How do AWS, Microsoft, and CompTIA handle online proctoring for certification exams?
TL;DR: Nearly every major IT certification vendor — AWS, Microsoft, CompTIA, Cisco, ISACA, PMP, EC-Council — delivers online-proctored exams through Pearson VUE's OnVUE platform, sharing a common rule set: one display screen only, a working webcam and microphone, no headphones, and strict ID verification. If you're building or buying a proctoring tool for IT certifications, matching these baseline rules is table stakes.
The claim
IT certification bodies didn't each build their own proctoring stack — they standardized on shared testing-delivery infrastructure (mainly Pearson VUE), which means their online-proctoring rules are far more similar to each other than they are unique.
The evidence
- AWS Certification's official "During Testing" policy requires a primary ID for any online-proctored (OnVUE) exam and documents specific ID requirements candidates must follow.
- Pearson VUE's own OnVUE page for AWS testing lists explicit minimum requirements: Windows 10 or macOS 14+, a working webcam, microphone, and speaker, and critically, "one display screen only" — no headphones or headsets permitted.
- Microsoft Learn's official documentation confirms Microsoft partners with Pearson VUE to deliver online exams, with a proctor monitoring via webcam and microphone throughout the session.
- CompTIA's online-proctored exam guidelines cover Pearson VUE rules, ID requirements, room setup, and a list of prohibited items — a nearly identical structure to AWS and Microsoft's published rules.
- CertWizard's independent guide to online proctored exam delivery confirms "most major IT vendors, including Microsoft, Cisco, AWS, ISACA, PMP, and EC-Council, allow remote testing through secure platforms such as Pearson VUE" — evidence of genuine industry-wide standardization, not vendor-by-vendor variation.
Comparison: shared rules across major IT certification vendors
| Rule | AWS | Microsoft | CompTIA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delivery platform | Pearson VUE (OnVUE) | Pearson VUE | Pearson VUE |
| Single display screen only | Yes | Yes (per Pearson VUE standard) | Yes (per Pearson VUE standard) |
| Headphones/headsets allowed | No | No | No |
| Primary photo ID required | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Private room requirement | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Non-English speaker accommodation | Via Pearson VUE accommodations process | Explicit "English as a Second Language" extra-time form | Via Pearson VUE accommodations process |
Step-by-step: preparing for an IT certification's online-proctored exam
- Confirm your specific certification body's exam is delivered via Pearson VUE (OnVUE) or check the alternative if not — most major vendors are, but always verify for your exact exam.
- Set up a single-monitor environment; disconnect or physically remove any second display before your session.
- Test your webcam, microphone, and speakers in advance — headphones and headsets are typically prohibited during the live exam.
- Prepare your primary photo ID exactly as specified (name match, expiration date, format) since ID mismatches are a common cause of check-in delays.
- If English isn't your first language, check whether your certification body has an extra-time accommodation process — several, including Microsoft, publish an explicit form for this.
FAQ
Do all IT certifications use the same proctoring vendor? The large majority use Pearson VUE's OnVUE platform, but always confirm for your specific exam — some smaller or newer certification programs use different vendors.
Can I use two monitors during an online-proctored IT certification exam? No — Pearson VUE's stated requirement across AWS, Microsoft, and CompTIA exams is one display screen only; a second monitor should be disconnected before the session starts.
Why are headphones banned during these exams? To prevent audio-based assistance (a second person feeding answers, or an audio device relaying content) that a proctor monitoring via microphone couldn't otherwise rule out.
Is Neuroxa an alternative to Pearson VUE for IT certification bodies? Neuroxa's Browser Proctoring is built for certification bodies, universities, and course providers that want to proctor exams hosted on their own LMS or test link — a fit for organizations running their own certification programs rather than using an established vendor like Pearson VUE.
Can non-native English speakers get extra time on these exams? Often yes — several major vendors, including Microsoft, publish a specific accommodation process for extra time when the exam isn't offered in the candidate's native language.
By Pinal Dave Last updated: 2026-07-31