CFI Proctored Examination Policy | Corporate Finance Institute

1. Purpose

CFI Education Inc. (“CFI”, “we”, “our” or “us”) is committed to maintaining the integrity, security and credibility of its certifications and assessments.

This Proctored Examination Policy (“Policy”) explains the requirements applicable to Candidates taking examinations designated by CFI as requiring remote proctoring. It describes the identity verification, examination monitoring and information collection practices used to protect the integrity of CFI’s examinations.

This Policy forms part of CFI’s Terms of Service (“Terms of Service”). Capitalized terms not defined in this Policy have the meanings given in the Terms of Service.

2. Scope

This Policy applies to every individual who takes a CFI examination designated by CFI as requiring remote proctoring (each, a “Candidate”).

Certain certification programs or examinations may have additional requirements communicated before the examination begins.

3. Identity Verification

To protect the integrity of CFI examinations, Candidates may be required to verify their identity before accessing a proctored examination.

Identity verification may include one or more of the following:

presenting a valid government-issued photo identification;
capturing images of the identification document;
comparing the identification document with the Candidate’s live image;
confirming personal information necessary to verify identity; and
completing additional verification steps reasonably required by CFI.

Candidates are responsible for ensuring that any identification presented is valid, current and clearly legible.

CFI reserves the right to deny access to, suspend or invalidate an examination where a Candidate’s identity cannot be reasonably verified.

4. Examination Monitoring

Proctored examinations may be monitored before, during and, where necessary, immediately following an examination session.

Candidates should expect that their examination session may be monitored and recorded in accordance with this Policy and CFI’s Privacy Policy (“Privacy Policy”).

Depending on the examination, monitoring may include:

webcam video recording;
microphone audio recording;
screen recording;
monitoring of browser activity, including URLs accessed during the examination;
verification that only permitted applications or browser windows are active;
detection of access to unauthorized online resources or generative artificial intelligence tools during the examination;
detection of hardware configuration changes involving connected cameras, microphones or displays;
detection of prohibited behaviours or activities; and
collection of examination event logs.

Candidates must not disable, interfere with or attempt to circumvent any examination monitoring measures.

5. Collection of Information

In connection with administering proctored examinations, CFI and its authorized service providers may collect information including:

identity verification information;
images of government-issued identification;
webcam video;
audio recordings;
screen recordings;
examination activity logs;
browser and device information, including URLs accessed during the examination and information regarding connected cameras, microphones and displays;
IP address;
operating system information;
timestamps;
technical diagnostic information; and
alerts or flags generated by proctoring technology.

The categories of personal information collected may vary depending on the examination and the proctoring technology used.

6. Use of Information

CFI may use information collected in connection with proctored examinations to:

verify Candidate identity;
administer examinations;
monitor compliance with examination rules;
investigate suspected academic misconduct;
investigate security incidents, suspected attempts to circumvent examination controls, or other anomalies detected during the examination;
review examination integrity;
respond to Candidate inquiries;
resolve technical issues;
improve examination administration;
protect the integrity of CFI’s certifications; and
comply with applicable legal or regulatory obligations.

Automated alerts or flags generated by proctoring technology are indicators only and do not, by themselves, determine that academic misconduct has occurred. CFI may review relevant information before making decisions relating to examination validity or certification.

7. Storage and Retention of Information

CFI retains information collected in connection with proctored examinations only for as long as necessary for the purposes described in this Policy, or as required by applicable law.

Examination results and integrity records. CFI retains examination results, including scores, pass or fail outcomes, attempt history and associated certification records, as part of a Candidate’s permanent academic record. CFI also retains on

the same basis any alerts or flags generated by proctoring technology in respect of an examination, together with any record of CFI’s review of, or decision relating to, those alerts or flags. These records are retained for as long as CFI maintains the Candidate’s account or certification, and as necessary to verify the validity and authenticity of a credential.

Examination recordings and monitoring data. CFI retains the following for a period of ninety (90) days following the date of the examination, after which it is deleted:

webcam video recordings;
audio recordings;
screen recordings;
images of government-issued identification and other identity verification information; and
examination activity logs and browser recordings.

Retention beyond the standard period. CFI may retain the information described above beyond the standard retention period where it is reasonably necessary to:

complete an ongoing or anticipated review, appeal or investigation relating to examination integrity or academic misconduct;
respond to a dispute or challenge relating to an examination result or certification;
investigate a security incident; or
comply with a legal, regulatory or contractual obligation, including a legal hold.

Where information is retained on one of these grounds, it is deleted once the matter to which it relates has been resolved and the retention purpose no longer applies.

