Prohibited Exam Behavior

As a guardian of public safety, the NBCRNA takes very seriously the integrity of our exams. Any attempt to confer an unfair advantage on any parties involved in testing could damage the validity of those exams and the value of the credentials associated with them. 

 

How to Report Cheating

If you observe inappropriate, unethical, or cheating behaviors related to any NBCRNA examination, please report it on the following website: www.nbcrna.ethicspoint.com or by phone at 844-703-1790. This is a third-party reporting service known as Ethics Point. You can remain anonymous if you choose.

Guidelines for Upholding Exam Integrity

Please review the following four guidelines to help us maintain the integrity of our examinations.  

Do Not Share or Solicit Exam Content 

  • Efforts to solicit or share NBCRNA exam questions – whether online, over social media, or in person – are attempts to compromise exam integrity. 
  • Accepting or soliciting such material violates the attestation you sign before testing. 
  • Sharing exam content is identifiable, it threatens the validity of the exam, and it is clear theft of NBCRNA intellectual property.  

Respect Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) 

  • After agreeing to the NDA, which is required to test, you are legally prohibited from discussing exam questions. 
  • Illicit question disclosure includes casual (in conversation or online) and organized (collection into written repositories).  

Why Integrity Matters

  • Cutting corners is not a victimless act. 
  • Cheating poses a real risk of allowing underqualified providers into practice. 
  • Academic dishonesty undermines the work of colleagues who succeed honestly. 
  • Failure to maintain integrity is an ethics matter which can have serious nursing licensure consequences.  

Detection & Consequences

  • NBCRNA uses advanced forensic data analysis, test-center monitoring, and anonymous reporting to identify irregular behavior. 
  • Consequences may include nullification of test scores, loss of certification or licensure, or even civil and criminal penalties. 

 

    What to Report

    If you observe any type of exam-related misconduct, either inside or outside the test center, it is your responsibility to report it here. Examples include attempts to disseminate test questions, attempts to purchase test questions, discussion of test questions, false identity, proctor misconduct, theft of test questions and use of unauthorized materials.

     

     

    Inappropriate Exam Behavior FAQs

    • Q What are some (but certainly not an exhaustive list of) examples of improper exam-related behaviors?

      Use of “Ringer” or proxy:

      • -Attempting to have someone other than yourself take the exam under your name or taking the exam for someone else under their name.
      • -Hiring/using a “ringer” (more knowledgeable person) or a “proxy” to sit for the examination in one’s place.
      •  

      Retention or possession of exam materials:

      • -Having an electronic device in the test center that can take pictures, video, audio, or record or transmit typed text or copy files
      • -Forgetting to take off your smartwatch
      • -Having a USB drive in your pocket
      • -Having printed copies, pictures, handwritten notes, files, or other representations of exam content, inside or outside the test center
      • -Memorizing content that is on an exam to later record or share it
      •  

      Sharing Exam materials:

      • -Talking to examinees, faculty, students, or test prep / review course personnel about what is, or is not, on the exam.
      • -Talking to examinees, faculty, students, or test prep / review course personnel about what is more or less important to study based on your exam experience – such as:
        • "There was much more about ____ on the test than I expected."
        • "There was this question about ____ that really confused me. How would/did you answer?"
        • "You should review the diagram of ____. One question was just like that."
        • "Why do we spend so much time studying ____ when it's not on the exam?"
        • "I teach this aspect of the curriculum in my course, but it's not really covered on the boards."
        •  
      • -Posting social media, email, or discussion board messages about experience of question materials on the exam
        • "I was really glad I took ____ test prep course because the questions were almost identical to the real thing."
        • "Does anybody want to get together to make an exam study guide? I can remember a few questions, and if we put our heads together..."
        • "This was a terrible test. For instance, this question about ____ didn't make any sense..."
        •  
      • -Contributing actual test materials to a prep course with or without compensation
        • Attempting to obtain actual exam materials or inside information:
        • Attending a course or purchasing materials that claim to include actual test content
        • Asking someone who has taken an exam for information about the exam, such as
        • "I feel like I'm a little weak on ____. Were there many questions about that?"
        • Answering test questions on the basis of anything other than one's own knowledge and judgement
        • Using notes brought into the test center
        • Looking at another person's exam
        • Asking a proctor or another examinee for answer information
        • Any prohibited communication while taking the exam

    • Q What are penalties for improper exam-related behavior?

      Penalties include but are not limited to:
      • -Loss of eligibility to take any NBCRNA exam, including SEE, NCE, REE, CPCA and NSPM - now or in the future
      • -Invalidation of exam results
      • -Revocation of certification
      • -Assessment of monetary damages
      • -Legal liability

    • Q What should I do if I witness behavior I think may be improper?

      • -If you see any behavior related to NBCRNA exams that you think may be improper, you are obligated to report it.
      • -The NBCRNA uses a third-party reporting service known as Ethics Point. You can remain anonymous if you choose, and no direct contact with NBCRNA staff is required.To reach Ethics Point to report irregular or improper behavior:

      Online Reporting: www.nbcrna.ethicspoint.com

      Phone reporting: 844-703-1790

    • Q What are examples of permitted exam-related behaviors?

      • Exchanging general information about the test center environment or rules
        • "Are you allowed to take a break during the test?"
        • "There was a little bit of a delay to get seated at the center."