Where to change your Pearson username
You change your Pearson username through your account settings on the Pearson website or app, not through customer support. Log in to your account, go to your profile or account settings, and look for a section labeled "Username" or "Account Information." The exact location depends on which Pearson product you use — Pearson+ (the streaming service), MyLab, Mastering, or Pearson eText — but all of them follow the same basic path: settings, then profile, then username.
If you cannot find the username field after logging in, check whether your account is tied to a school or employer. Some institutional accounts lock the username because the school or company manages it. In that case, you would need to contact your school's IT department or your employer's account administrator instead of Pearson directly.
Key Takeaways
- Log into your Pearson account and navigate to account settings or profile to find the username change option.
- School-managed and employer-managed accounts may not allow you to change your username yourself.
- Your new username must be unique across Pearson's system and meet their character requirements, which usually means letters, numbers, and some punctuation but no spaces.
- Changes take effect when ready, but you will log in with your new username the next time you sign in.
Step-by-step process for Pearson+ and personal accounts
Open Pearson.com or the Pearson+ app and sign in with your current username and password. Once you are logged in, look for a menu icon (usually three horizontal lines or your profile picture) in the top right corner of the screen. Tap or click it to open the menu.
Select "Account Settings," "Profile," or "My Account" — the exact wording varies by product. Look for a section that says "Username," "Login Name," or "Account Information." Click the edit or pencil icon next to your current username. Type your new username into the field, then click "Save" or "Confirm." Pearson will tell you when ready if the username is already taken or does not meet their requirements.
Your new username takes effect right away. The next time you log out and log back in, use your new username instead of the old one. Your password does not change unless you separately update it.
Username requirements and restrictions
Pearson usernames must be between 3 and 20 characters long and can include letters (uppercase and lowercase), numbers, periods, hyphens, and underscores. Spaces are not allowed. Your username must be unique — no two Pearson accounts can have the same username, even if they are for different products like MyLab and Pearson+.
You cannot use your email address as your username, and Pearson will reject usernames that contain offensive language or impersonate a real person or brand. If you try to save a username that breaks these rules, the system will show an error message telling you what went wrong.
What to do if your school or employer manages your account
If you registered for Pearson through your school or workplace, your account may be managed by their system rather than by you. In this case, the username field in your Pearson settings will either be grayed out or will not appear at all. Changing it requires permission from your school's IT department or your employer's account administrator.
Contact your school's help desk or your company's IT support and tell them you want to change your Pearson username. They can either change it for you or give you instructions for changing it through your school's or employer's account portal. Do not try to create a separate personal Pearson account with a different username — this can cause confusion when grades or course materials are synced.
Troubleshooting common problems
If you see "Username already taken" when you try to save, that username belongs to another Pearson user. Choose a different one. If the system says your username does not meet requirements, check that you have not used spaces, special characters other than periods, hyphens, or underscores, or characters outside the 3-to-20 range.
If the username field is missing or grayed out entirely, your account is likely managed by your school or employer. You cannot change it yourself. If you are locked out of your account or cannot access your settings, reset your password first — sometimes a locked account prevents you from reaching settings. Go to Pearson's login page, click "Forgot password," and follow the email instructions.
After you change your username
Your old username becomes available for someone else to use when ready. If you change your mind within a few minutes, you can log back in with your new username and change it again. There is no waiting period between username changes.
Your email address, password, and all your course materials, grades, and saved work stay the same. Changing your username does not affect any of that. If you are enrolled in a course, your instructor will still see your grades under your account — the username change is only on your end.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my username back to what it was before?
Yes, you can change your username as many times as you want. However, once you change it, your old username becomes available for other users. If someone else takes that username, you cannot reclaim it. If you want to go back to your original username, do it right away.
What if I forgot my current username?
Go to Pearson's login page and click "Forgot username" or "Need help signing in." Enter your email address, and Pearson will send you an email with your current username. Once you have it, log in and change it to something you will remember.
Does changing my username affect my grades or course enrollment?
No. Your grades, course materials, and enrollment stay exactly the same. Only the name you use to log in changes. Your instructor and classmates will not see any difference on their end.
Can I use my email address as my username?
No, Pearson does not allow email addresses as usernames. Your username must be a separate name made up of letters, numbers, periods, hyphens, or underscores, between 3 and 20 characters long.