InfoProctoring Fees
Beginning Fall 2025, UA will cover the costs of proctored exams required in online classes, removing a financial barrier for students. See Details.
Instructors’ Guide to Proctored Testing
UA Online Testing Services is dedicated to maintaining the integrity and security of online and in-person proctored exams. We offer proctoring services for online courses for UA Online and main campus students.
Our Proctoring Services
You have the flexibility to choose your preferred method (online or in-person), both on and off campus. You will specify your testing choices on the Qualtrics survey we share in advance of each term.
Online Proctoring: Online proctoring requires students to have a laptop or desktop computer with an internal or external webcam. Fees for online proctoring vary based on the chosen online method (automated or live proctoring) and the exam’s duration. Please be aware that all online sessions are reviewed by online proctors. If a session is flagged due to suspicious behavior, it will be reported to us for further review.
In-Person Proctoring Procedures: For in-person proctoring, students are required to schedule their exams with a UA-approved proctor through SmarterProctoring. All proctors must have an account and meet the established criteria to be considered for approval. Once a student schedules their exam through SmarterProctoring, all pertinent details, including passwords and exam files, are securely shared with the proctor’s account.
Please note: We cannot provide proctoring services for online exams administered through Respondus Lockdown Browser or Respondus Monitor. If instructors intend to use Respondus, our services cannot be used in addition.
What Are the Requirements for Proctored Testing?
- The course must be an online main campus (OLM) or an online course for distance learners (OL).
- To meet Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges accreditation requirements, all online course sections must have this wording in the myBama course title column: “This course may require proctored exams. Charges may be incurred for proctoring services depending upon the location/method selected by the student.” This verbiage must be visible to the student in myBama when they register for the course.
- Instructors teaching online courses listed in myBama whose courses have the proper proctoring verbiage in their title will receive a Qualtrics survey from UA Online Testing Services. Departments are responsible for ensuring the proper wording is added prior to open registration. Once registration for a new term begins, the verbiage cannot be added.
- If a listed online course does not have an assigned instructor (listed as TBA), the department is responsible for notifying Testing Services when an instructor is assigned. This will ensure the newly assigned instructor will receive all necessary information and the survey link promptly.
What Is the Proctored Testing Instructor Survey?
- UA Online Testing Services sends the Qualtrics survey to the course instructor’s UA email address on file in myBama. Instructors should ensure that all course-related emails sent to their ua.edu address are received or properly forwarded to an actively monitored inbox.
- In the survey, instructors need to indicate which of their courses will require proctoring services and provide details for each exam and course, such as exam dates, time limits, permitted items, and the preferred online proctoring method for each exam.
- Instructors teaching multiple courses should be prepared to provide the details for each of their courses in the survey.
- Adjunct or assistant instructors listed as the course instructor are expected to submit a survey response. Head instructors overseeing a course are encouraged to notify their adjunct or assistant about what to submit or to submit a response on the head instructor’s behalf.
- UAOTS provides a survey deadline to all instructors. This ensures testing staff can document all responses and begin the setup process on time. Once the deadline has passed, proctoring requests will no longer be accepted.
- Instructors who are teaching an online course with paper exams will be required to meet with the UAOTS coordinator. After the instructor submits their survey response, the coordinator will be in contact to schedule a meeting. This meeting must be completed by the same deadline as the survey.
What Is Required for In-Person Proctoring Off-Campus?
- For in-person proctoring, students are required to schedule their exams with a UA-approved proctor through SmarterProctoring.
- All proctors must sign up with SmarterProctoring and have their account set up and activated by SmarterProctoring. UA Online Testing Services will need to approve them before a student can schedule a test.
UA Early College Students Currently Enrolled in High School
UAEC students can use their high school principal, advisor or teacher as a proctor for exams.
Active Duty and Military Dependent Students
- Acceptable proctoring locations include an education center or a military base testing center at the soldier’s installation.
- For active duty students, the following proctors will also be approved:
- Commissioned officer (0-1 and above)
- Warrant officer (W-1 and above)
- Senior NCO (E-7 and above)
- Military students must provide proof that their proctor meets one of the criteria above before approval is granted.
- Dependents may use an education center or base testing center on a case-by-case basis; contact onlinetesting@ua.edu for assistance. They cannot use military personnel as a proctor.
What If a Student Needs an Extension or a Makeup Exam?
For exam extensions or makeup exams, instructors should provide the new exam details to UAOTS via email, and we will ensure the new information is added to Blackboard and the proctoring portals. Students will then be informed by UAOTS of the new information and next steps.
