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Certified WebEOC Administrator Candidate Handbook

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<strong>Certified</strong> <strong>WebEOC</strong><br />

<strong>Administrator</strong><br />

<strong>Candidate</strong> <strong>Handbook</strong>


<strong>Certified</strong> <strong>WebEOC</strong> <strong>Administrator</strong> <strong>Candidate</strong> <strong>Handbook</strong>, revised February 2009.<br />

COPYRIGHT 2009 by ESi University<br />

Information in this handbook represents current policies and procedures for the <strong>Certified</strong><br />

<strong>WebEOC</strong> <strong>Administrator</strong> exam. Information in this handbook supersedes information<br />

contained in any previously published information.<br />

This booklet may not be brought into the examination.<br />

Eligibility standards, exam content, exam standards, fees, and guidelines are subject to<br />

change.<br />

It is recommended that you keep this handbook for reference throughout the<br />

certification process.<br />

<strong>Certified</strong> <strong>WebEOC</strong> <strong>Administrator</strong> <strong>Candidate</strong> <strong>Handbook</strong><br />

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Table of Contents<br />

<strong>Certified</strong> <strong>WebEOC</strong> <strong>Administrator</strong> Quick Reference ...................................................... 1<br />

About ESi ® ................................................................................................................... 2<br />

About ESi ® University................................................................................................... 2<br />

About the <strong>Certified</strong> <strong>WebEOC</strong> <strong>Administrator</strong> Program .................................................. 2<br />

Benefits of Becoming a <strong>Certified</strong> <strong>WebEOC</strong> <strong>Administrator</strong> ............................................ 4<br />

Exam Registration and Scheduling .............................................................................. 4<br />

Accommodations for <strong>Candidate</strong>s with Disabilities ........................................................ 7<br />

Exam Specifications and References .......................................................................... 8<br />

Studying for the Exam ................................................................................................ 12<br />

Examination Day ........................................................................................................ 12<br />

Taking the Exam ........................................................................................................ 14<br />

Test Security .............................................................................................................. 15<br />

After the Exam ........................................................................................................... 19<br />

Contact Information .................................................................................................... 20<br />

<strong>Certified</strong> <strong>WebEOC</strong> <strong>Administrator</strong> <strong>Candidate</strong> <strong>Handbook</strong><br />

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<strong>Certified</strong> <strong>WebEOC</strong> <strong>Administrator</strong> Quick Reference<br />

The cost of the exam is $599.00 payable via major credit card. Persons wishing<br />

to register for the exam may do so through the ESi ® University Learning Portal at<br />

http://www.esi911.com.<br />

Plan to arrive at the testing center 30 minutes before your scheduled<br />

appointment in order to complete the required check-in process before testing<br />

begins.<br />

It is recommended that you wear comfortable, layered clothing, as test center<br />

temperatures may vary.<br />

You will be required to leave your personal belongings outside the exam room.<br />

Have correct identification ready at the test center.<br />

At the test site, if you have not completed the exam and you are reviewing<br />

questions – do NOT click Finish. This will exit you from the exam and you will not<br />

be able to get back in.<br />

Unanswered exam questions will be scored as incorrect when time expires.<br />

Your score will be available in 7 to 10 working days.<br />

If you have questions or concerns, email eisu@esi911.com r call ESi ® University<br />

at 678-680-4970.<br />

<strong>Certified</strong> <strong>WebEOC</strong> <strong>Administrator</strong> <strong>Candidate</strong> <strong>Handbook</strong><br />

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About ESi ®<br />

ESi ® is a systems integration and software development company specializing in<br />

emergency operations center (EOC) and enhanced 911 systems for federal, state, and<br />

local governments, public utilities, and commercial/private enterprises. Based in<br />

Augusta, GA, ESi ® pioneered <strong>WebEOC</strong>®, the world’s first web-enabled Crisis<br />

Information Management Software (CIMS) product.<br />

Today, ESi ® is the global leader in CIMS solutions and has customers within the U.S.<br />

Departments of Agriculture, Defense, Energy, Homeland Security, Health and Human<br />

Services, EPA, NASA, state, county and city EOCs, commercial airlines, corporations,<br />

public utilities, and universities. It is also used by similar agencies internationally. By<br />

delivering highly configurable products and end-to-end services from design, installation<br />

and integration through maintenance, training and 24/7 support, ESi ® sets the standard<br />

for crisis information management. These are a few of the reasons that also led ESi ® to<br />

be ranked in the top one third of the fastest growing private companies in America.<br />

About ESi ® University<br />

ESi ® University was started in October of 2007 to provide its users with the best, most<br />

comprehensive training and certification on ESi ® products available in the world.<br />

