The information on this page is for the oral exam only. You must already have passed the NBCMI 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 NBCMI 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

1. Determine whether the computer you’ll be using meets the system requirements.
2. Take the practice test using the same computer you plan to use for your exam.
3. Register on ProctorU.
4. Pay for your oral exam.
5. Schedule your exam with ProctorU.

1. 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 computer (the NBCMI oral exam WILL NOT run on a Mac platform)
• Reliable internet connection
• Webcam
• Headset with a microphone (Ear buds or internal computer mic do NOT work! It must be an actual headset!)
• Windows 7 or newer
• 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, please give them a call at 855-772-8678 to see how they can help you.

Please note: although the Proctor U application is compatible with a Mac computer, the NBCMI oral exam is not! Your computer system must meet the system requirements on this page AND be able to pass the Proctor U system check. If you have a Mac computer, it might pass the Proctor U system check, but it will not work for the oral exam.

2. Take the Practice Test

The National Board recently 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.

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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 8-10 weeks.

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.