How to Apply and Prepare for Your RAC Exam
STEP 1: Understand the RAC and Testing Process
Learn about the RAC and review the Candidate Guide (PDF).
STEP 2: Choose Your Test
Choose one of the four exams offered (US, EU, CAN, or General Scope) and review possible exam locations.
STEP 3: Apply
» Register Online
» Downloadable Application (PDF format)
If you experience problems registering online, please fax your application to +1 301 770 2924.
STEP 4: Create a Study Plan
Once you have registered for the examination, you should develop a study plan. A good first step is to carefully review the appropriate content outline for the RAC examination for which you are registered. The content outlines are provided at no charge and list all of the skills and tasks covered by the examination.
After reviewing the content outline, view RAPS' list of RAC Exam Preparation Resources. The free RAC Self-Assessment Tool is intended to be used as a guide to help you identify areas where you have a strong knowledge base and areas where you have less knowledge and experience. Practice exams are also available to simulate the exam experience, while the Fundamentals of Regulatory Affairs reference book series delivers a breadth and depth of regulatory information not found elsewhere. All of these items can be purchased online at the RAPS Store. RAPS also has developed webcasts for the EU, Canadian and US exams.
» View a demo of the computer–based exam.
STEP 5: Register for Exam Site, Date and Time
You will choose the site, date and time of your examination after your application has been accepted by RAPS. Watch for an email in mid-September (autumn exams) or mid-March (spring exams) from our test administrators (castleworldwide.com) with instructions.
» Get more information about exam dates and locations.
STEP 6: Read and Understand the Cancellation Policy
Candidates who submit written notification of their intent to withdraw from the examination must do so no later than the late registration deadline and will receive a refund, minus a $100 nonrefundable processing fee. The $210 membership dues fee is nonrefundable (if membership is waived upon registering, the full refund, less $100 will be provided).
The late registration deadline for the 2012 April/May exam is 8 March and for the October/November exam is 8 September. Candidates who do not submit written notification by the final registration deadline will not receive a refund. Candidates may transfer to the testing window immediately following the test window for which they applied but are only allowed one transfer and are not eligible for a refund after the transfer. Candidates must submit written notification of their intent to transfer to the next window no later than the late registration deadline.
Additional Information
Candidate Guide
This booklet contains extensive information about the RAC program, requirements and important policies and dates.
» Candidate Guide (PDF)
Fees for the April/May 2012 Exam ($US)
| Application Fees |
By 15 February |
By 8 March |
| RAPS Member |
$325 |
$425 |
| Nonmember |
$535* |
$635* |
*Includes one year of RAPS membership (membership may be waived, but the application fee remains the same.) |
Fees for the October/November 2012 Exam ($US)
| Application Fees |
By 15 August |
By 8 September |
| RAPS Member |
$325 |
$425 |
| Nonmember |
$535* |
$635* |
*Includes one year of RAPS membership (membership may be waived, but the application fee remains the same.) |
A cancellation fee of $100 will be assessed on any cancelled application and the $210 membership dues fee is nonrefundable. If membership is waived upon registering, the full refund, less $100 will be provided. No cancellations or transfers will be accepted after 8 March 2012 for the April/May exam or 8 September 2012 for the October/November Exam.
Eligibility Requirements
The RAC (US), (EU), (CAN) and (General Scope) examinations are geared toward the regulatory professional with three to five years of regulatory experience. If you have no regulatory experience and do not plan to work in the field, please evaluate whether these exams are right for you.
To be eligible for the RAC examination, you must meet at least one of two basic requirements:
- A bachelor's (baccalaureate) degree or its equivalent
- At least three years of regulatory experience
Submission Guidelines
- The RAC examination application must be fully completed by the applicant.
- Applications must be accompanied by payment in order to be processed. Payment details are on the application.
- Deadlines for each exam testing window are listed below. All deadlines are postmark dates. For purposes of clarity, the term "postmark date" includes system date/time stamps for online, email and fax applicants. Applications will not be accepted after 11:59 pm (US Eastern Time) on the late-deadline date.
- Applicants will receive an email confirmation that their application has been accepted within two weeks of application receipt. If applicants have questions regarding application receipt, please contact RAPS.
Deadlines
Two testing windows are offered annually. The chart below outlines the 2012 testing windows for each exam and their registration deadlines. Confirmation will be sent to eligible candidates within two weeks of receipt of a completed application. Candidates will receive their exam site registration information approximately two weeks prior to the opening of the testing window. Applications that require additional documentation are considered incomplete until the information is received and processed. Incomplete applications are subject to a resubmission fee.
| Testing Window |
Early Application Deadline |
Final Deadline |
| 1 April-31 May |
15 February |
8 March |
| 1 October-30 November |
15 August |
8 September |
Transferring or Withdrawing from Exam
- Candidates must submit a written withdrawal or transfer of their application by the late deadline date to receive a refund of their application fee, minus a $100 nonrefundable processing fee.
- Candidates may transfer to the testing window immediately following the test window for which they applied (i.e., April/May2012 may transfer to October/November 2012.)
- Candidates are only allowed one transfer and once the transfer is used are no long eligible for a refund if they decide to cancel in the next cycle
- Candidates who have a documented, severe personal medical emergency or a death in their immediate family may test during the next examination period. The candidate must contact the RAPS Program office within 5 days after the RAC Examination date and provide appropriate documentation within 30 days after the RAC Examination date.
A $79 fee applies to rescheduling. Candidates who have already scheduled their exam must contact CASTLE first to cancel, ibt@castleworldwide.com or +1 919 572 6880. CASTLE may charge an additional $35 fee if the exam is already scheduled.
Exam Results
RAC examinations are scored by an independent testing agency. Results will be posted three to four weeks after the close of the testing window; RAPS will send an email once results are posted. To access results please log in to RAC Candidate Central using your RAPS ID. No results will be reported via telephone or by fax. Information on who has passed the RAC exam will only be posted on the RAPS website and RAPS online Member Directory after all candidates have logged in and viewed their results, which will be approximately two to three weeks after candidates receive their results. Candidates who pass the exam will receive a certificate and lapel pin in the mail.