About the <strong>Certified</strong> <strong>WebEOC</strong> <strong>Administrator</strong> Program<br />

Examination Information<br />

A <strong>Certified</strong> <strong>WebEOC</strong> <strong>Administrator</strong> is an individual who has passed a written and<br />

hands-on exam created and administered by ESi ® University. A <strong>Certified</strong> <strong>WebEOC</strong><br />

<strong>Administrator</strong> possesses the knowledge and skills necessary to administer a <strong>WebEOC</strong><br />

system, to participate in the implementation process, and to support and encourage<br />

integrated design. The exam was launched in 2009 to recognize, through certification,<br />

an individual’s understanding of <strong>WebEOC</strong> administration, end-user training, and board<br />

creation.<br />

The development of a valid exam begins with a clear and concise definition of the<br />

knowledge, skills and abilities needed to successfully serve as a <strong>Certified</strong> <strong>WebEOC</strong><br />

<strong>Administrator</strong>. ESi ® University certification staff works with experts in the crisis<br />

management field to identify the critical roles and responsibilities of an individual<br />

supporting a <strong>WebEOC</strong> system.<br />

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The <strong>Certified</strong> <strong>WebEOC</strong> <strong>Administrator</strong> exam is valid and reliable. Valid means that the<br />

exam is able to measure what it is supposed to measure. Reliable is an index of how<br />

accurately the exam measures a candidate’s skills. A test must be both valid and<br />

reliable to be considered a well-developed exam.<br />

The <strong>Certified</strong> <strong>WebEOC</strong> <strong>Administrator</strong> exam accurately assesses each candidate’s<br />

ability to carry out the required responsibilities of a <strong>WebEOC</strong> <strong>Administrator</strong>.<br />

The <strong>Certified</strong> <strong>WebEOC</strong> <strong>Administrator</strong> Exam<br />

There are two portions of the <strong>Certified</strong> <strong>WebEOC</strong> <strong>Administrator</strong> exam -- a written test<br />

and a practical test.<br />

The Written Exam<br />

The written exam focuses on <strong>WebEOC</strong> end-user functions, <strong>WebEOC</strong><br />

administration, process flow, and basic board building.<br />

The Practical Exam<br />

The practical exam focuses on the candidate’s ability to administer a <strong>WebEOC</strong><br />

system, to build boards using the <strong>WebEOC</strong> Board Wizard and to setup an<br />

information/process flow using Process Permissions.<br />

Examination Item Development<br />

Extensive test statistics are calculated in the process of determining test validity and<br />

reliability. This includes careful analysis of every question on the <strong>Certified</strong> <strong>WebEOC</strong><br />

<strong>Administrator</strong> exam.<br />

Exam questions:<br />

• Are developed and validated by global work groups of Subject Matter Experts<br />

• Are referenced to current standards and resources produced by ESi ®<br />

• Are developed and monitored through psychometric analysis<br />

• Satisfy the test development specifications of a job analysis<br />

Determining the Passing Score<br />

A valid credentialing exam must have a defensible passing score. The cut score that<br />

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separates candidates who fail must be based on the minimum level of knowledge<br />

required as set forth by Subject Matter Experts. The passing score for the <strong>Certified</strong><br />

<strong>WebEOC</strong> <strong>Administrator</strong> exam is determined by a Minimally Qualified group procedure<br />

during the beta testing process. This procedure looks at the scores of candidates who<br />

have been classified as borderline qualified to pass based on external information.<br />

Subject Matter Experts classify candidates as being Above Qualified, Minimally<br />

Qualified, or Below Qualified. The median score of beta candidates in the minimally<br />

qualified group is taken to be the suggested cut score, with the median scores of the<br />

Above and Below Qualified groups serving as upper and lower boundaries to the range<br />

of acceptable cut scores. The final cut score is decided upon by a group of test<br />

development experts and Subject Matter Experts based on this range.<br />

Benefits of Becoming a <strong>Certified</strong> <strong>WebEOC</strong> <strong>Administrator</strong><br />

Individual Benefits<br />

• Provides a marketable credential to an employer, prospective employer or client<br />

• Listing on the ESi ® website directory of <strong>Certified</strong> <strong>WebEOC</strong> <strong>Administrator</strong>s<br />

• <strong>Certified</strong> <strong>WebEOC</strong> <strong>Administrator</strong> Accredited Professional certificate<br />

• Receive recognition for involvement in the <strong>Certified</strong> <strong>WebEOC</strong> <strong>Administrator</strong><br />

process<br />

Employer Benefits<br />

• Strengthens the organization’s emergency preparedness program<br />

• Encourages the growth of knowledge and understanding of the <strong>Certified</strong><br />

