CDT Taking the Exam

CDT Knowledge Domains

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
Certification exams are continuing as scheduled through remote testing and in-person testing. Further information on Prometric site openings and safety policies are published on their website, prometric.com.

Please visit Prometric’s Coronavirus Update webpage for information about permissible personal care items, as well as test center cleaning procedures and requirements.

CDT®, CCCA, and CCS
CSI offers the CDT®, CCCATM, and CCSTM examinations twice annually in the Spring and the Fall. Open registration for the tests begin in the Winter and Summer respectively.

CCPR
The CCPRTM exam has been paused to undergo critical program research and exam review and is slated to return in Fall 2021. Check the CCPR webpage for ongoing updates.

Remote Testing Option
Secure remote testing allows examinations to be completed virtually during the exam window. Test-takers will need to pre-schedule their exam and there are unique technology requirements that must be met.

Where do I take the exam in-person?
The exam is administered at Prometric test centers in the United States, U.S. Territories, and Canada. To view the Prometric test center locations, visit www.prometric.com/CSI and select "Locate a Test Center."

Your Authorization To Test (ATT) Email
The Authorization To Test (ATT) email contains all of the necessary information for scheduling an appointment at a Prometric testing center, including your candidate National ID number. You’ll receive your Authorization To Test notification within one week after your application has been processed. Be sure to check your spam folder for your ATT and if you cannot locate it, reach out to CSI at certification@csinet.org.

What type of identification is required for entry at the test center?
One form of non-expired, government-issued, photo- and signature-bearing ID must be provided when entering the Prometric test center. Acceptable forms of ID are:
  • Driver’s License
  • State or government-issued ID
  • Passport
IMPORTANT: ID must have FIRST and LAST names that identically match those used for registration; middle names and suffixes are not required. The address used for registration does not have to match the address on the ID.

Which Prometric test centers are available to exam candidates?
You may choose from any of the Prometric test center locations in the United States, U.S. Territories, and Canada. CSI's current contract with the test vendor does not permit testing outside of these locations.


How long is the exam?
CDT®: Two hours; 120 multiple-choice questions
CCCATM: Four hours; 150 multiple-choice questions
CCSTM: Four hours; 173 multiple-choice questions
All exams are computer-based and multiple-choice.

Why do I have to wait for my CSI certification exam results?
Intermittently, all CSI exams will undertake a “passing score” analysis. This means the research to determine the “cut score” (to pass/fail) cannot be determined until after all candidates have taken the exam and the testing window has closed.

Exam items are individually evaluated and those questions (items) that did not perform as expected are analyzed to determine how to score, modify or eliminate. Items are reviewed by a confidential group of subject matter experts (SMEs), CSI members and staff facilitated by a psychometrician, a.k.a. test development specialist.

Once the review is completed, the “cut or passing score” is set and status reports are sent to individual candidates.

**The entire review and scoring process takes roughly 6-8 weeks and can only start after the close of the testing window.



ADA Test Accommodations Guidelines for CSI Examination Registrants

Taking the CDT Exam

CSI offers the CDT examination twice annually in the Spring and the Fall. Open registration for the test begins in the Winter and Summer respectively. This page will update with additional information on the application process during the registration period.

CSI will begin sending Authorization To Test emails to registered exam candidates approximately two months prior to the initial exam date. Candidates who register after the early registration deadline will receive an ATT email the week after they register.

The Authorization To Test (ATT) email contains all of the necessary information for scheduling a Prometric appointment, including the exam candidate's National ID number.

What is allowed / required for entry at the test center? Exam candidates must show 2 forms of ID when entering the Prometric test center. One form must be a photo ID / license, the other must have a signature. IMPORTANT: the photo ID must have FIRST and LAST names that identically match those used for registration; middle names and suffixes are not required. The address used for registration does not have to match the address on the photo ID.

What Prometric test centers are available to exam candidates? Exam candidates can choose from any of the Prometric test center locations in the United States and Canada. CSI's current contract with the test vendor does not permit testing outside of these locations.

How long is the exam? The computer-based CDT examination lasts two hours and contains 120 multiple-choice questions.

Where do I take the exam? The exam is administered at Prometric test centers in the U.S. and Canada. To view the Prometric test center locations, visit www.prometric.com/CSI and select "Schedule."

CDT® Exam Resources