Methods and systems are provided for a torsional material testing system, which includes a rotatable actuator, such as a motor, configured to perform a torsional material testing operation. During a torsional material testing operation, a virtual interlock is configured to engage or disengage with the actuator to prevent or allow rotational movement of the actuator (e.g., during a setup state or during a torsional material testing operation, respectively). A control circuitry is employed to control the virtual interlock as well as the torsional testing system based on one or more operational states before, during, or after a material testing process.