WASHINGTON, May 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Society of Wine Educators announced that it has entered into an agreement with the Pearson VUE testing centers, giving certification candidates the ability to schedule the CSS and CSW exams at any Pearson VUE center in the world.

According to Jane Nickles, SWE's Director of Education, "The partnership with Pearson represents a major paradigm change for the Society, since the testing centers are located all over the world, and the exam can be scheduled on demand." Pearson has the world's leading electronic test center network, with over 5,100 centers in 175 countries. It offers a carefully controlled, consistent testing environment.

Currently, the Society itself offers approximately 100 different dates in cities around the US, plus a number of dates in Toronto and Hong Kong. These locations will continue to be offered, but with thousands of Pearson centers readily accessible, it will be much easier for candidates to select the most convenient time and place to take the exam. Most Pearson VUE locations are open from 9:00 AM until 9:00 PM, 7 days a week, and most people will be within one hour's driving distance of a center. Candidates receive the results of their exam immediately upon completing the one-hour multiple-choice exam.

"Scheduling your appointment and taking the exam is easy," reports Ms. Nickles. "Visit the dedicated SWE landing page on the Pearson VUE website (www.pearsonvue.com/societyofwineeducators) and set up an account using the Candidate ID code you received when you purchased your exam attendance credit from SWE. Then, follow the instructions to schedule your exam online or by phone."

Miss Nickles continued, "The unprecedented accessibility and convenience offered by Pearson remove the main obstacle to scheduling and sitting for these exams, making it much easier to move ahead with your certification process." The exams have been recently updated, as have the CSW Study Guide and Workbook, and the CSS Study Guide.

Certification forms the core of the Washington, DC-based Society of Wine Educators' mission. The CSW is an internationally recognized certification, denoting a high level of wine knowledge and expertise. The CSS denotes a mastery of a wide base of knowledge about spirits. These certifications are widely acknowledged not only for raising the standard of proficiency in the wine industry, but also for serving as a valuable aid in furthering a professional career.

SOURCE Society of Wine Educators