On this page:
- Registration Verification
- USAJOBS Account
- Schedule Your DE Assessment
- Rescheduling and Cancellation Policy
- Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation
- Scheduling a DE Certification Assessment with Approved Reasonable Accommodation
- What to Expect on Test Day
- Identification (ID) Requirements
- Secondary ID
- General Exam Policies
- Local Test Center Policies
- Frequently Asked Questions for DE Certification Assessment Scheduling
Registration Verification
You must register for the Delegated Examining (DE) Certification Assessment before scheduling an appointment to take the assessment. To register for the DE Certification Assessment, please visit the DE Certification Program website DE Certification Program - OPM.gov.
After you receive registration confirmation from the DE Certification Program, you will receive an email from cloud@palladium-us.com. This email will include a link to schedule your assessment appointment. This email will be sent to the government email address provided at the time of registration. If you do not receive an email with the scheduling link within 7 business days from receipt of registration confirmation, please contact the DE Certification Helpdesk.
Account Authentication with Login.gov
On or Before 11/4/2025
If you received your scheduling link on or prior to 11/4/2025, you must have an independent USAJOBS account linked to your government email address to schedule your DE Certification Assessment.
If you do not have a USAJOBS Account tied to the government email address you used to register for the DE Certification Assessment, you must create a standalone USAJOBS account using only your government email address. You will not be able to schedule the DE Certification Assessment until you have a standalone USAJOBS account. The USAJOBS account with your government email must be unique from any USAJOBS account you have for personal use. Ensure the account is not associated with a personal email or other personal accounts you may have previously established on USAJOBS. If your government email address was previously added to a personal USAJOBS or Login.gov account, please remove it before creating the new account.
If you do not have a standalone USAJOBS account with only your government email address, follow the steps below to create one:
- Create a login.gov account at https://secure.login.gov/
- At the end of the account creation process, click Continue to USAJOBS. You'll return to the USAJOBS website.
- Click Complete Profile.
- Complete your required information including contact information, citizenship, federal service and military service.
- Click Create my profile. Additional information on how to create a profile can be found on the USAJOBS Help Center.
After 11/5/2025
If you received your scheduling link on or after 11/5/2025, you still need to have a Login.gov account, but it no longer needs to be associated with USAJOBS. If you have previously completed a DE Assessment with your existing Login.gov account, you may continue to use it.
If you do not have a Login.gov account for your government email address, you may follow the steps to create one.
- Visit Create an account | Login.gov and follow the prompts to create your account.
- We recommend creating your Login.gov account first, but you can also create one directly from the Login.gov screen linked in your invitation to schedule.
- We also suggest that you refer to this guide to the full account creation process: How do I create a Login.gov account | Login.gov
- Once you have successfully created your Login.gov account, you may proceed with scheduling your DE Assessment using the newly created account.
Schedule Your DE Assessment
- Navigate to the email you received containing the link to schedule your assessment. Click the link from the email to begin the scheduling process. The email will be from cloud@palladium-us.com.
Note: The image provided is for example use only. The link and web address provided to you will be unique to your personal scheduling link. Do not use the link below to schedule your assessment.
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Please read and understand each page in the scheduling process. It is especially critical to ensure that your name on the scheduling web site matches the photo ID you will present at the test site. After verifying your name and reviewing this page, click “Next.”
Note: If your name does not match the ID you will present at the test site, please contact the DE certification Program before continuing the scheduling process.
- Once you have read this page and are ready to continue the scheduling process, click Schedule Test.
- Your dashboard will show any assessments you have pending to schedule. Click the link for DECA: Delegated Examining Certification Assessment to begin the scheduling process.
- Click Agree to continue the scheduling process.
- Enter the city, state, or zip code for your desired test location. The system will list the nearest test centers based on your search criteria. Select a location by clicking the circle next to the test center name you have chosen, then click Next.
- Select your preferred test date from the calendar tool. Once you have chosen a date, the available times will be displayed under section 2, Select your appointment start time. You may view additional times by clicking the Explore more times button or proceed with your current selection by clicking Book this appointment. If you wish to check availability at another test center, please return to the top of the page and click Find another test center under the box displaying the current location.
