Special Testing Accommodations Request
Application Approval Process Including Appealing Decisions
For pencil-and-paper exams, candidates should initiate a request for reasonable accommodation with their registration at least fifteen (30) days prior to the scheduled exam date.
For computer-based exams, candidates should register for and initiate a request for reasonable accommodation at least thirty (30) days before the desired examination date.
Requests for accommodations on ABCM exams are reviewed by qualified professionals who possess at least an MD, NP, PA, or RN degree in a field related to the diagnosis, treatment, and/or accommodation of disabilities and have experience evaluating requests for testing accommodations.
ABCM strives to make decisions on applications for accommodation within ten (10) business days of receiving the request along with all requested necessary supporting documentation. ABCM will notify candidates with one of three answers:
If the denial is due to insufficient documentation, the notice will identify the required information that was not provided and additional documentation that might result in approval of a request.
Within seven (7) days of receiving a written notification of a full or partial denial, the candidate may submit an appeal of the denied portion of the request (with or without additional documentation) for review by an independent, outside reviewer. Within ten (10) business days of receipt of such an appeal (barring unusual circumstances), ABCM will notify the candidate whether the appealed accommodation request is approved in full, denied in full, or denied in part. If a candidate’s appealed accommodation request is not approved in full, the written and email notification of denial will explain the basis for the denial.
Any appeal will consider only the requested accommodation(s) that were denied. An appeal will have no effect on any accommodation that ABCM has already approved for a candidate for a particular exam. Independent, outside reviewers shall be qualified professionals such as. licensed physicians, psychologists, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or otherwise properly credentialed, and possess expertise in the disability for which modifications or accommodations are sought.
ABCM encourages all examinees who request accommodation to do so as far as possible in advance of their desired test date, but no less than forty-five (30) days before the desired test date.
This allows ABCM time to communicate with a candidate if any documentation is missing or questions arise about a request and gives the candidate time to obtain and provide any missing documentation. It also increases the likelihood that a candidate will have an opportunity to appeal the denial of any requested accommodation and get a decision on that appeal in advance of the desired test date.
Once a decision has been reached regarding a request for accommodations, notification will be sent both by email and letter in the mail describing any accommodations ABCM approved of and any instructions needed to access specific accommodations for live pencil-and-paper exam sites, or online.
Please read the following carefully before filling out the application for Special Accommodations below.
Requirements: identify your special needs below and in your initial application, or in your recertification application.
Exam Candidates who would like to request accommodations based on a physical or mental impairment should do so during the exam application process. When you apply to take an Exam, please identify your special needs and then complete the following information form and provide appropriate documentation for your request in the application when prompted.
Your supporting documentation from your Healthcare Provider should confirm your impairment(s), discuss the functional limitations that you experience as a result of your impairment(s), and explain why you need the accommodations that you have requested.
Your request form and supporting documentation must be submitted to ABCM at the time of your Exam application.
Your provider can fill out the form online on this site under ABCM Healthcare Provider Form for persons with disabilities, print it out and sign and date. You can then scan the document and upload it in your request below.
Reasonable accommodations are available for examinees who meet certain eligibility criteria and sufficiently document their request. Exam Candidates who have a documented disability covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, or a scheduling conflict due to a religious Sabbath or a military appointment may request reasonable accommodations. You must indicate any need for accommodations during the application process.
ADA exam Accommodations Available at ABCM:
The American Board of Cardiovascular Medicine (ABCM) is committed to ensuring that candidates with disabilities can take an exam in an accessible place and manner, which often requires reasonable testing accommodations.
Accommodations may consist of changes in the physical testing environment, additional testing time, additional break time, the provision of auxiliary aids or services, testing without a face mask, or other changes in the standard test administration. To receive such accommodations, a candidate must have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits his or her ability to perform one or more major life activities (such as walking, seeing, hearing, learning, reading, concentrating, or thinking) or a major bodily function (such as neurological, endocrine, or digestive system) that impacts taking an examination, as compared with most people in the general population. ABCM encourages candidates with disabilities to request accommodations.
As a part of the application process, exam candidates will have the opportunity to indicate their needs for ADA exam accommodations by filling out the form below and submitting it along with the requested supporting documents of the disability.
After the application is completed, and the form below received, exam candidates will receive an email with acknowledging request for accommodations and will respond with information, direction, and a decision as to whether ABCM can reasonably fulfill the request.
Email questions related to the accommodations process to ABCM at needinfo@abcmcertification.com.
For computer-based exams, candidates should register for and initiate a request for reasonable accommodations at least thirty (30) days before the desired examination date. Documentation that establishes the nature of a disability as well as its impact in the testing environment is needed to support requested accommodations.
ABCM follows general documentation guidelines that outline the information necessary to establish that a candidate has an impairment that requires testing accommodations, as well as documentation guidelines that apply with respect to specific categories of impairments:
1. Documentation of Physical Disabilities
2. Documentation of Learning Disability
3. Documentation of Psychological Disabilities
4. Documentation of ADHD
If denied approval of your application for special accommodations, you may appeal the denial of any requested accommodation by filling out the Appeal for Special Needs Form.
