FINRA, NASAA to Launch Online Testing Service

Prometric, which administers FINRA exams, will supervise exams via the computer camera and other web tools.

Outside FINRA’s headquarters in New York. (Photo: Ronald Pechtimaldjian/ALM)

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and the North American Securities Administrators Association are working with other regulators to roll out an online testing service to be administered remotely by Prometric.

The online test delivery service will allow candidates to use their camera-equipped computer to take qualifications exams, FINRA states.

Prometric, which administers FINRA exams, will have its staff supervise exams through the camera and other online tools.

FINRA is currently conducting a trial of the online testing service and expects to launch the service on a limited basis in the near future, starting with the SIE, Series 6, Series 7, Series 63 and Series 66 “with increasing capacity and exam offerings over the next four to six weeks.”

More details about the online test-taking service will be available on FINRA’s COVID-19 page, starting May 1.

Prometric also plans to open select test centers in limited geographic locations as early as May 1.

“Select in-center testing will only be made available to essential service programs, including financial services programs, and capacity will be limited due to social distancing requirements,” FINRA states.

These requirements may impact already scheduled exam appointments.

The most up-to-date information about test center availability and COVID-19 impacts are available at Prometric COVID-19 website.