Frequently Asked Questions

Online exams are available for the following builder registration classes:

• Building Inspector (Pool Safety)
• Commercial Builder Unlimited
• Commercial Builder - Limited to Low Rise Construction
• Commercial Builder - Limited to Medium Rise Construction
• Demolisher Unlimited, limited to low rise and limited to medium rise
• Domestic Builder Unlimited
  • Domestic builder limited to (bathroom, kitchen and laundry renovation)
  • Domestic builder limited to (bricklaying & block laying)
  • Domestic builder limited to cabinetmaking, joinery and stair construction
  • Domestic builder (limited to carpentry)
  • Domestic builder (limited to earthworks & excavations)
  • Domestic builder (limited to footings and slabs)
  • Domestic builder (limited to framing)
  • Domestic builder (limited to non-habitable structures)
  • Domestic builder (limited to re-stumping & re-blocking)
  • Domestic builder (limited to the construction of structural landscaping)
  • Domestic builder (limited to the construction of swimming pools & spas)
  • Domestic builder (limited to waterproofing)
• Building Designer building design (architectural)
• Building Designer building design (interior)

Exams are conducted on the VBA’s online platform, ProctorU. People applying for registration in other classes of building and plumbing will need to attend a VBA facility to undertake exams. The VBA will notify you of your exam booking and where to attend to complete an in-person exam.

The VBA will let you know if you need to complete an online exam. This notification will include all the instructions you will need to book and complete the exam at home. You can find further information about online exams on the VBA website.

Some plumbing licence exams are available online. Candidates will still attend their RTO to complete the exam online. Your RTO will let you know if your exam is offered online.

For all other plumbing exams, the VBA will notify you of your exam booking and where to attend to complete your exam.

You will receive an Invitation to Exam email from the VBA advising if you are required to complete an online exam. The email will provide you with important information about the exam.

You will receive an email from the VBA’s exam provider, ProctorU, that contains a link to log in to the ProctorU site, so you can create an account and book your exam session.

The ProctorU email will be sent from: noreply@proctoru.com, with the title: Schedule Your VBA Exam

To log in the first time:

You will need to access the link in the ProctorU email to create your account.

Please note that when setting your time zone, please select Australia and the state where you will be completing the exam from. TIP: Type the first few letters of your city, eg MELB, to jump to the right selection.

Once you have created your account with ProctorU, you will be presented with the Home screen, where you will be able to book your exam.  You must book and complete your exam within 14 days of receiving the VBA Invitation to Exam email. This information will also be contained in the Schedule Your VBA Exam email which will be sent by ProctorU.  A 72-hour notice period is required so you will not be able to book any sessions within this period.

Select the blue Schedule button, select a date and time and submit your selection.  You will receive confirmation via your screen, which will appear as Your Order is Successful.  If you do not receive confirmation of a successful booking, you may like to try again, and if still not successful, reach out to ProctorU support for assistance.

To log in any other time:

You can log in any other time at go.proctoru.com

Instructions to support you for booking, joining and completing your exam online will be provided to you when you receive notification from the VBA that you are required to complete an exam.

There is a step-by-step guide which can assist you with creating your ProctorU account and booking your exam. View the guide.

You can watch a video to see what you can expect on exam day.

There is also a How to Guide, which explains how you will complete the exam and gives you an opportunity to practice using the online tools  you will need to use during the exam.

Here are some troubleshooting tips to help you find exam session times available for booking if you are presented with the message 'No Active Exams Available' when trying to book.

Please note that there will not be exams available for booking unless you have received notification from the VBA and ProctorU that you are required to complete an exam.

1. Ensure you have created your ProctorU account. If you have not done this yet, you should do this by using the link provided to you in the email titled ‘Schedule Your VBA Exam’ from noreply@proctoru.com.

If you can't find this email, contact us at onlineexams@vba.vic.gov.au and request a copy of the link.

Select 'Create a new user account' and follow the instructions to create an account and book your exam.

2. Ensure that you nominate the same email address for creation of your ProctorU account as the one you provided on your VBA application. This is the email address the VBA and ProctorU is currently using to communicate with you about your upcoming exam.

Note: If you have already created your ProctorU account and nominated a different email address to the address you provided to the VBA, you may login to your ProctorU account and change the email address by going to User Settings and then Account Settings.

3. Once you have created your account, you will be presented with a booking schedule. You will be able to login to your ProctorU account at any time to complete booking of your exam  (if you did not do this when you created your account) or update your booking if you need to change it.

If you have any further queries, please contact the VBA at onlineexams@vba.vic.gov.au.

Yes – you will need to create your account on the ProctorU platform, before selecting a date and time that suits you for the completion of the exam.

You should also test your equipment to ensure you are prepared on exam day. We recommend you do this when you set up your account, or a few days before your exam. The system test will allow you to check that your operating system, browser, webcam, internet speed, and microphone can run the exam.

The ProctorU system does this for you so you don’t need to be a technical expert.

