CAS Member Spotlight: The National College Testing Association (NCTA)

​The National College Testing Association (NCTA) is a non-profit organization of testing professionals working in postsecondary institutions, testing companies, and other professional venues. NCTA is dedicated to promoting professionalism and quality in the administration of testing services and programs, including issues related to test administration, accessibility, development, scoring, and assessment.

NCTA’s mission is to promote professionalism and quality in testing through professional development, member engagement, partnerships, and collaboration. The association enhances professional testing practices, offers development opportunities, supports collaborative efforts across the industry, and provides a strong professional network for testing professionals. This mission aligns closely with CAS’s goals of advancing standards, promoting best practices, and strengthening the effectiveness of higher education professionals and programs.

Through its membership with CAS, NCTA has collaborated on the development of the CAS Testing Programs and Services Standards, which help institutions ensure high-quality testing practices. These standards inform policy and procedure development, promote fairness and consistency across institutions, and serve as a foundational framework for professional practice. In addition, NCTA enforces its own professional standards through the Test Center Certification Program, ensuring that certified centers maintain consistency, integrity, and accessibility in their testing services.

CAS standards continue to support NCTA members by offering specific benchmarks they can share with administrators to inform staffing decisions, technology investments, and facility management. Because testing centers often operate behind the scenes, the CAS standards provide external validation that helps communicate their value and secure institutional support.

NCTA encourages its members to explore and apply the CAS Testing Programs and Services Standards and the accompanying Self-Assessment Guide (SAG) to strengthen testing programs and enhance quality assurance:

• Testing Programs and Services Standards
• Testing Programs and Services Self-Assessment Guide (SAG)

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Testing Programs and Services are an integral part of campus life, supporting students from orientation through graduation. Whether through placement testing, accessibility accommodations, or certification and licensure exams, NCTA members help institutions ensure fairness, accessibility, and success for all students.

To stay connected, NCTA invites professionals to attend its Annual Conference, taking place September 14–17, 2025, in Sacramento, California, and to participate in the upcoming Proctor Certification Window from October 6–31, 2025.
CAS is proud to spotlight the National College Testing Association and its ongoing commitment to excellence, equity, and collaboration in higher education assessment.