For computer-based exams, candidates should register for and initiate a request for reasonable accommodation at least thirty (30) days before the desired examination date.
Requests for accommodations on ABCM exams are reviewed by qualified professionals who possess at least an MD, NP, PA, or RN degree in a field related to the diagnosis, treatment, and/or accommodation of disabilities and have experience evaluating requests for testing accommodations.
ABCM strives to make decisions on applications for accommodation within ten (10) business days of receiving the request along with all requested necessary supporting documentation. ABCM will notify candidates with one of three answers:
- Application approved in full
- Application denied in full
- Application denied in part
If the denial is due to insufficient documentation, the notice will identify the required information that was not provided and additional documentation that might result in approval of a request.
Within seven (7) days of receiving a written notification of a full or partial denial, the candidate may submit an appeal of the denied portion of the request (with or without additional documentation) for review by an independent, outside reviewer. Within ten (10) business days of receipt of such an appeal (barring unusual circumstances), ABCM will notify the candidate whether the appealed accommodation request is approved in full, denied in full, or denied in part. If a candidate’s appealed accommodation request is not approved in full, the written and email notification of denial will explain the basis for the denial.
Any appeal will consider only the requested accommodation(s) that were denied. An appeal will have no effect on any accommodation that ABCM has already approved for a candidate for a particular exam. Independent, outside reviewers shall be qualified professionals such as. licensed physicians, psychologists, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or otherwise properly credentialed, and possess expertise in the disability for which modifications or accommodations are sought.
ABCM encourages all examinees who request accommodation to do so as far as possible in advance of their desired test date, but no less than forty-five (30) days before the desired test date.
This allows ABCM time to communicate with a candidate if any documentation is missing or questions arise about a request and gives the candidate time to obtain and provide any missing documentation. It also increases the likelihood that a candidate will have an opportunity to appeal the denial of any requested accommodation and get a decision on that appeal in advance of the desired test date.
Once a decision has been reached regarding a request for accommodations, notification will be sent both by email and letter in the mail describing any accommodations ABCM approved of and any instructions needed to access specific accommodations for live pencil-and-paper exam sites, or online.
Please read the following carefully before filling out the application for Special Accommodations below.
Requirements: identify your special needs below and in your initial application, or in your recertification application.
Exam Candidates who would like to request accommodations based on a physical or mental impairment should do so during the exam application process. When you apply to take an Exam, please identify your special needs and then complete the following information form and provide appropriate documentation for your request in the application when prompted.
Your supporting documentation from your Healthcare Provider should confirm your impairment(s), discuss the functional limitations that you experience as a result of your impairment(s), and explain why you need the accommodations that you have requested.
Your request form and supporting documentation must be submitted to ABCM at the time of your Exam application.
Your provider can fill out the form online on this site under ABCM Healthcare Provider Form for persons with disabilities, print it out and sign and date. You can then scan the document and upload it in your request below.
Reasonable accommodations are available for examinees who meet certain eligibility criteria and sufficiently document their request. Exam Candidates who have a documented disability covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, or a scheduling conflict due to a religious Sabbath or a military appointment may request reasonable accommodations. You must indicate any need for accommodations during the application process.
ADA exam Accommodations Available at ABCM:
The American Board of Cardiovascular Medicine (ABCM) is committed to ensuring that candidates with disabilities can take an exam in an accessible place and manner, which often requires reasonable testing accommodations.
Accommodations may consist of changes in the physical testing environment, additional testing time, additional break time, the provision of auxiliary aids or services, testing without a face mask, or other changes in the standard test administration. To receive such accommodations, a candidate must have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits his or her ability to perform one or more major life activities (such as walking, seeing, hearing, learning, reading, concentrating, or thinking) or a major bodily function (such as neurological, endocrine, or digestive system) that impacts taking an examination, as compared with most people in the general population. ABCM encourages candidates with disabilities to request accommodations.
As a part of the application process, exam candidates will have the opportunity to indicate their needs for ADA exam accommodations by filling out the form below and submitting it along with the requested supporting documents of the disability.
After the application is completed, and the form below received, exam candidates will receive an email with acknowledging request for accommodations and will respond with information, direction, and a decision as to whether ABCM can reasonably fulfill the request.
Email questions related to the accommodations process to ABCM at needinfo@abcmcertification.com.
For computer-based exams, candidates should register for and initiate a request for reasonable accommodations at least thirty (30) days before the desired examination date. Documentation that establishes the nature of a disability as well as its impact in the testing environment is needed to support requested accommodations.
ABCM follows general documentation guidelines that outline the information necessary to establish that a candidate has an impairment that requires testing accommodations, as well as documentation guidelines that apply with respect to specific categories of impairments:
1. Documentation of Physical Disabilities
2. Documentation of Learning Disability
3. Documentation of Psychological Disabilities
4. Documentation of ADHD
If denied approval of your application for special accommodations, you may appeal the denial of any requested accommodation by filling out the Appeal for Special Needs Form.