<strong>WebEOC</strong> <strong>Administrator</strong> process<br />

Exam Registration and Scheduling<br />

The written exam is delivered through a computer program. The practical portion of the<br />

exam is hands-on utilizing an operational <strong>WebEOC</strong> system. All <strong>Certified</strong> <strong>WebEOC</strong><br />

<strong>Administrator</strong> exams MUST be proctored either in-person or electronically through the<br />

use of a web-based video camera. ESi ® Regional Managers located throughout the<br />

U.S. are also available to proctor the exam. Additionally, ESi ® University in Atlanta is<br />

available to proctor the exam. Appointments are scheduled on a first come, first served<br />

basis. Register early to get your preferred date.<br />

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Follow these steps to schedule your exam:<br />

Navigate to the ESi ® University Learning Portal accessible through<br />

http://www.esi911.com. Create a username and password using the exact name that<br />

appears on your identification. Register for the <strong>WebEOC</strong> Certification Exam. You will<br />

receive a confirmation email.<br />

Exam Fees<br />

Examination fees cover the costs of testing center coordination and staffing,<br />

examination development, review, production and scoring. ESi ® accepts credit card<br />

payment through its secure learning portal. ESi ® charges the exam fee when a<br />

candidate registers for the certification exam. An exam fee receipt is available on the<br />

learning portal.<br />

• Exam Fee: $599.00<br />

• Cancellation / Rescheduling Fee: $30<br />

• No-Show Fee $599.00<br />

Please note that candidates cannot change the credit card information for the payment<br />

of a scheduled appointment without cancelling the appointment on the learning portal<br />

first.<br />

ESi ® University Hours of Operation<br />

ESi ® University business hours are 8:00am to 5:00pm Eastern Standard Time, Monday<br />

through Friday. ESi ® University’s web site is always available through www.esi911.com.<br />

In the United States, the exam is available Monday through Friday, with the exception of<br />

national holidays or holiday weekends. Hours of operation vary from location to location.<br />

Weekend and evening hours are available at some locations. We suggest scheduling<br />

your appointment at least 30 days in advance.<br />

ESi ® test sites are generally closed in observance of the following holidays:<br />

New Year’s Day<br />

Columbus Day<br />

Martin Luther King Jr. Day<br />

Thanksgiving Day/Weekend<br />

President’s Day<br />

Christmas Eve Day<br />

Memorial Day/Weekend<br />

Christmas Day<br />

Independence Day/Weekend<br />

New Year’s Eve Day<br />

Labor Day/Weekend<br />

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To Confirm, Cancel, or Reschedule an Exam Appointment<br />

You can confirm, cancel, or reschedule your exam appointment by calling ESi ®<br />

University at 1-866-937-4911, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Eastern Standard Time, Monday<br />

through Friday.<br />

To change or cancel your reservation you must do so through ESi ® University no later<br />

than midnight on the third day before your scheduled examination. Properly<br />

cancelled appointments will not be charged the exam fee; properly rescheduled<br />

appointments will be charged the exam fee after the new appointment occurs. All exam<br />

appointments cancelled/ rescheduled before the examination date are charged a $30<br />

fee.<br />

If you contact ESi ® University less than two full days before your scheduled<br />

appointment, you will be charged the full examination fee.<br />

Deadline<br />

Exam Appointment<br />

Monday<br />

Tuesday<br />

Wednesday<br />

Thursday<br />

Friday<br />

Reschedule/Cancel<br />

Previous Friday, by Midnight EST<br />

Previous Saturday, by Midnight EST<br />

Previous Saturday, by Midnight EST<br />

Previous Monday, by Midnight EST<br />

Previous Tuesday, by Midnight EST<br />

Leaving a message on the ESi ® University voicemail system is NOT an acceptable<br />

method of cancelling/rescheduling your appointment.<br />

Failing to Appear for a Scheduled Exam<br />

If you are absent from an examination that you were scheduled to attend, and you did<br />

not reschedule or cancel according to the policy, ESi ® will retain the full examination fee<br />

for that missed exam. There are no refunds for examinations not taken.<br />

All candidates seeking excused absences based on an emergency situation must<br />

contact ESi ® University at 1-866-937-4911. ESi ® may require that you fax or email<br />

documentation of the emergency in order to excuse the absence. Illness excuses must<br />

be written by the attending physician.<br />

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If, on the day of your exam, you are unable to attend the examination for which you are<br />

scheduled, you may be excused without monetary penalty for the following reasons:<br />

