Acceptable vs Unacceptable Secondary ID for CLEPs

[BGSU_Alum_86]

I know there has been talk in the past regarding a second ID for CLEP exams. It has seemed that the test centers are not consistent in what they accept. Maybe this won't cause an issue for you. I have always been one of those people who enforce the rules/policies once they are made known. I am frustrated on my candidates' behalf.

I am sure most know what is considered a primary ID -- government issued, must contain your name, a photo, and signature. Cannot be expired. In most cases, this would be a passport, driver's license, state ID, or military ID.

Here is what I take issue with -- the acceptable forms of secondary ID: a current student ID, a military ID, or any unused ID from the primary list.

CLEP is now specifying IDs that are NOT acceptable: credit or debit cards, social security cards, and employee IDs.

As I am passing along to my testing candidates, if you do not have a current student ID or military ID, you will be required to provide a second primary ID. CLEP seems to think that many people have a passport and that this should not be a problem. None of the primary IDs will be instantly available for "purchase" -- they are government-issued after all! Though I do believe some states are much better at producing a driver's license/state ID card the same day.

Word to the wise: find out when you CLEP test center is making the migration to the new testing platform (as this will be when the new ID requirements are enforced) and then get your documents in order so you are not scrambling at the last minute.

[ironheadjack]

My testing center has always had the policy that credit or debit cards, social security cards, and employee IDs are not valid forms of I.D. for testing.


Just to clarify, CLEP is making a new rule about I.D.s that you do not agree with, yet you will still enforce it to the fullest? Why enforce a rule on people that you do not agree with?

[BGSU_Alum_86]

No choice in enforcing with the new testing platform as we have to select which secondary ID has been presented (and accepted). I just can't lie and select something that has not been presented.

That is interesting news regarding your test center as the CBT manual specifically says that a social security card and employee ID are acceptable as secondary IDs. There is no mention of what is considered "unacceptable" -- no longer the case with the new platform. I wonder if this is a rule your test center has decided to make on their own; not stipulated by any of their testing program clients.

[HorseManiac]

Is there a place on collegeboard's website where it explains what's acceptable as a secondary form of ID? Or is this something that they only told test administrators? I looked on the collegeboard website and it still says that a secondary ID can include your picture AND/OR your signature. This might be a problem for my sister (I've finished with CLEP). She doesn't have a passport and she doesn't have a student ID.

[BGSU_Alum_86]

I am not aware of any place that CLEP lists what is not acceptable (that is the real issue here). The manual still does say a photo and/or signature, but now includes a section of what is UNACCEPTABLE.

I am surprised that CLEP will allow a driver's license and state ID card count as two separate IDs as that was never allowed in my previous place of employment (due to the state ID card referencing the exact same number as the driver's license, at least here in CA).

[Daithi]

I hadn't heard about this new requirement. So you now have to produce two forms of ID? I believe I've only shown my driver's license in the past. As of right now, I couldn't produce a valid 2nd ID.

[HorseManiac]

I am not aware of any place that CLEP lists what is not acceptable (that is the real issue here). The manual still does say a photo and/or signature, but now includes a section of what is UNACCEPTABLE.

I am surprised that CLEP will allow a driver's license and state ID card count as two separate IDs as that was never allowed in my previous place of employment (due to the state ID card referencing the exact same number as the driver's license, at least here in CA).

Ok, thank you. That makes sense. So basically they are saying what you can't use.

I also don't understand about using a state ID and a license. In my state (OH), when I went to get my driver's license they took my state ID so I can only have one of the other.

I have an email into collegeboard asking if a state ID (or license) and then the Student I.D. form on their website (http://media.collegeboard.com/digitalSer...D_Form.pdf) as the secondary ID would be acceptable. I'll see what they say.

[ironheadjack]

I hadn't heard about this new requirement. So you now have to produce two forms of ID? I believe I've only shown my driver's license in the past. As of right now, I couldn't produce a valid 2nd ID.

I took a CLEP today and only needed to show my DL, I wasn't asked for a second form of ID. Nor did my testing center make any mention of the new CLEP system that is supposedly coming out.

[mymelody]

My test center allow me to use my debit card(it has my picture on it). Even if CLEP ask for certain type of ID, most test center are very understanding and will try to accommodate you.

[BGSU_Alum_86]

Please realize that I am referring to the new testing platform requirements. Our test center is making the change in a couple of weeks (I will let you know how that goes!). All CLEP test centers will have to make this transition before April 2014 if they want to continue delivering CLEP exams.

In the new platform, proctors must designate on the admin computer which two IDs were presented. Unless a proctor decides to simply choose a second ID without seeing one (not my mode of ethics) there will be no way around this one.