- Verify your appointment details to ensure the date, time, and test location are correct. If everything is accurate, click Next. If modifications are necessary, use the Change Appointment or Change Test Center options.
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Review your test appointment details before confirming your appointment. If changes are needed, click Previous. If no changes are needed, click Submit Order.
Note: Your appointment is not booked until after you click Submit Order.
- After submitting your request, a confirmation page with your test appointment date and time will be displayed. You will also receive a confirmation email.
Rescheduling and Cancellation Policy
To reschedule or cancel your DE Certification Assessment appointment, you must contact Pearson VUE or log into your online Pearson VUE account at least 48 hours in advance of your scheduled appointment. Please note that DE Certification Assessment appointments cannot be rescheduled or cancelled if there are less than 48 hours remaining prior to the appointment date.
To reschedule or cancel your appointment, access your Pearson VUE account by clicking the scheduling link in the first email you received from cloud@palladium-us.com or from the Pearson VUE email confirming your appointment. Failure to reschedule more than 48 hours in advance or failure to appear for your appointment will result in the forfeiture of the testing fee paid by your organization.
Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation
Reasonable accommodations for the DE Certification Assessment are modifications to the proctored testing process that may be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities as provided for in the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. Test takers who request a reasonable accommodation will have their request reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the DE Certification Assessment registration team. Requests that are determined to be warranted and reasonable for the DE Certification Assessment will be considered for approval.
You should request a reasonable accommodation when registering for the assessment. If you think you need a reasonable accommodation you must request it and gain approval before you can schedule your DE Certification Assessment. The DE Certification Assessment registration team confirms approved requests with the test vendor. This confirmation must be in place before appointments can be scheduled.
For more information on requesting a reasonable accommodation for the DE Certification Assessment, or if you have already registered for the assessment but did not request a reasonable accommodation, please contact the DE Certification Assessment Reasonable Accommodation team at DERARequest@opm.gov.
Scheduling a DE Certification Assessment with Approved Reasonable Accommodation
Certain reasonable accommodations require test takers to contact Person VUE directly to schedule an assessment appointment. In these cases, after your registration has been processed and your reasonable accommodation has been approved, you will receive an email from cloud@palladium-us.com within 7 business days that includes a link to schedule your assessment appointment. This email will be sent to the government email address provided at the time of registration. If you do not receive an email with the scheduling link within 7 business days from receipt of registration confirmation, please contact the DE Certification Helpdesk.
Follow the instructions in the email and click on the link to begin the scheduling process. You must click the link to begin the scheduling process, however depending on your accommodation, you may not be able to schedule your assessment online. Once you have reached the scheduling page, the site may show a banner at the top of the screen with a phone number to call and schedule your assessment appointment. Please call this number to schedule your appointment with a Pearson VUE representative. If your approved reasonable accommodation allows for online scheduling, proceed with the online scheduling process to confirm your assessment appointment.
If you encounter any issues, please submit a Help Desk ticket.
What to Expect on Test Day
You are asked to arrive at the test center 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time. This will give you adequate time to complete the necessary sign-in procedures. If you arrive more than 15 minutes late for your appointment, you will forfeit the assessment fee paid by your organization and you will be required to start a new enrollment before rescheduling your appointment.
For more information on what to expect at the test center, please watch the video from Pearson VUE below:
https://www.pearsonvue.com/us/en/test-takers/resources.html#what-to-expect
If you have any questions or concerns about the ID you are required to bring with you to the testing center for admittance to your assessment, please contact the Pearson VUE consumer service at https://www.pearsonvue.com/us/en/deca. To view the full ID policy, including any additional allowances to this policy, please visit http://www.pearsonvue.com/policies/1.pdf.
Identification (ID) Requirements
The first and last name that the candidate uses to register must match exactly the first and last name on both of the IDs that are presented on test day. (Middle name is not required).
All IDs required must be issued by the United States (or the country in which the assessment is being taken).
The candidate is required to present two forms of original (no photocopies or digital IDs), valid (unexpired) IDs; one form as a primary ID (government issued with name, recent recognizable photo, and signature) and one form as a secondary ID (with at least a name and signature, or name and recent recognizable photo).
