CBLE Registration Information

10 Weeks Out

• Registration opens on eCBP

6 Weeks Out

• Registration closes on eCBP

4 Weeks Out

• CBP's vendor will send you an invitation to create an account
• Once you create an account, you will schedule an exam appointment for either an in-person exam or a remote exam

3 Weeks Out

• Scheduling period closes
• If you do not schedule yourself for an exam, CBP's vendor will manually schedule you based on the information in your registration

1 Week Out

• You will receive an admission notice email from CBP's vendor with your exam location

EXAM DAY

• You will take the exam at your scheduled time at either your in-person testing location or your remote location

Don't forget your identification and citizenship documents

Don't forget your reference materials

When you are ready to register for the exam, you can access additional information about the eCBP portal, including user guides on the eCBP Broker Instructions webpage.

Or, you can directly access the eCBP Portal to register for the exam and pay the $390 exam fee. Click on the "Brokers" and link follow the on-page instructions.

CBP recommends using the latest version of Google Chrome when registering on eCBP.

If you have registration issues, please check if your issue is addressed on the FAQ registration page. If your issue is not addressed on this FAQ page, you can reach out to CBP Rev Mod directly.

Rev Mod Service Desk (RMSD)—

Email: revmodservicedesk@cbp.dhs.gov

Phone: 1-800-366-8732 ext. 4670 (leave a message if the call is not answered directly)

Hours: Monday­ through Friday between 8:00am and 4:30pm Eastern time

CBP recommends using the latest version of Google Chrome when registering on eCBP.

IMPORTANT—Issues with ID and citizenship documents are the most common reasons for missing the exam on Exam Day.

To sit for the CBLE, you will need to prove that you are who you say you are and that you are a citizen of the United States. CBP highly recommends that you bring a current U.S. passport or a U.S Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization, if you have one, since these documents count as proof of both ID and citizenship. The documents in the table below are the only way to prove identity and citizenship and therefore the only way to secure entry into the exam.

* All identification documents must have a photograph and cannot be expired. You will not be allowed to sit for the exam if you present expired identification.

If you don’t have a U.S. passport or a U.S Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization, then you will need to bring two documents—one from the Identification list and one from the Citizenship list. Your first and last name must match on both documents. An original marriage certificate, original divorce certificate, or original court order can be provided to verify a name change between the two documents. You must match your photo ID. If your gender does not match between the two documents, you will be allowed entry if your name and image match your registration information and your current appearance.

Passports issued by other countries will not count as proof of ID.

All documents must be official documents from the United States/U.S. Territory. Any documents presented must be unexpired, official, original, and physical versions (no photocopies, photographs, or scans will be accepted).

If you are going to take the CBLE in-person, the cities, zip codes, and approximate number of seats per location are listed below.

These seats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and no other factors will be considered. If you do not register for the exam location you want before the deadline (provided in an email), CBP’s vendor will schedule you for the exam at the closest available location using the zip code you provided in your registration.

If you need help scheduling your exam, please email the CBLE Support Desk at CBLE­_Support@talogy.com or call 1-877-449-8378 ext. 3.

The remote proctor exam will be offered on a limited basis. The exam will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis to a limited number of individuals.

IMPORTANT—when deciding whether to take the exam remotely, please carefully consider the following.

• You MUST sign the CBLE Non-Disclosure Agreement on exam day. A copy of the agreement can be found on the CBLE Non-Disclosure Agreement page.
• You MUST verify that your testing system (computer, software, audio compatibility, internet connectivity) all work prior to registration.
• CBP cautions that there may be technical issues on Exam Day. CBP may be able to work with you to fix those technical issues. Sometimes technical issues can be resolved, and sometimes they can’t. Even if issues can be resolved, the stress of the experience may affect your exam performance.
• On Exam Day if you encounter testing system errors and your system is causing the error, you may be unable to complete the exam.
• If you are concerned about technological issues while you are taking the exam, CBP encourages you to take the exam in-person.
• Before you register for the remote exam option, make sure that you meet all requirements detailed here:
  • System requirements: [PSI Bridge FAQ] System Requirements – PSI Support (psionline.com)
  • Computer compatibility, software compatibility, and internet: Online Proctoring Compatibility Check (psiexams.com)
• You should not register for the remote exam if any of the following apply:
  • You are using a company computer. Company computers and firewalls are not compatible with the CBP vendor’s testing software. You should use a personal computer.
  • Your computer is prone to malfunctions and errors or does not have an operating system that meets the standards above.
  • You do not have a viable internet connection.
  • You cannot meet the Testing Room Requirements on Exam Day.
  • You are unable to terminate programs on your computer that are incompatible with the testing software on exam day.
• If you do not meet the above requirements and attempt to take the exam anyway on Exam Day but are unable to test, no refunds or free exams will be offered.
• If you take the exam remotely using a laptop computer, you may use a connected monitor only if you have a separate camera on the monitor that will remain active when you close your laptop computer. Dual monitors are not permitted during the exam.

