About Pearson VUE
Company History
Pearson VUE is built on a foundation of experience in electronic testing. In 1994, three pioneers in the electronic testing industry set out to create a company that melded their expertise in testing and their desire to provide clients with an alternative test delivery solution that incorporated state of the art technology and unparalleled service. They established Virtual University Enterprises, now known as Pearson VUE, as an electronic testing and course registration company. VUE’s first CEO and founder, E. Clarke Porter, developed the first electronic testing system for NASD in 1979. He, along with Steve Nordberg and Kirk Lundeen, had led Drake Training and Technologies to a leadership position in electronic testing in the early ’90s. VUE’s founders then leveraged this expertise to create a company dedicated to flawless execution, innovative technology, a global test delivery network and a company culture of customer service. Pearson VUE quickly became a formidable competitor in testing industry.
NCS acquired Virtual University Enterprises (VUE) in April 1997 to spearhead its entry into electronic testing. The success of VUE’s international computerized testing services business enhanced NCS’ global presence in the computerized testing marketplace. Merging the experienced NCS management team with the VUE management team, the experts in advanced computer-based testing technologies, immediately created a reliable and credible entity, dedicated to the art and science of testing technology. NCS successfully established itself as a formidable competitor in an electronic testing market that previously had been monopolized by a single provider.
In 2000, NCS was purchased by Pearson plc, a U.K.-based international media, publishing and education company. Pearson plc has market leading businesses in education, strategic business information, international television production and consumer publishing, nearing $8 billion in annual revenue.
NCS Pearson realigned the VUE IT certification testing business and established a professional category in the computerized testing business unit dedicated to the professional licensure and certification market. The Pearson VUE business was formed with a specific market focus–to build and expand on the success of the VUE IT-focused computerized testing service.
In 2006, Pearson VUE acquired Promissor, a leading provider of knowledge measurement services. Promissor had over 25 years of experience assessing and certifying professionals in the real estate, insurance, mortgage lending, contracting, employment and healthcare industries. Together, Pearson VUE and Promissor, a Pearson VUE business, deliver industry leading customer service, comprehensive test development capabilities and the latest computer-based testing techology. It is the new Pearson VUE organization utilizing proven technology and systems that now provides unmatched test delivery services to markets around the world.
Today, Pearson VUE, Pearson’s computer-based testing business unit, serves the Information Technology industry and the professional certification, licensure, and regulatory markets. From operational centers in the United States, the United Kingdom, India, Japan, and China, the business provides a variety of services to the electronic testing market. Currently serving over 162 countries, Pearson VUE operates more than 4,400 Pearson VUE® Authorized Test Centers in its rapidly expanding network. Pearson VUE also owns and operates over 230 Pearson Professional Centers throughout the world, serving professional licensing and certification sponsors.
Company History