The exam process
How do I get certified?
Certification is by passing an exam based on the content of the Certified Professional for Usability and User Experience (CPUX) curriculum you have just studied. The exam questions are written by us but they are carried out by one of our independent certification providers, who between them operate across the globe, meaning you can take an exam pretty much anywhere. See the individual curricula to find out exactly what certification involves.
Where and when you take your exam is up to you
If you are studying by yourself, you can choose to take your exam remotely or at a Pearson Vue Test centre. Simply choose how, where and when you want to take the exam and register with one of our independent certification providers.
If you are attending a training course, your course administrator may organise your exam for you. If your training course is taught in a classroom, your exam is likely to take place in a classroom; if your training course is taught remotely, your exam is likely to take place remotely, but please check with your recognised training provider.
Most recognised training providers will organise your exam to happen at the end of the training course, however you are free to take your exam at any time, so if you would rather give yourself a bit more revision time you can defer your exam to a later date and book your own exam.
Remote exams
Most UX professionals find the easiest and most convenient way to take their CPUX exam is remotely. Remote examination means you can take the exam from the comfort of your home or office, with your own personal invigilator joining you by a video connection. All you need to take an exam remotely is a laptop or desktop computer, a quiet environment and a stable internet connection.
Which exams can be taken remotely?
You can take all theoretical CPUX certification exams using online exam software. For the practical part of CPUX-UR and CPUX-DS exams, you will be sent paper documents with the exam tasks in a sealed envelope. See the CPUX-UR and CPUX-DS pages for more detail on those practical exams. The CPUX-UT practical exam does not need to be monitored.
Exams in Pearson Vue test centres
If you prefer to take exams in a controlled environment, you can take all theoretical CPUX certification exams at one of 5,000 Pearson Vue test centres, worldwide. Simply register with Pearson Vue, choose a test centre near you, then turn up on the day of your exam.
Which exams can be taken at a Pearson Vue test centre?
You can take all theoretical CPUX certification at a Pearson Vue test centre. The practical part of CPUX-UR and CPUX-DS exams cannot currently be taken at Pearson Vue test centres. The CPUX-UT practical exam does not need to be monitored.
Our independent certification providers
Certible GmbH
International certification body
iSQI
International Software Quality Institute
SAQ (Switzerland only)
Swiss Association for Quality
How much does certification cost?
Certification costs depend on a number of different factors, including which curriculum you are studying, which of our independent certification providers you are taking your exam with, whether you are taking an exam for the first time or booking a retest, whether you are a student or a member of a UXQB member organisation, and whether you are booking the exam yourself or through a recognised training provider.
Please visit our independent certification providers for specific exam prices, or check with your recognised training provider.
Find a recognised training provider
Organising your own exam can add a little stress at a time when you might be valuing calmness and serenity! For peace of mind we recommend attending a training course, not just because of the additional, valuable insight you will get from your training, but so that they can take care of organising the exam, so you don’t have to.
CPUX certification frequently asked questions
In a remote exam you use your own PC or laptop, at home or in your office to complete the exam online, using the independent certification provider’s exam website.
Yes, you can take notes electronically within the exam website – there is a notes field against each question.
During the exam you will be remotely monitored by an invigilator from the certification provider. A second camera – usually your mobile phone – is required for this purpose. The invigilator will explain how to connect your second camera to the exam system and will ask you to use the camera to show them the room in which you are taking your exam (just to make sure your best friend is not standing behind your desk, covered in post-it notes with CPUX terms and definitions on).
Each of the forty questions is scored as follows:
- If a question requires one correct answer, 1 point is awarded for a correctly marked answer.
- If a question requires two correct answers, ½ point is awarded for each correctly marked answer; ½ point is subtracted for each incorrectly marked answer.
- If a question requires three correct answers, ⅓ point is awarded for each correctly marked answer; ⅓ point is subtracted for each incorrectly marked answer.
The total score for a question can never be negative.
If the number of marked answers exceeds the specified number of correct answers, the score awarded will always be 0. For example, if a question has two correct answers but you mark three answers, you receive 0 points.
Scoring examples for a question that requires two correct answers:
- If you mark no answers: you receive 0 points.
- If you mark one answer and the answer is wrong: you receive 0 points.
- If you mark one answer and the answer is correct: you receive ½ point.
- If you mark two answers and both are wrong: you receive 0 points.
- If you mark two answers, one is correct and one is wrong: you receive ½-½ = 0 points.
- If you mark two answers and both are correct: you receive ½+½ = 1 point.
- If you mark three or more answers: you receive 0 points, irrespective of any correctly marked answers.
You can answer the questions in any order and you can change your answers at any point during the exam.
Yes, you can use a paper dictionary during CPUX exams. For remote exams you should indicate your dictionary requirement during registration. Any dictionaries will be inspected by the invigilator before the exam begins.
If you have failed an exam and wish to retake it, you can either directly contact the independent certification provider or, if you attended a training course, the training provider, and ask for a “resit”. A theoretical exam resit is 50% of the original exam cost; a practical exam resit is 100% of the original exam cost.
For remote theory exams, you will receive your result a few minutes after finishing the exam; for practical exams, you will receive your results within four weeks of the exam.
No, your CPUX certification has no expiry date and there is no need to renew it. It will last forever.
Yes. If you are not satisfied with the decision of the independent certification provider or with procedural errors in conducting an examination by either the independent certification provider or your training provider, you may appeal the decision.
The appeal must be substantiated. It must be made in writing. It must be submitted to info@uxqb.org within 14 days of the initial decision.
The UXQB may demand the payment of a fee, determined by the UXQB, before an appeal can be processed. The fee is currently 100 EUR. The objection and the appeal are evaluated by a neutral expert accredited by UXQB e.V.
The decision of the neutral expert will be final. The appeal may confirm, increase or lower the examination result. If the result is lowered, the candidate is not entitled to retain the original result.
If the objection raised by the candidate is considered partly or fully correct, the fee for the appeal is refunded in full. No further claims for reimbursement or compensation for training fees, travel expenses, etc., will be entertained.
Still have questions about CPUX certification?
If you have any questions, please contact our experts
CPUX CERTIFICATION IS OFFICIALY RECOGNISED BY