• EOC/Command Center Activation<br />

• Documented illness, either yourself or immediate family member<br />

• Death in the immediate family<br />

• Disabling traffic accident<br />

• Court appearance or jury duty<br />

• Military duty<br />

Inclement Weather or Other Emergencies<br />

Test administration will be delayed or cancelled only in emergencies. If severe weather<br />

or a natural disaster makes the test center inaccessible or unsafe, the test<br />

administration may be cancelled. In the event of test center closings due to inclement<br />

weather, candidates will be contacted by ESi ® University to reschedule their<br />

appointment free of charge.<br />

Re-Examination<br />

There is no limit to the number of times unsuccessful candidates may retake the<br />

examination. Exam candidates will be charged the full exam fee for each exam<br />

scheduled.<br />

Accommodations for <strong>Candidate</strong>s with Disabilities<br />

If you have a documented disability that would prevent you from taking the <strong>Certified</strong><br />

<strong>WebEOC</strong> <strong>Administrator</strong> exam under standard conditions, you may request a reasonable<br />

accommodation as required by law. Reasonable accommodations are granted to<br />

ensure that every candidate has the opportunity to test on a level field with other<br />

candidates, but not to provide any candidate with an unfair advantage over other<br />

candidates. Accommodation requests are considered on a case by case basis.<br />

ESi ® University certifies that it shall comply with the provisions of the Americans with<br />

Disabilities Act (ADA). Under the ADA, entities that administer standardized<br />

examinations must offer the examinations in a place and manner that is accessible to<br />

candidates with disabilities. This may require reasonable modifications to the manner in<br />

which the test is administered. ESi ® will attempt to provide auxiliary aids and services,<br />

except where it may fundamentally alter the examinations or results.<br />

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Available accommodations include, but are not limited to, the following:<br />

• Reader<br />

• Scribe<br />

• Extended testing time<br />

• Auxiliary aids and services<br />

Requests for accommodation should be made to ESi ® University at least 30 days in<br />

advance of the desired test date. <strong>Candidate</strong>s will receive an email from ESi ® University<br />

requesting medical documentation of the disability. Documentation must be current<br />

within five years. ESi ® University staff will review documentation and, if approved, alert<br />

the ESi ® proctor of the necessary accommodations. ESi ® University staff will then<br />

contact the candidate regarding further steps for scheduling.<br />

When scheduling for re-examination, candidates should indicate that special<br />

arrangements were made, or services provided, for the prior exam appointment and that<br />

these arrangements/services will be required again for the upcoming test date.<br />

Testing in a Foreign Language<br />

ESi ® University currently offers the <strong>Certified</strong> <strong>WebEOC</strong> <strong>Administrator</strong> exam in English<br />

only. The use of translators or foreign-language dictionaries during the examination will<br />

not be permitted. Additional time to complete the exam will not be provided.<br />

Exam Specifications and References<br />

Each section of the exam is designed to test minimum competency in a specific area of<br />

<strong>WebEOC</strong> knowledge. This is encompassed in the following four content areas:<br />

1. Basic functionality that should be taught to all <strong>WebEOC</strong> users<br />

2. <strong>WebEOC</strong> Administration functions<br />

3. Basic Board Building<br />

4. Process Flow using Process Permissions and Data Linking<br />

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Specifications<br />

The following outline provides a general description of exam content areas.<br />

1. Knowledge of basic functionality that should be taught to all <strong>WebEOC</strong> users<br />

• Self Registration<br />

• Logging in to <strong>WebEOC</strong><br />

• Understanding the Control Panel<br />

• Displaying information in <strong>WebEOC</strong><br />

• Adding & modifying information in <strong>WebEOC</strong><br />

• Understanding forms, links & plug-ins<br />

• Accessing, displaying and printing a report<br />

• How to setup and use Chat Rooms internal to <strong>WebEOC</strong><br />

• How to manage contact information accessible by authorized users/agencies<br />

• Manipulating checklists within <strong>WebEOC</strong><br />

• How to communicate among <strong>WebEOC</strong> users using <strong>WebEOC</strong>’s internal<br />

messaging plug-in<br />

• Creating folders and uploading files to the File Library<br />

• How to view weather alerts and forecasts from the National Weather Service’s<br />

interactive Weather Information Network<br />

• How maps or images can be displayed and annotated with markers, shapes and<br />

labels<br />

2. <strong>WebEOC</strong> Administration<br />

• Implementing the Positions feature<br />

• Creating user accounts and passwords<br />

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• Establishing a set of access privileges to boards, links, menus, and plug-ins that<br />

will appear as links on the Control Panel<br />

• Setting up and configuring hyperlinks to URLs, other systems, or files<br />

• Providing the ability to group boards, links, plug-ins or other menus, or any<br />

combination under a single link (menu) on the Control Panel<br />

• Setting up individual incidents to track related information<br />

• How individual incidents can be rolled up for viewing in a common, master view<br />

