You can take the SIE online via Prometricās ProProctor platform from a private space at home, or in person at a Prometric test center. Both options use identical exam content, the same $80 fee, and the same 105-minute time limit. Pick in-person if you want a controlled environment and prefer not to set up your own room; pick online if convenience or location matters more.
Can you take the SIE exam online?
Yes. The SIE has been available via online proctoring since 2020, when FINRA expanded remote testing during the pandemic. The online option, called ProProctor, is run by Prometric and uses a live human proctor who monitors you through your webcam and microphone for the entire session.
The exam itself is identical to the in-person version: same 85 questions, same 105-minute limit, same passing standard. Pass rates are essentially the same across both formats.
Where do I take the SIE?
You have two paths once you have paid the $80 enrollment fee:
1. Prometric test center. Pick a center, book a slot, show up with ID. The center provides the workstation, scratch materials, and an on-site proctor.
2. Online via ProProctor. Take the exam from your home (or any private indoor space) using your own computer, with a remote proctor watching through your webcam.
Both paths are scheduled on Prometricās site at prometric.com/finra. When you pick your appointment, you choose the delivery method then.
How do I find a Prometric center near me?
During scheduling on Prometricās site, you enter a ZIP code or city and the platform shows nearby centers with available slots. In most U.S. metro areas, you will find at least one center within a 30-minute drive. Rural areas may require a longer trip.
Centers also exist internationally, though availability varies. If you are testing outside the U.S., check Prometricās site early; international slots can book up further out.
A few things to know about test centers:
- Operating hours vary. Some centers run weekday-only; larger metros offer evenings and Saturdays.
- They share space with other exams. Your testing room may have candidates working on unrelated certifications. Noise-canceling headphones are typically provided.
- Personal items get locked up. Phones, watches, bags, and study notes go in a locker. Only ID comes into the testing room.
- Same-week availability is common. Larger centers often have slots within 7 to 14 days of booking.
How does online SIE testing work?
ProProctor turns your home into a temporary test center. The basic flow:
- Install the ProProctor application ahead of time and run a system test on the computer you plan to use.
- On test day, log in 30 minutes early. A proctor verifies your identity, scans your room with your webcam, and checks that your workspace meets the rules.
- The exam launches and the proctor monitors you live for the full session. You cannot leave the camera frame, look off-screen for more than a few seconds, or speak out loud.
- You see your result on screen the moment you submit, just as you would at a center.
The proctor can pause your session if rules are broken (someone walks into the room, you pick up your phone, you cover your mouth) and may end the session entirely for repeated violations.
Practice on the Same Kind of Screen
CertFuel's timed practice exams run in your browser at the same 105-minute pace as the real SIE. Build comfort with the format before you pick a delivery method. Free.
Choose Your PathWhat do I need for online proctoring?
ProProctorās environment rules are stricter than most candidates expect. Before you book the online option, make sure you can satisfy all of the following:
Hardware:
- A laptop or desktop with a working webcam and microphone
- Wired keyboard and mouse (some external setups are flagged)
- A stable, high-speed internet connection (wired ethernet preferred over Wi-Fi)
- Ability to install the ProProctor application (admin rights on the computer)
Environment:
- A private indoor room with a door you can close
- A clear desk: no books, papers, sticky notes, or second monitors
- Walls and surroundings free of writing or posters with text
- Quiet enough that no other voices reach your microphone for the full 105 minutes
Behavior during the exam:
- No phone within reach
- No food, drink (sealed water in a clear container is sometimes allowed), or chewing gum
- No bathroom breaks (the timer does not stop, and leaving the camera frame can void the exam)
- No speaking, mouthing words, or looking away from the screen for extended periods
If you are not confident you can meet every item on that list for the entire session, book the in-person option instead.
Which option should I pick?
The right choice depends on your situation more than any objective comparison. A few common scenarios:
| Situation | Better fit |
|---|---|
| Live in a major metro with several Prometric centers | In-person (more slot flexibility) |
| Rural area, nearest center is 60+ miles away | Online (saves travel time and stress) |
| First-time test-taker, anxious about the format | In-person (fewer technical variables) |
| Have a quiet private room and reliable internet | Either works; pick by convenience |
| Live with roommates, kids, or pets | In-person (one interruption can void the exam) |
| Re-taking after a previous attempt | Online often (you already know the format) |
Pros and cons of each option
- Controlled environment, no setup on your end
- On-site proctor can resolve issues in person
- Locker, scratch materials, and headphones provided
- No risk of internet drops or webcam failures
- Familiar format if you have taken other certification exams
- Requires travel; rural areas may have long drives
- Slot availability varies by region
- Sharing space with candidates on other exams can feel chaotic
- Strict check-in rules: ID problems can void your appointment
- Less schedule flexibility (limited evening and weekend slots)
- No travel required
- More schedule flexibility, including evenings and weekends
- Test in a familiar environment
- Easier rescheduling in some cases
- Strict environment rules: one violation can void the exam
- Technical issues (internet, webcam, mic) are your responsibility
- No food, no breaks, no leaving the frame for 105 minutes
- Setup time (room scan, ID check) can add 20 to 30 minutes pre-exam
- Some candidates find the proctor watching them more distracting than a quiet test room
Can I change my delivery method after booking?
Yes, up to a point. Through Prometricās site you can reschedule and switch between in-person and online, subject to the standard reschedule fees:
- 10+ calendar days before the test: Free
- Less than 10 days: $80 fee, or you forfeit the enrollment
If you booked online and realize the day before that your internet has been spotty, switching to a center is sometimes possible if a slot is open, but you may not get the time you wanted. Decide early.
What happens if there is a technical problem during online testing?
If your internet drops or your webcam fails mid-exam, the proctor logs the issue and Prometric reviews the case. Outcomes vary:
- Brief interruption resolved quickly: the exam usually resumes from where you left off
- Sustained technical failure: the session ends and Prometric reschedules you at no additional cost
- Suspected violation rather than technical problem: the result may be invalidated and you may need to re-enroll
This is the main reason to test in-person if your home internet is unreliable. A 30-second webcam glitch at the wrong moment can turn into a multi-week delay.
What ID do I need for either option?
Both options require a valid, unexpired, government-issued photo ID. The name on the ID must match the name on your FINRA enrollment exactly. Acceptable forms:
- Driverās license
- Passport
- Military ID
- State or national ID card
For online proctoring, you hold the ID up to your webcam for inspection. For in-person, the proctor checks it at check-in. Either way, an expired or non-matching ID will get you turned away.
The bottom line
There is no ābetterā delivery method for the SIE; there is the one that fits your situation. Pick in-person if you want a controlled environment and a low-variance test day. Pick online if travel is a real obstacle and you can guarantee a quiet private room with reliable internet for the full 105 minutes. Either way, the exam content, the time, and the score that comes out the other side are identical.
If you are unsure, default to in-person for your first attempt. The format is familiar, the environment is predictable, and you remove the technical variables. You can always switch to online for a retake if you decide you want the convenience.