University of Southern Maine is a public testing center for CLEP, DSST, and BYU FLATS exams. 

  • All exams are by appointment only.  We do not accept walk-ins.
  • In the event of campus closure or proctor cancellation, test sessions will be rescheduled. USM assumes no responsibily for any rescheduling fees charged by testing companies.
  • All exams require a $30.00 administration fee payable by cash, check, or credit card on the day of the exam in addition to any fees charged by the testing company.
  • Please click on the appropriate exam below to see testing identification requirements.

The ACTFL OPI is a live telephone interview that tests students speaking and listening proficiency in almost one hundred languages.

University students and alumni who wish to schedule an ACTFL OPI exam on the Portland campus or through remote proctoring should visit the following link:

ACTFL OPI page on MyUSM.

BYU FLATS offers exams in over fifty languages.  The exams are computer-based, have a time limit of 2.5 hours and test for listening and reading. They do not require knowledge of technical terms or specialized vocabulary. Information on USM credit for BYU FLATS exams can be found at the following link:

BYU FLATS Equivalencies

In order to take a BYU FLATS exam on the Portland campus, you must:

  • Register and pay for your exam at the BYU FLATS exam website.
  • Fill out the proctor section on the BYU FLATS registration form with the following information:

    Name:  Rusty Dolleman
    Department:  Credit for Prior Learning
    Educational Institution:  University of Southern Maine
    Address:  253 Luther Bonney Hall, P.O. Box 9300
    City, State, Zipcode:  Portland ME, 04104
    Phone:  207-780-5909
    Email:  rusty.dolleman@maine.edu 

    If you are sending your scores to University of Southern Maine, you should use the same information for the “Sending Results to Your School” section.
  • Complete the form at the following link to schedule a testing appointment:
    CPL Exam Registration Form
  • Bring a current and valid driver’s license, passport, or campus/student ID and $30.00 administration fee with you to your testing appointment.

CLEP exams are computer-based exams that cover introductory course material across the curriculum. Most CLEP exams are 90 minutes in length and consist of multiple choice questions, although some exams are longer and/or include written essays. USM equivalencies for CLEP exams are listed at the following link:

CLEP Equivalencies

In order to take a CLEP exam on the Portland campus, you must:

  • Purchase the exam from the CollegeBoard website.  If you would like your scores reported to the University of Southern Maine, please use school code #3691.
  • Complete the form at the following link to schedule a testing appointment:
    CPL Exam Registration Form
  • Bring a copy of your registration ticket, $30.00 administration fee and ID with you to your testing appointment. Your ID must be a government-issued physical identification such as a driver’s license, passport, or other official government ID that includes photograph and signature. The first and last name on the ID must match the name on the registration ticket. DANTES-funded test-takers must possess additional identification.

DSST exams are computer-based, have a time limit of 2 hours and most consist of multiple choice questions. USM does not administer the Public Speaking DSST exam.

USM equivalencies for DSST exams are listed at the following link:

DSST Equivalencies

Please also be aware that the testing company (Prometric) requires students to share their Social Security Numbers as part of the registration process. Prometric’s data policies, including a specific statement about how SSNs are protected, are described on the Prometric Website.

In order to take a DSST exam on the Portland campus, you must:

  • Complete form at the following link to schedule a testing appointment:
    CPL Exam Registration Form
  • Bring a credit card (DSST DOES NOT TAKE DISCOVER TO PURCHASE EXAMS), the $30.00 administration fee (which is separate from the fee charged by the testing company) and a current and valid picture identification such as a driver’s license, passport, or picture student identification. DANTES-funded eligible military test takers must also provide a valid Common Access Card (CAC).

University students who wish to schedule a challenge exam for Kirundi or Kinyarwanda on the Portland campus or through remote proctoring should visit the following link:

MyUSM Challenge Exam page

  • Active Duty Military meeting specific criteria for CLEP and/or DSST may be able to take their initial attempt of an exam for free. Remember to bring your military ID to your exam appointment so that the $30 test administration fee can also be waived.
  • Student veterans who are receiving funding through the Post-9/11 GI Bill may be able to have their initial CLEP or DSST testing fees (including the test administration fee charged by USM) reimbursed by the VA.  Students interested in pursuing this opportunity should contact Lorrie Spaulding, Director of Veteran Services, at lorraine.spaulding@maine.edu or 207-780-5232.

ACCOMODATIONS AND CPL EXAMS

The CPL Office is committed to helping students with documented disabilities gain equitable access to CPL exams. Students seeking accommodations on CPL exams should contact the CPL Office at 207-780-5909 or priorlearningusm@maine.edu.  Students will be asked to provide documentation of any disability for assessment by Disability Services Center staff and, in many cases, the relevant testing company before any accommodations can be granted.