Primary ID Examples:
U.S. Passport
U.S. Driver's License
U.S. Military ID
U.S. National or State ID Card
Secondary ID
Any U.S. based (or issued by the country in which the assessment is being taken) ID containing at least name and signature, or name and recent recognizable photo that meets above ID requirements. A social security card is acceptable as a secondary ID only.
All IDs must be unexpired unless accompanies by valid renewal papers.
It is your responsibility to ensure the name you provide matches exactly the name on the government-issued photo identification you will present at the testing center. For more information regarding ID requirements, please visit: https://www.pearsonvue.com/content/dam/VUE/vue/global/documents/global-id-policy/Pearson-VUE-ID-Policies-1-English.pdf
General Exam Policies
No personal items may be taken into the testing room. This includes all mobile devices or cameras, watches, cellular phones, personal notes, handheld computers, study materials, any communication or recording devices, bags, briefcases, wallets, backpacks, etc. All personal items will be stored in a designated locked area of the testing center for the duration of your exam. You will not have access to locked personal items for the duration of the exam unless a reasonable accommodation is approved prior to registering for your exam.
Test centers only have one monitor. Once the exam begins, electronic access is provided to the reference documents. Only one document will open at a time. The document window can be resized and moved around the screen. You can zoom in and out of the document window. Keyword search (CTRL-F) is not supported. The Delegated Examining Operations Handbook table of contents is hyperlinked. You will have access to the following reference documents:
- Delegated Examining Operations Handbook (June 2019)
- Appendix A of the Vet Guide
- Please note, the entire Vet Guide is not available, only sections relevant to the assessment are included for reference.
- Group Coverage Qualification Standards for Administrative and Management Positions
- Group Coverage Qualifications Standards for Clerical and Administrative Support positions
- Acronym List
The following images are designed to familiarize test takers with navigating the on-screen resources.
Resources are displayed on the left-hand side of the test screen.
Resources will open on the screen and may hide test questions from view. All resources will open to the first page of the document - you will not be able to pick up where you left off.
How Resources are Navigated:
A) The Three Bars button on the left side collapses the side bar for single panel viewing (Pink Arrow).
B) The Plus and Minus buttons near the percentage at the top will zoom the resource in and out (Green Arrows).
C) The Fit to Width button adjusts the resource to fit the width of the screen (Orange Arrow).
D) The Rotate Page Clockwise button rotates the resource (White Arrow).
E) The Right Bar scrolls with the page(s) of the resource (Yellow Arrow).
DE Operations Handbook with hyperlinked sections for navigation. Control Find (Control + F) functionality is disabled for use for all resources.
Resources may open in different areas of the screen. Resources can be moved by expanding the window. To expand the window, test takers should hover over the desired corner of the resource and drag to resize. Test takers may choose to shrink the window and place it over the "Attachments and Tools" navigation area so the resource and question are side by side.
To zoom in or out of a resource, use the "-" and "+" buttons near the top of the resource.
This is an example of how the on-screen calculator appears. The calculator can be moved to a different place on screen, including the ability to cover the "Attachments and Tools" area so the question and the calculator can be viewed side by side. Physical calculators are available for use, pending test center availability.
Calculators are allowed during the exam. There is a virtual calculator provided in the exam. A physical calculator may be used if the test facility has them available. You may ask during the facility check-in process if a physical calculator is offered. If not, you can use the virtual calculator in the test.
Erasable boards are also permitted for use during the assessment. If you wish to use an erasable board, the test center will provide you with one. The board may not be used until the assessment begins. Local sites may also restrict you from erasing it at the end of the assessment.
No other materials or references may be used while completing the assessment.
You will have 1 hour and 30 minutes to complete the assessment.
If a Reasonable Accommodation for additional time has been approved the test time will be updated to 2 hours and 15 minutes.
If you need a Reasonable Accommodation, please ensure you have been approved by the Delegated Examining Certification Program BEFORE you schedule your exam. If you do not have an approved Reasonable Accommodation and need to request a Reasonable Accommodation, please discontinue the exam scheduling process and contact DERARequest@opm.gov for further assistance.