Testing Room Requirements

IMPORTANT—If you cannot meet the following requirements, you should take the exam in-person rather than remotely.

You will be required to conduct a full room scan for your exam proctor prior to beginning the exam.

The testing room shall:

• Be private, enclosed, and free of extraneous noise. Excess noise or talking (even by you) will be flagged as a violation during the exam.
• Contain a desk that is orderly, free of clutter, and has only what is required and allowed to take the exam.
• Paper reference materials are allowed; however, you MUST distribute your materials in a way that you do not exit the full view of the camera while searching your reference materials.
• If you leave the camera view to search reference materials, your proctor will flag this as a violation during the exam.
• Have a computer that meets the system requirements and is connected to a webcam that you can move to scan the testing room for your exam proctor.

If you already registered for the remote exam and would like to change your mind after reading this or unsuccessfully testing your system requirements and compatibility, please email brokermanagement@cbp.dhs.gov to change your remote registration to an in-person registration. You must do this before registration closes. CBP will not switch you from remote to in-person after registration closes.

You may also choose to withdraw from the exam following the instructions provided under the “How do I withdraw from the exam or change my location after I have registered?” tab.

An examinee requesting reasonable modifications based on disability needs for the exam must check “Yes” in response to the question, “Do you seek accommodations under the American Disabilities Act?” on the eCBP electronic application form (the equivalent of CBP Form 3124E, Application for Customs Broker License Exam) to indicate that he or she is seeking a reasonable modification under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. 

In the free form text box below the question, the examinee MUST enter the following information relating to their reasonable modification request:

1. The limitations resulting from their disability; 
2. Barriers to their effective participation in the standard electronic version of the exam based on their limitations; 
3. Their preferred or suggested reasonable modifications to remove the barriers to effectively participate in the exam; and 
4. The zip code of their preferred exam location. Zip codes are listed under the In-Person Exam Locations tab. 

CBP requests individuals submit exam applications requesting reasonable modifications as early as possible to ensure enough time for processing. Incomplete requests not providing the information listed above may not be able to be accommodated. Requests that are submitted after the close of registration will not be considered.  

Prior to the exam, CBP may schedule an interactive dialogue meeting with the examinee to discuss the reasonable modifications request and gather additional information to make an informed decision on the request.

IMPORTANT—if you have entered something inaccurately on your registration form and need to correct it, do not use the withdraw option in eCBP. Instead, make your request to correct your registration through an email to brokermanagement@cbp.dhs.gov. 

DO NOT use the withdrawal option to make a correction to the submitted application because the examinee WILL NOT be allowed to reapply for the same exam once they have withdrawn.

If you would like to withdraw from the exam and get a refund, you must:

• Sign into eCBP
• Select “Broker License”
• Select “Withdraw from Exam”

You must do this no later than 8:30am (Eastern) 2 days prior to the exam. Refunds for examination withdrawals are generally processed within 45 days after the exam date.

IMPORTANT—CBP recommends that you bring and use your own paper reference materials as a backup precaution. While electronic versions of the reference materials will be available and accessible through the electronic exam platform, you may want to refer to your own materials that you are familiar with and have marked up and bookmarked.

