Exam Accommodations Level the Playing Field for Candidates with Documented Disabilities
NCARB and Prometric are required by the Americans with Disabilities Act to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified ARE candidates who have documented disabilities. Accommodations are not advantages - they are adjustments to the standard testing conditions that allow candidates with disabilities to demonstrate their knowledge on the same basis as candidates without disabilities. Common accommodations include extended testing time, a separate testing room, the ability to take scheduled breaks, screen reader technology for candidates with visual impairments, and alternative question formats for candidates with specific reading disabilities. Understanding the accommodations process is important both for candidates who need accommodations themselves and for those who work with clients or colleagues who may need to understand how testing accommodations function in professional licensing contexts.
Types of Accommodations Available
NCARB and Prometric offer several standard accommodation categories:
- Extended time: Additional time per exam section, typically 50% or 100% of the standard time. Scheduled breaks may also be provided between sections.
- Separate testing room: A private room rather than the standard testing center environment, reducing distraction.
- Reader: A human reader or screen reader technology to read questions and answers aloud for candidates with visual impairments or specific reading disabilities.
- Scribe: A human scribe to record the candidate's verbal responses for candidates with motor disabilities that prevent keyboard use.
- Large print or magnification software: For candidates with low vision.
- Other accommodations: NCARB evaluates each request individually; accommodations not listed above may be approved based on documented need.
How to Request Accommodations
Accommodation requests are made through NCARB before scheduling the exam. The process: (1) Complete the accommodation request form in the NCARB record portal. (2) Provide documentation of the disability - typically a letter or report from a licensed professional (physician, psychologist, licensed clinical social worker) who has evaluated the candidate. The documentation must identify the disability, describe its functional limitations in a testing environment, and recommend specific accommodations. Documentation requirements vary by disability type - NCARB publishes specific documentation guidelines on their website. (3) NCARB reviews the request and documentation and notifies the candidate of the decision, typically within several weeks. Approval of accommodations may take 4–8 weeks; candidates should allow this time in their scheduling plan.
After Approval
Once accommodations are approved, they are noted in the candidate's NCARB record and applied to all subsequent ARE exams unless the candidate requests changes. When scheduling an exam at Prometric, the candidate must ensure that the testing center where they schedule can provide the approved accommodations - not all Prometric testing centers can accommodate all accommodation types. Prometric has a process for verifying that accommodations are in place before the candidate arrives for the exam.
Key Process Points
- Accommodations required under ADA: NCARB and Prometric must provide reasonable accommodations for documented disabilities.
- Common accommodations: extended time (50% or 100%), separate room, reader, scribe, large print.
- Request process: NCARB record portal; documentation from licensed professional required.
- Timeline: allow 4–8 weeks for review and approval; plan scheduling accordingly.
- Accommodation approval stays in the NCARB record; applies to all subsequent ARE exams.
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