Testing Accommodation Policies & Procedures

The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) Certifying Boards are committed to a policy of compliance with federal, state and local laws and regulations. Reasonable and appropriate accommodations are provided in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for individuals with documented disabilities, as well as to those requiring accommodations for use/availability of specific personal items, nursing/breastfeeding and/or related to religious observation.

All requests for accommodation must be submitted at least 90 days before the applicable examination.

Continue reading for complete details on AOA’s testing accommodation policies including instructions submitting an accommodation request. Supporting documentation may be necessary to determine what, if any, accommodations are appropriate for the individual in the examination setting and context. For additional questions, please contact the Certifying Board Office.

Request for Testing Accommodation form

Instructions to request testing accommodation

All requests for accommodations must be submitted at least 90 days before the applicable examination.

  1. Review the requirements for requesting a testing accommodation.
  2. Gather any appropriate supporting documentation. It is essential that supporting documentation provide a clear description of the reason for the accommodation request and a rationale for the requested accommodation that is relevant to the setting and context of the specific examination. Supporting documentation may include, but is not limited to:
    • Verification of prior academic/test accommodations; relevant medical documentation; previous psychoeducational evaluations; etc.
    • Reports and correspondence from professionals including treating physicians or religious leaders (for requests related to religious observation). All documentation must be typewritten on official letterhead, dated and signed by the professional. Handwritten or unsigned letters will not be accepted.
  3. Complete and submit your Request for Testing Accommodationform and supporting documentation. When submitting:
    • Ensure that documents are legible (e.g., PDF files must be easily readable).
    • Provide certified English translations of non-English documentation.
    • Review documentation to ensure a complete submission. Incomplete documentation will delay processing of your request.
  4. The Certifying Board Office will acknowledge receipt of your request by email within three (3) business days of receiving your request. If you do not receive an acknowledgement within that timeframe, please contact the Certifying Board Office.
  5. Following review of the request, the Certifying Board Office will advise you that (a) the requested accommodation has been granted; (b) the requested accommodation has been granted in part; (c) additional information is required; or (d) the request has been denied.
Testing accommodation types

Accommodation requests are accepted for individuals with documented disabilities, as well as for those requiring accommodations for use/availability of specific personal items, nursing/breastfeeding and/or related to religious observation. Testing accommodations that may be requested include but are not limited to:

  • Extended testing time
  • Additional break time
  • Use/availability of specific items for personal or medical reasons

All accommodation requests must be submitted at least 90 days before the examination.

Documented disability

Individuals with disabilities may request testing accommodations including, but not limited to, extended time, extended or additional breaks, availability of medical devices/supplies, food and drink. Individuals with documented disability may submit a Request for Testing Accommodation form along with supporting documentation. Additional break time will result in the overall examination period (seat time) being extended.

An individual with a disability is defined by the ADA as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Determination of whether an individual is substantially limited in functioning is based on an individualized assessment of the current impact of the identified impairment.

All accommodation requests must be submitted at least 90 days before the examination.

Nursing/breastfeeding

Nursing/breastfeeding individuals may test under standard conditions and request to use their breast pumps or nurse during authorized breaks. Requests are required to allow the Certifying Board Office to notify the testing vendor in advance.

Nursing/breastfeeding individuals may submit a Request for Testing Accommodation form to request additional break/standard testing time to use their breast pump or nurse. Additional documentation may be requested, including but not limited to, a letter or documentation from a treating physician. Please note: Additional break time will result in the overall examination period (seat time) being extended.

All accommodation requests, including requests for additional or extended breaks, must be submitted at least 90 days before the examination.

Religious observation

Individuals may submit a Request for Testing Accommodation form for accommodations based on religious observation. Additional documentation may be requested, including but not limited to, a letter or documentation from a religious official or house of worship.

Please note: All written examinations are conducted remotely and do not require travel to a specific location or a testing center. Additionally, candidates may schedule their exam at any time during the exam administration period, and testing is available 24/7.

All accommodation requests, including requests for alternate testing dates, must be submitted at least 90 days before the examination.

Personal item exceptions (PIEs)

Personal item exemptions may be granted to individuals requiring availability or use of items that are “non‐standard” during the examination. This may include food, water or medication, a special cushion and/or other medical devices. Additional PIEs may include medical devices which are attached to an individual’s body (insulin pump, catheter, colostomy bag, etc.), as well as service or emotional support animals.

Individuals with a medical need for specific items during the examination may submit a Request for Testing Accommodation form. Additional information and/or photographs of the item(s) may be requested as part of the approval process, in addition to a letter from the treating physician stating the nature of the condition and the reason the item is needed.

Please note: Any devices that have external communication capability such as cellular, wireless, Bluetooth, etc., require approval and may not be authorized in the secure examination room. Should you require devices of this type, please notify your Certifying Board Office as soon as possible. Additionally, all devices must be kept in “silent” mode during the examination, and you may not look at nor interact with the device(s) while testing.

All accommodation requests, including requests for Personal Item Exceptions (PIEs), must be submitted at least 90 days before the examination.

Permitted items

For written and oral examinations completed online, the following items are permitted in the secure examination room during the examination. Please note: During certain exams, including in-person practical exams, some items may not be permitted.

To mitigate any issues during the check-in process or examination, please email the Certifying Board Office to confirm your use of these items in advance of your examination date:

  • Communication aids (e.g., hearing aid/cochlear implant without Bluetooth/wireless enabled, vocal cord magnifiers): Wired headphones may be used during the examination but may require additional review during the exam check-in process.
  • Mobility devices (e.g., cane, crutches, walker, wheelchair: May be available for use during breaks during the exam.
  • Religious garments (e.g., hats, turbans, hijabs, scarves and yarmulkes): Removal of religious garments during the exam check-in process may be required, but they may be replaced following check-in. Please note that during some exams (including in-person practical exams) some items may not be permitted.
  • Religious objects/jewelry (e.g., Rosary beads, Kabbalah and Kara bracelets): Please note that during some exams (including in-person practical exams) some items may not be permitted.
  • Water: All water must be in a clear or transparent container. All labels must be removed, and the container will be inspected.
Late requests due to emergent life event

Should you experience an emergent life event that prevents you from completing your examination as scheduled, please contact the Certifying Board Office as soon as possible. Examples of emergent issues include, but are not limited to:

  • Extreme injury or illness
  • Childbirth/labor (early labor)
  • Death or extreme illness of a close family member

Requests due to emergent issues will be reviewed by the Certifying Board Office and an update provided as soon as one is available.