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Privacy Policy

Competency Gauge

Below is the Privacy Policy for our website. Please read it carefully.

Last Updated: April 11, 2026

1. About This Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how Prepared for Duty Recruitment Service Inc. (“Prepared for Duty”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) collects, uses, stores, and discloses your personal information when you access and use the Competency Gauge testing platform located at https://testing.preparedforduty.ca (the “Platform”).

This Policy applies specifically to the Competency Gauge testing platform and should be read in conjunction with Our main Privacy Policy available at https://www.preparedforduty.ca/privacy-policy. Where there is any conflict regarding data practices specific to the testing platform, this Policy shall govern.

2. Definitions

Candidate: An individual who creates an account on the Platform to take aptitude tests or assessments.

Competency Gauge: The aptitude testing and assessment system operated by Prepared for Duty, accessible through the Platform.

Department or Hiring Employer: The municipality, organization, or emergency services department that has engaged Prepared for Duty to administer testing for recruitment purposes.

Personal Information: Any information about an identifiable individual, including but not limited to name, email address, test responses, test results, assessment scores, webcam images captured during proctored tests, login credentials, and any other information collected through the Platform.

Proctoring Data: Webcam images and related metadata captured during proctored assessments to verify test-taker identity and ensure test integrity.

Third-Party Service Provider: Any external organization engaged by Prepared for Duty to perform services related to the Platform, including but not limited to web hosting providers, payment processors, and analytics services.

3. Contact Information

For questions about this Privacy Policy, to submit an inquiry, to request access to your data, to withdraw consent, or to file a complaint, please contact Us:

5. What Data Is Collected

Prepared for Duty collects, retains, and processes the following categories of personal information through the Platform:

Account Information

  • Full name, email address, and username
  • Password (stored in encrypted form)
  • Profile information you choose to provide
  • Account creation and last login timestamps

Assessment and Testing Data

  • Test responses and answers submitted during assessments
  • Test scores, grades, and performance metrics
  • Time spent on each question and overall test duration
  • Number of test attempts and attempt history
  • Test completion status and submission timestamps

Proctoring Data (where enabled)

  • Webcam images captured at regular intervals during proctored assessments
  • Timestamps associated with captured images
  • Images captured for administrator review to verify test-taker identity
  • Flagged activity reports where suspicious behaviour is detected

Form Submissions

  • Contact Form: Name, email address, and message content
  • Bulk Purchase Inquiry Form: Full name, email address, department or organization name, position or title, preferred test dates, number of test seats required, and any additional details provided.

Payment Information

  • Transaction records including purchase date, amount, and payment status
  • PayPal transaction identifiers

Note: Prepared for Duty does not collect, store, or have access to your credit card number, security code, or banking credentials. All payment processing is handled securely by PayPal.

Technical and Usage Data

  • IP address and approximate geographic location
  • Browser type, version, and device information
  • Pages visited on the Platform and navigation patterns
  • Session duration and interaction data
  • Referral source (how you arrived at the Platform)

6. How Your Data Is Used

The information collected through the Platform is used for the following purposes:

Assessment Administration

  • Creating and managing your user account
  • Authenticating your identity when you log in
  • Enrolling you in the appropriate tests and courses assigned by your Department or Hiring Employer
  • Recording, scoring, and storing your test responses and results
  • Verifying test-taker identity through proctoring (where enabled)
  • Identifying and flagging potential test integrity issues

Recruitment Support

  • Sharing your test results with the Department or Hiring Employer that initiated the recruitment process
  • Generating assessment reports for recruitment decision-making
  • Providing Departments with aggregate analytics about candidate performance

Service Delivery and Support

  • Responding to your inquiries submitted through contact forms
  • Processing bulk test purchase requests from Departments
  • Processing individual practice test purchases through PayPal
  • Providing technical support and resolving access issues
  • Communicating important updates about the Platform or your assessments

Platform Improvement and Security

  • Analyzing usage patterns to improve Platform functionality and user experience
  • Monitoring for security threats and unauthorized access
  • Maintaining the integrity and reliability of the testing system

Legal and Compliance

  • Complying with applicable laws, regulations, and legal processes
  • Fulfilling contractual obligations to Departments and Hiring Employers
  • Responding to lawful requests from regulatory or law enforcement authorities

7. Who Can Access Your Data

Prepared for Duty shares your personal information only with those who require it for legitimate business, recruitment, or compliance purposes:

Prepared for Duty Employees: Authorized staff members who administer the testing platform, review test integrity reports, provide technical support, and manage recruitment processes. Employees may access your account information to assist with login issues or resolve technical problems.

Departments and Hiring Employers: Where you are taking a test as part of a recruitment process, the Department or Hiring Employer that initiated the process will receive your test results, scores, and related assessment data. Proctoring images may also be shared where necessary to verify test integrity. This information is shared solely for recruitment and selection purposes.

