Earning A Certification

Earning A Certification2022-06-21T14:35:28-05:00

NEF TESTING CHECKLIST

The Testing Process

Study for your exam

Take your exam

Earn score of 75% or higher is required to pass the exam

A $100 fee is required for a failed exam review

1. Purchase books and exams

2. Schedule your exam

3. Study for your exam

4. Take your exam

5. Earn score of 75% or higher is required to pass the exam

Testing Eligibility

NEF requires that the appropriate book and testing fee be paid prior to testing.  If you are unsure which book or testing fee to purchase contact us first.

Exam Categories

The following is a list of the examinations administered by NEF for certification. All exams are closed book and are timed.

  • Construction Bookkeeping Technician (CBT)
  • Construction Document Technician (CDT)
  • Construction Industry Specialist (CIS)
  • Construction Industry Technician (CIT)
  • Estimating and Scheduling Practitioner (ESP)

Testing FAQs and Information

What Certifications Are Available?2022-06-20T11:37:00-05:00
What Are The Course Equivalencies?2021-10-12T23:16:16-05:00

NEF has developed course equivalencies to compare college credit hours and student learning outcomes to all NEF construction professional development certificate programs. The following does not guarantee college credit. Those decisions are solely at the discretion of the academic institution. These may be used to open a dialog with a college or university to gain college credit as the institution prescribes.

NEF Course Equivalencies

What Is The Exam Administration Method?2021-10-12T23:16:36-05:00

NEF Exams are Computer Based Testing

NEF has taken every effort to make its computer testing system as easy to use as possible. No specific computer experience or typing skills are needed to take the test. Candidates who take a computer-based test will be given written instructions and will complete an interactive tutorial prior to testing.

How Do I Schedule My Exam?2021-10-12T23:16:54-05:00

NEF registers each approved candidate using the information provided on the order used to purchase the course book. All candidates must contact NEF via email or the website submission form with their preferred date and time for scheduling purposes. Advance Scheduling Candidates must schedule in advance for their examinations in order to ensure the availability of the test.

Effective August 1, 2019 testing for all programs must be completed within a two (2) year time limit from the date of program purchase. No more than two (2) exams may be taken on one exam date.

Special exam requests, such as group or written testing, can be submitted to the NEF Executive Committee. A minimum of 10 tests is suggested for group testing, with additional needs addressed by the NEF Executive Committee. An additional one-time testing fee of $50.00 will be charged to cover costs, with any additional fees addressed on a case-by-case basis.

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What Are The Exam Procedures?2021-10-12T23:17:18-05:00

All exams are closed book. Any individual caught giving or receiving assistance during or after an examination, or caught using unauthorized materials during the examination will be reported. Those caught in the act of cheating will forfeit the examination fees paid. Finally, anyone caught with test questions in their possession, either during or following an examination will be prosecuted for theft of copyrighted testing materials.

How Can I Prepare For My Exam?2022-06-20T11:45:51-05:00

To be successful on any NEF exam, you must read all of the course material. The test questions will come directly from the textbook and any additional provided materials. Some materials may mirror your workday, and others may not be familiar or differ greatly from your personal industry experiences. Please keep in mind that the NEF courses are based on standard industry theories and practices. The information is accurate to the best of our content experts’ knowledge and the standards and guidelines NEF upholds through our accreditation status with ACCE.

There are many ways to study. The following are suggestions that may help.

  • Available NEF Course Companions (will be released for all courses)
  • Take a NEF instructor-led course at an event or other offering
  • Ask NEF to conduct a study session for a group of 10 or more (there will be a monetary charge for this service)
  • Form a study group with others also preparing for the exam
What If I Find Errors In The Exam Questions?2021-10-12T23:20:44-05:00

If during an exam the candidate encounters a question they think is inaccurate or otherwise incorrect, they are encouraged to enter an Exam Comment into the system detailing why they feel the question is in error. Should any comment result in a change to a test question and/or candidate score, NEF will notify the candidate of the score change and issue a new result letter.
Detailed answers to questions or comments are not provided for test security purposes.

What Is The Retesting Policy?2021-10-12T23:20:53-05:00

Candidates who fail the exam or who fail to take the exam by the end of their eligibility, must contact NEF and pay the retesting fee. Any candidate who fails to achieve a passing score on any test will be required to wait a minimum of fourteen (14) calendar days before retesting. Please contact NEF if you have any questions regarding retesting rules.