What If a Student Needs Disability Accommodation?
Students are required to register online with the Office of Disability Services each term for each course in which they may require accommodations. ODS will send approved accommodations to instructors, who can then forward the information to UAOTS. ODS information will be added to Blackboard and the proctoring portals. Students will then be informed by UAOTS that their accommodation information has been added and if additional steps, such as setting up an account, are required on their part.
What Is the Respondus LockDown Browser?
Respondus LockDown Browser is a secure tool specifically designed for taking tests in Blackboard Learn, ensuring a controlled environment by restricting actions like copying or accessing external URLs and applications during a test. It’s crucial to note that Respondus LockDown Browser is intended solely for Blackboard tests and should not be employed in other areas of the Blackboard platform.
It’s also important to note that Respondus LockDown Browser can only lock down a student’s browser to prevent them from accessing any other browser functions or applications. It cannot prevent a student from accessing their phone, using unauthorized materials or seeking assistance from other sources.
For setup procedures and assistance, please contact the Office of Information Technology (OIT), the Center for Instructional Technology (CIT) or the UA Online Instructional Technology and Academic Services (ITAS) team.
Academic Integrity & Misconduct
UAOTS is committed to upholding academic integrity as a cornerstone of our educational values. To ensure a fair and honest testing environment, all students are provided with clear exam and proctoring guidelines in addition to the Student Code of Conduct. We expect them to adhere to these expectations rigorously. Any reported incidents of potential cheating, suspicious behavior or other acts of misconduct are treated with the utmost seriousness, and appropriate actions are taken to maintain the integrity of our academic programs.
Procedure for Handling Reported Incidents
In the event of a reported incident, the procedure is as follows:
- Evidence Gathering
- Online Sessions: We review the recording of the online session, compiling evidence such as screenshots and screen recordings.
- In-Person Sessions: We collect statements and evidence provided by the proctor.
- Our Report Filing
- Includes the student’s name, course, exam details, date and time of completion.
- Describes the incident, noting session flags or proctor-provided comments.
- Summarizes UAOTS’s review of the session or incident.
- Provides links to all gathered evidence, including images, screenshots or screen recordings.
- For online sessions, includes detailed instructions for session review by the instructor or department.
- Instructor Notification
- We send the report to the instructor, who is encouraged to review it along with all the evidence to determine appropriate next steps. The instructor will then inform UAOTS of their next steps.
- Documentation From Instructor
- UAOTS maintains records of all academic misconduct reports, including the final ruling.
- Documentation from the instructor will include actions taken, such as assigning a zero, reporting a student for academic misconduct or requiring a student to retake the exam.
We are committed to providing a fair and consistent testing experience for all students. We encourage all students to adhere to our exam and proctoring guidelines. If a student continually violates these guidelines, we reserve the right to revoke their proctoring privileges or deny a proctoring location to uphold our testing integrity. Students will receive an official warning from UA Online Testing Services before proctoring methods or location options are revoked unless the instructor or department requests immediate revocation.
Procedure for Repeat Offenders & Revoking Proctoring Options
If a student continually fails to adhere to exam and proctoring guidelines, the following procedure is initiated:
- Warning Phase:
- The student will receive a formal warning from UAOTS, which includes the following:
- A detailed description of the reported incidents.
- A reminder of exam and proctoring guidelines.
- An explanation that repeated violations may lead to a loss of proctoring privileges.
- A copy of this warning will be sent to the instructor for reference.
- The student will receive a formal warning from UAOTS, which includes the following:
- Consequences for Continued Violations
- If the student persists in disregarding exam and proctoring guidelines, the following actions will be taken:
- For Automated Virtual proctoring, the student’s proctoring method will be upgraded to Live Online proctoring. At this point, if the student intends to test online, they will be required to schedule a Live Online proctoring session and will be responsible for any additional fees incurred.
- For Live Online proctoring, access to this method will be revoked for all online courses. The student will be required to secure an in-person proctor for all exams for the remainder of the term.
- For in-person proctoring or paper exams, access to the specific proctor or location will be revoked. The student will be required to secure a new approved proctor or location for all exams for the remainder of the term.
- Prior to the notice, UAOTS will initiate a discussion with all the student’s instructors, notifying them of the ongoing violations and the consequences to follow.
- Instructors will have an opportunity to provide input and suggestions regarding the situation.
- Instructors will provide any additional individuals who may need to be copied on the notification to the student.
- If the student persists in disregarding exam and proctoring guidelines, the following actions will be taken:
Depending on the severity and or consistency of violations, the student may lose access for a duration of up to one full academic year.