Oral Exam - Testing From Home
The information on this page is for the oral exam only. You must already have passed the written exam in order to be eligible to take the oral exam. If you have not yet passed the written exam, choose Step 2: Written Exam above.
Oral examinations are available in the following languages: Spanish, Russian, Cantonese, Mandarin, Vietnamese, and Korean. If you have passed the written exam and interpret for a language other than the six languages listed above, you will be informed if an oral exam in your language becomes available.
Oral Exam Online Proctoring
You’ll need to complete the following steps in order to schedule your oral exam on ProctorU:
- Determine whether the computer you’ll be using meets the system requirements.
- Take the practice test using the same computer you plan to use for your exam.
- Register on ProctorU.
- Pay for your oral exam.
- Schedule your exam with ProctorU.
- Perform a System Check
In order to take your oral exam with an online proctor, your computer system must be compatible with BOTH the computerized exam system that delivers your oral exam AND the online proctor application (Proctor U) . The computer that you’ll be using needs to meet BOTH sets of system requirements.
In order for your computer to work for the NBCMI computerized oral interpreting exam, it MUST meet the following requirements:
- PC Windows Vista or higher (10S not supported)
- Mac OS x 10.5 or higher
- Reliable internet connection
- Webcam
- Headset with a microphone
- Firefox / Chrome
The oral exam is accessed via the internet. Mozilla Firefox (click here to download the latest version of Firefox) and Google Chrome (click here to download the latest version of Chrome) are the most stable web browsers for our exams. We recommend that you download the latest versions of Firefox and Chrome before your exam.
Proctor U has a system check to make sure that your computer meets the minimum requirements. In order for your computer to work for the online proctoring application, Proctor U, it MUST ALSO pass the Proctor U system check. You can access that here (click on the image of the computer that is below the ‘Equipment Test’ heading on the right side of the screen): https://test-it-out.proctoru.com/
If you’re unable to pass the system check with ProctorU, you can use the “chat now” option:
https://support.proctoru.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000601627-I-need-immediate-assistance-is-there-live-support-
Or you can reach them by phone at (855) 772-8678.
- Take the Practice Test
The National Board made a practice test in order for candidates to become more familiar and comfortable navigating through our oral exam. Successfully taking the practice test also ensures that you won’t experience any technical difficulties on the day of your scheduled online proctored oral exam. Once you complete the system check and can record and playback your own voice, you can proceed with the practice test.
The practice test is only to help candidates with test navigation. It won’t help you to prepare for actual interpreting in a medical context. The role play scenarios on the practice test are not necessarily consistent with the types of role play scenarios on the actual oral exam.
To take the practice test, go to the testing site: http://hosted.owlts.com/ and log in using the following username and password:
username: practicetest
password: practicetest
Please remember that it is your responsibility to know how to navigate through the oral exam, including how and when to record your renditions and request repetitions. If you fail to correctly navigate through the oral exam your score will be negatively impacted.
If you’re unable to access the practice test despite your best efforts, then taking an online proctored exam won’t be an option for you. Please contact the National Board to begin the process of scheduling your oral exam at a test site near you. Click Here for a list of sites.
- Create Your ProctorU Account
If you were able to complete the system check and the practice test, you can take your exam using ProctorU. If you are already registered on ProctorU (for example, if you took your written exam on Proctor U), then you do not need to create a new account, you can use the same Proctor U account. If you do not yet have a ProctorU account, please click HERE to register with ProctorU
- Pay Your Exam Fee
The exam fee is $275. Once you are registered with ProctorU, please click HERE to pay for your exam
The exam fee is non-refundable.
*PLEASE NOTE: Do not pay for an online exam unless you are sure that you want to take the exam online and your computer system has passed the system check. If you pay for the exam via the link above, and then later change your mind and want to take the test in person at a testing center, you will be charged a $35 processing fee. For all rescheduled exams there will be a $25 fee.
- Schedule Your Exam
After you have paid for your exam, go back to Proctor U and choose a date and time for your exam. Please allow three business days between when you schedule and pay for the exam and the date you plan to take the exam, so that your payment can be processed. In order for you to take your exam, you must have BOTH scheduled AND paid for the exam at least THREE BUSINESS DAYS before you expect to take the exam.
Extensions: You have six months after the date you pass the written exam to schedule the oral exam. If for some reason (such as illness or death in the family) you need an extension, you must contact your program advisor (or email [email protected]) after the six months have expired.
Results: You will be notified of test results by email within 6-8 weeks.
The passing scores for the oral exam for Cantonese, Korean, Russian and Spanish is 70%. The passing score for Mandarin is 80% and for Vietnamese it is 65%. To learn more on how the passing scores were developed please go to: https://www.certifiedmedicalinterpreters.org/reports-and-publications
Test Environment, System, and Network Issues: By accepting the use of online proctoring, you assume all risks associated with network, technical, or computer-related issues, as well as your choice of testing environment. If you fail to successfully complete the test due to those factors, you are responsible for the cost of any retakes.
Retakes: The exam costs the same ($275) each time you take it. If you need to retake the exam, you must pay the full exam fee each time. Retests may be taken either from home or at a testing center.
Fees Expiration and Refunds Policies: The exam fees are non-refundable and an exam fee will expire after one year if the exam has not been taken. There will be a rescheduling fee of $25.
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