• Creating preformatted or ad hoc reports that can then be added as links to the<br />

Control Panel<br />

• Creating Admin Profiles to establish a pre-defined set of specific administrator<br />

privileges that can then be applied as a template to a group of users<br />

• Archiving an incident<br />

• Using the Audit Log<br />

• Setting up dual commit and remote boards<br />

• Establishing security permissions/profiles, and email server configuration.<br />

• Viewing a list of users currently logged in to <strong>WebEOC</strong> with the added capability<br />

of terminating a specific user’s log-in session<br />

• Building scenario inputs to be manually or automatically injected during drill or<br />

exercise play<br />

3. Board Building<br />

• Creating lists of items that users can select when updating certain fields on<br />

status boards<br />

• Utilizing Board Builder to design, implement, and maintain electronic displays<br />

(status boards)<br />

• Planning a Status Board<br />

• Planning views<br />

• Creating views<br />

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• Understanding the use of the advanced board editor<br />

• Data linking a board to another board<br />

• Publishing a board<br />

• Importing and exporting a board<br />

• Importing and exporting data<br />

• Deleting a status board<br />

• Adding, editing and deleting a pick list<br />

4. Implementing Process Flow<br />

• Designing a typical <strong>WebEOC</strong> EOC data information flow process<br />

• Implementing process permissions<br />

• Using filters to manage information<br />

References<br />

The primary sources for the development of the exam are:<br />

o The <strong>WebEOC</strong> User Manual<br />

o The <strong>WebEOC</strong> <strong>Administrator</strong> Manual<br />

o Release Notes (dating back to the previous whole number release)<br />

o Information presented in the “<strong>WebEOC</strong> <strong>Administrator</strong> and Basic<br />

Board Building” course<br />

o Information presented in the “Implementing Process Flow” course<br />

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Studying for the Exam<br />

<strong>Candidate</strong> Qualifications<br />

There are no prerequisites to taking the <strong>Certified</strong> <strong>WebEOC</strong> <strong>Administrator</strong> exam.<br />

However, the following qualifications for the exam are strongly recommended:<br />

• Tenure in emergency management/preparedness and industry knowledge<br />

• Practical experience working with a <strong>WebEOC</strong> system<br />

• Understanding the principals of basic board building<br />

• Understanding how to tailor a <strong>WebEOC</strong> system and how information flows in an<br />

organization<br />

No two exam candidates will come to the test center with the same level of knowledge.<br />

Because experience and educational backgrounds are unique, these considerations<br />

should be taken into account when considering study methods. While some candidates<br />

may take the exam without any study, the majority should spend time preparing.<br />

Because the exam measures the candidate’s ability to facilitate the integrated design<br />

process, his/her knowledge of <strong>WebEOC</strong> Administration, and the resources and<br />

processes involved in designing and building input forms and display boards, the best<br />

way to prepare for the exam is to understand the rating system requirements and<br />

processes and their application in practice.<br />

The main source of study material for the <strong>Certified</strong> <strong>WebEOC</strong> <strong>Administrator</strong> exam is the<br />

<strong>WebEOC</strong> User Manual and the <strong>WebEOC</strong> <strong>Administrator</strong> Manual. <strong>Candidate</strong>s can<br />

supplement their study by utilizing courses offered at ESI ® University and by gaining<br />

practical, real-world experience.<br />

Examination Day<br />

Identification Requirements<br />

Each candidate must bring appropriate identification to the testing center. Expired forms<br />

of IDs will not be accepted. Each candidate must provide a current ID that bears their<br />

signature, photograph, and name as it appears on their exam registration. The first and<br />

last name on each ID submitted must match the first and last name on the exam<br />

registration. If the name on the ID does not match the name on the exam<br />

registration, you will NOT BE ALLOWED TO TEST AND YOU WILL FORFEIT THE<br />

FULL EXAM FEE.<br />

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ESi ® will require the following identification:<br />

• The ID photo must look like the candidate<br />

• Name FIRST and LAST NAME on the ID must match the name on the exam<br />

registration<br />

• If there is an ID concern at the test site, but you feel that you have met the ID<br />

requirements, immediately call ESi ® University at 1-866-937-4911<br />

Arrival Time<br />

It is recommended that you arrive at the test center at least 30 minutes prior to your<br />

scheduled exam appointment to get settled, check-in, and begin the tutorial. <strong>Candidate</strong>s<br />

who arrive at the test site after their scheduled exam times will lose their reservation<br />

and will be considered absent, and the policy for Failure to Appear for a Scheduled<br />

