Off-Campus Proctoring

Please read carefully through each of the sections below related to off-campus proctoring.  Summer Session 2025 courses will not begin appearing until Monday, May 19.

Off-campus, in-person proctors can be used by a student who:

Resides outside of Ames or have paper-based exams AND is in a course registered with the Testing Center for off-campus proctoring AND has approval from their instructor.

Proctors monitor students in-person while they take exams to ensure the student is following the rules of the exam. Proctors enter the exam password so the student can access the exam (in the case of Canvas-based exams). They are unbiased individuals who have no personal association or affiliation with the student(s) they proctor.

Students are responsible for locating their own proctors.  The Testing Center does not assign proctors.

Students should submit proctor information to the Testing Center as soon as possible but no less than 7 business days before an exam opens. Off-campus, in-person proctoring is conducted by an approved proctor and takes place in a public location. Please note proctors may charge a fee for their service. You are responsible for any fees charged by approved, in-person proctors.

Of note, proctors cannot be a relative, friend, friend of the family, neighbor, student (ISU or otherwise) or co-workers. Exams are not allowed to be proctored in a private residence.

The Testing Center reserves the right to deny your proctoring request for any reason.

Falsification of information on your proctor form could result in a referral to your instructor or the Office of Student Conduct.

You can submit a request to have a proctor approved provided they meet the following requirements:

  1. The proctor is a current employee at one of the following:
    • an accredited university/college testing center
    • a local/regional library system that clearly indicates they proctor exams on their website
    • a K-12 or other university administrator
    • an Iowa State Extension Office (except Story County)
    • a university extension office in any state
    • an adult learning center (e.g. Sylvan, Huntington, etc)
    • a military education/learning center or office
  2. The proctor must have an email address associated with their place of employment.
    • Applications may be rejected with domains ending in @gmail.com, @yahoo.com, @hotmail.com, etc. unless it can be verified that the domain is used by the employee’s place of employment.
  3. Assessments must be proctored at the address of the business/office of the proctor.
  4. Proctor must be unbiased and able to monitor throughout the proctoring appointment.

Please ensure that you have communicated with your proctor prior to submitting a proctor request.  Proctor requests must be approved by the Testing Center and by your proctor.  Information about approved proctors is also provided to your faculty/instructor. Please ensure you have permission from your faculty/instructor to use an external proctor.

Forms should be filled out at least 7 calendar days prior to an exam open date.  Proctors receive information from the Testing Center 72 hours before an exam open date. Late submissions may not be processed by the time the exam closes.

Make sure you have the following information available:

  • Your Iowa State email address
  • Your proctor’s contact information including address, email, and phone number
  • The name & address of the location the exam will take place

Select the “Approved Courses” section below to view the list of approved courses and fill out the form for each exam.

Below is a list of approved courses.  Identify your course and exams and select the appropriate link to submit your proctor form.  You MUST submit a form for each exam in an approved course at least 7 calendar days before an exam open date. If you have any questions, please email us at testcenterhelp@iastate.edu.