FCRA Practice Test

The Advanced Fair Credit Reporting Act Certificate is for people who already hold the FCRA Core Certificate and want to go further with the Professional Background Screening Association. This page explains how the program is delivered, what it costs, how it is scored and how retakes work. It also gives you free practice sets by topic, worked questions and a study plan.

FCRA Exam at a Glance

What changed for FCRA in 2026

• Oct 27, 2026: Delivery changed to Online: 4 training webinars and an exam (previously Online: 4 training webinars + multiple-choice exam).^[1]
• Oct 27, 2026: Number of questions changed to Multiple-choice exam following webinar series (previously Multiple-choice exam after the webinar series).^[1]
• Oct 27, 2026: Retake policy changed to 2 attempts included; repurchase required after second failure (previously 2 attempts per purchase; repurchase after a second fail).^[1]

What the FCRA is and how it works

According to Professional Background Screening Association, “Upon completion of the webinar series, participants will have access to a multiple-choice exam.”^[1]

The FCRA Advanced Certificate is offered by the Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA) and focuses on US background screening. It is delivered online as 4 training webinars followed by an exam. You must hold a current FCRA Core Certificate to take part.

After the webinar series, you get access to a multiple-choice exam. The passing score is 80%. You get 2 attempts included in the purchase. If you do not pass on the second attempt, you must re-purchase the program, and you keep your Core Certificate while doing so. The exam must be completed within 60 days of the purchase date, so plan your study time before you buy.

The fee is $215 for PBSA members and $315 for non-members. Once you complete the course and pass the exam, the certificate is valid for two years.

The PBSA has not published a detailed content outline that we could verify, so we do not list official exam domains here. Our practice sets are written by us with AI tools. They are not real exam questions and do not copy the PBSA exam. Fees, scheduling and rules can change, so check the official PBSA course page before you purchase.

Worked examples: how to reason through FCRA questions

These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.

Example 1

Question: How long should FCRA professionals typically retain official documentation?

1. Until the next calendar year
2. According to applicable regulatory requirements and organizational policies
3. Only until a case is closed
4. For a maximum of one year

Answer: B. According to applicable regulatory requirements and organizational policies

Explanation:

The correct answer is that retention follows applicable regulatory requirements and organizational policies. Retention periods are set by outside rules and by the employer's own policy, so the right answer points to both sources rather than to a single fixed date.

"Until the next calendar year" is wrong because it ties retention to the calendar instead of to any rule. "Only until a case is closed" is wrong because records often have to be kept after a matter ends, for audits, disputes or legal review. "For a maximum of one year" is wrong because it sets an arbitrary cap that may be shorter than what a regulation or policy requires.

Rule to remember: when a question asks how long to keep records, look for the option that defers to the governing requirements and written policy, not one that offers a convenient fixed period.

Example 2

Question: What is the BEST way for a Advanced Fair Credit Reporting Act Certification professional to stay current with regulatory changes?

1. Rely solely on employer notifications
2. Monitor regulatory bodies, attend CE, and participate in professional associations
3. Check regulations only during renewal
4. Depend on colleagues to share updates

Answer: B. Monitor regulatory bodies, attend CE, and participate in professional associations

Explanation:

The best answer is to monitor regulatory bodies, attend continuing education and take part in professional associations. This combines primary sources, structured learning and peer networks, so changes are caught early and understood in context.

"Rely solely on employer notifications" is wrong because the word solely makes you dependent on one channel that may be slow or incomplete. "Check regulations only during renewal" is wrong because changes can take effect at any time, and checking only at renewal leaves long gaps. "Depend on colleagues to share updates" is wrong because it passes responsibility to others and can spread secondhand or outdated information.

Rule to remember: staying current is an ongoing, personal duty that uses several sources. Be cautious of options that use words like solely or only.

Example 3

Question: In FCRA practice, what happens when regulations are updated?

1. Previous certifications are revoked
2. Professionals must update knowledge and practices to meet new requirements
3. Changes apply only to new professionals
4. Existing professionals are grandfathered in

Answer: B. Professionals must update knowledge and practices to meet new requirements

Explanation:

The correct answer is that professionals must update their knowledge and practices to meet new requirements. When a regulation changes, the obligation falls on everyone who works under it, and day-to-day practice has to follow.

"Previous certifications are revoked" is wrong because a rule change does not automatically cancel credentials already earned. "Changes apply only to new professionals" is wrong because the requirements cover anyone doing the work, regardless of when they started. "Existing professionals are grandfathered in" is wrong for the same reason: experience does not exempt anyone from updated rules.

Rule to remember: new requirements apply to current practice. Answers that offer exemptions for experienced people, or that claim credentials vanish, are usually distractors.

How to use these practice tests

Start with the official PBSA course page so you know exactly what the webinars and exam involve, then work backward from the 60-day window to set your study dates. Attend the webinars and take your own notes on each topic.

Next, take a practice set for each topic area after you cover it. Begin with FCRA Regulatory Compliance and FCRA Regulations & Legal Framework for the base rules. Then move to Permissible Purpose & End-User Requirements, Employment Screening & Background Checks and Consumer Rights & Dispute Resolution.

For every question you miss, write down why the right answer is right and why your choice was wrong. Look for patterns, such as falling for absolute words, and return to your webinar notes for any weak topic.

Close with the mixed set at Start Practice Test, and aim to be consistently above the 80% passing score before you open the real exam. Remember that you get 2 attempts, so treat the first as a real attempt rather than a trial run.

Sources & last verified

1. pathlms.com — number of questions, time limit, passing score, exam fee (official source). “Upon completion of the webinar series, participants will have access to a multiple-choice exam.” Verified Oct 27, 2026 · source checked Oct 27, 2026.
2. Professional Background Screening Association — validity (official source). “Upon completing the course and passing the exam, participants receive a certificate valid for two years.” Verified Oct 27, 2026 · source checked Oct 27, 2026.

How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.