Storage and safeguards. Information collected in connection with proctored examinations is stored by CFI and its authorized service providers using appropriate technical and organizational safeguards. Access is limited to CFI personnel and authorized service provider personnel who require access to perform the purposes described in this Policy.

Changes to retention periods. CFI may change its retention periods from time to time. Any change applies to examinations completed after the change takes effect and does not extend the retention of information relating to examinations completed before that date.

Further detail on how CFI handles personal information is set out in the Privacy Policy.

8. Service Providers

CFI may engage third-party service providers to provide remote proctoring, identity verification and related technical services.

Such service providers process information on CFI’s behalf and in accordance with contractual obligations requiring appropriate safeguards for personal information.

CFI remains responsible for determining examination outcomes and decisions relating to academic integrity.

9. Candidate Responsibilities

Candidates are responsible for:

ensuring their equipment satisfies the technical requirements communicated by CFI;
maintaining a reliable internet connection;
completing the examination without unauthorized assistance;
following all examination instructions;
remaining visible to the camera unless instructed otherwise;
ensuring their face remains unobstructed during the examination;
refraining from using unauthorized materials, devices or applications; and
complying with this Policy and CFI’s Terms of Service.

Candidates must immediately report any technical issues encountered during the examination.

10. Academic Misconduct

CFI expects all Candidates to complete examinations honestly and independently.

Examples of conduct that may constitute academic misconduct include:

impersonating another Candidate;
presenting fraudulent, altered or another person’s identification for the purpose of identity verification;
permitting another person to take an examination on the Candidate’s behalf;
receiving or providing unauthorized assistance;
using prohibited materials or devices;
copying, reproducing, photographing or recording examination content;
communicating with another person during the examination without authorization;
attempting to disable or circumvent proctoring technology;
engaging in conduct intended to compromise examination integrity; or
otherwise violating CFI’s examination rules.

Where CFI reasonably determines that academic misconduct has occurred, CFI may take one or more actions, including:

issuing a warning;
invalidating examination results;
requiring the examination to be retaken;
denying certification;
suspending or terminating access to CFI’s Services; or
permanently prohibiting participation in future CFI examinations or certification programs.

11. Allowed Reference Materials

What You May Use During a Proctored Examination

Unless your specific exam instructions say otherwise, you may refer to:

CFI’s Learning Information Management System (LIMS), including course materials, templates, and resources made available to you there
Content on the CFI website that CFI has made available for your reference

You may not use any other resources. Specifically, the following are not permitted during a proctored examination, whether on your device, on paper, or through another person:

AI tools of any kind (chatbots, writing assistants, AI-powered search, browser extensions, etc.), including general-purpose tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, or Gemini, and any AI features built into your browser or operating system
Internet search engines (e.g., Google, Bing)
Any website other than CFI’s own website and LIMS platform
Notes, files, or materials not provided by CFI for that Assessment, unless your exam instructions expressly allow them
Assistance from another person, whether in the room, online, or by any other means
Answers copied from any unauthorized source, including another user’s answers

If you are unsure whether a resource is permitted for a specific assessment, check the examination instructions for that Assessment before you begin, or contact CFI Support.

12. Privacy

The collection, use, disclosure, retention and protection of personal information in connection with proctored examinations are described in this Policy and further governed by the Privacy Policy.

Candidates should review the Privacy Policy to understand how CFI handles personal information and the rights that may be available under applicable privacy laws.

13. Technology Requirements and Interruptions

Candidates are responsible for ensuring that they have compatible hardware, software and internet connectivity before commencing a proctored examination.

CFI is not responsible for examination interruptions, delays or failures resulting from the Candidate’s equipment, software, internet connection or other circumstances beyond CFI’s reasonable control.

Where technical issues materially affect CFI’s ability to verify a Candidate’s identity or monitor an examination, CFI may suspend, terminate or invalidate the examination or require the Candidate to retake the examination.

Candidates who require an accommodation in connection with a proctored examination should contact CFI Support in advance of the examination. Accommodation requests may require supporting documentation.

14. Acknowledgement

By commencing a proctored examination, the Candidate acknowledges that:

the examination is subject to this Policy;
identity verification and examination monitoring are conditions of participating in and completing the examination;
CFI may collect and process information as described in this Policy and the Privacy Policy;
failure to comply with this Policy may result in the invalidation of examination results or other actions described in this Policy; and
CFI may update this Policy from time to time by publishing a revised version on its website.

15. Reservation of Rights

CFI reserves the right to interpret and apply this Policy, determine whether a Candidate has complied with its requirements, investigate suspected academic misconduct, invalidate examination results, deny or revoke certifications, and take any other action reasonably necessary to protect the integrity of its examinations and certification programs. CFI’s decisions under this Policy are final, subject to any appeal process that CFI may make available.