Failing a Licensing Examination: Steps and
Options
1. What is the first thing an applicant should do upon receiving a failing score on a licensing
examination?
A) Immediately register for the next available test date
B) Review the score report and diagnostic feedback to identify areas of weakness
C) Submit an appeal to the licensing board
D) Contact a lawyer
Answer: B
Rationale: The score report typically includes a diagnostic breakdown of performance by content area,
which is essential for identifying specific weaknesses to address before retaking the exam.
2. What is the most common next step for an applicant who has failed a licensing examination?
A) Abandon the application process
B) Register to retake the examination
C) Request a refund of all fees
D) File a lawsuit against the testing agency
Answer: B
Rationale: Most licensing boards allow applicants to retake the examination after a specified waiting
period, typically by submitting a new application and paying the required fee.
3. What should an applicant do before registering for a retake of a failed licensing examination?
A) Wait at least one year before attempting again
B) Review the candidate handbook and understand the retake policies
C) Contact the licensing board to request a waiver of the waiting period
D) Immediately schedule the retake without any preparation
Answer: B
,Rationale: Understanding the specific retake policies, including waiting periods, fees, and any additional
requirements, is essential before registering for a retake.
4. Which of the following is typically included in a score report for a failed licensing examination?
A) The correct answers to all questions
B) A diagnostic report indicating strengths and weaknesses by content area
C) A list of all other candidates who passed
D) A recommendation for a new career path
Answer: B
Rationale: Score reports for failed exams often include a diagnostic report that shows performance by
examination type or content area, helping candidates focus their study efforts.
5. What is the typical waiting period before an applicant can retake a failed licensing examination?
A) 7 days
B) 30 days
C) 45 days
D) It varies by profession and jurisdiction
Answer: D
Rationale: Waiting periods vary significantly depending on the profession, the licensing board, and the
specific examination. For example, some require 45 days between attempts, while others may require
60 or 90 days.
6. In California, how long must an applicant wait after a second failure before taking a license
qualification examination again?
A) 15 days
B) 30 days
C) 60 days
D) 90 days
Answer: B
,Rationale: California regulations state that no person who has twice failed a license qualification
examination shall be permitted to take further examinations for a period of thirty (30) days from receipt
of notice of said failure.
7. Under Washington State law for midwives, what must an applicant do after failing the licensing
examination three consecutive times?
A) Permanently surrender their application
B) Submit evidence of completion of an individualized program of study approved by the department
C) Wait five years before reapplying
D) Take a different licensing examination
Answer: B
Rationale: Washington Administrative Code requires applicants who fail the licensing examination three
consecutive times to submit evidence of completion of an individualized program of study approved by
the department prior to retaking the examination.
8. What is a common consequence of failing a licensing examination multiple times?
A) Automatic licensure after the third attempt
B) Requirement to complete additional education or a remedial course before retesting
C) A permanent ban from applying for licensure
D) A reduction in the licensing fee
Answer: B
Rationale: Many boards require additional education or a board-approved preparation course after
multiple failures. For example, Washington requires an individualized program of study after three
failures, and some require a preparation course after four failures.
9. What should an applicant do if they believe there was an error in the administration of their licensing
examination?
A) Accept the result without question
B) File a formal appeal with the licensing board or testing agency within the specified timeframe
C) Retake the exam immediately
D) Contact the media
Answer: B
, Rationale: Appeals concerning testing conditions or accommodation issues must typically be reported
within a specific timeframe, such as 72 hours of the exam administration.
10. What is the primary reason an applicant should review the candidate handbook before appealing a
failed examination?
A) To find contact information for the licensing board
B) To understand the grounds for appeal and the required procedures
C) To locate the nearest testing center
D) To determine the passing score
Answer: B
Rationale: Candidates must confirm they have read the relevant examination handbook prior to
submitting an appeal, as the handbook outlines the specific grounds and procedures for an appeal.
11. In many jurisdictions, what is the maximum number of times an applicant can take a licensing
examination within a 12-month period?
A) Once
B) Twice
C) Three times
D) It varies by jurisdiction
Answer: C
Rationale: Some examinations, such as the BCSE for veterinarians, permit candidates to take the exam
three times within a 12-month period. However, limits vary widely by jurisdiction and profession.
12. What should an applicant do if they have failed the examination and their application file is about to
expire?
A) Abandon the application and start over
B) Contact the licensing board to inquire about file extension options
C) Retake the exam without studying
D) Request a refund
Answer: B
Options
1. What is the first thing an applicant should do upon receiving a failing score on a licensing
examination?
