How to register for the FSOT
Current fee, eligibility, location, identification, and at-home testing rules to check before you book.
Registration schedule
Testing: Oct 10–17, 2026
Registration: September 10, 2026–October 8, 2026
The $5 fee is refunded
Pearson charges a $5 sitting fee and refunds it in full one to three weeks after the testing event, so the FSOT is effectively free to take. A no-show forfeits the fee unless you file documentation of an extenuating circumstance—death, serious illness, or military duty—within 10 days.
You may cancel an OnVUE appointment at no cost up to the appointment time. The registration system permits an eligible candidate to register once every 12 months; the older 11-month figure is retired.
Four ways to sit the FSOT
- 01OnVUE at-home online proctored testing
- 02A Pearson test centre—around 130, including sites on military bases across the U.S., territories, Europe, Asia and the Middle East
- 03An overseas Pearson site
- 04An at-post embassy sitting, where available
Your location changes the ID rule
INSIDE THE U.S.
One valid, unexpired government-issued ID bearing both a photo and signature: passport, driver’s licence, military ID, national or local ID, green card, or visa.
OUTSIDE THE U.S.
A U.S. passport is required. It is not one option among several.
At-home check-in is strict
- Check-in opens 30 minutes before and closes 15 minutes after the appointment time.
- The first and last name on your ID must match the registration exactly.
- Use an enclosed, private room. Pearson explicitly prohibits testing in bathrooms.
- No scratch paper, note boards, or breaks.
- Leaving the camera’s view at any point violates the rules and revokes the exam.
- A Windows or macOS desktop or laptop is required.
A test centre has a practical advantage
State does not publish whether a calculator is allowed. Candidates who sat the current exam consistently report that none is permitted. Test centres provide a laminated sheet or whiteboard; OnVUE provides only an on-screen notepad, which sitters describe as ineffective for working equations. Given the maths load, that is a real reason to prefer a test centre when one is reachable.
Practice the full sitting before test day
One complete, timed simulator is free. No credit card.
Start your free simulatorHow much does FSOT registration cost?
Pearson charges a $5 sitting fee and refunds it one to three weeks after the testing event. A no-show forfeits the fee unless documented extenuating circumstances are filed within 10 days.
What ID do I need for the FSOT?
Inside the U.S., bring one valid, unexpired government-issued ID with both a photo and signature. Outside the U.S., a U.S. passport is required.
Can I take the FSOT at home?
Yes, through OnVUE on a Windows or macOS desktop or laptop. Check-in opens 30 minutes before and closes 15 minutes after the appointment. The room must be enclosed and private, with no paper, note board, or breaks.
How often can I register for the FSOT?
The registration system enforces eligibility once every 12 months. The older 11-month figure is retired.