You will also need to download the Guardian browser that is needed to run the exam. You should download the browser when you book your exam session.

There is a step-by-step guide which can assist you with creating your ProctorU account and booking your exam. View the guide.

You must also complete the Exam How to Guide in the days leading up to your selected scheduled exam date.

If your exam includes a plan-based exercise, you will need to practice using the plan marking tools so that you are able to complete the exam in the allotted time.

While completing your practice exercise, we recommend that you also practice magnifying the plan image, as this will be a very useful function on exam day. This will allow you to get a better view of specific parts of the plan on your computer screen.

• To make an image bigger, select Control (Ctrl) and plus (+) on your keyboard.
• To make an image smaller, select Control (Ctrl) and dash (–) on your keyboard.

The How to Guide explains how to complete the multiple-choice questions and demonstrates how to use the interactive tools for the completion of the plan-based exercise. It also allows you to practice using the interactive tools.

You can complete the exam How to Guide and practice using the interactive tools as many times as you wish so that you can complete the exam in the allotted time.

Yes – but only permitted material. It is recommended that you have access to relevant standards documentation for the class of registration or licence you are applying for.

Your Invitation to Exam email will include a list of the Standards and other permitted resources you can use during your exam – you are not permitted to use any resources that are not on the list contained in your invitation.

You will need to test your equipment when you log in to ProctorU.

ProctorU system requirements are:

• You can use your laptop or desktop computer (please note that tablets, Chromebook and mobile phones do not meet the requirements).
• A working built-in or external webcam and microphone.
• Hot spots are not recommended.
• Google Chrome browser with pop-up blocker disabled.
• Mozilla Firefox browser is also acceptable, but Chrome is preferred.

Full technical requirements can be viewed.

If you are completing your exam on a Mac computer, you will need to take additional steps to ensure that you are able to share your screen with the proctor during your exam. View the instructions outlined under ‘How to enable screen sharing for your browser’.

You can download the Google Chrome browser.

Contact the VBA at onlineexams@vba.vic.gov.au to schedule alternative arrangements to complete your exam.

You will need to test your equipment when you create your account and book the exam.

You can run the test by selecting Test Your Equipment from the ProctorU home page, once you have created your account. The system test will allow you to check that your operating system, browser, webcam, internet speed, and microphone can run the exam.

The ProctorU system does this for you so you don’t need to be a technical expert.

You can perform this check again at any time once you have set up your ProctorU account and downloaded the extension, and selecting Test Your Equipment.

On exam day, you will need to repeat this check.

You can connect with ProctorU via Live Chat – their support experts will assist you to help troubleshoot any issues. The ProctorU Support Team is available 24/7. You can connect via live chat by clicking on the blue chat icon in the bottom right hand corner of the Home screen.

Alternatively, you can call ProctorU on 1800 957 152 for assistance.

You can also perform your own troubleshooting by accessing support information.

If you need to reschedule your exam, please make sure you reschedule it to a date within the required 14-day exam window. You can do this by logging in to ProctorU and selecting Reschedule next to your exam, to find a new time.

If there are exceptional circumstances preventing you from completing the exam within the allotted 14-day exam window, contact the VBA at onlineexams@vba.vic.gov.au as soon as possible.

If you have special circumstances, please let us know via onlineexams@vba.vic.gov.au or call 1300 815 127 within three business days of receiving your exam invitation.

Once you have successfully booked your exam, you will receive an email from ProctorU confirming the exam date and time.

The email will come from noreply@proctoru.com, with the title: Reservation Confirmation.

You will receive an email from ProctorU confirming the exam date and time. You will also receive an email reminder from ProctorU 7 days and 3 days prior to your scheduled exam.

You can also login to ProctorU at any time and view the Active Exams section of the Home screen, which shows your exam booking day and time.

If you used a Windows computer to take your exams, you can view which settings may have been affected, as well as instructions for changing your settings.

If you used a Mac computer to take your exams, you can view instructions for changing your settings.

Stay connected to a power source.

Phones or headphones not permitted.

Dual monitors not permitted.

You must remain seated at all times and stay in view of the webcam for the duration of the exam. If you need to stand up to stretch, let your proctor know, and stay in view of the webcam.

You must be alone in the room.

Talking not permitted.

Portable electronic devices are not permitted, including but not limited to:

• Mobile phones
• Tablets
• Any watches, including smart watches
• Electronic notebooks

You may have copies of the VBA permitted reference materials on your desk. Remove all other documents/materials from your desk and surrounding area. Only materials expressly permitted by the VBA can be used during the exam. A list of permitted materials can be found here.

Breaks are not permitted during the exam.

If you are sitting two exams at a single session, you may take a five-minute break between the exams.

You must keep all exam questions and exercises confidential.

Copying or recording of the exam is not permitted, including:

• Audio or video recording.
• Photographs of assessment exercises.
• Written or typed recording of assessment questions and exercises.

