Honorlock does not always require your webcam to be on during an exam

Honorlock is a proctoring tool that monitors test-takers for academic integrity violations, but it does not mandate webcam use for every exam or every institution. Whether your webcam turns on depends on how your school has configured Honorlock and what type of exam you are taking. Some schools require it for all tests; others use it only for high-stakes exams or allow instructors to choose. The setting is controlled by your institution, not by Honorlock itself.

Your instructor or your school's testing center determines the webcam requirement when they set up the exam. If your course syllabus or exam instructions do not mention a webcam, ask your instructor directly before test day. This prevents surprises and gives you time to troubleshoot if your device does not have a working camera.

Key Takeaways

  • Webcam requirements are set by your school or instructor, not automatically by Honorlock, so check your exam instructions before you start.
  • Some institutions require webcam monitoring for all exams, while others use it only for certain courses or leave it to instructor discretion.
  • If your device lacks a webcam or the camera is broken, contact your instructor or testing center before exam day to discuss alternatives.
  • Honorlock will notify you during setup whether a webcam is required for your specific exam.

How to check if your exam requires a webcam

Before you log in to take an exam, Honorlock displays a system check screen that lists what hardware and software you need. This screen will explicitly state whether a webcam is required. If the requirement appears on that screen, your exam cannot proceed without one. If it does not appear, you can take the exam without turning on your camera.

Your course syllabus, the exam instructions posted in your learning management system (such as Canvas, Blackboard, or D2L), or an email from your instructor may also specify webcam requirements. Read these materials before test day. If the language is unclear — for example, if it says "proctoring required" but does not mention a camera — send your instructor a direct message asking whether you need a working webcam.

What happens if your webcam is broken or missing

If your exam requires a webcam and your device does not have one, or if your camera is not working, contact your instructor or your school's testing center at least one day before the exam. Do not wait until exam day. Many schools have backup devices available, can reschedule you to a computer lab with working equipment, or may waive the webcam requirement for that exam if you have a documented reason.

When you contact your school, have the following information ready: the name of the course, the exam date and time, and a brief explanation of your equipment issue. Testing centers and instructors handle these requests routinely and usually can resolve them quickly.

Webcam requirements vary by school and course type

Large universities often require webcams for all exams taken through Honorlock, while smaller institutions or individual instructors may use it only for final exams or major assessments. Some schools use Honorlock with webcam monitoring for online courses but not for in-person courses. Professional certification exams and graduate-level courses are more likely to require webcam monitoring than introductory undergraduate courses.

If you are taking multiple courses that use Honorlock, each course may have different webcam policies. Check the requirements for each exam separately rather than assuming they are all the same.

What Honorlock does when your webcam is on

When a webcam is required and turned on, Honorlock records video of you and your testing environment. The system uses this recording to detect behaviors that suggest cheating, such as looking away from the screen for extended periods, speaking to someone off-camera, or using unauthorized materials. The video is stored and may be reviewed by your instructor or a human proctor if the system flags suspicious activity.

Honorlock also uses the webcam to verify your identity at the start of the exam by comparing your face to a photo ID. This step happens whether or not continuous monitoring is enabled. If the system cannot match your face to your ID, it will ask you to retake the photo or may require you to contact your testing center before proceeding.

Privacy and data storage for webcam recordings

Webcam recordings made through Honorlock are stored on Honorlock's servers and are accessible to your instructor and your school's testing administrators. Honorlock's privacy policy states that recordings are retained for a set period (typically until the end of the term or longer, depending on your school's policy) and are not shared with third parties without consent. Your school controls how long recordings are kept and who can view them.

If you have concerns about privacy or data retention, review your school's testing policies or contact your institution's privacy officer. Some schools publish their data retention schedules; others will provide this information on request.

Troubleshooting webcam problems during an exam

If your webcam fails after the exam has started, Honorlock will pause the test and display an error message. Do not close the browser or restart your computer. Instead, follow the on-screen instructions to reconnect your camera or contact your testing center's support line if one is provided. Many schools have a phone number or chat support available during exam windows for exactly this reason.

If you cannot resolve the issue quickly, your instructor may allow you to resume the exam later or may grant an extension. Document what happened — take a screenshot of the error message if possible — and report it to your instructor and testing center when ready after the exam window closes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cover my webcam or turn it off during an exam?

No. If your exam requires a webcam, Honorlock will not let you proceed with a covered or disabled camera. The system checks for this during the initial setup. Attempting to disable or cover the camera during the exam may trigger a flag for suspicious behavior and could result in your exam being flagged for review or invalidated.

Does Honorlock use the webcam to monitor my entire room?

Honorlock uses the webcam to monitor your face and the area when ready around your testing space, typically the desk and chair where you are sitting. It does not pan around the room or record your entire bedroom. The camera captures what is in its field of view, which is usually a few feet in front of you.

Can my school see my webcam feed in real time?

That depends on your school's setup. Some institutions use live proctoring, where a human proctor watches your exam in real time through the webcam. Others use only automated monitoring, where the video is recorded and reviewed only if the system flags suspicious activity. Your exam instructions or syllabus should state which method your school uses.

What if I do not have a private space to take the exam?

Contact your instructor or testing center before the exam. Many schools allow you to take proctored exams in a campus computer lab, library, or testing center where privacy is provided. Some may also grant exceptions if you can document that a private space is not available to you.

Will Honorlock work on my phone or tablet?

Honorlock is designed for desktop and laptop computers and works best on Windows or Mac. Most phones and tablets do not have the processing power or browser compatibility that Honorlock requires. Check your exam instructions or contact your testing center to confirm what devices are supported for your specific exam.