F=ma 2027: Find an Eligible Proctor Before Registering

An online exam still needs a local plan. F=ma is an individual, 75-minute mechanics exam with 25 multiple‑choice questions, taken online under independent in‑person supervision.

Check the U.S. route

Students must be U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents, or currently attend a U.S. school. Every student must physically take the exam in the U.S.; AAPT also lists territory‑specific exclusions. A Canadian student attending a U.S. school can meet the stated route; Canadian citizenship alone does not create remote eligibility.

U.S.-school attendance alone can qualify a student for F=ma, but progression to USAPhO requires U.S. citizenship or legal permanent residency as well as physical U.S. presence.

The reviewed 2027 materials do not state a specific F=ma age or grade cutoff; confirm your case with AAPT rather than borrowing a training‑camp age rule.

Arrange the proctor first

The 2027 registration page excludes parents, relatives, close friends/acquaintances and for‑profit educational or test‑prep services as proctors. Use an official school email or AAPT's alternative organization‑verification route; personal email addresses are not accepted. Proctors should have at least a two‑year degree.

HAEA preparation advice: ask your school who can supervise you in person before registration or payment. AAPT does not arrange proctors.

Homeschool families can ask libraries, colleges or universities. A parent may help with registration but cannot proctor. The proctor later receives Educational Vistas access instructions; students need an internet‑connected computer or tablet.

Separate school and student fees

School registration is USD80, or USD40 when the teacher is an AAPT member, plus USD16 per student. The check/PO form separately lists USD10 processing; the online checkout total and any local host charge are unverified.

Confirm two dates and the current rules

The 2027 dates list January 14 registration and a February 9 exam. The registration cutoff time and time zone are not stated; the exam window is TBA. The paper form has a stale 2026 exam date; the 2027 pages agree on February 9, 2027.

Use the current registration portal with your school or approved proctor. Reviewed 2027 sources do not specify AI or calculator rules or detailed security instructions. Ask for the current AAPT/EdVistas instructions before test day; an unspecified rule is not permission to use AI.