Taking the EA Exam Online at Home: [Prometric](https://www.prometric.com/test-takers/search/irs)'s Remote Proctoring Explained

2026-07-11

Last reviewed: July 9, 2026. This article reflects current IRS rules and EA exam requirements as of this date.

Prometric offers a remote proctoring option called ProProctor for the EA exam. You take the test on your own computer in your own home. But the security requirements are significantly stricter than in-person testing, and Reddit is full of stories about people getting their exams canceled over a water bottle on the desk.

How Remote Proctoring Works

You download Prometric's ProProctor software on your computer. A live proctor watches you through your webcam for the entire 3.5 hours. They also have access to your screen, your keystrokes, and your audio feed.

Before the exam starts, you go through a 20-30 minute check-in process. This is where most of the horror stories come from.

The Room Scan. What Reddit Says Actually Happens

The proctor asks you to pick up your laptop or webcam and slowly pan around the entire room. They want to see every corner, every surface, and every wall.

Multiple Reddit users report being asked to:

Show the floor. all four corners, under the desk, under the chair
Show the ceiling. all four corners
Show the walls. any posters, papers, or writing visible on walls must be removed or covered
Show the desk surface. completely clear except for the computer
Show inside drawers. yes, desk drawers. Proctors have asked test-takers to open and show empty drawers
Show behind monitors. if you have a second monitor, it must be unplugged and the cables shown
Remove items from the room. books, papers, sticky notes, whiteboards, anything with text on it
Close blinds or curtains. the proctor wants to verify nobody is outside the window feeding you answers
Remove or cover clocks, smart speakers, and any electronics not being used for the exam

One Reddit user described being asked to take a tissue box off the desk because the proctor couldn't verify nothing was written inside it.

The Desk Rule

Your desk must be completely clear. The only things allowed:

Your computer
Your mouse and keyboard
A clear water bottle (no label)
Your ID

That's it. No phone. No wallet. No snacks. No pens. No paper. No scratch paper of any kind. Prometric provides a digital scratch pad in the software.

One Reddit user reported having their exam canceled because they had a framed family photo on a shelf behind them. The proctor asked them to remove it. They moved it to another room. The exam proceeded. But the lesson stuck: the proctor needs to see an environment with zero potential for hidden information.

Equipment Requirements

Computer: Laptop or desktop with a working webcam and microphone. No tablets. No Chromebooks running Chrome OS (the ProProctor software requires Windows or Mac).

Webcam: Must be external or built-in, positioned to show your face and hands. You'll be asked to tilt the camera down to show your keyboard and desk surface during the exam.

Internet: Stable connection. Wired connection strongly recommended. If your connection drops during the exam, the timer stops and the proctor attempts to reconnect you. If you can't reconnect within a reasonable time, the exam is voided and you get a voucher to retake.

Room: Private, enclosed, with a door that closes. No shared spaces. No coffee shops. No libraries. No glass-walled offices where people can walk past.

Software: Download ProProctor ahead of time and run the system check. The software will verify your OS, webcam, microphone, and internet speed. Do this at least 48 hours before your exam. If there's a compatibility issue, you need time to fix it or switch to in-person.

The Dress Code

No hats. No hoods. No headphones or earbuds (the proctor communicates via chat). No smart watches.

Reddit users recommend wearing layers. You can't control the AC and it's uncomfortable to sit still for 3.5 hours in a cold room. But be prepared to show the proctor that your sleeves are empty if asked.

During the Exam

You cannot leave your seat. No bathroom breaks. No stretching breaks except the scheduled 10-minute break between sections.

If you stand up, walk away from the camera, cover your mouth (talking to yourself is sometimes flagged), or make any movement the proctor interprets as suspicious, they'll pause the exam and ask you to explain. Multiple interruptions can result in cancellation.

If someone enters the room. a roommate, a child, a pet. Your exam is immediately voided. Lock the door. Put a sign on it.

Common Reasons Exams Get Canceled

From Reddit threads and Prometric support forum posts:

Phone in the room. even if it's off and face-down on a shelf 10 feet away. All phones must be completely removed from the room.
Second monitor not unplugged. even if it's off. The proctor must see it disconnected.
Headphones visible. even if they're on a shelf, not on your head. No headphones of any kind visible.
Someone entering the room. no exceptions. Lock your door and warn everyone in the house.
Poor lighting. the proctor needs to see your face, hands, and room clearly. A dim room can trigger cancellation.
Background noise. construction, traffic, a loud TV in another room. The proctor must be able to hear your environment clearly.
Looking away from the screen repeatedly. if you're thinking and staring at the ceiling, that's fine. If you're looking to your left or right repeatedly, the proctor may flag it as suspicious.

Is Remote Proctoring Worth It

For some people, yes. If the nearest test center is hours away, remote testing saves a full day of travel and a hotel night. If you have a medical condition that makes a test center difficult, home testing with accommodations is the better option.

For most people, the in-person test center is less stressful. You show up, they handle the security, you take the exam, you leave. There's no 30-minute room scan. There's no risk of a proctor canceling your exam because your lamp isn't bright enough.

Reddit consensus: if you have a Prometric center within reasonable driving distance, go in person. The online option is for people who genuinely can't get to a center. Not for people who'd just prefer to test at home.

Practice under exam conditions →