A man being transferred to another denomination can expect a "thorough" exam, although typically a man's prior ordination in a sister-denomination counts for something. I've been through THREE "thorough" (!) exams.
The OPC puts its licentiates through the wringer. I was licensed in the OPC. Example: the OPC typically tests licentiates on languages, while the PCA often accepts seminary grades for candidates for ordination.
Then, I was ordained in the PCA. Because I was being called as a "candidate" (but from a sister-denomination) I was put through every exam that a PCA licentiate goes through, as well as their ordination exams. No "breaks" because the OPC front-loads their licentiate exams.
Finally, I was called to an OPC church (Presbytery of MI-ON), and went through a battery of exams in committee. In preparation for meeting the committee, I took a written Church History exam. I also was expected to submit exegetical and theological papers. I had already submitted exegetical and theological papers to BOTH the OPC (for licensure) AND the PCA (for ordination). So now, I was asked a 3rd time for written work. I did alright on my Greek oral exam for committee, but they decided I should take the Hebrew written exam, just to be sure.
Let me just say, that I think the best method for handling these matters is to simply do whatever you are asked to do. It's their turf (and you want to join it) so it's their rules. So, take their steps. I put myself to the work I was asked for, passed my exams, and was no doubt improved by them, though it was stressful.
Let me also say, that I've seen men come into the Presbytery who were "weak" in something or other. I have yet to see a man denied reception or ordination. I have seen (in the PCA) a man from another PCA Presbytery put through TWO floor exams for reception to take a call. He didn't pass the first time. Men who have a language "weakness" or church history, or something else--I have seen them received, and continued under a program of remediation by the Candidates and Credentials committee, while they are installed and begin their call.
The main portion of the exam comes in committee. If he breezes through those, the theology exam on the floor of Presbytery (which is something a man can expect who is changing Presbyteries in the *same* denomination) should not be unsettling. The main reason for examining a man is: he probably is "unknown" to those who are going to be sharing their leadership with him, once he is one of them. After he's in, the only way to remove a bad-apple is with charges. And that's a lot harder row to hoe. If we just accept a man, because it's great to get another church and more people, we are playing favorites.
Bottom line: a man who is already in one denomination is already a sharer in the government of the same men to whom he's beginning closer fellowship. He's entitled to the expectation that the other Presbytery within the same larger jurisdiction has done the due diligence required. But a PCA Presbytery owes nothing (formally) to its OPC neighbors, and vice versa. The OPC BCO spells out the differences in transfers between its own Presbyteries, and between denominations. Those standards establish the general parameters for reception that Presbyteries then implement according to their best wisdom.
