Real estate regulators are navigating a more complex testing landscape than ever before. Candidate volumes fluctuate. Expectations for convenience continue to rise. And scrutiny around exam security, fairness, and defensibility has intensified.
For real estate licensing bodies, the challenge is clear: how to modernize real estate exam programs without compromising the integrity of the credential or public trust.
Multi-modal testing, which gives candidates the option to take their exam in person at a secure test center or remotely with robust online proctoring, is increasingly part of that conversation. But adoption hinges on one critical question: can remote real estate exams uphold the same standards of rigor, reliability, and security as traditional test centers?
Why security and defensibility matter more than ever in real estate testing
Real estate licensing exams play a vital role in protecting consumers and maintaining confidence in the profession. Regulators must be able to demonstrate that exam results are valid, fair, and resistant to fraud across every delivery method.
At the same time, the workforce is changing. More than one in five U.S. workers now holds an occupational license, and career mobility continues to increase. For real estate programs, this means supporting candidates who may live far from test centers, who balance exams with work and family commitments, or who require more flexible scheduling. All without lowering the bar.
This is where concerns around online proctored real estate exams often surface. Questions about identity verification, impersonation, content exposure, and candidate experience can slow adoption, even when flexibility is needed.
Multi-modal testing: extending what works, not replacing it
Multi-modal testing isn’t about abandoning secure test centers. It’s about extending proven exam security and assessment practices across delivery methods.
When designed correctly, multi-modal real estate testing allows regulators to:
- Expand access to a broader pool of eligible candidates, including those outside metropolitan areas.
- Improve flexibility by offering more choice in when and where candidates test.
- Increase scalability to manage peaks in demand without adding operational strain.
- Maintain integrity through consistent security, psychometric, and operational standards across all exams.
The key is to ensure that online proctored real estate exams are governed by the same principles of rigor and defensibility as in-person testing, not treated as a separate or lesser option.
What secure multi-modal real estate testing looks like in practice
A security-first multi-modal model protects exam integrity across the entire lifecycle: before, during, and after the test.
This includes:
- Strong identity verification using biometric and multi-factor checks for both test center and remote candidates.
- Secure check-in processes, whether conducted by trained test center administrators or remote specialists who perform room scans and environment checks.
- Live human proctoring enhanced by AI, designed to flag unusual behavior while keeping decision-making firmly in human hands.
- Lockdown browsers and controlled testing environments that protect exam content and candidate data.
- Post-exam data forensics to detect anomalies, investigate incidents, and continuously strengthen program oversight.
When these elements work together, outcomes – including scores, pass rates, and candidate satisfaction – remain consistent across modalities, supporting defensible regulatory decisions.
Discover the top 4 security strategies for real estate licensure exams.
A real-world example: New Jersey Real Estate Commission
The experience of the New Jersey Real Estate Commission (NJ REC) shows how secure multi-modal delivery can work in practice for real estate programs.
PSI has supported NJ REC’s real estate licensing exams since 2009, administering approximately 20,000 tests annually through proctored test centers. When greater flexibility became necessary, the Commission worked with PSI to introduce secure remote delivery, ensuring the licensure process could continue without disruption.
Security and defensibility were non-negotiable. The Commission needed confidence that remote real estate testing would protect intellectual property, verify candidate identity, and deliver a smooth, equitable experience for all test takers.
Through close collaboration, structured demos, and clear communication, PSI helped the Commission evaluate and implement live online proctoring supported by lockdown browsers and layered controls. The result was a smooth transition, positive candidate feedback, and continued confidence in exam integrity.
As Gwendolyn Cobb, Manager of Real Estate Education for the New Jersey Department of Banking & Insurance, noted: “I originally had a few concerns about how a remote test would be administered… Once we went through the demo process, I felt a lot more comfortable.”
Today, NJ REC continues to offer both in-person and remote options. Demonstrating that secure, defensible real estate exams can succeed across modalities when built on trust, transparency, and shared standards.
Read the full New Jersey Real Estate Commission case study.
Reducing burden while improving candidate experience
Well-designed multi-modal programs reduce administrative friction while protecting exam integrity.
Clear candidate guidance, standardized security processes, and consistent oversight help minimize complaints, appeals, and escalations. For regulators, this means fewer issues to manage and greater confidence in outcomes. For candidates, it delivers a smoother, more predictable exam experience, whether testing in-person or remotely.
Looking ahead: a security-first future for real estate licensure
As real estate markets evolve and candidate expectations continue to shift, regulators need testing programs that are both flexible and defensible.
Multi-modal delivery, grounded in strong assessment science and layered security, allows licensing bodies to modernize responsibly. Protecting the value of the license and the professionals who earn it.
PSI works with real estate commissions nationwide to deliver secure, trusted real estate licensing exams across in-person and remote testing, without increasing operational burden.