**TL;DR** — No. Roughly 40% of US online college exams are proctored in 2026. The rest are open-book, time-limited, or governed only by an honor code. Your syllabus or exam-announcement page will state which category applies.
Last updated: July 2026.
The three categories
- Proctored — you'll see a mention of Honorlock, Proctorio, ProctorU, Respondus Monitor, or an in-person testing center. Requires a working webcam and microphone.
- Time-limited, un-proctored — no camera, but a strict time window (e.g., 60 minutes once opened) and often a question shuffler or question bank randomization.
- Honor code only — no time limit, no proctoring. Common in humanities and open-ended prompts.
How to check before exam day
- Syllabus — every US institution accreditted by a regional accreditor must disclose proctoring in the course syllabus. Look for the section labeled "Assessments" or "Academic Integrity."
- Canvas / Blackboard / D2L / Moodle exam page — a proctored exam almost always shows a "Requires Respondus LockDown Browser + Webcam" or "Powered by Honorlock" banner before you click Start.
- Ask your instructor — a two-line email a week before saves headaches.
Which programs proctor the most
- Nursing (Capella FPX, Chamberlain, WGU, Walden) — high proctoring rate for HESI and clinical assessments.
- STEM (calculus, chemistry, physics) — usually proctored to protect problem-solving integrity.
- Humanities and open essay courses — usually unproctored, since AI-detection and originality checks matter more than exam-day surveillance.
What to do if you're not sure
Assume proctored until you can confirm otherwise. Set up a clean room, working camera, and stable internet. If your exam turns out to be unproctored, no harm done.
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**Sources**: EDUCAUSE 2026 online-assessment survey, US Department of Education distance-learning statistics (2025).