Conduct - NBEO

Neither food nor drink is permitted at examinations desks and not to be consumed in the testing room, except water in authorized bottles. Candidates with special dietary/nutritional needs relating to a medical condition (e.g., diabetes) should make prior arrangements as outlined below under the section entitled Candidates with Disabilities. Smoking is not permitted in the test room at any time. Use of a mobile phone (including ringing) or other communication device, to make or receive calls, is not permitted once a candidate has entered an examination room.

Collaboration and other disruptive behavior during an examination are strictly prohibited. In order to promote independent candidate test taking, the National Board utilizes two different forms of the answer sheet. Candidates in adjacent seats record their responses on different answer forms. In addition, examination proctors have been instructed to adhere strictly to National Board policies to prevent collaborative behavior, and to detect and report it if it occurs. In order to attain optimal test administration conditions, proctors are directed to change, at their discretion, any candidate's seat in order to minimize or eliminate environmental disruptions or annoyances including but not limited to noise, a poor writing surface, ineffective lighting, and potential collaboration. Candidates should not interpret a requested seat change as harassment or an accusation of cheating.

Any candidates determined to have cheated on any National Board examination will receive a score of zero (0) on the examination Part(s) in which the cheating occurred, or otherwise have their score(s) canceled, and may be prohibited from taking future National Board examinations. The National Board reserves the right to cancel any test scores if in its sole opinion, there is adequate reason to question its validity. Candidates will be notified promptly if such a determination is made. All National Board test items are protected by copyright laws. Any reproduction or distribution of National Board items is therefore unlawful and subject to legal action.

All candidates are expected to read and agree to the following statement which is included on the Application Form. By submitting the application form it will be assumed that candidates agree to the following:

I understand that I can be disqualified from taking or continuing to sit for an examination, or from receiving examination scores, if the National Board, at its sole discretion, determines through any reasonable method, including but not limited to observation or statistical analysis, that I was engaged in collaborative, disruptive, or other improper behavior. I further understand that these sanctions also apply if I have provided any inaccurate or misleading information in connection with my application, or at any time during the application or examination process. I also recognize that the proctor may change my seat in order to obtain optimal test conditions, and that such a change or other investigation of my behavior does not constitute harassment, or an allegation of cheating or other improper behavior. I understand that the National Board owns the copyright to this examination and that this examination is its confidential and proprietary property, and I agree not to engage in any reproduction or distribution of the examination nor will I accept, receive or obtain any test items in whole or in part from any source prior to administration of the examination or engage in any unauthorized actions in connection with the examination materials and/or content. I recognize that violation of the National Board’s proprietary rights may lead to legal action against me, and may result in my being prohibited from taking further examinations or from receiving examination scores. I also recognize that the National Board does not make any decisions regarding licensure, and I waive any claims against the National Board with respect to licensure decisions and I agree to indemnify and hold harmless the National Board with respect to any such matter.

The National Board reserves the right to delete from scoring any test item which is determined by statistical analysis, or other means, to have been exposed before the administration of the test. The National Board also reserves the right to cancel a test administration if it has been determined that the security of the examination was violated prior to its administration.