NCARB is committed to ensuring the ARE is accessible for all candidates. We partner with PSI to offer two types of accommodations: 

  • American with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations for candidates with disabilities or temporary medical conditions, including pregnancy and breastfeeding. 
  • English as a second language (ESL) accommodations for candidates who speak or read English as a second language. 

Testing accommodations are granted to allow equal access to the ARE and to ensure fairness to all candidates while remaining consistent with ADA principles and/or standard ESL practices. NCARB will not grant requests that will alter the measurement of the skills or knowledge that the ARE is intended to test or result in an undue burden on NCARB or PSI.

Accommodations cannot be applied to already scheduled appointments. Do not schedule an appointment until after you have received written approval of your accommodation from NCARB. 

ADA Accommodations

Common examples of reasonable ADA accommodations include additional break time, extended testing time (up to 50 percent longer), and testing in a separate room within the test center. Not all ADA accommodations are available for online proctored appointments. 

To apply for an ADA testing accommodation, follow these steps:

  1. Complete the ADA Accommodations Request Form Via My NCARB: Log in to My NCARB and navigate to the Exams tab to review and complete the ADA Accommodations Request Form. If applicable, you may provide: a) Documentation of any past accommodations to support your request, and/or b) A specific diagnosis by an appropriately licensed professional that includes a description of the appropriate accommodations for your condition.
  2. Receive Accommodations Approval: Accommodations must be approved prior to the scheduling of an exam appointment. Do not attempt to schedule an appointment before receiving written approval. Please allow 7-10 business days for NCARB to process your request. If your request must be submitted to your board, the process may take longer.
  3. Schedule Your Appointment: Once you have been approved for testing accommodations, you will receive instructions on how to schedule an appointment. While some appointments may be able to be scheduled through your NCARB Record, depending on the accommodation, it may be necessary to schedule by phone. Do not attempt to schedule any exam appointments until you receive written notification that accommodations have been approved.

ESL Accommodations

NCARB offers two ESL accommodations: 

  • Additional testing time: Twenty percent (20%) of the original testing time for each division added as an extension to the original testing time.
  • Word-to-word translation dictionary: For candidates testing at a PSI test center, use of a personally supplied, printed word-to-word translation dictionary of the candidate’s choosing that has no additional notes or markings added to the text. The dictionary will be inspected by test center staff. The dictionary must be created by a reputable publisher. Self-made dictionaries are not allowed. The word-to-
    word translation dictionary will be inspected by test center staff. This accommodation is not available for online proctored exams.

To apply for an ESL testing accommodation, follow these steps:

  1. Complete the ESL Accommodations Request Form Through My NCARB Log in to My NCARB and navigate to the Exams tab to review and complete the ESL Accommodations Request Form. As part of the process, you will be required to provide documentation that verifies the validity of your ESL testing accommodation request. You can learn more about the documentation required below. If you need guidance determining acceptable documentation, please contact us.
  2. Submit the Application After you have completed the application, submit it via My NCARB.
  3. Receive Accommodations Approval Accommodations must be approved prior to the scheduling of an exam appointment. Do not attempt to schedule an appointment before receiving written approval. Please allow 7-10 business days for NCARB to process your request.
  4. Schedule Your Appointment Once you have been approved for testing accommodations, you will receive instructions on how to schedule an appointment. While some appointments may be able to be scheduled through your NCARB Record, depending on the accommodation, it may be necessary to schedule by phone. Do not attempt to schedule any exam appointments until you receive written notification that accommodations have been approved.

ESL Documentation

To apply for the ESL application, you must provide documentation to verify the validity of your ESL testing accommodation request. You only need to submit documentation for ONE of the options below as part of your application: 

  • Documentation of Current/Former ESL Accommodation
    Provide evidence of a current or previous ESL accommodation granted for educational purposes. Please provide a copy of official correspondence from the educational institution outlining your ESL accommodation approval.
  • English Proficiency Examination Result
    Provide results from any previously taken English proficiency examination (e.g., Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), etc.).
  • Other Documentation
    Provide other supporting information (transcripts, language class curriculum, classes not outlined above, etc.) that demonstrates you are a non-native English speaker/reader. 
  • Attestation
    You may select an individual familiar with your circumstances such as an employer, educator, or public official to confirm that you do not speak/read English as a first language. Have the designated person complete the attestation form and include it as part of your online application.