Once your application is approved, you are assigned a 90-day window to schedule and take your exam. This window applies to all PTCB exams.
How will I know if my authorization window has started?
Look for an email from PTCB that includes “Authorization to Schedule” in the subject line. The specific dates of your authorization window are included in that email. You can also find your authorization window on your PTCB Account homepage.
What if I cannot schedule an exam appointment within the 90-day period?
CPhT and CSPT Exams
If you cannot schedule an exam appointment within your original 90-day authorization window, you may either purchase an extension or withdraw the application before the end of the window.
- Extensions are available for $20 and add 90 days to your window. There is a limit of two 90-day extensions. If you already scheduled your exam, you must cancel the exam appointment before purchasing an extension.
- Withdrawing your application incurs a $50 administrative fee*, deducted from the application fee refund.
*The $50 application fee for CSPT is nonrefundable.
Assessment-Based Certificate Exams
Applications for PTCB Assessment-Based Certificates cannot be withdrawn. Extensions are available for $20 and extend the authorization to schedule your exam by 90 days. There is a limit of two 90-day extensions.
How do I purchase an exam authorization extension?
Click Extend Exam Authorization on your PTCB Account homepage.
Note: Any scheduled exam appointment will need to be canceled before the option to purchase an extension is available. Once an exam appointment has been canceled, log out of your account, wait about 20-30 minutes, then log back in to view the Extend Exam Authorization option.
My exam authorization window has expired. What are my options?
Per the terms and conditions of the application, if your exam authorization window has ended before you have taken the exam, all fees are forfeited and a new application must be submitted and approved to schedule an exam appointment.
Exam authorization extensions cannot be purchased after an authorization to schedule has ended.
A hardship is preventing me from scheduling on time. Are exceptions offered?
If a hardship has prevented you from scheduling your exam appointment within your authorization window, please submit a help request with supporting documentation. Hardship requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.