Misconduct procedure

What is misconduct?

Misconduct is any unacceptable or improper behaviour related to any part of the exam process. It can occur before, during or after the exam day, and may relate to associated processes such as booking a place or providing documentation.

Examples of misconduct include, but are not limited to:

During the exam:

• not complying with the reasonable instructions of an invigilator or other examination official

• viewing the work of another candidate, or attempting to do so

• removing materials or content (including the use of recording devices) from an examination other than those specifically permitted

• bringing materials other than those specifically permitted into the exam

• communicating with another candidate whilst under exam conditions

• impersonation of a candidate

• disruptive behaviour during an exam

• aiding or abetting any of the above.

Other activities associated with the exam:

• providing false details to book test places

• circumventing, or attempting to circumvent, our software security or system access control measures

• using third parties or automated bot software to book test places

• seeking to profit from the acquisition and sale of test places

• gaining information about the exam questions in advance of your exam date

• bribery, or attempted bribery, of any party involved with the exam

• sharing exam content in any way, including in both private conversations and on social media or other online forums

• releasing content from any exam to a third party/commercial organisation

• providing false information or evidence, for example to support a refund request or appeal attempt

• aiding or abetting others with the above

What happens if you are suspected of misconduct?

If you are suspected of misconduct we will:

• take any reasonable action to prevent continuation of the suspected misconduct while we investigate the matter

• clearly document the relevant details

• allow you the opportunity to respond in writing

If we determine there is sufficient evidence of misconduct, a decision maker will consider the matter. We will

• Submit all relevant information and evidence (including your written response) to the decision maker for a decision

• Inform you of the decision and any penalties applied in writing

What are the penalties for misconduct?

Standard penalties can include, but are not limited to:

• written advice

• results of an examination to be annulled

• candidate barred from booking or entering future examinations for a specified period

• reporting the matter to our registrar so they can take it into account when considering a future application for registration

• any combination of any of the above

Will you be able to appeal the outcome?

If you wish to appeal, you must provide significant new information or evidence and you must clearly explain how this meets at least one of the following requirements:

• the new information/evidence has not been considered by the original decision maker 
• the new information/evidence shows that the penalty applied should be reconsidered
• the new information/evidence shows there has been a procedural or administrative error in the handling of the misconduct allegation

You must do this within 10 days of the decision.

If you provide this, the matter will be passed to a senior decision maker to consider further. If your response does not meet the requirements for an appeal, we will let you know.

We will inform you in writing of the outcome of your appeal. This decision will be final.

We may reclassify appeals as complaints, or vice-versa, at any stage in proceedings. We will let you know if we think this is required and consider any response you provide.