Pearson to deploy palm-print ID across global exams

Pearson Professional Assessments has signed a partnership with Redrock Biometrics to deploy palm-print authentication across its professional testing network and its remote testing platform.

Pearson said it will integrate Redrock Biometrics' patented PalmID technology across thousands of Pearson test centres worldwide. The company also plans to use the technology with its remote testing service.

The change sits within Pearson's identity checks for professional certification and licensure exams. Pearson said it delivers nearly 21 million high-stakes professional exams each year across sectors including IT, healthcare and education.

Biometric checks

Pearson Professional Assessments currently uses palm vein recognition to authenticate a test taker's identity before an exam. Pearson said PalmID will add precision and security to that process. Pearson also said the change will maintain candidate privacy.

Redrock Biometrics sells PalmID as a palm-print based authentication software development kit and platform. Redrock said its method works on devices with a camera. It also sells dedicated scanners.

Pearson said the partnership will create a unique identification record for each test taker. Pearson said palm patterns differ even among identical twins.

Professional exams often sit at the centre of regulatory and industry requirements. Training providers, employers and regulators use the results for hiring, promotion and professional registration. Testing companies face pressure to reduce fraud and impersonation as the market for online and remote exams expands.

"Reputations-both individual and organizational-are built on the integrity of certification and licensure. At Pearson, we've set the test security standard for decades-and we're raising it again-embracing advances in technology to improve learning and assessment outcomes for everyone," said Mike Nealis, Vice President of Information Security, Pearson Professional Assessments. "Our partnership with Redrock Biometrics will deliver a single, seamless, secure, and user-friendly authentication across all testing modalities, ensuring consistency and confidence for every candidate and testing organization."

Rollout plans

Pearson said it will start the PalmID rollout in mid-2026, subject to local regulatory approval. The company said it will begin with test centres that already have a palm vein device. Pearson said online proctored delivery will follow.

Pearson said it began using palm vein identification in 2006. The company positioned the new deployment as the next step in its use of biometrics across high-stakes credentials.

Redrock Biometrics operates across several markets. The company listed enterprise security, healthcare, banking and payments, automotive, and AR/VR among its target industries.

Redrock said it was founded in 2015 and has its headquarters in San Francisco. It listed Mastercard, Qualcomm and Sony Life as partners.

"'We recognize Pearson's unwavering commitment to protecting candidate privacy while integrating the highest levels of security into every element of test development and delivery,'' explained Hua Yang, CEO, Redrock Biometrics. '''Redrock looks forward to working closely with their experienced product and security teams to build, deploy, and scale a next-generation biometric solution,'' said Yang.

Pearson provides professional assessments through 20,000 test centres and online proctoring in more than 180 countries and territories. The scope of that footprint means the deployment will touch a broad range of test programmes, including certification bodies and licensure organisations that contract Pearson for exam delivery and security services.

Pearson said the initial phase will focus on sites already equipped with palm vein devices, with remote testing added later as the rollout progresses.