Policy Statement  Allied Health Profession Licensing Examination Accommodations

Date:	12/06/2017
Referenced Sources:	Policies, Regulations and Statutes (Allied Health)

Allied Health Profession Licensing Examination Accommodations

Allied Health Profession Licensing Examination Accommodations

Title:

Physical Therapist (PT) and Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Licensing Examination Accommodations

Purpose:

The Board of Allied Health Professions ("Board") establishes this policy to guide its review and approval of requests for PT and PTA licensing examination modifications, in order to ensure that qualified individuals with disabilities are provided the protections guaranteed them under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Policy:

Upon receipt of a request for examination modifications, the Board's application processing vendor will collect substantiation of the need for accommodations based on the following criteria:

Documentation of and Substantiation of a Learning Disability

Documentation, prior to the application date, of the candidate's need for modifications due to a disability that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Documentation must include a history of the disability and any past accommodation(s) granted. A school plan (IEP) is not sufficient documentation alone, but may be considered as part of the documentation. The documentation should include identification of the specific standardized and professionally recognized test/assessments given (e.g., Woodcock-Johnson, Weschler Adult Intelligence Scale) and the resulting diagnostic report should include a diagnostic interview, assessment of aptitude, academic achievement, information processing and a diagnosis.

The diagnostic report must include specific recommendations for accommodations, and the recommendations must be supported with specific test results or clinical observations.

Qualifications of Evaluator

The credentials of the professional providing the evaluation must validate the professional's qualifications to diagnose and treat the disability specified. Documentation must be on professional letterhead, typed, signed and dated. The signature must include the evaluator's name, title and professional credentials.

Board Review

The Board's vendor will forward complete applications and supporting documentation to the Board's Executive Director for evaluation. The Executive Director may approve requests that are consistent with this Policy. Consultation with a Board member will be obtained if the documentation does not meet all established criteria.

Confidentiality

The Board will maintain confidentiality of all diagnostic information and records.

Adopted September 28, 2000