Approved By:	ESPCC
Approval Date:	October 28, 2011
Revision Date(s):	March 22, 2019; September 26, 2019; January 22, 2021; August 27, 2021
Date Last Reviewed:	October 25, 2024

The ESPCC is committed to protecting confidential and/or proprietary information related to applicants; candidates; credential holders; and the CESP examination development, maintenance, and administration process. The confidentiality policy applies to all APSE/ESPCC employees, ESPCC members, committee members, Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), consultants, examination proctors, and other individuals who are permitted access to confidential information. Each party is required to sign confidentiality agreements before beginning work for the credential.

Information about applicant/credential holders and their examination results is considered confidential. Exam scores will be released only to the individual candidate unless a signed release is provided. Personal information submitted in an application or recertification application is considered confidential, so it can only be shared with the applicant directly. Personal information retained about CESP credential holders and applicants will be kept confidential.

ESPCC members will not disclose confidential information related to or discussed during ESPCC meetings. This includes any verbal or written information identified as a confidential matter.

Information related to the development, administration and maintenance of the examination is considered confidential.

Confidential materials include, but are not limited to: an individual’s application status, personal applicant/CESP credential holder information, exam development documentation (including role delineation study reports, technical reports, and cut score studies), exam items and answers, exam forms, and individual exam scores.

The ESPCC will not disclose confidential applicant/credential holder information unless authorized in writing by the individual or as required by law.

The names of CESP credential holders are not considered confidential and may be published by the ESPCC and/or APSE.

Aggregate exam statistics (including the number of exam candidates, pass/fail rates, and total number of credential holders) will be publicly available. Aggregate exam statistics, studies and reports concerning applicants/credential holder will contain no information identifiable with any applicant, unless authorized in writing by the applicant.

Confidentiality Agreements

Applicants for the credential will be required to read and acknowledge a confidentiality statement as part of the application process.
Before beginning their term of office each ESPCC member or committee member shall sign a confidentiality agreement stating that they will not disclose any confidential information. If a question is raised as to the confidentiality of certain information, confidentiality will be determined by Certification Director.
Individuals who participate in examination development activities (including, but not limited to, item writing, item review, exam form assembly, exam for review) will sign additional confidentiality and nondisclosure forms prior to having access to any confidential examination materials.
Signed confidentiality forms will be retained per Policy 601 Records Retention and Disposal of Documents.

Confidential Materials

All confidential materials will be retained in a secure manner as required by the security policy. ESPCC members and committee members will keep confidential and secure any confidential materials that are sent to them. These materials will be kept secure until they are destroyed as directed by the Certification Director.

Access to Confidential Information

Access to confidential information will be limited to those individuals who require access in order to perform necessary work related to the credential program. Access will be granted in compliance with the provisions of the security policy.