The October 23, 2024 CBLE Reference Materials are:

• Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (Basic Edition) (HTSUS) Harmonized Tariff Schedule 2024 HTS Basic (usitc.gov)
• Title 19, Code of Federal Regulations (2023 Annual Edition) (Parts 1 to End)(CFR 0-140)(CFR 141-199)(CFR 200-599)(Code of Federal Regulations (Annual Edition)
• ACE Entry Summary Instructions Version 2.4a ACE Entry Summary Instructions
• Right to Make Entry (RTME) Directive 3530-002A 3530-002A Right to Make Entry

• ACE Entry Summary Business Rules and Process Document (Trade-External) (ACE BRPD) (Version 12 – Chapter 1 through 24) December 2023 ACE Entry Summary Business Process

Use the versions listed above—using any other version of the reference materials than those above is at your own risk.

A sample exam can be found here: CBLE Sample Exam

The sample exam may be accessed an unlimited number of times and may be useful in familiarizing yourself with the electronic exam process. This sample exam does not evaluate answers. Different browsers may result in different views of the sample exam, so when you view it on your browser for practice, it may look different than what you see on Exam Day.

The “Search” functions work differently on this sample exam than on the actual exam on Exam Day.

Exam Day Searching Tips

• The Exam Day browsers allow for keywords to be searched and highlighted within the electronic references provided in the exam. You will not be able to move from keyword instance to keyword instance like you can with the sample exam. You will have to scroll to look for the next instance of a keyword.
• When you move between documents, close the dialogue box every time and reopen it to search in the next document. You can relaunch the search dialog box using CTRL + F.

IMPORTANT—Please review the “Proof of identification and citizenship” tab before you arrive to sit for the exam.

IMPORTANT—Review the COVID-19 mask and vaccination requirements. Certain testing centers have mandatory face mask requirements. If you arrive at a test facility that has a mask mandate and you don’t have a mask, you will not be allowed to take the exam and you will forfeit your registration fee.

If you are taking the exam in person

• Please arrive at 8:00am local time (30 minutes before the exam start time) to allow for the exam check-in process which includes verification of your identity and citizenship.
• You MUST sign the CBLE Non-Disclosure Agreement on exam day. A copy of the agreement can be found on the CBLE Non-Disclosure Agreement page.
• All reference materials will be provided electronically.
• You may bring any paper reference materials for use or backup.
• You are allowed to bring in one rolling crate OR one suitcase not to exceed 16” H x 18.5” W x 15” D. All other storage containers must remain outside the exam room.
• You may bring a shelf/rack into the exam room to hold the approved reference materials. The shelf/rack cannot exceed the width and depth of the crate (18.5” W x 15” D). Your rack cannot extend past your individual testing space. The height of the shelf/rack is not limited—it is simply bringing your materials closer to your eye level. An example of a rolling crate and shelf is below.

  

• The use of any electronic device during the exam is strictly prohibited. No laptops, iPad, Nooks, Kindles, smart phones, personal digital assistants, smartwatches, or digital timers are permitted.
• The exam proctor will not be verifying individual pieces of paper during the check-in or examination process. As long as none of your materials or documents are electronic, you may use them for the exam.
• Small, plastic sand timers are permitted to be used during the exam. There will be a timer on the exam software that you can use during the exam as well.
• You may bring—
  • Paper and writing utensils
  • Reference materials
  • Reference materials carrier/shelf described above
  • Handbag or wallet with your ID and citizenship documents
  • Analog watches and sand timers
• You may not bring—
  • Any electronic device
  • Personal items such as coats, jackets, hoodies, hats, gloves, and scarves.
• Get to your testing site on time! Give yourself sufficient time to get to your testing site and account for your local traffic, weather, and public transit delays. The test administrators will close the doors to the exam room at 8:30am. You will not be allowed in once the doors are closed.
• No exceptions will be made.

Exam providers may choose to record exams that take place in their facilities. These recordings are the property of the vendor and are not owned or controlled by CBP.

If you are taking the exam remotely

• Review the Testing Room Requirements under the “I would like to take the CBLE remotely” tab.
• You are encouraged to use a U.S. passport or U.S. Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization to expedite the remote check-in process.
• Before you log on, do a last check of your testing room to make sure it is ready for a room scan for your exam proctor.
• Log in for the exam at 8:00 am (as indicated on your Admission Ticket email) to begin the check-in process. You will not be permitted to take the exam if you have not logged in by 8:30 am.
• No refund will be provided if you log in after 8:30 am.
• No exceptions will be made.

