FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – THE SFO EXAM PROCESS
Before the Exam
Does ASBO International Offer an SFO® Workshop?
Yes! Whether you're just starting your certification journey or brushing up for the exam, ASBO offers a workshop packed with expert insights, practical tools, and exclusive resources. Join ASBO International’s Live SFO® Fall Workshop — your ultimate prep experience!
- Dates: Monday, November 3 – Friday, November 7, 2025
- Flexible Access: Can’t attend live? No problem! You’ll have 120 days of on-demand access after the workshop ends.
- More Details: Explore the workshop
Can I contact the certification department to review my eligibility before submitting my application?
Yes, please contact the certification department for a review at [email protected].
What are some of the reasons my eligibility to test may be declined?
Declination may occur if experience or education requirements are not met.
What if I relocate or change jobs, is my certification recognized?
Yes, the SFO® exam is a standardized test that is recognized throughout North America.
How do I cancel my exam or reschedule a test?
You may cancel or reschedule up to 48 hours before your scheduled test appointment at no cost by logging into your
SFO® Access (Prolydian) account and going to the Exam section of your dashboard to choose your testing options. Note: If you cancel your appointment with less than 48 hours’ notice, miss your appointment, show up late, or provide
inadequate identification, you will not be able to schedule a new appointment without paying an additional testing fee.
Will I receive a full refund if I decide to cancel my exam and never test?
The application portion of the fee ($150 for members and $250 for non-members) is non-refundable.
Learn more about scheduling and taking the SFO® remote-proctored test:
View More Details
How is the exam structured?
The SFO® exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering accounting and school business management
competencies. Candidates are presented with questions and are asked to choose the correct answer from the four
options provided. Only one answer is correct.
During the Exam
How long do I have to complete the exam?
Candidates have 3.5 consecutive hours to complete the exam.
Does everyone take the same exam?
ASBO International administers more than one version of the exam. The number of questions asked on each exam is the
same.
What is the passing score for the SFO® exam?
ASBO International uses scaled scoring. A scaled score is used to balance the degree of difficulty between the test forms.
The minimum scaled score required to pass is 600. Candidates must answer 108 out of 150 questions correctly to pass
the exam.
Is there an option to take the exam at a test center?
ASBO International currently offers exam administration only through remote proctoring with Prolydian via the
Proctor360 test platform.
What should I expect on the day of my exam?
It is recommended that you access your exam 15–20 minutes before the scheduled start time. This allows sufficient
time to resolve any issues that may be encountered. Choose a quiet location, check that your Internet meets system
requirements, ensure your identification matches your test registration name, and clear your desktop area of books,
bags, cell phone, other materials. A bottle of water and calculator are allowed. The process also involves:
- Logging into your Prolydian account.
- Accessing the Proctor360 account portal.
- Connecting to a proctor.
Are there any browser restrictions?
Prolydian’s website supports all major, updated browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Safari;
however, the system does not support outdated browsers such as Internet Explorer.
Who should I contact if I have issues logging into any of my accounts before the exam?
If you experience any issues that require technical assistance, please contact Prolydian support: (850) 999-4391 or email:
[email protected].
Am I allowed to use print or online resources during the exam?
No. Reference materials, books, papers, or personal items (purses, briefcases, coats, cell phones, etc.) are not allowed
on the candidate’s examination desk. Only a calculator is permitted.
Am I allowed to take notes during the exam?
Yes, but ONLY using the Prolydian in-exam Notepad. The notes feature will be disabled upon completing the exam and
cannot be copied or transferred. A proctor will guide you to this feature when logged into your exam portal.
After the Exam
How long do I have to wait before I get a score on my exam?
You will receive an unofficial score report upon completion of your exam.
What happens if I pass the exam?
If you achieve a successful score, you will be notified via email within 72 hours and granted a Certified Administrator of
School Finance and Operations (SFO®) certification. Upon request, your school district or local news outlet may be
notified of your accomplishment. You may print your certificate from your SFO® Access (Prolydian) account or order one online at jimcolemanstore.com/asbo/.
What happens if I receive an unsuccessful score?
If you do not achieve a passing score, you will receive an official score report within 72 hours of your exam. This
report will highlight areas for improvement by identifying your relative strengths and weaknesses across each
examination domain. Please note that you will not receive a copy of your incorrect responses, as the test form
remains active and secure.
How often can I test, and will I receive the same test form if I retest?
A candidate may take the examination twice during their one-year eligibility period. A different form will be
administered for each exam retake. If a candidate fails the first time, and would like to retest immediately,
they must wait at least 48 hours after receiving an official ASBO email with their test results before
applying.
Can I appeal a score?
You may appeal the results of your examination within 30 days of the date of the results. The appeals process can be
found in the SFO® Policies and Procedures Manual.
Can I speak to a commission member about the SFO workshop content?
No, neither the SFO® commission nor certification staff is involved with the workshop. You may contact
[email protected] for more SFO workshop information.
Can I speak to the commission about my exam experience?
Your feedback is valuable and will contribute to enhancing the certification process for future candidates. To share your
insights, please contact us at [email protected].
Why do I have to complete recertification?
Recertification is mandatory to remain current and keep your knowledge and skills up to date. View the online SFO Recertification Guide for more details.
Can I apply CPEs or Contact Hours from before I became certified?
Because the professional development occurred before you earned your certification, you cannot apply CPEs or contact
hours earned prior to becoming certified. However, after certification, if you have earned more than the required 45
contact hours, you can roll over up to 15 contact hours to your next certification term.
Can I pay for my next two recertification terms in advance?
Paying for recertification exams in advance is not allowed.