Checking items brought into the testing room

When ready to enter the testing room, the candidate should have already stored all items not allowed inside. To prevent any unauthorized items, the proctor must inspect the candidate and all items the candidate wants to bring into the testing room. This includes items permitted through an accommodation or permitted as a comfort aid. (Storing personal belongings describes which items candidates cannot bring into the testing room and which items are allowed.)

Follow these steps for checking the candidate and all items:

Call the next candidate to be admitted to the testing room.

If the candidate did not return the rules agreement, collect it now.
Confirm whether any items the candidate has are allowed because of an accommodation or are permitted as a comfort aid.

Ask the candidate to complete the following pat-down process without touching the candidate:

Ask the candidate to turn all pockets (pants, blazer, and sweater) completely out.
If the candidate is wearing long sleeves, ask the candidate to roll them up to the elbows (or down if the sleeves are already rolled up). However, never ask the candidate to roll up their sleeves if they are wearing religious apparel that covers their head, face, or arms (such as a hijab or burqa).
If the candidate is wearing a tie or clothing with a hood, ask the candidate to lift the tie or hood to show you nothing is hidden underneath.
If the candidate has hair that covers the ears, ask the candidate to pull it back to show you there is nothing attached to the ear, such as a Bluetooth device.

Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids are considered a comfort aid unless they require an external device (such as a mobile phone) to operate. If the hearing aids cannot function without a mobile phone, then the candidate must request an accommodation in advance.

Ask the candidate to pat themselves down (arms, waistline, and legs) to show there is nothing hidden.

Thoroughly inspect any items the candidate wants to bring into the testing room, and create a case if necessary.

Ask the candidate to store any personal belongings that are not approved by an accommodation or are permitted as a comfort aid. Be diligent and consistent when you check candidates to ensure that no unauthorized materials are allowed.

Face masks are considered a comfort aid, and candidates do not need prior approval to wear a face mask into the testing room. For more information, see Comfort aids and Handling candidates with face masks.

Some comfort aids may be allowed, as noted in Comfort aids. However, the proctor must thoroughly check each item for anything unauthorized, such as notes and study materials. For example, if a candidate wants to bring in a sweater, check the pockets, sleeves, and hood for notes and other materials. If you are unsure of whether to allow a comfort aid, call the test center support line to contact a program coordinator immediately.

If the candidate insists on retaining a personal item that is not normally allowed in the testing room, such as a coat, explain the policy to the candidate, ask the candidate to store the item, and inform the candidate that you will need to create a case if the candidate does not cooperate. If the candidate still insists on not storing the item, ask to inspect the item, create a case as noted below, and seat the candidate for the exam. Some exam sponsors have stricter policies than others and do not allow candidates to retain any unauthorized items. See the exam sponsor's client reference for special requirements.

Use discretion when you inspect items that are attached to a person's body, such as an insulin pump, and do not touch the person.

If you discover unauthorized items (such as notes), if a candidate refuses to allow inspection of a comfort aid, or if a candidate refuses to store or to turn over unauthorized items, have a coworker witness the candidate's behavior if possible. Inform the candidate that you need to create a case. After all waiting candidates have been seated, create a case selecting these options:

Exam delivery

Candidate error or misconduct

Document the situation in detail, and indicate whether the proctor was permitted to inspect the item.