Exam will apply.<br />

Your test session should begin within 30 minutes of your scheduled appointment. If<br />

circumstances arise at the test site that delays your test session more than 30 minutes<br />

after your scheduled appointment time, you will be given the choice of continuing to wait<br />

or rescheduling your appointment.<br />

You will be escorted to a workstation by the proctor. You must remain in your seat<br />

during the exam except when authorized to leave by the proctor. Notify the proctor if:<br />

• You experience problems with your computer<br />

• An error message appears on the computer screen (do not clear the message)<br />

• You need additional scratch paper or pencil<br />

• You need to take a break (testing time will NOT be suspended)<br />

• You need the test center staff for any other reason<br />

In the event that you encounter negative conditions at the test site such as HVAC<br />

failures, excessive noise, or technology malfunctions we recommend that you<br />

immediately notify the proctor and request that the issue is documented. To report a<br />

problem with your exam experience, report the incident with the proctor at the test site<br />

and call ESi ® University at 1-866-937-4911.<br />

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Taking the Exam<br />

Computer-Based Testing<br />

The written portion of the <strong>Certified</strong> <strong>WebEOC</strong> <strong>Administrator</strong> exam is a computer-based<br />

test that must be completed in 90 minutes. <strong>Candidate</strong>s do not need extensive computer<br />

experience to take the test. Exam questions and answer options are displayed on<br />

screen. The computer records your responses and times your exam. You are able to<br />

change your answers, skip questions and flag questions for later review. Your exam<br />

score will not be available the day of the exam.<br />

Before starting the exam, there will be a short tutorial to familiarize you with the<br />

computer testing environment. You will have ten (10) minutes to spend on this tutorial.<br />

This time will not be deducted from the time you are allotted to complete the exam. Test<br />

site proctors are available to answer questions you may have about the computerbased<br />

testing system, but they cannot answer questions about the content of the exam<br />

itself. ESi ® University encourages candidates to participate in the tutorial in order to<br />

familiarize themselves with the exam format. Be aware that if a candidate exits the<br />

exam session, the appointment cannot be restarted.<br />

Practical Exam<br />

The practical portion of the exam will test your knowledge of how to administer a<br />

<strong>WebEOC</strong> system through the use of the Admin Manager, how to build boards using the<br />

Board Wizard and how to create a basic process flow. You will be given 120 minutes to<br />

complete this portion of the exam.<br />

Exam-Taking Tips<br />

Arrive at the test site at least 30 minutes ahead of time to give yourself the chance to<br />

check in and relax before you begin the exam. As you progress through the written<br />

exam, answer every question presented, even if you are unsure of your answer choices.<br />

You can mark questions for later review and return to them to reevaluate your response,<br />

if time permits. All unanswered questions will be incorrect when your time expires.<br />

Exam Format<br />

The <strong>Certified</strong> <strong>WebEOC</strong> <strong>Administrator</strong> exam is designed to measure your skills and<br />

knowledge against criteria developed by Subject Matter Experts and to assess your<br />

understanding and knowledge required of a <strong>Certified</strong> <strong>WebEOC</strong> <strong>Administrator</strong>.<br />

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In the event that a software or hardware problem occurs before or during the test,<br />

please wait to see if the proctor, with assistance from ESi ® technical support, can<br />

resolve the problem. In the event a computer must be restarted, the computer software<br />

has been designed to suspend testing time until the computer is operating again. If your<br />

examination cannot be administered because of technical difficulties, your examination<br />

will be rescheduled at no cost to you at your earliest convenience.<br />

Exam Timing<br />

While you are permitted up to 4 hours for the entire exam process, total exam time is<br />

broken out as follows:<br />

• 10 minute tutorial<br />

• 90 minute written exam<br />

• 15 minute break<br />

• 120 minute practical exam<br />

• 10 minute exit survey<br />

Test Security<br />

To ensure the integrity of the <strong>Certified</strong> <strong>WebEOC</strong> <strong>Administrator</strong> program, specific<br />

measures are enforced during the administration of your exam. Before taking the<br />

examination you will be required to sign a nondisclosure agreement which prohibits any<br />

disclosure of exam content. Failure to sign the agreement will prevent you from testing.<br />

