The American Fence Association is soliciting applications for volunteer examination proctors across the United States.
Building a robust proctor network will enable AFA to offer testing events more frequently and in more locations throughout the country. If you would like to give back to the fence, deck, gate, active vehicular access barrier, access control, deck and rail industries, please consider applying.
Current certification exams offered include the Certified Fence Contractor, Certified Gate Automation Technician, Certified Gate Automation Designer, and Certified Operations Manager. Other certification programs are currently in development and will be added to AFA's catalog as warranted.
Testing events may be scheduled at industry events, association meetings and tradeshows, or at private company facilities.
Qualifications
All proctors and examiners for AFA personnel certification must:
- Be approved by the AFA Credentialing Committee
- Either hold the credential for the personnel certification exam(s) they are authorized to administer, or
- Be ineligible for the credential for the personnel certification exam(s) they are authorized to administer for a period of five years following the most recent testing event they served as a testing administrator
- Complete mandatory training prior to administering any type of personnel certification exam (conducted via webinar)
- Avoid any situation which would create a conflict of interest
- File updated participation agreements, nondisclosure agreements, and conflict of interest statements on an annual basis
Responsibilities
Responsibilities of all proctors are to:
- Administer a test site report prior to any exams
- Assist with setup of the test site
- Check in all candidates and distribute exam materials
- Conduct examinations and adhere to exam time limits
- Monitor the exam room during testing and observe candidate behavior, noting any irregularities
- Ensure that the security of all exams and related materials is not compromised
- Secure and account for all exam materials from receipt to final shipping back to AFA
- Follow all documented testing event procedures
- Assist with general cleanup following the exams
- Follow up with AFA with necessary reports
Logistics
AFA will maintain a current list of proctors and examiners. When test site requests are received, proctors and examiners will be matched based on geographic proximity to the test site and reviewed for potential conflicts of interest. Proctors who match will be contacted by AFA staff no later than four weeks prior to a testing event and may accept or decline to proctor the event.
Proctors and examiners serve on a volunteer basis with no compensation. AFA will reimburse proctors and examiners for their mileage (at the current IRS reimbursement rate) to and from a testing event. Other expenses, including but not limited to meals, lodging, and airfare if necessary, will be reviewed and approved on a case-by-case basis. All anticipated expenses, including total mileage, shall be approved by AFA prior to the testing event.
Conflict of Interest
A proctor may not administer written examinations if there is the appearance of a conflict of interest. This would include, but is not limited to, testing events in which a co-worker, employee or business partner is a participant; a testing event in which one or more candidates are customers of the proctor; testing of a family member or other instances in which perceptions of impartiality may be questioned. In such circumstances, the proctor is to notify the Credentialing Manager immediately upon discovery of the conflict.
Time Commitment
As a volunteer proctor, you may accept or decline any testing event you are matched with and may proctor as many or as few testing events as works with your schedule. Typical testing events will run about six hours total - four hours for the testing block, one hour for setup and candidate check in, and one hour for collection, cleanup and shipping of materials.
NOTE: AFA is continuing to monitor COVID-19 information and adheres to guidelines and standards set by federal, state, and local agencies and venues.
If you have any questions about the AFA proctor process, please contact Sara Surprenant, Senior Credentialing Manager (sara@americanfenceassociation.com or 314-561-6670).
