diff --git a/edx_exams/apps/api/v1/tests/test_views.py b/edx_exams/apps/api/v1/tests/test_views.py
index 1dafc6c7..da14d1c3 100644
--- a/edx_exams/apps/api/v1/tests/test_views.py
+++ b/edx_exams/apps/api/v1/tests/test_views.py
@@ -1121,7 +1121,7 @@ def test_put_attempt_does_not_exist(self):
     )
     @ddt.unpack
     @patch('edx_exams.apps.api.v1.views.update_attempt_status')
-    def test_put_update_exam_attempt(self, action, expected_status, mock_update_attempt_status):
+    def test_put_learner_update_exam_attempt(self, action, expected_status, mock_update_attempt_status):
         """
         Test that an exam can be updated
         """
@@ -1137,6 +1137,41 @@ def test_put_update_exam_attempt(self, action, expected_status, mock_update_atte
         self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 200)
         mock_update_attempt_status.assert_called_once_with(attempt.id, expected_status)
 
+    @ddt.data(
+        ('verify', ExamAttemptStatus.verified),
+        ('reject', ExamAttemptStatus.rejected),
+    )
+    @ddt.unpack
+    @patch('edx_exams.apps.api.v1.views.update_attempt_status')
+    def test_put_staff_update_exam_attempt(self, action, expected_status, mock_update_attempt_status):
+        """
+        Test staff/instructor updates
+        """
+        # create exam attempt for user
+        attempt = ExamAttemptFactory(
+            user=self.non_staff_user,
+            exam=self.exam,
+        )
+
+        mock_update_attempt_status.return_value = attempt.id
+
+        response = self.put_api(self.staff_user, attempt.id, {'action': action})
+        self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 200)
+        mock_update_attempt_status.assert_called_once_with(attempt.id, expected_status)
+
+    def test_put_learner_verify(self):
+        """
+        Test that a learner account cannot verify an attempt
+        """
+        # create exam attempt for user
+        attempt = ExamAttemptFactory(
+            user=self.non_staff_user,
+            exam=self.exam,
+        )
+
+        response = self.put_api(self.non_staff_user, attempt.id, {'action': 'verify'})
+        self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 400)
+
     @patch('edx_exams.apps.api.v1.views.update_attempt_status')
     def test_put_exception_raised(self, mock_update_attempt_status):
         """
diff --git a/edx_exams/apps/api/v1/views.py b/edx_exams/apps/api/v1/views.py
index 271cf7ca..0747a671 100644
--- a/edx_exams/apps/api/v1/views.py
+++ b/edx_exams/apps/api/v1/views.py
@@ -535,8 +535,22 @@ def put(self, request, attempt_id):
                 data={'detail': f'Attempt with attempt_id={attempt_id} does not exit.'}
             )
 
-        # user should only be able to update their own attempt
-        if attempt.user.id != request.user.id:
+        action_mapping = {}
+        if request.user.is_staff:
+            action_mapping = {
+                'verify': ExamAttemptStatus.verified,
+                'reject': ExamAttemptStatus.rejected,
+            }
+        # instructors/staff cannot take exams so they do not need these actions
+        elif attempt.user.id == request.user.id:
+            action_mapping = {
+                'stop': ExamAttemptStatus.ready_to_submit,
+                'start': ExamAttemptStatus.started,
+                'submit': ExamAttemptStatus.submitted,
+                'click_download_software': ExamAttemptStatus.download_software_clicked,
+                'error': ExamAttemptStatus.error,
+            }
+        else:
             error_msg = (
                 f'user_id={attempt.user.id} attempted to update attempt_id={attempt.id} in '
                 f'course_id={attempt.exam.course_id} but does not have access to it. (action={action})'
@@ -544,14 +558,6 @@ def put(self, request, attempt_id):
             error = {'detail': error_msg}
             return Response(status=status.HTTP_403_FORBIDDEN, data=error)
 
-        action_mapping = {
-            'stop': ExamAttemptStatus.ready_to_submit,
-            'start': ExamAttemptStatus.started,
-            'submit': ExamAttemptStatus.submitted,
-            'click_download_software': ExamAttemptStatus.download_software_clicked,
-            'error': ExamAttemptStatus.error,
-        }
-
         to_status = action_mapping.get(action)
         if to_status:
             attempt_id = update_attempt_status(attempt_id, to_status)