Society of Defense Financial Management Testing

Before the exam:

• Every candidate needs to thoroughly read the "Pearson VUE policies and procedures" on the SDFM OnVUE online proctored web page and review information on exam policies and procedures, system requirements, and the System Test.
• It is very important to complete the required System Test on the same computer, in the same location, and at the same time as your exam appointment so the System Test can accurately read the computer’s connectivity in that location and time frame.
• Corporate, university, and military firewalls often cause issues while trying to take your exam. We strongly recommend taking your exam in a setting without an institutional firewall.
• Review the identification requirements below.

On exam day:

Showing Up: We ask that you log in through the SDFM portal 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment time to start the check-in process and to allow for any troubleshooting. If you click on the “Begin Exam” button more than 15 minutes after your scheduled exam time, you will be considered a No Show and your exam fee is forfeit.

Identification: Please be prepared to show one (1) valid form of unexpired, Government-issued personal ID. The Government-issued ID must have your signature and must have your photo.

The name on the exam registration in the Pearson VUE system must match the name on the Government issued ID exactly. Please verify that your name listed on your confirmation email matches your identification. *If your identification is not considered valid, you will not be permitted to complete your exam fee will likely be forfeit.*

Examples of acceptable identification:

• Passport
• Driver’s license
• Identification card (national or local)
• Registration card (such as green card, permanent resident, visa)

Please note that we are unable to accept the following IDs for an online proctored exam:

• Military ID (including spouse and dependent)
• Renewal forms with expired IDs
• Government-issued name change documents with Government ID

Personal Belongings: CDFM exams are closed-book exams. No personal items should be in the testing room. This includes all bags, purses, wallets, reference materials of any kind (books, notes or papers, etc.), electronic devices except for your cell phone (no tablets, PDAs, watches, calculators, etc.), writing instruments, food, beverages, etc.

Please note that you are required to have a clean and clutter-free workstation. During check in, the Proctor will ask you to perform a room and desk scan using your phone or webcam and will inspect any materials near your workstation.

Accessing your scheduled Pearson VUE exam:

• Open your appointment confirmation email and click on the "Check in to start exam" link.
• Click on the Login button in the upper right corner of this page.
• Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the check-in process.
• Important: the check-in process can be started up to 30 minutes before your exam appointment and will remain available until 15 minutes after your exam appointment. If the “Begin Exam” button is not visible, you are either too early or too late for your exam. Please check your appointment details to make sure you’re trying to start at the proper time.
• During the check-in process, you will be asked for your phone number so Pearson VUE staff can communicate with you while you are checking in for your exam. You will be asked to take a photo on your phone of yourself, your ID, and 4 photos of your room. The check-in process takes approximately 15 minutes for candidates who have previously completed a system test. After you have completed the check-in process, you will be asked to place your phone out of reach, but close enough to be heard.
• Once you have completed the check-in process you will be contacted by a Proctor to begin your exam at your appointment time. You may not be contacted by the Proctor before your appointment time to start the exam.

Facial Comparison Policy

You understand and agree that Pearson VUE may use facial comparison technology for the purpose of verifying your identity during the testing process. It will compare your facial image to the one on your identification and to facial images captured during the testing process and help us further develop, upgrade, and improve this application. If you do not agree to the use of facial comparison technology during your testing session, do not accept this term. You will not be able to complete your registration online. Instead, please call the Pearson VUE call center to complete your registration.

Reporting Unusual Circumstances: Significant and unusual circumstances that occur during the testing process should be reported immediately to the Pearson VUE exam proctor so an incident report can be filed.

Reschedule Policy

Rescheduling an exam appointment can be done in the "my Exams" section of your SDFM account 24/7 or by calling Pearson VUE at (888) 572-2276 Mon-Fri, 7-7 Central. You can reschedule your exam right up to the scheduled appointment time at no cost. If you do not reschedule your appointment before the scheduled appointment time and do not take the exam, it will be considered a No Show and you will forfeit your entire exam fee. This would require you to purchase another exam on the SDFM website in order to proceed with sitting for the exam.

Cancellation Policy

Canceling an exam appointment can be done in the "My Exams" section of your SDFM account 24/7 or by calling Pearson VUE at (888) 572-2276 Mon-Fri, 7-7 Central. You can cancel your exam right up to the scheduled appointment time at no cost. If you do not cancel your appointment before the scheduled appointment time and do not take the exam, it will be considered a No Show and you will forfeit your entire exam fee. This would require you to purchase another exam on the SDFM website in order to proceed with sitting for the exam.

No Shows: Failure to appear for an exam forfeits the entire exam fee, unless documentation of extenuating circumstances is provided within 30 days, such as: death in the family, serious illness, or military duty. In such circumstances, the candidate should email the SDFM Certification Department at certification@sdfm.org as soon as possible, providing documentation and a full description of the situation.

Exam Canceled by Pearson VUE: In the event of an unforeseen circumstance occurring on the day of a scheduled exam, candidates will be given as much advance notice as possible and will not be penalized if Pearson VUE cancels their exam appointment.

Admission Policy

Showing Up: We ask that you arrive at the test center 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment time. This will give you adequate time to complete the necessary sign-in procedures. If you arrive more than 15 minutes late for your appointment, you may be refused admission and exam fees may be forfeited.

