Privacy Policy

Last Updated: September 24, 2026

Professional Credential Services (“PCS”), a division of Virtual, Inc. (“Virtual,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect Personal Data and other information in connection with your use of the PCS website, www.pcshq.com, and the services, programs, resources, and other activities made available through the website.

For purposes of this Privacy Policy, “Personal Data” means information that, alone or in combination with other information, could be used to identify you.

By using the PCS website or providing Personal Data to us, you acknowledge the practices described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with the data practices described in this Privacy Policy, you should not use the website or submit Personal Data through it.

Our Collection of Your Personal Data

Virtual, Inc., through PCS, collects and uses Personal Data in order to provide services, administer programs and credentialing activities, respond to requests and inquiries, communicate with individuals who interact with PCS, operate and improve our website and services, and carry out other legitimate business activities.

Personal Data That You Voluntarily Provide to Us

PCS primarily collects Personal Data provided voluntarily by individuals when they interact with our website or services.

For example, you may voluntarily provide Personal Data when you:

  • Submit a contact or information request;
  • Register for or inquire about a certification, credentialing, examination, or related program;
  • Submit an application or other information in connection with a credentialing or certification program;
  • Create or access an account or online portal, where applicable;
  • Request information about PCS services;
  • Subscribe to communications or newsletters;
  • Submit a web form;
  • Contact us by telephone, email, or other means of communication; or
  • Otherwise provide information directly to us.

The types of Personal Data we collect vary depending on the services and activities with which you interact. They may include your name, mailing address, telephone number, email address, professional information, employer or organization information, account or registration information, and other information you voluntarily provide.

Depending on the particular certification, credentialing, examination, licensing, or other program, PCS may also collect information necessary to determine eligibility, administer a program, provide customer support, process applications, or otherwise provide requested services.

You should carefully consider whether you wish to submit Personal Data to us and should review any additional terms and conditions that may govern your participation in a particular program or service.

Information Received from Other Sources

We may receive information about you from publicly available sources, third-party databases or services, clients or organizations for which PCS provides services, testing or credentialing partners, and other third parties as permitted by applicable law.

We may combine information received from these sources with information we already have about you for purposes such as administering programs, maintaining accurate records, providing services, responding to inquiries, improving our services, and carrying out other legitimate business purposes.

Where required by applicable law, we will obtain your consent before using information for purposes requiring consent.

Automatically Collected Data

As you interact with the PCS website, we may automatically collect certain information about your computer, mobile device, browser, and use of the website through cookies, web beacons, pixels, IP address tracking, URL tracking, and similar technologies (“Tracking Technologies”).

Automatically Collected Data may include:

  • Search terms;
  • New or returning user information;
  • Browser information;
  • Computer or device type;
  • Operating system;
  • Internet service provider;
  • Website usage information;
  • Referring and exit pages;
  • Platform type;
  • Date and time stamps;
  • Number of clicks;
  • Pages viewed; and
  • Other information concerning how you interact with the website.

Please see the “Tracking Technologies” section below for additional information.

How We Use Information

We use Personal Data we collect, unless otherwise restricted by applicable law, for purposes including the following.

Provide Services and Respond to Requests

We may use Personal Data to:

  • Provide credentialing, certification, examination, registration, administrative, and other services requested from PCS;
  • Process applications and registrations;
  • Provide customer and candidate support;
  • Communicate with you regarding services, applications, registrations, examinations, credentials, or other requests;
  • Respond directly to information requests and inquiries; and
  • Provide operational communications related to services you have requested.

For individuals located in the European Union or European Economic Area, where applicable, certain processing may be necessary for the performance of a contract with you or to take steps at your request before entering into a contract.

Business Operations and Service Improvement

We may use Personal Data to:

  • Operate, maintain, and improve our website and services;
  • Analyze website and service usage;
  • Maintain accurate records;
  • Troubleshoot technical problems;
  • Protect the security and integrity of our systems;
  • Prevent fraud, abuse, or other unauthorized activity;
  • Conduct research, analytics, and reporting;
  • Develop and improve our services; and
  • Carry out other legitimate business activities.

Marketing

We may use your contact information to communicate with you regarding information, services, events, or opportunities that we believe may be of interest to you, subject to applicable law.

If you do not wish to receive marketing communications, you may contact us using the information provided in the “Contact Us” section below. You may also unsubscribe from marketing emails by using the unsubscribe mechanism included in those communications.

Where applicable law requires consent for marketing communications, we will obtain that consent before sending those communications.

With your permission, we may also use information you provide to us as a testimonial or similar promotional content.

Correspondence

If you correspond with PCS or Virtual via email, postal mail, telephone, web forms, or another means of communication, we may retain the correspondence and the information it contains.

We may use this information to respond to your inquiry, provide requested services, maintain business records, and for other purposes described in this Privacy Policy.

URL and IP Address

We may collect information about users’ IP addresses and their use of the website.