Local Test Center Policies
All Pearson VUE test centers will require test takers to read and sign a Candidate Rules Agreement outlining Pearson VUE's test policies. Test takers are encouraged to review this document in advance to prepare for their assessment appointment. A copy of the document is located at the following link: https://www.pearsonvue.com/content/dam/VUE/vue/global/documents/candidate-rules/candidate-rules-agreement.pdf
Local Test Centers may have additional rules and/or policies. Test takers may wish to reach out to their selected test center prior to the test appointment to inquire about additional rules and policies. Test center contact information can be found on the test taker's assessment confirmation email or in the test taker's Pearson VUE account.
Frequently Asked Questions for DE Certification Assessment Scheduling
General Login.gov Troubleshooting
If you received your scheduling link on or after 11/5/2025, please use the Login.gov specific troubleshooting steps listed below.
I have a Login.gov account for my government email but don't remember my password.
You will need to reset your Login.gov password. Please visit the USAJOBS Help Center for more information about resetting your password: Reset Your Login.gov Password.
I have a Login.gov account for my government email but cannot receive my 2-factor authentication over SMS/text message.
The text message may be delayed due to data connectivity challenges. First, try the process again using the Login.gov “Send another code” button. This button is directly under the blue “Submit” button. If that doesn’t work, scroll down and click the “Choose another authentication method” link. Select the option for “Automated phone call.” Make sure your phone is unlocked to ensure the call is not sent to voicemail. Then click the “Continue” button. Your phone should ring immediately. You should answer and enter the code as voiced on the call. Proceed with scheduling your assessment.
I have a Login.gov account for my government email but cannot immediately access my 2-factor authentication method.
You may have previously set up Login.gov using one of the following authentication methods: security key, government employee ID, authentication application, text or voice message, and/or backup codes. The specific resolution path is dependent on whether you have ANY access to the previous authentication method. Please visit the USAJOBS Help Center for more information: Add or Change Your Authentication Method on Login.gov.
I have a Login.gov issue which is not covered above.
- Search the Login.gov Self-Service Help Content: Login.gov/Help.
- If these resources do not provide a resolution, please submit a Login.gov Helpdesk ticket: https://login.gov/contact.
USAJOBS Troubleshooting
If you received your scheduling link on or prior to 11/4/2025, please use the USAJOBS related troubleshooting steps listed below.
Incorrect Email Message - Personal Email Address Used
When trying to access the email link, you receive a message stating “You have logged in with an incorrect email. Please try logging in with a different one” AND the message displays your personal email address (Yahoo, Gmail, etc.)
Please do NOT delete your personal USAJOBS account. Please create a new USAJOBS account using only your government email address. You should remove any government email address that may be linked to your personal Login.gov profile.
How to Remove your Government Email Address from your Personal USAJOBS Profile:
You should remove any government email address that may be linked to your personal USAJOBS profile if you encounter the incorrect email issue described above. Please check your personal USAJOBS profile for any government linked email addresses. This information is in the “Experience-Federal Service” section, “Federal Service – Current Federal Service” subsection. If your government email address is in the “Federal government email address (optional)” block, please remove it.
If log in issues persist, please contact the DE Certification Assessment Helpdesk.
USAJOBS Cannot Locate my Profile
You received a message stating “We can’t find a USAJOBS profile.”
You do not have a USAJOBS profile with the email address associated with your assessment scheduling link. You must create a USAJOBS profile using your government email address provided at the time of DE Certification Assessment registration. Instructions on how to create a USAJOBS profile can be found on the USAJOBS Help Center: USAJOBS Help Center - How to create a profile.
I have a Login.gov account for my government email but my 2-factor authentication method times out before it can be entered for the USAJOBS Login.gov process.
Please reload the page and repeat the Login.gov process, ideally following the 2-factor authentication to completion. Proceed with scheduling your assessment.
What if I can't log-in to my government USAJOBS account?
If you experience issues with Login.gov, please submit a Login.gov helpdesk ticket: https://login.gov/contact.