What’s Needed for BOC Exam ADA Accommodations?

BOC exam candidates with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) may qualify for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations. The easiest option to support candidates who qualify is to provide the reasonable accommodation detailed in their IEP that have been approved within their current school setting.

Reasonable Accommodations

• Provide disabled candidates with a fair and equal opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skill in the essential functions being measured by the exam.
• Are decided based on the individual’s specific request, disability, documentation submitted and the appropriateness of the request.
• Do NOT include steps that fundamentally alter the purpose or nature of the exam.
• Most frequently involve providing the candidate with extended time (time and a half or double time) and/or private room.

Qualified Individual with a Disability

A “qualified individual with a disability” has a disability and satisfies the requisite skill, experience, education and other requirements of the service, program or activity of which the individual is being measured and, with or without accommodations, can perform the essential functions of the service, program or activity.

An essential function is one that individuals are required to perform, and removing that function would fundamentally change the service, program or activity. A person must be a “qualified individual with a disability” to be protected under the ADA.

ADA Policy

The BOC, in adherence with the ADA (1990, updated 2010), reasonable and appropriate accommodations are provided for qualified individuals with a disability who supply appropriate documentation. The BOC follows the guidelines outlined in the Council on Licensure, Enforcement and Regulation (CLEAR) and the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE). The BOC does not discriminate against any individual based on religion, gender, ethnic background or physical disability.

A candidate may request a change in certification procedures or process due to disability, handicap or other reasons. To request a change, a candidate must answer yes to “Do you have a disability that will require special accommodation(s) for you to take the BOC certification exam?” during their Application or Registration. Medical documentation of specific needs or evidence of receiving reasonable accommodation at the university level must accompany the request. The request must be specific as to the nature of the problem. These recommendations should be based on testing that is not older than four years prior to the application. Accommodation requests must be received by the BOC no later than 5 p.m. CT on the registration deadline of the requested exam window. The applicant is responsible for demonstrating that the request should be granted. The BOC will review the request and notify the candidate in writing of its determination within 2-3 business days of receipt.

For additional information on this process, including documentation and scheduling requirements related to the BOC exam, visit our Exam Candidate Handbook.