We may use IP address information to:

  • Diagnose problems with our servers;
  • Administer and secure the website;
  • Analyze trends;
  • Understand how visitors use the website;
  • Improve the website and user experience;
  • Track visitor activity; and
  • Investigate actual or potential security incidents.

Aggregated and De-Identified Data

We may compile, anonymize, de-identify, and/or aggregate Personal Data and other information collected through the website.

We may use aggregated or de-identified information for legitimate business purposes, including analyzing website usage, improving our services, conducting research, and preparing reports.

Aggregated or de-identified information that can no longer reasonably be used to identify an individual is not considered Personal Data for purposes of this Privacy Policy.

Service Data

PCS may process information on behalf of clients or organizations that engage Virtual or PCS to provide credentialing, certification, examination, membership, administrative, or related services.

Where PCS processes information on behalf of a client, our use of that information may be governed by our agreement with the client and, where applicable, the client’s own privacy policy.

In those circumstances, the client may be responsible for determining the purposes for which certain Personal Data is processed.

Disclosure of Information

Virtual, Inc. and PCS may disclose Personal Data in accordance with this Privacy Policy and applicable law.

We may share Personal Data with third parties that provide services to us and assist us with our business operations. These parties are authorized to process Personal Data on our behalf and pursuant to our instructions, as necessary to provide their services.

These service providers may include providers of:

  • Payment processing and accounting services;
  • Credentialing, certification, registration, and examination services;
  • Customer and candidate support services;
  • Information technology and cloud infrastructure;
  • Website hosting and maintenance;
  • Email and communications services;
  • Research and analytics services, including Google Analytics;
  • Security and fraud prevention services; and
  • Other services necessary to operate our business and provide requested services.

We may also disclose Personal Data in the following circumstances:

  1. If you request or authorize the disclosure;
  2. To comply with applicable law, regulation, legal process, subpoena, or court order;
  3. To enforce an agreement or protect our rights, property, or safety;
  4. To investigate or prevent fraud, security incidents, or other unlawful activity;
  5. To respond to lawful requests from governmental or public authorities;
  6. To address emergencies or protect the vital interests of an individual;
  7. In connection with disputes, claims, or legal proceedings; or
  8. In connection with a merger, acquisition, financing, reorganization, bankruptcy, sale of assets, or other corporate transaction, in which case Personal Data may be transferred to a successor, affiliate, or other applicable party as part of the transaction.

International Data Transfers

We may collect, store, and process Personal Data in the United States.

If you are located outside the United States, your Personal Data may be transferred to, stored in, or processed in the United States or other jurisdictions where we or our service providers operate.

Data protection laws in those jurisdictions may differ from the laws in your country of residence. Where required by applicable law, we will use appropriate safeguards for international transfers of Personal Data.

Social Media and Third-Party Websites

The PCS website may contain links to or integrations with social media websites, platforms, and other third-party services.

If you interact with a social media platform or other third-party service through our website, information shared with that third party may be governed by the third party’s privacy policy and terms of service rather than this Privacy Policy.

We encourage you to review the privacy policies and terms of service of third-party websites and services before using them.

How You Can Access and Change Information

Subject to applicable law, you may have rights to access, correct, update, or delete certain Personal Data that we maintain about you.

You may request information about whether we hold Personal Data about you and may request that inaccurate or incomplete information be corrected.

You may also request deletion of Personal Data in circumstances where applicable law provides such a right.

To make a request, please contact us using the information provided in the “Contact Us” section below.

We will respond to requests within the timeframe required by applicable law. Where a request cannot be fulfilled, we will explain the reason to the extent permitted by law.

EU Data Subjects

Scope

This section applies to individuals located in the European Union or European Economic Area and, where applicable, Switzerland.

Data Controller

Virtual, Inc. is the data controller for Personal Data processed under this Privacy Policy where Virtual determines the purposes and means of processing that Personal Data.

Your Rights

Subject to applicable law, you may have the following rights in relation to your Personal Data:

  • Right of access: You may request confirmation of whether we process your Personal Data and, where applicable, request a copy of that Personal Data.
  • Right to rectification: You may request that inaccurate or incomplete Personal Data be corrected or completed.
  • Right to erasure: You may request deletion of your Personal Data in certain circumstances.
  • Right to restrict processing: You may request that we restrict or limit processing of your Personal Data in certain circumstances.
  • Right to data portability: In certain circumstances, you may request that Personal Data you provided to us be provided in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format.
  • Right to object: You may object to certain processing, including processing based on legitimate interests and processing for direct marketing purposes.
  • Rights relating to automated decision-making and profiling: Subject to applicable law, you may have rights regarding decisions based solely on automated processing, including profiling.
  • Right to withdraw consent: Where processing is based on your consent, you may withdraw that consent at any time. Withdrawal does not affect the lawfulness of processing that occurred before withdrawal.
  • Right to lodge a complaint: You may have the right to lodge a complaint with the data protection authority in the country where you live, work, or believe an infringement occurred.

You may exercise your rights by contacting us using the information provided in the “Contact Us” section below.

