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It's been a long time coming, but exam candidates can now take their North Carolina Real Estate Licensing Examination from their home. The North Carolina Real Estate Commission and PSI Testing Services are both very excited to begin offering this new option to exam candidates. Testing Centers will remain fully operational and candidates will have the option to choose between taking the North Carolina Licensing Exam from home or at a testing center.
How to Register
Candidates can start taking virtually proctored beginning on May 5, 2021. Students can register at www.psiexams.com/ncre. This new site will be used to register for both virtually proctored exams and in-person exams at testing centers. PSI has also set up a dedicated hotline to assist students with registration which can be reached at 855-579-4638.
In order to register for your exam, you must first create a new account at this site. When creating this account you should enter your social security number for your "Candidate ID" and you should enter your legal first and last names exactly as they appear on your background check.
Registration will be available on a first-come, first-served basis with 24/7 availability for virtually proctored exams. There will be no price difference between virtually proctored and in-person exams.
For a step-by-step guide with pictures on how to register for your exam, please see pages 19-27 of the Real Estate Licensing in North Carolina Booklet.
The Technology: PSI Bridge
The technology that will facilitate virtually proctored exams is a proprietary program developed by PSI called PSI Bridge. This technology has been utilized by PSI for years and they are excited about its introduction into North Carolina. PSI Bridge will do the following to ensure the integrity and security of the candidate's exam:
Lockdown browser (cannot visit other web pages)
Lockdown computer (cannot open other applications)
Disables secondary monitors
Disables screenshotting
Disables copying/pasting
Technical Requirements
The candidate's device will have to meet certain requirements in order to run PSI Bridge software. Click here to run a compatibility check to make sure your computer meets the following requirements:
Supported Operating Systems:
Windows 7 or Later; 32bit (x86) and 64bit (x64)
Mac OS X
Note: You will not be able to take the exam on a Chromebook or a mobile device such as a phone or tablet.
Browsers Supported: PSI Secure Lockdown Browser/Google Chrome
Browser Settings: Browser must accept third-party cookies for the duration of the exam ONLY
Webcam: Minimum VGA 640 x 480 resolution
Microphone: Enabled built-in or external microphone
Bandwidth: Minimum 400 kb/s download and upload
Note: Bandwidth availability in your home may fluctuate throughout the day based on usage. It is best to schedule your exam for a time when there will be minimal other demands on the bandwidth.
Hardware Requirements:
2 GB RAM Memory
1 GB Free Disk Space
Minimum 1368x768 screen resolution
In addition to doing the compatibility check, it is recommended that you download the PSI Secure Lockdown Browser before your test to ensure that it will run on your device. In order to do this, you must have full administrative rights on your computer to download software. Some shared computers, such as those from work or school, may have limitations on the software that you can download to the computer.
Virtually Proctored Exam Session
Before you start your exam session, you will have to complete an ID verification and a Room Scan. During the ID verification, you will be asked to show an unexpired government-issued ID. Military IDs are not accepted. Next, for the Room Scan, you will be asked to pan your camera completely around your room and to show the top of your desk/table and under your desk/table.
Once that is complete, you will be able to begin your virtually proctored exam session. The entire examination session is recorded in video and audio. Communication between you and the proctor will be limited to chat, as you will not be able to view or hear the proctor. The student will be monitored by both the proctor and by artificial intelligence mechanisms used to detect irregularities. The proctor will have the ability to pause the exam, revoke access to the exam, or end the exam at any time.
Once you begin your exam, you will have to abide by the following policies and rules:
Cannot speak during the exam
No scratch paper allowed
Note: You may use a whiteboard, but if you do, you must hold it up to the camera and completely erase it before the end of your examination session.
May not reproduce exam questions after the exam
No access to cell phones or other electronic devices
No photos may be taken during the exam
No headphones, earbuds, or smartwatches/devices
No food or drink
No breaks, even to use the restroom
Disconnection from the Secure Browser
Unfortunately, internet connection and power are not always reliable. In the event that you disconnect from the Secure Browser due to an unforeseen internet or power outage, you should attempt to click the desktop icon and relaunch the secure browser. If only a short amount of time has passed since you disconnected, you may be able to continue with your exam. Unfortunately, if a long period of time passes before you are able to reconnect to the secure browser, your exam attempt will be terminated and all progress will be lost. You will have to start over and schedule an entirely new exam attempt.
What kind of exam should I take?
More options mean more choices! Virtually proctored exams are an exciting new option to complete your North Carolina Real Estate Licensing Examination, but you may want to opt for an in-person exam if you meet any of the following criteria:
You cannot sit in front of a computer for the length of the exam
You cannot go the length of the exam without a bathroom break
You cannot go the length of the exam without food or water
You do not have a quiet, stable environment to test in
You do not have access to reliable internet or power
You do not have a device that meets the technical requirements
If you take an in-person exam at a PSI Testing center, you do not have to worry about device requirements, internet/power, or your testing environment. Additionally, at PSI Testing Centers, you will be allowed to take bathroom breaks and to take a break between the National and State Sections of the exam.
Whichever way you decide to take your exam,
Skyline has everything you need to ace it!