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Candidate guides
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«All rules and policies concerning taking an NCC examination are summarized in the Candidate Guides. A table of contents is listed below as well as download links to each guide.
It is important that you familiarize yourself with these rules and policies as they will apply to all applicants/candidates. Select the guide for your certification exam specialty.
Table of contents
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- Computer testing
- Scheduling to take your exam
- The day of the computer exam taking the exam by computer what to expect
- Rules of computer testing
- Forfeiture of fees
- Exam results notification
- What happens if you can't take the exam
- Inclement weather, power failure or emergency
- Paper & pencil testing
- Preparing for exam day
- The day of the paper & pencil exam
- If you are unable to take the exam
- Exam results notification
- Other information
- General policies and fees
- Exam content development
- Exam competency statements
- Exam outline
- Bibliography
- Sample questions
- How exams are scored
- Sample exam results
- Computer test centers
- Change request form
Eligibility status on existing applications
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You cannot track the status of your certification application on the website. If it is more than 4 weeks from the time you have submitted your application and you have not received your eligiblity letter in the mail, contact us with specific details on when and how you submitted your application at nccinfo@nccnet.org. NCC will not provide eligiblity status via mail, email or phone if it has not been at least 4 weeks since you submitted your application.
Computer testing
It can take up to four weeks to process an application. Once you have been determined eligible, you will be notified in writing of your eligibility status and assigned a 90 day window to take the examination. Eligibility letters are issued twice a month on the 15th and last day of the month (or closest business day).
Along with your eligibility letter, you will be reminded to download (print) a Candidate Guide, which provides an overview of all test policies & procedures, test outlines, competency statements and sample questions to familiarize you with the test format. Candidate Guides can be downloaded from the NCC website at any time.
Paper & pencil testing
It can take up to four weeks to process an application. Once you have been determined eligible, you will be notified in writing of your eligibility status. Eligibility letters are issued twice a month on the 15th and last day of the month (or closest business day).
Along with your eligibility letter, you will be reminded to download (print) a Candidate Guide, which provides an overview of all test policies & procedures, test outlines, competency statements and sample questions to familiarize you with the test format. Candidate Guides can be downloaded from the NCC website at any time.
Approximately two weeks prior to the test date, you will receive your admission ticket to the test site.
Lost or didn't receive an eligibility letter to test or admission ticket
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Missing eligibility letter
If you lost your eligibility letter or it has been over 4 weeks since you submitted your application and you have not received an eligibility letter; please contact us, or leave a message with the call center at 312-951-0207. Remember to provide your full name, address, email address, phone number, exam registered for and approximate date submitted. You should receive a reply no later than 48 hours (business days).
Lost admission tickets
If you misplace your ticket, report to the test site at the scheduled exam time. Make sure you bring a photo ID with your name and signature. You will be asked to submit an affidavit of identification that will be submitted to NCC.
Pay reprocessing fee
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Any application that is incomplete (those applications submitted with missing information, containing incomplete or incorrect information or do not include full fee payment) is subject to a $25 re-processing fee. This fee is nonrefundable.
Incomplete applications will be returned to the applicant with instructions and must be resubmitted along with the reprocessing fee of $25. These additional information requests and payments must be submitted by mail.
Need a receipt?
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A receipt is provided with your eligibility letter. You cannot obtain a receipt for certification examination on the website.
File for an extension
Any candidate can be granted one (1) extension for the next available 90 day window after the extension request is received and provided that all the following apply:
- Request is submitted online with a non-refundable extension fee of $100 before the final day of the assigned testing window;
- candidate's window of testing time has NOT expired;
- candidate has not made an appointment with AMP to take the examination or if an appointment has been made, it was cancelled no later than four (4) business days prior to the scheduled testing.
Candidates who are approved to extend their 90 day window will not be allowed subsequently to withdraw or request a deferral from the examination process.
CLICK HERE to access the online extension form!
File for a deferral
Candidates who are unable to participate in the examination for which they are scheduled and who are beyond the time frame for rescheduling or cancellation of the appointment may request an additional 90 day window of time to take the examination. The deferral is available on a one time only basis and must be approved by NCC.
Deferral candidates must submit their request online using the below link and pay an additional nonrefundable $125 fee. Candidates who request a deferral are not eligible for any refund. Deferral requests must be submitted online within 30 days from the last day of the original 90 day window. Deferral candidates will be assigned to the next available 90 day window for testing following approval of the deferral request.
CLICK HERE to access the online deferral form!
Other questions about applications already submitted
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If you have other questions regarding your submitted application, please use contact us. Remember to provide your full name, address, email address, phone number, exam registered for and approximate date submitted. You should receive a reply no later than 48 hours (business days).