CUOCP® Examination Policies & Procedures
Governing standards for examination administration and candidate conduct
Section 1: Scope & Applicability
Scope and Applicability
These Examination Policies & Procedures apply to all candidates seeking the Certified Utility Operations & Capital Professional (CUOCP®) credential administered by the North American Council of Utility Professionals (NACUP).
By registering for the CUOCP® examination, candidates acknowledge and agree to comply with all policies outlined on this page, as well as NACUP’s Terms & Conditions, Ethics & Professional Conduct standards, and Certification Policies.
Section 2: Exam Administration Model
Examination Administration
The CUOCP® examination is administered through a secure, third-party proctoring provider.
NACUP maintains separation between credential governance, examination development, and exam delivery to protect the integrity, independence, and fairness of the certification process.
Section 3: Candidate Eligibility Confirmation
Candidate Eligibility
Eligibility requirements for the CUOCP® credential are defined on the Certification Overview and Eligibility pages.
Candidates are responsible for ensuring they meet all eligibility criteria prior to exam registration. NACUP reserves the right to audit eligibility submissions and may invalidate examination results if eligibility requirements are not met.
Section 4: Exam Security & Confidentiality
Examination Security and Confidentiality
The CUOCP® examination is a secure, confidential assessment. Examination content, questions, scenarios, and scoring methodologies are proprietary to NACUP.
Candidates may not record, reproduce, distribute, discuss, or disclose any portion of the examination content before, during, or after the exam.
Any attempt to compromise exam security, including misconduct during proctoring or unauthorized assistance, may result in exam termination, invalidation of results, or permanent disqualification from future NACUP certifications.
Section 5: Candidate Conduct Standards
Candidate Conduct
Candidates are expected to conduct themselves professionally and ethically throughout the examination process.
Prohibited behaviors include, but are not limited to:
Use of unauthorized materials or devices
Receiving assistance from another individual
Misrepresentation of identity
Disruptive or non-compliant behavior during proctoring
Violations are reviewed under NACUP’s Ethics & Professional Conduct framework.
Section 6: Examination Attempts & Retakes
Examination Attempts
Candidates are permitted up to three (3) examination attempts within their registration period.
Additional fees charged by the exam proctoring provider may apply for retakes. NACUP does not charge an additional certification fee for subsequent attempts.
Examination content may vary between attempts to preserve exam integrity.
If a candidate fails the exam on the third try, there will be a waiting period of 6 months before retaking the exam up to three more times, and a reexamination fee of $150 USD
NACUP reserves the right to limit examination attempts if irregular testing behavior or policy violations are detected.
Section 7: Exam Results & Score Reporting
Examination Results
Examination results are issued following completion of the exam and verification by NACUP within 1-2 business days.
Candidates receive a pass or fail determination. Detailed score reports, question-level feedback, or exam content review are not provided.
NACUP reserves the right to withhold or invalidate results pending investigation of policy violations or administrative review.
Section 8: Appeals & Irregularities
Appeals and Irregularities
NACUP maintains formal procedures for reviewing administrative irregularities related to exam delivery or proctoring disruptions.
Appeals must be submitted in writing within a specified timeframe following exam completion. Appeals are limited to procedural concerns and do not include challenges to exam content, scoring methodology, or passing standards.
Section 9: Policy Updates
Policy Updates
NACUP reserves the right to update examination policies and procedures as necessary to maintain certification integrity and align with industry best practices.
Candidates are responsible for reviewing the most current version of these policies prior to examination.
For questions related to examination administration, contact support@nacup.org