Overview
The administration of the NextGen UBE is supported by a coordinated team with clearly defined roles. Each role is designed to ensure that exam operations run smoothly, technical issues are addressed efficiently, and testing conditions remain consistent and secure.
Clear delineation of responsibilities is critical. On exam day, staff should not need to determine who is responsible for a given task—ownership should be understood in advance, and escalation should occur quickly when needed.
Core Roles
Jurisdiction Administrator
Jurisdiction administrators are responsible for the overall administration of the NextGen UBE within their jurisdiction. This includes coordinating with NCBE, ensuring compliance with the NextGen UBE Conditions of Use, and overseeing all operational aspects of the exam.
Jurisdiction administrators are responsible for
- confirming examinee eligibility and submitting Eligible to Sit rosters through the Jurisdiction Portal;
- establishing testing locations and ensuring that facilities meet required security and operational standards, including access to electricity and wireless internet;
- recruiting, training, and supervising test center personnel, including test center supervisors, room leads, proctors, and any accommodations support staff;
- ensuring that examinees complete required pre-exam steps, including creation of an NCBE Account, acceptance of the Candidate Agreement, payment of the technology fee, download of the secure testing browser, and completion of the exam tutorial;
- coordinating with NCBE and ITS regarding wireless availability and access to electricity, accommodations, and operational questions; and
- ensuring that all irregularities, incidents, and attendance information are accurately reported through the Jurisdiction Portal.
Jurisdiction administrators maintain ultimate responsibility for ensuring that the exam is administered in accordance with NCBE policies and procedures.
Test Center Supervisors
The test center supervisor is the senior on-site authority responsible for the secure and orderly administration of the exam at a testing location. In some cases, the test center supervisor is the same person as the jurisdiction administrator.
Test center supervisors are responsible for
- ensuring that testing rooms meet required security and environmental standards;
- supervising room leads and proctors during exam administration;
- confirming that all exam sessions are launched and monitored through the Exam Day Portal;
- ensuring that standardized procedures are followed during examinee check-in, exam launch, and dismissal;
- addressing testing disruptions, irregularities, and security concerns;
- ensuring that any paper or braille accommodation materials are handled in accordance with NCBE procedures; and
- completing and submitting required irregularity reports and attendance confirmations after the exam.
Although certain operational duties may be delegated to room leads or proctors, the test center supervisor is responsible for ensuring that all exam procedures are followed and that exam security is maintained throughout the administration.
Room Lead
Room leads oversee the administration of the exam within a specific testing room.
Room leads are responsible for
- managing examinee check-in within the testing room;
- verifying attendance and seating assignments;
- launching and monitoring exam sessions in the Exam Day Portal;
- announcing the session number and administering standardized instructions to examinees;
- monitoring examinee behavior and ensuring adherence to testing rules; and
- reporting any irregularities, disruptions, or technical issues to the test center supervisor.
Room leads serve as the primary operational contact for proctors and examinees within the testing room.
Proctor
Proctors are responsible for maintaining the testing environment and supporting examinees during the exam.
Proctors are responsible for
- monitoring examinees throughout the administration;
- enforcing testing rules and ensure compliance with exam policies;
- managing seating and movement within the room;
- responding to non-technical examinee needs (e.g., restroom requests, general questions);
- observing and reporting any irregularities or concerning behavior; and
- assisting with check-in, dismissal, and general room logistics.
Proctors do not troubleshoot technical issues, but instead identify and route those issues to the technical proctor.
Technical Proctor
The ITS-certified technical proctor is responsible for all technical support during the administration.
The technical proctor
- assists examinees with log-in, connectivity, and device issues;
- troubleshoots problems related to the secure browser and exam platform;
- reboots devices, supports relaunch, and facilitates use of backup devices as needed;
- identifies patterns of technical issues that may indicate a broader problem; and
- escalates unresolved or systemic issues to the room lead.
The technical proctor is the sole role responsible for hands-on technical troubleshooting during the exam.
NCBE Site Lead
The NCBE site lead supports the administration across testing rooms and ensures alignment with NCBE policies and procedures.
The NCBE site lead
- provides guidance on policy-related questions and decisions;
- supports consistent administration across rooms and locations;
- coordinates with NCBE and technical support teams;
- receives and manages escalated issues from room leads; and
- facilitates communication during significant or system-wide events.
The NCBE site lead serves as the primary escalation point for room leads and ensures that decisions align with NCBE standards.
Decision-Making Authority
Decision-making during the administration follows a clear structure:
- Technical proctor: responsible for technical troubleshooting decisions at the examinee level.
- Room lead: responsible for decisions within the testing room.
- Test center supervisor: responsible for any site-wide decisions (e.g., managing fire alarms) and all room lead escalations.
- NCBE site lead: responsible for policy decisions and escalated issues.
When an issue arises, it should be addressed at the lowest appropriate level. If the issue cannot be resolved or has broader implications, it should be escalated promptly.
Staff should avoid duplicating efforts or independently resolving issues outside their assigned role. Clear adherence to role boundaries supports both efficiency and consistency.
Escalation Expectations
Timely escalation is essential to maintaining a smooth and secure administration.
Issues should be escalated when
- a technical issue cannot be resolved quickly at the examinee level;
- multiple examinees are experiencing similar technical issues;
- there is uncertainty regarding how to apply a policy;
- an irregularity may impact exam integrity or examinee performance; or
- a situation requires coordination beyond a single room.
Escalation follows this general pathway:
- Proctor → Room lead
- Technical proctor → Room lead
- Room lead → NCBE site lead
The NCBE site lead will coordinate with NCBE and technical support teams as needed.
When escalating an issue, staff should be prepared to provide
- a clear description of the issue;
- the number of examinees impacted;
- the steps already taken to resolve the issue; and
- the current status of the situation.
Coordination Across Roles
Effective administration depends on strong coordination across roles:
- Proctors and technical proctors should communicate actively with the room lead.
- The room lead should maintain awareness of both examinee behavior and system status.
- The NCBE site lead should be engaged early when issues have the potential to expand beyond a single room.
Each role is distinct, but the team operates as a coordinated unit. Clear communication and adherence to defined responsibilities ensure that issues are resolved efficiently while maintaining consistent testing conditions.