Requesting Alternative Testing Arrangements

Because of the nature of the video assessments, alternative testing arrangements that would be appropriate for paper-based or computer-based tests (e.g., extra testing time) may not be applicable for the RICA Video Performance Assessment.

Alternative testing arrangements that are reasonable in the context of the certification test and supported by documentation may be provided for examinees who would not be able to take the test or assessment under standard conditions.

All timely and complete alternative testing arrangements requests and accompanying documentation are reviewed on a case-by-case basis upon receipt. In some cases, the submitted documentation may not be sufficient to make a determination regarding the requested alternative testing arrangement(s) or may not support the requested alternative testing arrangement(s). Additional information or diagnostic test results may be needed.

Please be aware that the Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form and supporting documentation that you submit may be shared with the CTC in order to process your request. The documentation will be kept confidential to the extent required by law.

In some cases, you may be contacted directly to discuss suitable testing arrangements.

To request alternative arrangements, you must follow the Procedures for Requesting Alternative Arrangements below.

If you wish to request alternative assessment arrangements, you must

1. complete your assessment registration; and
2. submit a completed Alternative Testing/Assessment Arrangements Request Form identifying the disability and the specific arrangements requested; and
3. submit appropriate documentation, as described in "Required Documentation."

You are strongly encouraged to register and submit your Alternative Testing/Assessment Arrangements Request Form as early as possible. Due to the time and logistics involved in providing certain types of alternative arrangements, your registration may need to be applied to a future submission deadline.

The Alternative Testing/Assessment Arrangements Request Form must be submitted each time you register. The first time that you request alternative assessment arrangements, you will need to submit required documentation to support your request for alternative assessment arrangements. Evaluation Systems will keep your documentation on file for one year. If you register for subsequent submission deadlines within that year, you only need to complete a registration and submit a completed Alternative Assessment Arrangements Request Form, as long as your condition and the requested alternative assessment arrangements have not changed.

All documentation must meet all of the following requirements:

• It must include a signed statement by a qualified professional, written on that person's professional letterhead, whose license or credentials are appropriate to describe or diagnose the disability.
• It must include a diagnosis of the disability or disabilities.
• It must include recommended alternative assessment arrangements that are specifically related to the disability and that are reasonable within the context of the test, or verification that the examinee has received the requested alternative assessment arrangement(s) at the high school or college/university level.
• It must be current, according to the Documentation Currency Policy.

Additionally, if you are requesting alternative assessment arrangements because of a learning or cognitive disability, your documentation must include:

• A full educational history with complete documentation of special education services, including other disability-related testing modifications, received within the past five years, along with the name, date, and results of the diagnostic test(s) or evaluation(s), designed for purposes other than screening, administered within the past five years*, used to document the disability (test results should demonstrate the current functional impact of your disability)

OR

• Results of a psychological, neuropsychological, or psychoeducational diagnostic test battery, designed for purposes other than screening, administered within the past five years*, interpreted by a qualified professional whose license or credentials are appropriate to diagnose the condition (test results should demonstrate the current functional impact of your disability)

OR

• Results of an evaluation interpreted by a licensed professional verifying physical abnormalities as evidenced by a computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), electroencephalogram (EEG), or brain topography mapping test administered within the past five years*

All documentation will be reviewed prior to granting alternative arrangements.

*See Documentation Currency Policy for exceptions.

Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Forms

Evaluation Systems will notify candidates of the determination made with regard to their requests for alternative assessment arrangements. You may appeal the denial of some or all of your requests for alternative assessment arrangements. Before you submit your appeal, it is suggested that you review "Required Documentation." This section describes the documentation requirements for different types of alternative assessment arrangements requests. If after reviewing the information in this section you still wish to proceed with an appeal of the decision, you may do so by submitting your appeal, in writing, to the Director of Alternative Testing Arrangements (see Contact Us).

The appeal should include the following information:

• Your name, address, and the last five digits of your Social Security number
• The date of the appeal
• The submission date upon which the appeal is based
• Any documentation, in addition to the documentation that you submitted with your Alternative Testing/Assessment Arrangements Request Form, that supports your alternative assessment arrangements requests
• A brief summary of the reasons why your alternative assessment arrangements requests should be granted
• Your signature

Your appeal should be submitted as soon as possible. Please be advised that an appeal may take up to 30 calendar days to resolve.

After your appeal is reviewed, you will be notified as to whether your appeal has been granted or denied. All appeal determinations are subject to the approval of the CTC. In addition, all appeal determinations are final.