Identification: Please be prepared to sign in, show a Primary and Secondary ID, and have your photo taken. The first and last name on your exam registration must match exactly the name on both IDs. Any candidate exceptions to the ID policy must be pre-approved by the Pearson VUE customer service center at least three (3) business days before the scheduled exam appointment.

Primary ID (name, photo, and signature, original-no copies, not expired)

• Passport
• Driver’s License
• Military ID (including spouse and dependent)
• Identification card (national/state/province identity card)
• Alien registration card (green card, permanent resident, visa)
• School ID
• Employer ID
• Professional License
• Bank
• Insurance Company
• Local language ID (not in Roman characters) – accepted only if issued from the country the candidate is testing in

Secondary ID (name and signature, original-no copies, not expired)

• Any form of ID that displays legal name and signature that matches the Primary ID, including any qualifying Primary ID, credit card, debit card, etc.

Personal Belongings: CDFM exams are closed-book exams. No personal items may be taken into the testing room. This includes all bags, purses, wallets, reference materials of any kind (books, notes or papers, etc.), electronic devices of any kind (phones, tablets, PDAs, watches, calculators, etc.), writing instruments, food, beverages, etc. Secure storage will be provided for personal items during the exam administration.

Reporting Unusual Circumstances: Significant and unusual circumstances that occur during the testing process should be reported onsite to the Pearson VUE exam proctor so an incident report can be filed.

Reschedule Policy

Rescheduling an exam appointment can be done in the "My Exams" section of your SDFM account 24/7 or by calling Pearson VUE at (888) 572-2276 Mon-Fri, 7-7 Central. You can reschedule your exam at least four (4) business days prior to the scheduled appointment at no cost. Rescheduling 1-3 business days prior to your appointment will require a $50 rescheduling fee. Rescheduling less than 24 hours prior to your appointment forfeits the entire exam fee and requires you to purchase another exam on the SDFM website in order to proceed with sitting for the exam.

Cancellation Policy

Candidate Exam Cancellation: Canceling an exam appointment within 24 hours of the exam appointment forfeits the entire exam fee and requires you to purchase another exam on the SDFM website in order to proceed with sitting for the exam. Exam appointments canceled four (4) or more business days before the exam appointment can be rescheduled at a later time.

No Shows: Failure to appear for an exam forfeits the entire exam fee, unless documentation of extenuating circumstances is provided within 30 days, such as: death in the family, serious illness, or military duty. In such circumstances, the candidate should email the SDFM Certification Department at certification@sdfm.org as soon as possible, providing documentation and a full description of the situation.

Inclement Weather and Exam Canceled by Pearson VUE: In the event of hazardous weather or any other unforeseen onsite emergencies occurring on the day of a scheduled exam, Pearson VUE will determine whether circumstances require the cancellation of the exam at a particular location. Every attempt will be made to administer all exams as scheduled. Candidates will be given as much advance notice as possible and will not be penalized if Pearson VUE cancels their exam appointment.

Candidate Emergencies: If you need to reschedule or cancel an exam less than three (3) business days prior to your exam appointment (not including the testing day) due to an emergency (death in the family, serious illness, short-notice military duty, etc.), contact the SDFM Certification Department as soon as possible at certification@sdfm.org or (703) 549-0360 and be prepared to provide supporting documentation.

Retake Waiting Period: There is no limit on the number of times a candidate may take an exam module they have not passed. However, there is a mandatory waiting time before retaking that same module (applies to all platforms: in-person and online-proctored). The first retake requires a 14-day wait and additional retakes of that module require a 28-day wait. Additional fee to retake an exam applies. Please visit the CDFM Candidate Handbook for more information.

Retake Fee Waiver Requests: Requests for waiving an exam retake fee due to unusual testing circumstances must be submitted to the SDFM Certification Department via email at certification@sdfm.org within 30 days of the exam administration. The request must include a full description of the circumstance and the reasons for requesting the waiver. An incident report must have been filed with Pearson VUE exam proctor during the testing process. The circumstances must have been outside the tester’s control, must have made the tester’s experience different from other testers, and must have been severe enough to account for exam failure or ability to test.

SDFM complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and wants to ensure that no eligible individual is deprived of the opportunity to take the exam solely by reason of a disability as defined under the ADA (or equivalent), as long as the disability is not one which would render the individual incapable of performing the duties of a certified position.

Candidates must identify their need for special accommodations when submitting their application or at least 5 weeks before the desired testing date by making a request in writing to certification@sdfm.org, to include a letter reporting a formally-diagnosed, ADA-recognized disability from a qualified professional who has provided evaluation or treatment to the applicant.

SDFM reserves the right to take any and all remedial and disciplinary action that SDFM deems appropriate in the event of misconduct or suspected misconduct by a tester. Misconduct includes, but is not limited to, seeking an unfair advantage in connection with any CDFM exam, providing assistance to another candidate during an exam, using unauthorized materials during an exam, copying or removal of CDFM exam materials, as well as the disclosure—in writing or orally—of the contents of any individual exam questions and, upon becoming aware of misconduct by others, failing to report it to the Pearson VUE staff and SDFM.

Possible responses of SDFM to misconduct or suspected misconduct include, but are not limited to, cancellation of exam scores, revocation of certified status, disqualification from future examinations, and reporting of misconduct to third parties, including employers and other certifying bodies. If misconduct is discovered after certified status has been achieved, it may be treated as a violation of the SDFM Pledge of Professionalism.