Americans with Disabilities Act

Accommodations Policy for Candidates & Specialists with Disabilities

The American Board of Professional Psychology recognizes that psychologists with disabilities may wish to take the board certification examinations and will attempt to make accommodations for candidates with disabilities. The Board adheres to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

For Candidates:

ABPP, will provide reasonable accommodations during any phase of ABPP examination to provide equal opportunity for persons with disabilities. However, “auxiliary aids (and services) can only be offered if they do not fundamentally alter the measurement of skills or knowledge the examination is intended to test” (Americans with Disabilities Act, Public Law 101-336 § 309 [b] [3]).

Procedures: 

  1. ABPP endeavors to provide accommodations to candidates with disabilities to provide equal access to board certification examinations and to board-certified specialists with disabilities to provide equal participation in ABPP activities.
  2. Candidates for board certification who request accommodations because of a disability must advise the Specialty Board in advance, according to Specialty Board policy.
  3. Each Specialty Board will establish their own policy regarding documentation required to identify a disability and to provide a rationale for specified modifications to standard testing procedures.

For ABPP Specialists:

In addition, ABPP recognizes that psychologists with disabilities may wish to serve as a specialty board member, as a specialty board examiner, or ABPP trustee. ABPP supports equal access to participation in ABPP activities for Specialists with disabilities. ABPP will reimburse Specialists for disability-related travel accommodations where travel is required or expected and for which reimbursement by ABPP is the norm and fund other services (e.g., ASL interpreter) that allow for engagement in ABPP Board activities. These activities may include (but are not limited to) serving as an SB oral examiner, attending PCR-related meetings, or attending BOT meetings as a representative. ABPP supports the intent of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Procedures:

  1. ABPP board-certified specialists who participate in ABPP related specialty board activities (these activities may include (but are not limited to) serving as an SB oral examiner, attending PCR-related meetings, or attending BOT meetings as a representative), will have their disability-related travel expenses reimbursed where travel is required or expected and for which reimbursement by ABPP is the norm.
  2. Funding would also apply to the ABPP Public Member Trustee with disabilities.
  3. All reimbursable expenses should be submitted utilizing the ABPP Travel Reimbursement Form.