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. Download and Complete the ADA Accommodations Form: Download and fill out 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. Submit the Testing ADA Accommodations Request Form: Submit the completed form, including any documentation, to NCARB at testingaccommodations@ncarb.org. If your jurisdiction is one of those listed on the form, you will need to submit the form to your state licensing board.
  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. If your request must be submitted to your board, the process may take longer.
  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 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. Download the Application: Download and review the Application for English as a Second Language Testing Accommodations.
  2. Submit the Application: After you have completed the application, please email it to NCARB at testingaccommodations@ncarb.org with the subject line “ESL Accommodation.”
  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 Audit

NCARB randomly audits individuals who have applied for the ESL accommodation. Individuals who are selected for the audit must return a completed audit form and any supplemental information (as identified on the form) to testingaccommodations@ncarb.org with the subject line “ESL Audit.” Failure to complete this audit within 20 business days as noted in the delivery communication will result in the loss of your ESL accommodations.