Are you feeling frustrated about not finding a seat for the rescheduled April NPTAE or NPTE? If so, you’re not alone, as many candidates are still having trouble scheduling their exam. With the stay-at-home orders changing on a daily basis, it can be difficult to figure out when you can schedule to sit for this exam.
Finding a Prometric Site for the NPTE
It’s known that several candidates have not been able to find a local Prometric site to sit for their exam. Some have found a spot that’s over 200 miles away! That’s insane!–not to mention the physical and mental toll before taking the actual exam. Recently, Prometric released a list of sites that are open from May 1st.
Open Prometric Sites for Now
There are currently 35 states that will or are going to be open during the month of May for NPTE testing. Below are the cities by the state in which testing will be available. This may change on a daily basis. So keep checking back each day. (The following list was approved on April 27th.)
Alabama
- Auburn
- Birmingham
- Dothan
- Mobile
- Montgomery
Arizona
- Phoenix
- Tucson
Arkansas
- Fort Smith
- Little Rock
California
- Los Angeles
- Orange County
- Sacramento
- San Bernardino
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Santa Maria
- Santa Rosa
- Stockton
- Ventura
Colorado
- Boulder
- Colorado Springs
- Denver
Florida
- Fort Lauderdale
- Fort Myers
- Gainesville
- Jacksonville
- Miami
- Orlando
- Tallahassee
- Tampa
- West Palm Beach
Georgia
- Athens
- Atlanta
- Augusta
- Columbus
- Gainesville
- Savannah
Idaho
- Boise
- Idaho Falls
Indiana
- Evansville
- Fort Wayne
- Indianapolis
- Lafayette
- Merrillville
- South Bend
Iowa
- Cedar Rapids
- Davenport
- Des Moines
Kansas
- Kansas City
- Wichita
Kentucky
- Lexington
- Louisville
Maine
- Portland
Minnesota
- Minneapolis
Mississippi
- Jackson
Missouri
- Columbia
- Kansas City
- Springfield
- St Louis
Nebraska
- Lincoln
- Omaha
Nevada
- Las Vegas
New Hampshire
- Portsmouth
New Mexico
- Albuquerque
North Carolina
- Asheville
- Charlotte
- Greensboro
- Greenville
- Raleigh
- Wilmington
North Dakota
- Fargo
- Grand Forks
Ohio
- Akron
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dayton
- Youngstown
Oklahoma
- Lawton
- McAlester
- Oklahoma City
- Tulsa
Oregon
- Portland
South Carolina
- Charleston
- Columbia
- Greenville
South Dakota
- Sioux Falls
Tennessee
- Chattanooga
- Knoxville
- Memphis
- Nashville
Texas
- Austin
- Beaumont
- College Station – Closed until May 15th
- Corpus Christi
- Dallas
- El Paso
- Houston
- Midland
- San Antonio
Utah
- Orem
- Salt Lake City
- St George
Virginia
- Hampton Roads
- Lynchburg
- Richmond
- Roanoke
Washington, DC
Washington
- Seattle
- Spokane
- Tacoma
West Virginia
- Charleston
- Morgantown
Wisconsin
- Green Bay
- Madison
- Milwaukee
Possible Early May Cancellations
If you were scheduled in the early part of May and the orders from your state governor extended the stay-at-home or shelter-in-place order, your exam may be cancelled. You’ll want to check the Prometric site you are scheduled at as they may not be emailing or calling you to let you know. Calling the actual Prometric site may be helpful but you can also expect that there be delays in getting back to you.
Keep Trying to Schedule
While it is frustrating to have to reschedule, again and again, keep trying to schedule throughout the month of May. The FSBPT is working with Prometric to open up more seats for the exam. If you do find a spot and it’s outside of your state, keep in mind that there could be possible quarantine orders (such as self-isolation for 14 days). So, you’ll want to plan accordingly.
Last Chance to Withdraw
At some point, if you are not able to find a spot or are getting tired of searching for a spot, the last day to withdraw is Sunday, May 31st. It’s also the last day to reschedule for the July exam without any additional fees (both from Prometric or FSBPT).
Changes at the Prometric Site
During these unexpected circumstances, Prometric has added some changes to help keep everyone safe when testing. These changes pertain to both checking in and while taking the NPTE to maintain the social distancing orders.
Required: Wearing a Face Mask
Before going to the Prometric site, be sure you have and will use a face mask. The face mask can be surgical or cloth. You won’t be allowed to take the NPTE unless you have one. If you do show up with no mask, you’ll be asked to leave and marked as a “no show.” If this happens, you’ll have to pay for the fees to reschedule.
You are required to wear this face mask throughout the whole time you are at the site. Take the time before you arrive at the center to practice wearing a face mask for several hours straight. Keep in mind some face masks can fog up the glasses while wearing them. Some of the thicker face masks can make you hot and uncomfortable. So, take the time to see what works for you.
Pen and Scratch Papers
When you check-in at the site, you’ll be given a pen to use to sign in the roster and for you to then utilize for the NPTE. Instead of laminated pages or whiteboards, you’ll be given scratch paper to use. Usually, you’re given two pages; however, you can ask for more when on your break. Take advantage of these pages to utilize them as brain dumps for the NPTE.
Lockers Usage
There are lockers to use and you’ll be shown where you can place your belongings. You can also bring snacks and water to be stored there. The Prometric employee will open, secure the locker, and hold onto the key. To access the locker, you’ll have to inform the person. Allow for extra time for this during your scheduled and unscheduled breaks. The lockers will be under video surveillance and only three people are allowed in the waiting area.
While these changes are in place, to make the checking-in process smoother, wear clothes without pockets or hoods. You’ll be asked to lift your sleeves and pants legs as well as to pull out your pockets. Other permissible items that you can bring and use are earplugs and medical rubber gloves.
