, communication aids, mobility devices, and service animals. Test Center Administrators and online proctors will perform an inspection of the aids prior to testing. Also note if an approved medical device makes alert noises, it must be able to be silenced. If the medical device is not able to be silence, a formal special accommodation request must be provided. Take a moment to review the List to see if your accommodation falls within the listing. 

Live Remote Proctoring

Testing via Live Remote Proctoring (LRP)

Exciting News! Candidates now have the option of taking the CDCES exam by either testing at a PSI Test Center or testing by Live Remote Proctoring (LRP). 

Testing via Live Remote Proctoring (LRP) allows a candidates to test using their own computer from their home. The candidate must have a computer that meets the requirements for the LRP.  To learn more about the requirements for LRP testing, click Guide to LRP below. 

Candidates should thoroughly review the information on testing choices in the CBDCE Examination Handbook and the Guide to Live Remote Proctoring to determine which option is best for them.

Watch PSI's video on what to expect in a LRP environment. 
 
Testing Via Live Remote Proctoring?
 
  • Don't wait until the last minute to figure out your computer situation or to locate your PSI account login information. 
  • Run your compatibility test to make sure that the computer you are testing on is compatible with the PSI testing environment. Reminder that if you will be using a work computer, you must have administrative rights to download the exam platform.
  • Launch your LRP exam from your PSI online account. Be sure you have your PSI login information handy so there are no issues when logging in to take your exam. You may even want to login to your PSI account a day or two before to ensure no login trouble on your exam day. 
  • Thoroughly review the LRP Guide for specific computer requirements, testing information, and rules for testing via LRP.

Audits

A percentage of applications are selected for audit. You will know upon submission of your application if you were selected for an audit. If selected, you will need to submit appropriate documentation supporting eligibility. The necessary documentation must be received by the deadline date in the audit notice. Review the audit document for more information.

Paper Applications 

If you prefer to submit a paper application, you can find it in the Exam Handbook. Submit it along with fees and required documentation to

 PSI
 Examination Services Department
 18000 West 105th Street
 Olathe, KS 66061-7543

Write “CBDCE” in the upper left corner of the envelope under your return address.

If you’re submitting a paper application and you do not receive notice of receipt within four weeks of mailing it, call CBDCE’s testing partner, PSI. The Examination Services Department can be reached at (833) 333-4754.  

About the Exam

The examination is a computer-based examination composed of 200 multiple-choice questions, objective questions given over a total testing time of four (4) hours. Twenty-five of the 200 questions are new pre-test questions that allow CBDCE to collect meaningful statistics on but are not included in the determination of individual Examination score. These pre-test questions are not identified separately and are scattered throughout the examination.

Final To Do List 

  • Put the test date, time, and location on your calendar.
  • Testing at a Center? Check the location of the testing center and take a drive by before your appointment. Watch the video provided by PSI/AMP, CBDCE’s testing agency. It offers useful information and details about the exam appointment day and test center procedures.
  • Testing by LRP? Review CBDCEs Guide to LRP. Do one last computer compatibility check on the computer you will be testing on. You can launch your LRP exam from your PSI account, once logged in click on "Launch Exam" link (which will be available 30 minutes prior to your exam time).​​​​​ Watch the video provided by PSI, CBDCE's testing agency for what to expect when taking an exam via LRP.
  • And last but not least, get a good night’s sleep before your exam appointment!