Become an AFA Proctor

Become an AFA Proctor​

Interested in supporting industry growth while expanding your professional network? Consider volunteering as a proctor for American Fence Association (AFA) certification exams! By serving as a proctor, you play a vital role in maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and competence across the fence, deck, gate, active vehicular access barrier, access control, and rail industries. Your expertise and dedication will help shape the next generation of certified professionals—and it’s a great way to give back to the industry you love.

Why Serve as a Proctor?​

• Empower Future Leaders: Help aspiring professionals earn their certifications, strengthen their skills, and grow our industry’s talent pool.​
• Expand Professional Influence: Build relationships with industry peers, demonstrate your commitment to excellence, and reinforce your reputation as an industry leader.​
• Flexible Volunteer Commitment: Accept or decline events as your schedule allows; proctor as often as you’d like, based on your availability.​
• Travel Reimbursement & Stipend: AFA will reimburse mileage to and from testing events, and proctors can request a $200 stipend for each testing event they administer.​

Building a Nationwide Proctor Network​

AFA is actively soliciting applications for volunteer examination proctors across the United States. Our goal is to create a robust network that allows us to offer certification testing events more frequently and in more locations—bringing professional development opportunities closer to fence industry professionals everywhere.

Current Certifications Offered​

• Certified Fence Contractor (CFC)​
• Certified Gate Automation Technician (CGAT)​
• Certified Gate Automation Designer (CGAD)​
• Certified Operations Manager (COM)​

Additional certification programs are in development, so the need for dedicated, qualified proctors continues to grow!

Qualifications​

All AFA personnel certification proctors and examiners must:​

• Be approved by the AFA Credentialing Committee.​
• Hold or be ineligible for the Credential.​
  • Either currently hold the specific credential(s) they will administer, or​;
  • Be ineligible for that credential(s) for at least five years after serving as a testing administrator​.
• Not Teach AFA Courses Covering the Same Exam Material.
  • To prevent “teaching to the test,” proctors may not simultaneously teach any AFA courses that directly cover the same material included on the certification exam(s) they proctor.​
• Complete Mandatory Training​.
  • A brief training session (via webinar) is required before administering any exam.​
• Avoid Conflicts of Interest​.
  • Situations that may compromise or appear to compromise impartiality must be disclosed.​
• File Annual Agreements​.
  • Must sign participation agreements, nondisclosure agreements, and conflict of interest statements each year.

Responsibilities​

• As an AFA Proctor, you will:​
• Administer a Test Site Report before exams begin.​
• Assist with Test Site Setup, including room preparation.​
• Check in Candidates, verify photo IDs, and distribute exam materials.​
• Conduct Examinations adhering to time limits, policies, and procedures.​
• Monitor the Room to maintain exam security and note any irregularities.​
• Secure and Account for Exam Materials from receipt to final shipping.​
• Follow All Documented Procedures to ensure fairness and integrity.​
• Assist with Cleanup following exams.​
• Submit Follow-Up Reports to AFA regarding the testing event.

Logistics​

• Matching Process
  • AFA maintains a roster of proctors and examiners. When a test site request is approved, proctors are selected based on geographic proximity and potential conflicts of interest.​
• Scheduling
• You’ll be contacted no later than four weeks prior to a testing event. You may accept or decline based on your availability.​
• Volunteer Basis + Stipend​
  • Proctors and examiners serve as volunteers. However, AFA will reimburse mileage at the current IRS rate.​
  • Proctors may request a $200 stipend per testing event for their time and effort.​
  • Other expenses (meals, lodging, airfare) may be approved case by case in advance.

Conflict of Interest Policy​

Proctors may not administer exams if a conflict of interest—even the appearance of one—exists.
Examples include:​

• A co-worker, employee, or business partner is testing​
• One or more test candidates are your direct customers​
• A family member is testing​
• Any situation that could question impartiality​

Should any conflict of interest arise, please notify the Credentialing staff immediately.

Time Commitment​

Flexible Scheduling

• Volunteer for events as your availability permits.​

Typical Testing Day

• Approximately six hours, including:​
  • One hour for setup and candidate check-in​
  • Four hours for the testing block​
  • One hour for collection, cleanup, and shipping of materials