Logging on to the remote exam—Review ahead of time

IMPORTANT—if you are having difficulty and need technical support, you may use your smartphone to reach out to CBP’s vendor. The technical support phone number will be included in your Admission Ticket email from the vendor. When taking the exam, this phone cannot be in the testing room with you. You should leave it just outside the testing room in case you need technical support or lose your internet connection during the exam.

• You will launch the exam from the website provided in your Admission Ticket email.
• You will download a secure browser.
  • Make sure any popup blockers are deactivated on your computer.
  • Once your secure browser is downloaded, you may need to locate the downloaded executable file to run.
  • Make sure you know how to download and run and executable file before you log in to take the exam.
• After the secure browser runs, the browser will activate a secondary system check.
  • If you have programs running in the background, the secure browser will show a “TERMINATE” button.
  • The browser will then show a list of incompatible programs running in the background and try to close them.
  • You may have to close the programs running in the background yourself using the Task Manager.  If you are using an Apple Mac laptop, you will likely have to manually close out of the background programs.
  • Make sure you know how to close programs using the Task Manager before you log in to take the exam.
• After you have successfully downloaded the secure browser, you will be asked to take a snapshot of your identification and citizenship documents, a snapshot of yourself, and do a video room scan.
  • Once the check-in process is complete, you will receive a message that you are waiting for your proctor.
  • Once your proctor arrives and acknowledges you, you will navigate through several screens explaining the various features of the exam screen, including how to use the electronic references and the search functionality.
  • The exam timer will not start running until you access the actual exam.
• During the exam, you may need to communicate with your proctor.
  • This will be done using the chat feature in the exam software.
  • At the start of the exam, the chat window is open on the bottom right of your screen.
  • You can close this chat window while you are taking the test if you would like.
  • If you need to open the chat window again, click the white oval at the top middle of your screen.
• Make sure your internet connection is stable and strong and that your computer is charged and plugged in.
  • If your computer goes into low power mode, your secure browser may close.
  • If your internet strength is too low, your secure browser may close.
  • If your secure browser closes you will need to start from your Admission Ticket email and redo the downloading and check-in process again.
• If you do lose internet—
  • CBP will allow a maximum of 15 total minutes of internet disconnection during the exam. Multiple disconnections will be added together up to 15 minutes. The 15 minutes allowed for internet disconnections will not be added to the exam time of 4.5 hours.
  • Your remote proctor will contact you by phone and/or email to let you know you have been disconnected from the exam.
  • You may use your phone to call the vendor’s CBLE Support Desk or to access your Admission Ticket email.
  • You and your proctor will work together to reconnect to the internet and access the exam before your allotted 15 minutes is met. If you cannot reconnect and access the exam due to connectivity issues, the exam will be terminated.
  • CBP will not provide an exam refund or a free exam if the exam is terminated because you lost your internet connection.

While CBP has made significant improvements over the past several exams to ensure test takers have a good experience with the remote exam, it is not possible to proactively address all potential technical issues you could experience on Exam Day. If you do not want to take the risk, then you should plan to take the exam in-person at one of the locations listed in the “Where do I take the exam?” tab.

General

• On Exam Day, you will receive an email on how to download your answer record. You will need this record if you want to file an appeal on the CBLE results. For additional information on appeals, please visit the CBLE Appeals page.
• CBP will post the exam answer key as soon as possible after Exam Day. Answer keys will be posted on the Exam and Answer Key webpage.
• Approximately 21 days after the exam, you will receive your exam results via the email you provided in your registration. Please ensure that brokermanagement@cbp.dhs.gov is in your email contacts so that your exam results don’t go to your junk or spam folders.
• Please use Mac or Windows based operating systems when viewing your exam result. You may not be able to access the exam results file if you are attempting to view it from your smartphone or other mobile device.

Exam Day Technology

• CBP and the examination vendor endeavor to provide every examinee a technologically sound examination. Sometimes technological issues occur. If you encounter a technical issue during the examination administration, you may email brokermanagement@cbp.dhs.gov to provide an explanation of the issues you encountered. Broker Management Branch will only respond to those emails received within five business days after the examination date.

Appeals

• Please visit our How to Appeal webpages for information on filing an appeal of your examination results.