 

How Do I Request A Exam Review?2021-10-12T23:21:44-05:00

Any candidate who fails to achieve a passing score on any test may request an Online Review of said test. This Online Review must be requested within thirty (30) days of the notification of test score. The cost of the Online Review is $100.00 and must be paid in advance of scheduling the Online Review.
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Testing FAQs and Information

What Certifications Are Available?2022-06-20T11:37:00-05:00
What Are The Course Equivalencies?2021-10-12T23:16:16-05:00

NEF has developed course equivalencies to compare college credit hours and student learning outcomes to all NEF construction professional development certificate programs. The following does not guarantee college credit. Those decisions are solely at the discretion of the academic institution. These may be used to open a dialog with a college or university to gain college credit as the institution prescribes.

NEF Course Equivalencies

What Is The Exam Administration Method?2021-10-12T23:16:36-05:00

NEF Exams are Computer Based Testing

NEF has taken every effort to make its computer testing system as easy to use as possible. No specific computer experience or typing skills are needed to take the test. Candidates who take a computer-based test will be given written instructions and will complete an interactive tutorial prior to testing.

How Do I Schedule My Exam?2021-10-12T23:16:54-05:00

NEF registers each approved candidate using the information provided on the order used to purchase the course book. All candidates must contact NEF via email or the website submission form with their preferred date and time for scheduling purposes. Advance Scheduling Candidates must schedule in advance for their examinations in order to ensure the availability of the test.

Effective August 1, 2019 testing for all programs must be completed within a two (2) year time limit from the date of program purchase. No more than two (2) exams may be taken on one exam date.

Special exam requests, such as group or written testing, can be submitted to the NEF Executive Committee. A minimum of 10 tests is suggested for group testing, with additional needs addressed by the NEF Executive Committee. An additional one-time testing fee of $50.00 will be charged to cover costs, with any additional fees addressed on a case-by-case basis.

[ninja_form id=2]

What Are The Exam Procedures?2021-10-12T23:17:18-05:00

All exams are closed book. Any individual caught giving or receiving assistance during or after an examination, or caught using unauthorized materials during the examination will be reported. Those caught in the act of cheating will forfeit the examination fees paid. Finally, anyone caught with test questions in their possession, either during or following an examination will be prosecuted for theft of copyrighted testing materials.

How Can I Prepare For My Exam?2022-06-20T11:45:51-05:00

To be successful on any NEF exam, you must read all of the course material. The test questions will come directly from the textbook and any additional provided materials. Some materials may mirror your workday, and others may not be familiar or differ greatly from your personal industry experiences. Please keep in mind that the NEF courses are based on standard industry theories and practices. The information is accurate to the best of our content experts’ knowledge and the standards and guidelines NEF upholds through our accreditation status with ACCE.

There are many ways to study. The following are suggestions that may help.

  • Available NEF Course Companions (will be released for all courses)
  • Take a NEF instructor-led course at an event or other offering
  • Ask NEF to conduct a study session for a group of 10 or more (there will be a monetary charge for this service)
  • Form a study group with others also preparing for the exam
What If I Find Errors In The Exam Questions?2021-10-12T23:20:44-05:00

If during an exam the candidate encounters a question they think is inaccurate or otherwise incorrect, they are encouraged to enter an Exam Comment into the system detailing why they feel the question is in error. Should any comment result in a change to a test question and/or candidate score, NEF will notify the candidate of the score change and issue a new result letter.
Detailed answers to questions or comments are not provided for test security purposes.

What Is The Retesting Policy?2021-10-12T23:20:53-05:00

Candidates who fail the exam or who fail to take the exam by the end of their eligibility, must contact NEF and pay the retesting fee. Any candidate who fails to achieve a passing score on any test will be required to wait a minimum of fourteen (14) calendar days before retesting. Please contact NEF if you have any questions regarding retesting rules.

 

How Do I Request A Exam Review?2021-10-12T23:21:44-05:00

Any candidate who fails to achieve a passing score on any test may request an Online Review of said test. This Online Review must be requested within thirty (30) days of the notification of test score. The cost of the Online Review is $100.00 and must be paid in advance of scheduling the Online Review.
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Jill Hanson

NEF has taken every effort to make its computer testing system as easy to use as possible. No specific computer experience or typing skills are needed to take the test.

Jill Hanson

Non-Discrimination Statement

NEF provides equal access to its exams and testing programs for all eligible persons. It is the policy of NEF to maintain an environment free of discrimination and to prohibit discrimination and harassment against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and veteran, marital or family status.

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