For full information about ordination exam registration requirements and process, please visit the Preparation for Ministry website.
The Bible Content Examination (BCE) is a proctored test administered twice yearly at designated seminary and presbytery testing sites. A list of these testing sites is available by clicking here. With approval of the supervising presbytery at the time of registration, a “special proctor” may administer the BCE at a location other than a standard testing site.
The Senior Ordination Examinations (Exegesis, Polity, Theology, and Worship & Sacraments) are administered three times each year. Because these exams are not proctored, they may be taken anywhere that the candidate has Internet access. All registrations for any senior exam require the approval of the candidate’s presbytery.
Proctored exams (currently only the BCE) are scheduled for specific dates and times, with exams administered at the listed time in the time zone of the testing site. Unproctored exams are available during testing windows beginning on the date and time indicated, with all times US Eastern Time regardless of the test takers’ time zone locations. The testing window for Theology, Worship and Polity exams is 60 hours; for the Exegesis exam the testing window is from 3:00 p.m. US Eastern Time on the announced Saturday until 12:00 noon US Eastern Time the following Thursday.
Registration is now open for the following exam event(s):
| Next Unproctored Exams (times US Eastern): | Bible Exegesis, Saturday, January 25, 2025, 3 p.m. Church Polity, Thursday, January 23, 2025, 8 a.m. Theology, Thursday, January 23, 2025, 8 a.m. Worship & Sacraments, Thursday, January 23, 2025, 8 a.m. |
| Exam Fee: | $60.00 per exam |
| Final Registration Deadline: | December 31, 2024 |
| Next Proctored Exams (local times): | Bible Content, Friday, February 7, 2025, 10 a.m. |
| Exam Fee: | $60.00 per exam |
| Final Registration Deadline: | December 31, 2024 |
To register for an exam, you must Login using the inquirer/candidate account registered with your presbytery. Individuals who are not under care as inquirers or candidates with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) but are required to take any ordination examinations for other reasons may Signup for a new account.