NBC Launches Remote Testing Option for the Practical Examinations

You Voiced, They Listened. NBC is elated to announce that they are piloting a new pathway for the Practical examinations, whereby the Practical examinations can be taken remotely at a dental laboratory of the candidate’s choosing under the constant supervision of a third party remote proctor. Interested candidates will be able to utilize the remote Practical examination testing (RPT) option beginning September 1, 2020. Yes, you read that right – you may be able to take the NBC Practical examination at your OWN DENTAL LABORATORY!

Exams will be offered in alternating monthly testing windows six times a year, during the months of January, March, May, July, September, and November, running from the first day of the month through the last day of the month. Application deadlines are the 20th of the month prior to the desired testing window. For example, if a candidate wants to take their Practical examination through the remote testing option in November, they must submit a completed application to NBC by October 20th.

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“The NBC Board of Trustees has been researching remotely proctored practical testing options for some time now,” said NBC Chair, Dennis Urban, CDT. “Our goal was to increase accessibility for dental technicians interested in pursuing the CDT examinations, without sacrificing examination quality and security. The COVID-19 global pandemic created the urgency to pursue this option to ensure candidates interested in pursuing their CDT could continue to do so without concerns over their safety.” Like the written examinations, which switched to computer-based testing (CBT) in early 2018, NBC will partner with the proctoring service MonitorEDU for the Practical examinations. NBC has developed a number of security protocols before, during and after the Practical examinations to protect the integrity of the examination process. For example, NBC will be using a dual camera process, using both the camera on the candidate’s laptop computer and the camera on the candidate’s cell phone. Candidates will be required to be on camera throughout the entire duration of the examination. Candidates will also be provided with specific instructions on packaging their work and shipping it back to NBC for grading.

“This option for the Practical examinations is game changing, as it eliminates massive barriers to testing such as travel costs, exam accessibility, reduction of test anxiety and borrowing and transportation of equipment,” said NBC Vice Chair, Mark Stueck, CDT. “It is the final piece to the puzzle of allowing candidates to complete ALL CDT examinations remotely at a location, date and time of their choosing.”

Candidates will be required to have access to the specific dental laboratory materials and equipment necessary to complete the Practical examination work in the specialty of their choosing. Additionally, candidates will need the following general equipment to utilize the remote testing option for the Practical examination:

• Private workbench where the candidate can perform the majority of work without interference.
• Laptop computer with built-in or external webcam, speakers, and microphone (tablets not supported).
  o Laptop operating system of Windows 7 and higher or Mac OS 9 and higher. Most Linux are also supported.
  o Web browser must be recent version of Google Chrome (50+).
• Cellular smart phone with camera with Android 4.1 or higher or iOS 8.0 or higher operating system.
• Internet connection with at least 2 Mbps download and 2 Mbps upload speeds. Both the computer and cell phone will need to be connected to the internet.
• Power cords for laptop computer and cellular smart phone.
• Materials for articulating, packaging and shipping their completed work back to NBC for grading.

“Over the last two years, since the launch of our computer-based written examinations, our focus has been on updating our Practical examination to keep pace with the changing market trends,” said Morris Fucarino, CDT, NBC Immediate Past Chair. “We have added the capability for candidates to complete their preliminary work using digital technologies and added more choices for materials. Now, our goal is to focus on how we can deliver these examinations to make them more convenient with the ever-changing world today, while still maintaining the integrity of the process.”

Click Here to Learn More and to Apply Today!
For additional information on the new option to take the Practical examination remotely through a third party proctor, including an extended list of FAQs, please visit www.nbccert.org/become-a-cdt or contact NBC by email at certification@nbccert.org or by phone at (800) 684-5310.