Third-Party Service Providers: Organizations that provide services essential to Platform operations, including:

  • Bluehost: Web hosting services for the Platform
  • Cloudflare: Security and performance services, including bot management
  • PayPal: Payment processing for practice test purchases
  • Google (Analytics): Website analytics and performance monitoring
  • Automattic (Jetpack): Security, performance, and site statistics
  • eLearning23: Provider of the quiz proctoring plugin used for webcam-based identity verification during assessments. Proctoring data is stored within the Platform’s Moodle environment and is not transferred to eLearning23’s servers.
  • hCaptcha: Bot detection and spam prevention on contact forms
  • CookieYes: Cookie consent management

These providers have access to personal information only as necessary to perform their services and are bound by confidentiality and data protection obligations.

Regulatory or Law Enforcement Authorities: Where required by law, court order, or legal process, or where We believe in good faith that disclosure is necessary to comply with applicable laws or protect Our legal rights.

8. Where Your Data Is Held

Your personal information is stored in the following locations:

Platform Database: Account information, test responses, results, and proctoring data are stored on servers managed by Bluehost. The Platform uses Moodle, an open-source learning management system, which stores data in a MySQL database.

File Storage: Proctoring images and other uploaded files are stored in the Moodle data directory on the hosting server.

Third-Party Systems: Some data may be processed or stored by third-party service providers (such as PayPal for payment transactions, Google for analytics, or Cloudflare for security services) in accordance with their respective privacy policies.

Data may be stored or processed outside of Canada, depending on the systems and service providers used. Where this occurs, Prepared for Duty takes reasonable steps to ensure appropriate privacy protections are in place.

9. How Long Your Data is Held (Retention)

Prepared for Duty retains your personal information only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, or as required by law. Unless a longer period is required for legal, regulatory, or contractual purposes, We retain:

Account and Profile Data: For as long as your account remains active, plus 1 year following account deletion or inactivity.

Test Results and Assessment Data: For 2 years from the date of test completion, or longer if required by a Department or Hiring Employer’s retention requirements or applicable regulations.

Proctoring Images: For 6 months from the date of capture, or until test integrity review is complete, whichever is later.

Contact Form Submissions: For 1 year from the date of submission.

Bulk Purchase Inquiry Data: For the duration of the business relationship, plus 2 years.

Payment Records: As required by applicable tax and financial regulations (typically 7 years).

Once the retention period expires, data is securely deleted or anonymized.

10. Safeguarding Your Data (Security)

Prepared for Duty implements reasonable physical, technical, and administrative measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. These measures include:

Technical Safeguards: Encrypted password storage, secure HTTPS connections, Cloudflare security services, and regular security monitoring through Jetpack Protect.

Access Controls: Role-based access permissions ensuring only authorized personnel can access personal information. Departments and Hiring Employers can only view data for candidates associated with their recruitment processes.

Administrative Measures: Staff training on data protection, confidentiality agreements, and regular review of security practices.

While We take these precautions, no method of transmitting or storing data online is completely secure. Any information you submit electronically is provided at your own discretion and risk.

Prepared for Duty has implemented procedures to detect, investigate, and respond to suspected data security breaches. If a breach occurs that poses a real risk of significant harm, We will notify affected individuals and the appropriate regulatory authorities in accordance with applicable privacy laws.

11. Your Rights Regarding Your Personal Information

Subject to applicable privacy laws, you have the following rights in relation to the personal information We hold about you:

Access Your Information: You may request a copy of the personal information We hold about you. The Platform provides built-in tools allowing you to submit a data export request through your user profile.

Correct Your Information: You may request correction of any personal information that is inaccurate or incomplete.

Delete Your Information: You may request deletion of personal information We hold about you, subject to any legal or contractual obligations to retain certain data. The Platform provides built-in tools allowing you to submit a data deletion request through your user profile.

Withdraw Consent: You may withdraw your consent to the collection, use, or disclosure of your personal information at any time by contacting Us. Please note that withdrawing consent may affect your ability to use certain features of the Platform or complete assessments.

We will respond to all verified requests within the timeframes required by law.

Limitations on Access

Your right to access or modify your personal information is subject to certain limitations under applicable privacy laws. We may decline a request where, for example:

  • The information is connected to legal proceedings or investigations.
  • Providing access would adversely affect the privacy rights of another person.
  • The request is clearly unfounded, repetitive, or would involve disproportionate cost or effort.
  • Deletion would compromise test integrity or the validity of recruitment processes.

If We deny your request, We will provide you with a written explanation of the reasons for the decision.

Data Held by Third Parties

Some of your personal information may be collected, stored, or processed by third-party service providers. These organizations are responsible for their own privacy practices. If you wish to access, correct, or delete personal information held by a third party, you must make your request directly to that organization in accordance with their privacy policy.

12. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

The Platform uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to ensure proper functionality, enhance security, and understand how users interact with the Platform. For a complete list of cookies used on this site, please refer to our Cookie Policy at testing.preparedforduty.ca/cookie-policy.