Test questions and answers are the exclusive property of ESi ® .<br />

• The examination and the items (questions and answers) are protected by<br />

copyright law.<br />

• The exam may not be copied or reproduced in part or in whole, by any means<br />

whatsoever, including memorization.<br />

• Future discussion or disclosure of the content of the exam, orally or in writing, or<br />

by any other means, is prohibited.<br />

• Theft or attempted theft of exam items is punishable to the fullest extent of the<br />

law.<br />

• You will be observed at all times while taking the exam. This may include direct<br />

observation by test center staff, as well as audio and video recording of your<br />

exam session.<br />

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Test Center Regulations<br />

Nothing may be brought into the exam room with you. A secure location will be provided<br />

for candidates to secure brief cases, Cellular telephones and pagers must be in the “off”<br />

position.<br />

• No papers, books, food, beverages, bags or electronic devices are allowed in the<br />

exam room<br />

• Eating, drinking, and tobacco use are prohibited in the exam room<br />

• Paper may not be brought into or removed from the exam room (scratch paper<br />

and pencils will be provided by the test site staff and collected at the conclusion<br />

of your exam)<br />

• You may not leave the exam room during your exam without the test proctor’s<br />

permission. If you leave the building during your exam, the test proctor will<br />

terminate your exam session<br />

Grounds for Dismissal from the Test Site<br />

Any candidate who engages in misconduct or does not comply with the test proctor’s<br />

warning to discontinue inappropriate behavior may be dismissed from the test site, have<br />

exam results invalidated, or be subject to other appropriate sanctions. Fraud, deceit,<br />

dishonesty, or other irregular behavior in connection with taking the exam is strictly<br />

prohibited.<br />

Irregular behavior includes, but is not limited to, copying or allowing the copying of<br />

examination content, failing to work independently, possessing unauthorized devices or<br />

source materials, surrogate testing or other dishonest conduct, disrupting other<br />

examinees, and possessing, reproducing, or disclosing exam questions, answers, or<br />

other information regarding the content of the examination.<br />

The proctor is authorized to take appropriate action to investigate, stop or correct an<br />

observed or suspected irregular behavior or misconduct, including discharging<br />

examinees from the exam site and confiscation of any prohibited devices or materials.<br />

Examinees or any other persons implicated in an irregularity will be reported to ESi ®<br />

University for further action.<br />

ESi ® University will make a ruling based on the consideration of both the candidate’s<br />

report and proctor’s report of the incident. To appeal ESi ® University’s ruling, send an<br />

email of your formal appeal to esiu@esi911.com with the subject: Appeal of Ruling. At<br />

this stage, the User Advisory Board (UAB) will review and make a final ruling on the<br />

case.<br />

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Exam Scoring<br />

Examination raw scores are converted to a scaled score with a passing score set to<br />

80% for each of the two parts of the exam. The scaled score is reported in the score<br />

report that is received at ESi ® University following completion of your exam. ESi ®<br />

University reports scaled scores so that candidates know that a passing score of 80% is<br />

required to pass on each exam. In this way, confusion about what is required to become<br />

a <strong>Certified</strong> <strong>WebEOC</strong> <strong>Administrator</strong> is avoided.<br />

The written exam is graded by computer. The practical exam is graded by ESi ®<br />

University staff. You will receive a printed score report. If ESi ® is unable to provide this<br />

document, candidates may contact ESi ® University at esiu@esi911.com to request their<br />

score. ESi ® University does not provide copies of exam content to protect the<br />

confidentiality of exam and the credibility of the <strong>Certified</strong> <strong>WebEOC</strong> <strong>Administrator</strong><br />

credential.<br />

Passing the Exam<br />

If you receive a score of 80% or higher on each of the two parts of the exam, you earn<br />

the <strong>Certified</strong> <strong>WebEOC</strong> <strong>Administrator</strong> designation. Upon receipt of that notification, you<br />

may use “<strong>Certified</strong> <strong>WebEOC</strong> <strong>Administrator</strong>” as a professional designation on business<br />

cards and signatures. Passing the <strong>Certified</strong> <strong>WebEOC</strong> <strong>Administrator</strong> exam also<br />

authorizes you to use the <strong>WebEOC</strong> logo in accordance with the ESi ® Logo Guidelines.<br />

You will receive an e-mail from ESi University notifying you when your results have<br />

posted. If you have elected to have your listing display on the <strong>Certified</strong> <strong>WebEOC</strong><br />

<strong>Administrator</strong> Directory, your listing will be posted within 24 hours of your results being<br />

posted.<br />

Within 7 days after you pass the exam, you will receive formal notification from ESi ®<br />

University, including a congratulatory letter and <strong>Certified</strong> <strong>WebEOC</strong> <strong>Administrator</strong><br />

certificate recognizing you as a <strong>Certified</strong> <strong>WebEOC</strong> <strong>Administrator</strong>.<br />