A) Immediately register for the next available test date
B) Review the score report and diagnostic feedback to identify areas of weakness
C) Submit an appeal to the licensing board
D) Contact a lawyer
Answer: B
Rationale: The score report typically includes a diagnostic breakdown of performance by content area,
which is essential for identifying specific weaknesses to address before retaking the exam.
2. What is the most common next step for an applicant who has failed a licensing examination?
A) Abandon the application process
B) Register to retake the examination
C) Request a refund of all fees
D) File a lawsuit against the testing agency
Answer: B
Rationale: Most licensing boards allow applicants to retake the examination after a specified waiting
period, typically by submitting a new application and paying the required fee.
3. What should an applicant do before registering for a retake of a failed licensing examination?
A) Wait at least one year before attempting again
B) Review the candidate handbook and understand the retake policies
C) Contact the licensing board to request a waiver of the waiting period
D) Immediately schedule the retake without any preparation
Answer: B
,Rationale: Understanding the specific retake policies, including waiting periods, fees, and any additional
requirements, is essential before registering for a retake.
4. Which of the following is typically included in a score report for a failed licensing examination?
A) The correct answers to all questions
B) A diagnostic report indicating strengths and weaknesses by content area
C) A list of all other candidates who passed
D) A recommendation for a new career path
Answer: B
Rationale: Score reports for failed exams often include a diagnostic report that shows performance by
examination type or content area, helping candidates focus their study efforts.
5. What is the typical waiting period before an applicant can retake a failed licensing examination?
A) 7 days
B) 30 days
C) 45 days
D) It varies by profession and jurisdiction
Answer: D
Rationale: Waiting periods vary significantly depending on the profession, the licensing board, and the
specific examination. For example, some require 45 days between attempts, while others may require
60 or 90 days.
6. In California, how long must an applicant wait after a second failure before taking a license
qualification examination again?
A) 15 days
B) 30 days
C) 60 days
D) 90 days
Answer: B
,Rationale: California regulations state that no person who has twice failed a license qualification
examination shall be permitted to take further examinations for a period of thirty (30) days from receipt
of notice of said failure.
7. Under Washington State law for midwives, what must an applicant do after failing the licensing
examination three consecutive times?
A) Permanently surrender their application
B) Submit evidence of completion of an individualized program of study approved by the department
C) Wait five years before reapplying
D) Take a different licensing examination
Answer: B
Rationale: Washington Administrative Code requires applicants who fail the licensing examination three
consecutive times to submit evidence of completion of an individualized program of study approved by
the department prior to retaking the examination.
8. What is a common consequence of failing a licensing examination multiple times?
A) Automatic licensure after the third attempt
B) Requirement to complete additional education or a remedial course before retesting
C) A permanent ban from applying for licensure
D) A reduction in the licensing fee
Answer: B
Rationale: Many boards require additional education or a board-approved preparation course after
multiple failures. For example, Washington requires an individualized program of study after three
failures, and some require a preparation course after four failures.
9. What should an applicant do if they believe there was an error in the administration of their licensing
examination?
A) Accept the result without question
B) File a formal appeal with the licensing board or testing agency within the specified timeframe
C) Retake the exam immediately
D) Contact the media
Answer: B
, Rationale: Appeals concerning testing conditions or accommodation issues must typically be reported
within a specific timeframe, such as 72 hours of the exam administration.
10. What is the primary reason an applicant should review the candidate handbook before appealing a
failed examination?
A) To find contact information for the licensing board
B) To understand the grounds for appeal and the required procedures
C) To locate the nearest testing center
D) To determine the passing score
Answer: B
Rationale: Candidates must confirm they have read the relevant examination handbook prior to
submitting an appeal, as the handbook outlines the specific grounds and procedures for an appeal.
11. In many jurisdictions, what is the maximum number of times an applicant can take a licensing
examination within a 12-month period?
A) Once
B) Twice
C) Three times
D) It varies by jurisdiction
Answer: C
Rationale: Some examinations, such as the BCSE for veterinarians, permit candidates to take the exam
three times within a 12-month period. However, limits vary widely by jurisdiction and profession.
12. What should an applicant do if they have failed the examination and their application file is about to
expire?
A) Abandon the application and start over
B) Contact the licensing board to inquire about file extension options
C) Retake the exam without studying
D) Request a refund
Answer: B
