Configure exception approval behavior

task australia Updated Oct 28, 2026 1 min read configure-exception-reasons-scan-engine.md

Configure how exception reasons are enforced, approved, and re-evaluated when findings are detected using the Scan Engine. Settings control exception behavior.

Before you begin

All instances must be registered in My SN Instances before configuring approval settings. See Register your instance for details.

Role required: Scan Engine admin (sn_se.scan_engine_admin)

About this task

This task sets the exception reason options in order. For what each setting does and the values it accepts, see Configure exception reason properties. For an overview of exception reasons and the approval lifecycle, see Exception handling in Scan Engine.

Procedure

Navigate to All > Impact > Configuration > Scan Engine Properties and select the Exception Reason tab.

The exception reason settings are displayed.
Select or clear Enforce rejected exception reason validations.
Select the Exception reason scope: Recommend only, Act and Recommend, or All levels.
On each non-production instance where you want exceptions approved in production, select Enable approvals in production.
On the production instance, in the Approval group(s) field, select the group or groups that approve or reject exception reasons.
Select or clear Exclude approved exception reasons from technical debt.
Control re-evaluation behavior.
1. For Upon new finding found, select Auto Accept Existing Reason or Re-approve Existing Reason.
2. For Upon line number change, select Auto Accept Existing Reason or Re-approve Existing Reason.
Select Save.

Parent Topic:Configure exception reason properties

54 lines · 2.8 KB Wrap lines

---
title: Configure exception approval behavior
description: Configure how exception reasons are enforced, approved, and re-evaluated when findings are detected using the Scan Engine. Settings control exception behavior.
locale: en-US
canonical_url: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/australia/impact/configure-exception-reasons-scan-engine.html
release: australia
topic_type: task
last_updated: "2026-10-28"
reading_time_minutes: 1
breadcrumb: [Configure exception reason properties, Configure Scan Engine properties, Activate Scan Engine and review settings, Configuring Impact, Impact]
---

# Configure exception approval behavior

Configure how exception reasons are enforced, approved, and re-evaluated when findings are detected using the Scan Engine. Settings control exception behavior.

## Before you begin

All instances must be registered in My SN Instances before configuring approval settings. See [Register your instance](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/impact/register-your-instance.md) for details.

Role required: Scan Engine admin \(sn\_se.scan\_engine\_admin\)

## About this task

This task sets the exception reason options in order. For what each setting does and the values it accepts, see [Configure exception reason properties](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/impact/exception-reason-properties.md). For an overview of exception reasons and the approval lifecycle, see [Exception handling in Scan Engine](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/impact/exception-handling-overview.md).

## Procedure

1. Navigate to **All** &gt; **Impact** &gt; **Configuration** &gt; **Scan Engine Properties** and select the **Exception Reason** tab.

The exception reason settings are displayed.

2. Select or clear **Enforce rejected exception reason validations**.

3. Select the **Exception reason scope**: **Recommend only**, **Act and Recommend**, or **All levels**.

4. On each non-production instance where you want exceptions approved in production, select **Enable approvals in production**.

5. On the production instance, in the **Approval group\(s\)** field, select the group or groups that approve or reject exception reasons.

6. Select or clear **Exclude approved exception reasons from technical debt**.

7. Control re-evaluation behavior.

1. For **Upon new finding found**, select **Auto Accept Existing Reason** or **Re-approve Existing Reason**.

2. For **Upon line number change**, select **Auto Accept Existing Reason** or **Re-approve Existing Reason**.

8. Select **Save**.

**Parent Topic:**[Configure exception reason properties](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/impact/exception-reason-properties.md)