Candidate Identification

Proctoring exams for National Testing Network is an important responsibility. All candidates are to have a fair and equal testing experience at any test center. To do this, all test centers are to abide by the same policies and procedures no matter which center a candidate chooses. This includes the policy of what constitutes as acceptable identification. The following is a reference to the procedure of taking identification, confirming that it is acceptable and matching it to the candidate’s name on the check-in list.

Licensing Candidates must provide two (2) valid forms of original government identification, one must include a current photo.

A candidate's ID must exactly match the name and date of birth on record in our system. The only exception is if they provide linking documentation.

Addresses do not have to match between schedule and Identification.

Name-Linking Documentation

Linking documentation is required when a piece of identification does not match the check-in page. The linking document is used to show the progression of the name change. Examples of linking documentation are original copies of: marriage certificate, official name change, or divorce papers. 

A candidate may bring documentation of name change as linking documentation if their name, as it appears on ID, does not match. All forms of ID given must be originals. No photocopies will be allowed. 

The linking document is used to show the progression of the name change, not as an actual ID. Examples of linking documentation are original copies of: marriage certificate, official name change, or divorce papers.

If a candidate’s name  and date of birth does not match their ID exactly, the candidate is not allowed to test and must reschedule at their cost. A candidate with any of these inconsistencies will not be permitted to test.

Acceptable and Unacceptable Identification

Note: If another National Testing Network site or Proctor at your test center accepted ID that is on the unacceptable list, do not accept the ID again as we cannot make the same mistake twice. Inform the candidate that they must call into Support so we can reschedule them for no charge.

Identification Example

In the example below the candidate’s name on the check-in page only shows her First and Last name. The candidate’s ID shows three names, First, Middle and Last. National Testing Network only requires the names shown on the check-in page to match the candidate’s ID. This means ‘Driver, Peggy’ needs to be printed on two forms of ID with the correct spelling. The ID below is acceptable because it meets that requirement. Having the additional name, Test, on her ID is acceptable and is not required to be displayed on the check-in page.

Note: The system only shows the candidate’s First and Last name, but her Driver’s License shows her middle name (Test) as well. This is acceptable. As long as the ID has at least as many names as the system, this is okay.

Hyphenated Names

If the candidate’s name on the check-in page is hyphenated, but her driver’s license is not the candidate’s driver’s license would not be acceptable identification. The same is true in reverse. If the candidate's name is hyphenated on their license but not on the check-in list, their license is also not acceptable.

Even if the candidate had another piece of identification with the hyphenated name, it does not allow the driver’s license to then be considered acceptable. The candidate would need to show two pieces of identification, both displaying the exact hyphenated name.

Name-Linking Documentation

Linking documentation is required when a piece of identification does not match the check-in page. The linking document is used to show the progression of the name change. Examples of linking documentation are original copies of: marriage certificate, official name change, or divorce papers.

Identification Inconsistency

Should an identification incongruity arise while checking in a candidate, the following are procedures proctors must follow:

• Proctors who have any concern or question regarding a candidate’s identification will not allow the candidate to take the exam, until that discrepancy can be answered or addressed.

• All proctors should be able to identify counterfeit identifications for their state. If a counterfeit identification is found, the candidate should not be allowed to test.

• If an intentional identification inconsistency is found, a proctor should quietly escort the candidate off the premises. The proctor should then forward the candidate's name to by filling out an incident report.

Detecting Fraudulent Documents

A proctor will likely see many types of identification, not only from the United States, but from other countries as well. It would not be possible to list every possible type of identification along with all possible signs of fraud. However, there are a number of things you can look for to help ensure the authenticity of identification documents.

It is important to never accuse a candidate of possessing a fraudulent identification document. If you suspect a document to be fraudulent, simply inform the candidate that we cannot accept the identification they have presented, and that we will need to see an alternative identification. Below are some guidelines to use when looking at identification documents:

Identifying the Candidate:

• Use “The Golden Triangle” to help ensure the person in the picture is the person in front of you. · The Golden Triangle is the triangle made up of the eyes and nose. This is the most easily recognizable area of a person’s face, and it does not change much with age. Ear shape is also easily recognizable.

• Look for birthmarks, moles, or other facial anomalies that make a person easily recognizable.

• Check name and the date of birth.

Document Security Features:

As you become more accustomed to seeing different types of identification you will begin to get more familiar with the security features of each. It is good to check briefly for things that you know should be on certain types of identification documents, such as:

• Make sure that all fonts match up:  check for inconsistency in the boldness of typefaces on the document.

• Check for holograms: some documents have holograms. Make sure these appear as 3-D dynamic images, by looking at them as you move the document around. Holograms should not appear flat and motionless.

• Rainbow printing: color that fades from one color to another and back to the original color. The fade should be consistent and even.

• Barcodes or magnetic stripes: usually found on the back of ID, a barcode should always be very clear and crisply printed.

• Watermarks: certain documents, such as birth certificates, usually have a watermark on the paper which can be seen when held at an angle to light.

• Micro-printing: All letters should be discernible and clear, although very small and hard to see.

• Laminate: (not acceptable on Social Security cards) should be intact and free of damage unless it’s just around the edges.

• Consistency at the Edges of Photos: applies mostly to driver’s licenses and ID cards. Most of these documents feature some type of print that overlaps the edges of the photo. This print should line up consistently across the edges of the photo.

• Consistency of Feel: Applies mostly to driver’s licenses and ID cards. These documents should not have any bumpiness to them. They should be flat and consistent in feel on all areas. Social Security cards should have raised lines where the columns are printed on the sides of the card.