New Guidelines for using honorlock beginning summer 2026
Beginning summer 2026 students must download the Honorlock desktop application and the Honorlock mobile application to complete University of Iowa exams using Honorlock.
Understand expectations for using Honorlock
Review the guidelines below to understand what is and is not allowed during virtually proctored exams. To maintain academic integrity, students using Honorlock for exam proctoring have very specific requirements. When taking a virtually proctored exam with Honorlock, behave as you would in a test center or classroom and follow the additional guidelines below.
Failure to meet these expectations will trigger an alert of suspicious activity, which could lead to a report of academic misconduct and/or punitive action. For more information about academic misconduct at Iowa, view the academic misconduct policies provided by the Dean of Students.
Authorized materials only
Only materials specifically approved by your instructor may be present at your work station during the exam.
No collaboration allowed
Any communication with others is prohibited during the exam. Test in a private/quiet location with no electronic devices.
Room scans are required
You must perform a thorough room scan prior to, and potentially during, the exam to show compliance with these requirements.
Authorized materials only
- No access to print or electronic resources during the exam unless specifically approved by your instructor. If other materials are allowed (scratch paper, personal calculators, notes, external websites, etc.), those materials will be listed in the Proctored Exams Portal in ICON and in the exam instructions in ICON.
- Honorlock has a basic or scientific online-calculator which can be enabled by instructor request.
- Hats can be worn with any brim facing backward or removed. No other head coverings are allowed during exams, including hoods, unless the head covering is religious in nature.
- Jackets and/or coats can be worn or removed. If a jacket or coat is worn, the hood must not be pulled over your head.
- During the exam, your webcam/computer will provide a front view of you testing. You will also need to use your phone with the Honorlock mobile application to provide a side view of your actions while testing to ensure continued compliance. Learn about the Honorlock mobile application.
No collaboration allowed
- No talking during the exam. Any communication, for example verbal, whispering, or gestures, is prohibited during the exam.
- No persons other than the test taker should be in the testing environment. The presence of others will be detected by Honorlock and will generate an alert of suspicious activity.
- No electronic communication devices or wearables (phones, other computers, tablets, watches, AI glasses, EMG wristbands, etc.,) during the exam.
- AI glasses are prohibited while testing regardless of whether they have corrective lenses. Only non-electronic glasses may be worn during an exam.
- No headphones, earbuds, or any other listening devices may be used or worn during the test.
- No music, television shows, movies, or podcasts should be playing in the background.
- Face and eyes of the test taker must be visible and focused forward for the duration of the exam.
- Do not select text on the screen with your cursor to highlight it unless you are editing the response your wrote in a text box (e.g. response to an essay question).
- No leaving the exam or the room for any reason until the exam is completed and submitted.
- During the exam, your webcam/computer will provide a front view of you testing. You will also need to use your phone with the Honorlock mobile application to provide a side view of your actions while testing to ensure continued compliance. Learn about the Honorlock mobile application.
Room scans are required
- Room must be shown as completely as possible. Test taker should show their work surface and the computer that will be used for the exam, under the desk, and a 360-degree view of the entire room from floor to ceiling.
- When using a computer with a built-in camera, use a reflective surface such as a small mirror or a phone camera to show your work surface and the computer that will be used for testing.
- During the room scan, move the camera slowly enough to provide a clear view of the test environment from floor to ceiling.
- Complete the proctored quiz or exam in the same room shown in the room scan.
- During the exam, your webcam/computer will provide a front view of you testing. You will also need to use your phone with the Honorlock mobile application to provide a side view of your actions while testing to ensure continued compliance. Learn about the Honorlock mobile application.
Get immediate support for technical issues
Honorlock support is available 24/7 and is found within the exam. The chat feature is particularly helpful as the representative can see the test taker's screen to better assist with any problems.
Please note that technical problems which prevent successful proctoring can affect the score. Notify the course instructor of any issue you experience.
Explain any incident to the instructor
Any incident should be explained to the course instructor in writing as soon as possible.
- If the test taker's explanation and the instructor's review reveal a reasonably innocent explanation, the instructor may choose to allow the test taker to modify the behavior and comply with the guidelines to prevent future punitive action.
- If the test taker's explanation is unsatisfactory, the instructor may choose to impose a punitive action.
- If the test taker does not report a deviation and the instructor suspects a violation of these guidelines, the instructor will contact the test taker and punitive action may be taken.
Still have questions or concerns about using Honorlock?
- Visit the Honorlock Knowledge Base for additional information, or
- Contact your instructor with questions.