Failing the Exam<br />

If you receive a score of 79 or lower you will be denied the <strong>Certified</strong> <strong>WebEOC</strong><br />

<strong>Administrator</strong> credential but have the option of re-registering for the exam and<br />

attempting to achieve the credential again.<br />

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Exam Statistics<br />

Official statistics regarding the <strong>Certified</strong> <strong>WebEOC</strong> <strong>Administrator</strong> exam, including all item<br />

performance data, individual data, and demographic data, will be considered<br />

confidential unless officially released by ESi ® University. <strong>Candidate</strong>s’ scores will always<br />

remain confidential unless released with the written consent of a candidate.<br />

<strong>Candidate</strong> Confidentiality<br />

ESi ® University recognizes your rights to control personal information. ESi University<br />

policy is designed to safeguard this information from unauthorized disclosure. You can<br />

change your preference to be contacted by third parties through your Profile at:<br />

www.esiuniversity.com.<br />

To protect your rights to control score distribution, exam scores are released only to the<br />

test taker and authorized ESi ® University staff. ESi ® University does not release test<br />

scores except for use in research studies that preserve your anonymity.<br />

After the Exam<br />

Challenging Exam Content<br />

Following completion of the exam candidates may submit, in writing, comments on any<br />

question(s) they believe to contain technical errors in content. In your correspondence<br />

include your contact information, test date, the specific concerns about the question(s).<br />

You are not allowed to copy the question before leaving the test center and are not<br />

expected to recreate the entire question in your correspondence. ESi ® University will<br />

review the question and you will be notified of the findings. Because of the need for test<br />

security, ESi ® University will not release exam questions or answers to candidates. ESi ®<br />

University policy is that we will not respond to complaints or challenges received more<br />

than 10 days after the test date and will not respond to complaints sent to any address<br />

other than ESi ® University.<br />

ESi ® University provides this process for candidates who believe an exam<br />

question contains technical errors in content. The exam challenge process is not<br />

made available for complaints about fail scores or exam difficulty. ESi ® University<br />

does not provide individual feedback on candidate performance.<br />

ESi ® University does not change exam scores.<br />

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<strong>Certified</strong> <strong>WebEOC</strong> <strong>Administrator</strong> Certificates<br />

Certificates will be mailed directly from ESi ® University headquarters within two weeks<br />

after the test date. In the event that a certificate arrives damaged, with an incorrect<br />

name or spelling or, after a reasonable period of time (three weeks after mailing), does<br />

not arrive at all, the certificate will be replaced free of charge. These requests should be<br />

made in writing to esiu@esi911.com.<br />

In the event a <strong>Certified</strong> <strong>WebEOC</strong> <strong>Administrator</strong> loses the certificate, needs a<br />

replacement, wants the name on the certificate to be changed, or would like a duplicate<br />

certificate, the <strong>Certified</strong> <strong>WebEOC</strong> <strong>Administrator</strong> should forward this request in writing to<br />

ESi ® University by sending an email to esiu@esi911.com. A twenty-five dollar ($25) fee<br />

will be charged for processing the new certificate. Replacement certificates are<br />

processed on a monthly schedule.<br />

Certification Maintenance<br />

At this time a <strong>Certified</strong> <strong>WebEOC</strong> <strong>Administrator</strong>’s certificate will expire in 2 years.<br />

Currently, there is no credential maintenance requirement for <strong>Certified</strong> <strong>WebEOC</strong><br />

<strong>Administrator</strong>s. Development of this program has begun and details will be announced<br />

in 2009. Establishing maintenance requirements for <strong>Certified</strong> <strong>WebEOC</strong> <strong>Administrator</strong>s<br />

will ensure that the credential continues to distinguish those <strong>WebEOC</strong> <strong>Administrator</strong>s<br />

who maintain current knowledge and skills to successfully steward the <strong>WebEOC</strong><br />

Certification Process with their thorough understanding of <strong>WebEOC</strong> training,<br />

administration, board building and implementing a process flow. All <strong>Certified</strong> <strong>WebEOC</strong><br />

<strong>Administrator</strong>s will be contacted and advised on the timeline and requirements for<br />

maintaining their credential once a formal maintenance program is in place.<br />

Contact Information<br />

ESi University<br />

Certification Manager<br />

8601 Dunwoody Place, Suite 126<br />

Atlanta, GA 30350<br />

1-866-937-4911<br />

Web Site: www.esi911.com<br />

ESi’s website is available for scheduling, rescheduling, cancelling, and confirming exam<br />

appointments 24 hours per day. To schedule an exam, you will need to have first<br />

registered with ESi ® University.<br />

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