Legitimate Interests

“Legitimate interests” means the interests of Virtual, Inc. in conducting and managing our organization and providing services.

Examples may include analyzing how our websites and services are used, improving our services, maintaining network and information security, preventing fraud, and protecting our business and users.

When we process Personal Data based on legitimate interests, we consider and balance the potential impact on you and your rights under applicable data protection laws.

Retention of Personal Data

We retain Personal Data for no longer than reasonably necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by applicable law.

The appropriate retention period may vary depending on the nature of the information, the purpose for which it was collected, legal and regulatory requirements, contractual obligations, dispute resolution needs, and other legitimate business requirements.

Where PCS processes Personal Data on behalf of a client, we may retain that information for as long as necessary to provide the applicable services and in accordance with our agreement with that client.

Our Security Measures to Protect Your Personal Data

We are committed to taking reasonable measures to protect Personal Data against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction.

We restrict access to Personal Data to employees, contractors, and service providers who need access to perform their responsibilities or provide services.

However, no transmission of Personal Data over the Internet can be guaranteed to be completely secure. While we take reasonable measures to protect information, we cannot guarantee the security of information transmitted to or from our online services.

If you have questions about the security of your Personal Data, please contact us using the information provided below.

Tracking Technologies

PCS uses cookies and similar technologies to operate and improve the website, understand how visitors use the website, analyze trends, and support certain website functions.

When you visit the website, cookies or similar technologies may be placed on your device in accordance with applicable law and your choices.

I. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small data files sent to your browser when you visit a website and stored on your device.

Cookies may store user preferences and other information. For example, cookies may be used to maintain session information, remember preferences, understand website usage, or support website functionality.

We may use both session cookies and persistent cookies.

A session cookie generally expires when you close your browser. A persistent cookie remains on your device for a specified period or until it is deleted.

II. How We Use Cookies

Cookies and similar technologies may be used for purposes including:

  • Providing essential website functionality;
  • Remembering preferences;
  • Understanding how visitors use the website;
  • Measuring website traffic;
  • Improving website performance and functionality;
  • Maintaining website security; and
  • Supporting other website features.

Strictly Necessary

These cookies are necessary for basic website functionality. Without them, certain features of the website may not work properly.

Analytics

Analytics cookies allow us to recognize and count visitors and understand how visitors navigate the website.

We may use Google Analytics or other analytics services to understand website usage and improve the website.

Where applicable, analytics providers may collect information such as IP addresses, browser information, device information, pages viewed, and other website usage information.

For more information about Google’s privacy practices, please review Google’s applicable privacy documentation.

Other Technologies

We or our service providers may use other technologies, including pixels, web beacons, embedded URLs, and similar technologies.

These technologies may be used to understand website usage, measure communications, support website functionality, or evaluate the effectiveness of communications.

Third-party widgets, buttons, embedded content, or other tools may also collect information or set cookies when you interact with them. Such activity is governed by the privacy policy of the applicable third party.

Your Choices

Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through browser settings.

You can generally configure your browser to notify you when cookies are being set, block certain cookies, or delete cookies that have already been stored.

Please note that disabling or rejecting cookies may limit your ability to use certain features or functions of the website.

For additional information about cookies and how to manage them, you may consult resources such as All About Cookies or the applicable browser documentation.

California Privacy Rights

California residents may have additional privacy rights under applicable California privacy laws.

Depending on the circumstances and applicable law, these rights may include rights relating to access, correction, deletion, opting out of certain uses or disclosures of Personal Data, and other rights provided by applicable law.

To exercise applicable privacy rights, please contact us using the information provided in the “Contact Us” section below.

We will verify and respond to requests as required by applicable law.

Children

The PCS website is not directed to children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly or intentionally collect Personal Data from children under 13 through the website.

Children under 13 should not use the website or submit Personal Data through it.

If you believe that a child under 13 has provided Personal Data to us, please contact us so that we can take appropriate action.

Third-Party Websites

The PCS website may contain links to websites operated by third parties.

This Privacy Policy applies only to PCS and Virtual’s collection, use, and disclosure of Personal Data described in this Privacy Policy. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party websites.

We encourage you to review the privacy policy of any third-party website before providing Personal Data.

Conditions of Use

By using the PCS website and services, you agree to the terms and conditions contained in this Privacy Policy and any other applicable agreement or terms governing your use of our services.

If you do not agree to these terms, you should not use the website or applicable services.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

As our business, services, technologies, and applicable legal requirements change, we may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes to our information practices.

We may amend this Privacy Policy by posting a revised version on the website.

If we make material changes, or if otherwise required by applicable law, we will provide additional notice as required by law.

We encourage you to periodically review this page for the latest information about our privacy practices.

Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our treatment of the information you provide to us, please contact us at:

Virtual, Inc.
401 Edgewater Place, Suite 600
Wakefield, MA 01880
USA

Phone: 781-246-0500
Email: privacy@virtualinc.com

You may contact us using the information above regarding questions, concerns, or requests relating to your Personal Data or this Privacy Policy.