View the candidate handbook for each program to review material unique to each certification program, including exam outlines, reference materials, and recertification requirements.
Testing Options
Candidates have three options for taking CCO written exams:
Review the features and benefits of each exam delivery option.
How to Apply for CCO Written Exams
- Go to my.ccocert.org and login or register for an account.
- Once logged in, submit an online application and pay for the exam(s).
- Submit your application no less than two business days prior to testing.
- Once your application has been processed, you will receive a scheduling authorization email. Exams you’ve been approved to take will show in the myCCO portal and mobile app as Upcoming Exams.
- You have 6 months from the date of the application to take your exam(s)
- Scheduling will be completed in the myCCO Portal by clicking “Launch myCCO Exam Hub.”
- Once scheduled, you will receive a CCO appointment confirmation.
Candidates who decide not to take exams, do not test within six months of application submission, or do not cancel scheduled exams per the cancellation policy will forfeit their fees.
Candidates Requesting Testing Accommodations
Arrangements for persons with disabilities will be provided upon request, in conformance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Testing accommodations are only available at Test Center Testing (TCT) facilities.
Professional documentation in support of a request for accommodation must be submitted to CCO no later than four weeks prior to the scheduled test date. For further information about testing accommodations, see the complete CCO Testing Accommodations Policy.
Length of Test Day
CCO written exams are carefully designed to provide a reliable and valid assessment of a candidate’s knowledge and skills. Time limits are carefully determined for each written exam to allow enough time for a prepared candidate to complete the exam and to provide for an efficient and successful administration of all exams to scheduled candidates on testing day.
To provide each candidate with a fair and standardized administration of the written examination(s), and to ensure the reliability and validity of the written examinations is maintained, it is not recommended that a candidate schedule written exams totaling more than 5½ hours of testing time on the same day.
Test Day Requirements
Identification at the Test Site
Candidates must present a valid (not expired) government-issued photo identification with date of birth to the test site on the day of the test administration.
Acceptable forms of photo identification are a valid:
- Passport
- U.S. government- or state-issued driver’s license
- Military identification card
- U.S. government-issued alien registration card
NOTE: Candidates without appropriate identification documents will NOT be permitted to take the CCO examination(s) and all fees will be forfeited.
Materials to Bring to the Test Site
Each candidate must have the following to test:
- Valid photo identification
- Scheduling confirmation email (recommended)
- Whiteboard (recommended)
NOTE: No books, scratch paper, calculators, reference materials, beepers, cellular phones, or other personal items will be allowed in the examination room. If your exam permits a calculator, a basic four-function calculator is provided on-screen.
Test Site Information
Candidate Question Comment Forms
Candidates may provide comments for any question by clicking on the “Exam Feedback” button on the top left of the page. This opens a dialogue box where candidates may enter comments related to the exam as a whole or specific questions.
Test Scoring Information
Test Scoring
CCO written examinations are criterion-referenced examinations; i.e., the passing score is set beforehand, and candidate performance on the examination is not compared to the performance of others taking the examination. In a criterion-referenced examination, a candidate must obtain a score equal to or higher than a predetermined passing score to pass the test. The passing scores represent absolute standards and are determined by panels of CCO content experts using a psychometrically accepted standard-setting methodology.
Score Reporting
Candidates receive preliminary exam results immediately following testing. Results are also available in the myCCO Portal and are emailed.
Retaking the Examination(s)
Candidates who fail an examination(s) may retake the examination(s); they must reapply and pay all corresponding retest fees. Written exam retest candidates are required to wait a minimum of four weeks before retesting on the same exam.