Your webcam, speakers and microphone must remain on throughout the exam.

You must stay in view of the webcam for the duration of the exam.

Only one internet browser (Chrome is preferred) is to be opened during the exam. View the permitted references here.

Yes – you will be supervised by your live proctor during the exam.

The entire exam process is video recorded as an additional security measure.

If you have any questions, you may ask your live proctor via the chat function.

Click on the blue owl icon at the bottom of your screen if you can’t see the chatbox on screen.

Yes – the entire exam process will be recorded.

This includes your identification confirmation with the live proctor, the scan of your environment to ensure no-one else is present and the completion of the exam.

When it’s time to complete your exam, log in to ProctorU using the link in your original email from ProctorU or access ProctorU via this link.

It is recommended that you do this 5 minutes before the scheduled start time.

The exam will be supervised by a live online proctor, who will assist you throughout the exam session.

To share a screen,

• Download the Proctor Chat application so you can connect to your proctor. This will pop up automatically, usually in the bottom left of the screen. If prompted, be sure to click open or allow.
• A chatbox will pop up and show waiting. The connection to the proctor will take 2-10 minutes. Do not exit this screen while a connection to your proctor is initiated.
• Accept the exam guidelines and terms of service, and check your equipment again.
• Follow the prompts, click on the computer screen image shown and select Share.
• The proctor will connect to your computer, complete security checks including verifying your ID, confirm no other programs are running on your computer, and check your exam space by completing a 360-degree room pan.

You can talk to the proctor at any time or use the chatbox to message your proctor during the exam.

Click on the blue owl icon at the bottom of your screen if you can’t see the chatbox on screen.

You will be asked to provide valid photo identification.

You will be required to accept the ProctorU Terms of Service, providing confirmation that you understand the exam rules and agree to the exam session being recorded.

The ProctorU Terms of Service can be viewed here.

Your live proctor will let you know when to start your exam and will be available to assist if any issues arise during the exam.

If any exam rules are breached during the exam, the proctor will point out to you that a breach has been observed and request that the breach be stopped or rectified.

A breach of one or more of the exam rules may result in the exam being forfeited.

Your exam notification and booking confirmation will advise whether you need to complete one or two exams, which may include a Multiple Choice format exam and/or a Plan Based Exam depending on your application.

Your live proctor will also confirm the exams you will be completing on exam day.

Please raise any initial concerns you have with your proctor. If you become disconnected from your proctor or are unable to reconnect please contact ProctorU support via live chat from your account or call 1800 957 152.

A timer will appear in the top right-hand corner of each screen as you complete each question. This timer will display a countdown, so you know how much time you have remaining to complete your exam.

Let the proctor know that you have finished your exam. You may submit the exam by pressing the submit button once you receive confirmation from the proctor. You can then end your session if there are no more exams for you to complete.

Please note that if you are completing a two-part exam, you must remain connected to the proctor until you have completed both parts of the exam.

You must complete your exam within the allotted time. If you do not finish before the scheduled finish time, you will be asked to stop when the allotted exam time is up, and your exam will automatically be submitted.

A red timer will appear in the top right-hand corner of each screen. This timer will display a countdown, so you know how much time you have remaining to complete your exam.

Once you have completed all the exam questions you can go back and review your answers. The review button in the exam takes you back to the start of the exam, so you can review each question, one by one. This is only possible if you have time remaining on your exam and have not yet pressed submit on your exam.

You will be notified via phone or email to let you know if you passed your exam and any further steps in your assessment. If you fail your exam, your application is likely to be refused. We will contact you in writing to advise you of the outcome of your application.

If you pass each component of the exam, you will proceed to the next stage of the assessment process. You may be required to attend a video or face-to-face interview, to examine your knowledge and experience in detail.

We will notify you in writing if you must attend an interview, and specify the date, time and link or location for your interview.

If you fail any components of the exam, the VBA is likely to refuse your application because you have not demonstrated sufficient knowledge for registration in the category and class of building practitioner for which you applied. You will be notified in writing if we refuse your application.

If your application is refused, you may seek a review of the decision by lodging an application for internal review, and this will be confirmed in the written notification of application refusal.

You can find more information about the internal review process and how to apply on the VBA website.

If you fail your examination, and your application is refused as a result, you will need to make a new application for registration to have the opportunity to sit another examination.

If you did not attend the exam and there were exceptional circumstances preventing you from attending, you may be offered another final   to sit the exam.

You may be required to provide evidence in writing to support your request.

If this occurs, please contact the VBA  at onlineexams@vba.vic.gov.au or on 1300 815 127.

If you do not wish to proceed with your application, please let us know in writing at onlineexams@vba.vic.gov.au at least 48 hours before the scheduled exam.

When you write to us, always quote your application number.

If you have any questions, please email onlineexams@vba.vic.gov.au or call us on 1300 815 127.

If you have any questions or concerns, please email onlineexams@vba.vic.gov.au or call us on 1300 815 127.