Exam Length
CDT: Two hours; 120 multiple-choice questions
CCCA: Four hours; 150 multiple-choice questions
CCS: Four hours; 170 multiple-choice questions
CCPR: One and-a-half hours; 70 questions
Testing Options
Remote: 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.
*MacOS users – check the Prometric website for compatibility.
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."
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 (in-person or remote). Please visit Prometric’s Coronavirus Update webpage for information about mask policies, permissible personal care items, as well as test center cleaning procedures and requirements.
ADA Test Accommodations Guidelines for CSI Examination Registrants
Other Pertinent Exam Information
Your Authorization to Test (ATT) Email: The Authorization to Test (ATT) email contains all the necessary information for scheduling an appointment at a Prometric testing center, including your candidate National ID number. You’ll receive your ATT 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.
Required Identification for Test Center Entry: 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.
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, in meetings facilitated by a psychometrician, a.k.a. 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.