FAQ

An ACT Center is a computer-based test center. Each ACT Center site delivers licensure and certification tests in computer-based format for postsecondary students and the general public. Centers are professionally staffed and adhere to the highest industry standards for test security and service.

Note: The ACT Center sites are not the same as ACT Test Center sites, which administer the ACT college entrance exam and other paper-pencil tests.

ACT Center sites are usually located on two- and four-year college campuses across the U.S. and Canada but may also be located in partnership with secondary schools and commercial businesses. To the extent possible, we attempt to establish centers within 60–100 miles of each other for the convenience of the examinees. In heavily populated areas, there may be several centers in closer proximity.

Anyone needing to take one of the ACT Center tests must contact the professional association or postsecondary institution that sponsors the test to learn what steps are necessary. Find a list of the sponsors.

There are no licensing or application fees. However, participating sites are responsible for meeting ACT's specifications for secure testing services. ACT, in turn, pays each site to administer the tests.

Once a month, ACT will send a revenue check to your organization. Revenue comes from scheduled appointments, including no-shows. There is no minimum number of tests required before being paid. The revenue is calculated as the number of appointments x rate per hour x length of appointment. For example, two appointments x $10 per hour x 4.5 hours = $90. (Rates vary depending on the test.)

Test demand is difficult to project since examinees can choose the site that's most convenient for them, regardless of what state they reside in. Additionally, test volume will ebb and flow depending on whether the tests are available on limited dates or are available year-round. Test volume is also dependent on how many testing workstations and days of availability you offer for ACT Center testing.

For technical issues, there is a toll-free 24/7 Help Desk. For general customer service issues, there are ACT Center customer service representatives available between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Central time, Monday through Friday. ACT also provides a toll-free call center that schedules all of the test appointments based on the schedule you provide and collects registration payments from the examinees.

ACT provides free training for anyone at the site who will be checking in and proctoring examinees. Training is done by webcast at a mutually convenient time. There may also be a scheduled on-site visit made by one of our staff prior to launching your first tests.

The contract, called the ACT Center Participation Agreement, automatically renews from year to year upon the anniversary date of its signing. The agreement can be terminated with a minimum 30 days written notice.

• To avoid cancelling scheduled appointments, a minimum of two staff (full-time or part-time) must be trained as proctors to back each other up in case of absences.
• At least one computer workstation in a room with an Internet connection and adequate bandwidth that is suitable for quiet and secure testing.
• Two public IP addresses for remote maintenance of the ACT-provided server.
• An area outside of the test room where examinees can check in, have their picture taken, store their personal belongings, and wait until their turn. This area needs to have enough desk or counter space to accommodate the ACT-provided proctor workstation and monitoring equipment, and your own printer. Examinees will have scheduled appointments and will be seated as they arrive, not in groups.
• To ensure test security, you may be required to install video cameras (with microphones attached) in the test room. ACT provides this hardware and will reimburse installation costs.
• A minimum of 4.5 hours per week for ACT Center appointments (called "default hours"). In addition, at least one weekend day and/or evening of availability is preferred. Anytime your test center will be closed (holidays, remodeling, weather, etc.), you will be able to put your ACT Center hours "on hold" so that no examinees can be scheduled on those dates. (This is very easy to do; you'll learn how during training.)

Contact us to inquire further about becoming an ACT Center site. Once we receive your request, an ACT representative will respond to explain the requirements and duties of an ACT Center in more detail.