Types of Cookies Used

Essential Cookies: Required for the Platform to function properly, including session management, user authentication, and security features. These cookies are necessary and cannot be disabled without affecting Platform functionality.

Performance and Analytics Cookies: Used to understand how users interact with the Platform, including page views, traffic sources, and usage patterns. We use Google Analytics and Jetpack Stats for this purpose.

Security Cookies: Set by Cloudflare to protect the Platform from malicious traffic and bot attacks.

Consent Management Cookies: Set by CookieYes to record your cookie consent preferences and ensure your choices are respected across sessions.

Data Collected Through Cookies

Data collected may include: IP address, browser type, device information, approximate geographic location, pages visited, time spent on the Platform, and interaction data.

Managing Cookies

You can manage or disable cookies through your browser settings or through the cookie consent banner provided by CookieYes when you first visit the platform. Please note that disabling essential cookies may prevent you from using certain features of the Platform or completing assessments.

For more information about how Google uses data, please see the Google Privacy Policy. You can opt out of Google Analytics tracking by using the Google Analytics Opt-Out Browser Add-on.

13. Payment Processing

Prepared for Duty does not collect, store, or have access to your full credit card number, security code, or banking credentials.

Individual practice test purchases are processed securely through PayPal. When you make a purchase, you are redirected to PayPal’s secure website to complete the transaction. PayPal handles all payment data in accordance with its own privacy policy and security practices.

Prepared for Duty is not responsible for the security, handling, or processing of payment credentials, which are managed entirely by PayPal in accordance with PayPal’s own security standards and privacy policy.

Bulk test purchases by Departments are handled separately through direct invoicing via QuickBooks. Payment information for invoiced purchases is managed in accordance with the Intuit Global Privacy Statement.

Questions or disputes regarding payments should be directed to the relevant payment processor or financial institution. Prepared for Duty will cooperate as applicable to help resolve any issues.

Relevant privacy policies:

14. Proctoring and Identity Verification

For certain assessments, the Platform uses proctoring technology provided by eLearning23 (quizaccess_proctoring plugin) to help ensure test integrity and verify test-taker identity.

How Proctoring Works

When proctoring is enabled for an assessment, the system will request access to your device’s webcam. Upon granting permission, the system will capture images of you at regular intervals throughout the test duration. These images are stored securely and associated with your test attempt.

All proctoring data is stored within the Platform’s Moodle environment on servers managed by Bluehost. Proctoring data is not transferred to or stored on eLearning23’s servers. No automated facial recognition or biometric matching is performed; captured images are available for manual review by authorized administrators only.

Data Collected During Proctoring

Proctoring may collect: webcam images captured at configurable intervals (typically every 30 seconds), timestamps for each captured image, and related metadata for administrator review.

How Proctoring Data Is Used

Proctoring images are used to verify that the enrolled candidate is the person taking the test, to identify potential irregularities or suspicious behaviour during the assessment, and to provide a reviewable record for audit or dispute resolution purposes. Authorized administrators and, where applicable, representatives of the relevant Department or Hiring Employer may review proctoring images. Images are reviewed manually; no automated facial recognition technology is used.

Your Rights Regarding Proctoring

You have the right to decline camera access and not proceed with proctored assessments; however, this may mean you are unable to complete assessments required for certain recruitment processes. You may request deletion of your proctoring images in accordance with Section 11 of this Policy, subject to any retention requirements.

15. External Links and Third-Party Content

The Platform may contain links to external websites or third-party content. This Privacy Policy does not apply to the data collection, use, or privacy practices of those third parties, and Prepared for Duty assumes no responsibility for such practices.

When you click on an external link or interact with third-party content, you may be providing information directly to that third party. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any linked websites or services before providing personal information.

16. Changes to This Privacy Policy

Prepared for Duty may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes to Our practices, services, or legal requirements. Any updates will be posted on the Platform, and the “Last Updated” label at the top of this Policy will be revised accordingly.

If We make a material change, such as introducing a new purpose for using your personal information, significantly changing how We collect or share data, or adding new categories of personal information, We will provide notice of the change:

  • On the Platform so it is visible to all users.
  • By email, where feasible, to users whose personal information is held by Prepared for Duty.

Your continued use of the Platform following the posting of any changes constitutes your acceptance of such changes. If you do not agree with the updated Policy, you should discontinue use of the Platform.

17. Ask a Question or Submit a Complaint

If you have questions, comments, or complaints about this Privacy Policy, Our privacy practices, or Our response to a request for access or correction, please contact Us using the information provided in Section 3 of this Policy. Prepared for Duty will make best efforts to respond to your inquiries and to resolve complaints in a timely and fair manner.

If you are not satisfied with Our response, you may contact the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta:

18. Third-Party Privacy Policies

For your convenience, links to the privacy policies of key third-party service providers used in connection with the Platform are provided below: