Requesting Alternative Testing Arrangements

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Overview

Alternative testing arrangements may be provided to the following examinees who would not be able to take the test under standard conditions:

• examinees with disabilities, impairments, or health-related needs
• examinees who are nursing mothers 

According to Rule 6A-4.0021(6)(a)(b), FAC , a person with a disability means any person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, has a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment as defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 35,104(1)(2)(3)(4). Examinees requesting alternative testing arrangements must be certified by a licensed psychologist or physician as having a disability that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Any documentation presented must describe the examinee's disability.

Alternative testing arrangements, such as extra time, may be made for examinees who have visual impairments, hearing impairments, physical disabilities, or specific learning disabilities. Reasonable accommodations will be provided where possible.

All timely and complete alternative testing arrangements requests and accompanying documentation are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Accommodations available without pre-approval. Some types of accommodations, considered "comfort aids," do not require pre-approval and can be requested by examinees at the testing site. These accommodations typically involve allowing medical or health aids into the testing room. Review information about comfort aids .

You may also take breaks to address medical and personal needs (e.g., take medication, use an inhaler, use the restroom) without prior approval. Time taken for any unscheduled breaks is considered part of your available testing time. Review the break policy  for information about unscheduled and scheduled breaks.

Accommodations requiring pre-approval. In addition to comfort aids, examinees with documented disabilities, impairments, or health conditions can request other testing accommodations that require prior approval. To request these accommodations, you must submit a completed Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form, along with supporting documentation that attests to your disability/impairment/health condition and recommends appropriate accommodations for your test session. Note that your request form and supporting documentation may be shared with the Florida Department of Education in order to process your request.

The process for submitting an alternative testing arrangements request, including all necessary documentation requirements, is outlined below.

Procedures for Requesting Alternative Testing Arrangements

Follow the steps in the process outlined below for each registration for which you request alternative arrangements. Failure to complete each step could delay resolution of your request, which will delay when you are able to take your test with your requested alternative arrangements.

1. Review the applicable "Documentation Requirements" section below and collect any necessary documents.
2. Log in to your FTCE/FELE account and begin the registration process.
   When prompted during registration, indicate that you intend to request alternative testing arrangements by checking the provided box. If you already began the registration process and did not indicate your intent to request alternative testing arrangements, you must cancel your registration and submit a new registration with this indication.
3. Submit a completed Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form (also found below) with any required documentation.
   Your form must clearly state ALL alternative testing arrangements you are requesting for your test appointment. You will NOT be approved for an alternative testing arrangement you do not specifically request. Your uploaded supporting documentation must be current and meet the specific requirements outlined in the section below.
4. Check your email for your notification of resolution.
   The resolution email will let you know if your requested accommodations have been approved or if additional information is needed to make a determination regarding your request.
5. Complete the test appointment scheduling process.
   Follow the instructions provided in your resolution email to schedule your appointment with any approved accommodations.

Timeline for requests. Plan to register and submit the Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form along with any required documentation as early as possible. You should allow sufficient time for the review and processing of your request. You cannot schedule your test appointment until your request has been resolved.

You will be notified about a decision approximately 2 weeks after receipt of your submitted request and be provided contact information to schedule your test appointment.

You will select an appointment approximately 1–3 weeks from the date you schedule and pay for your test appointment. Some accommodations have specialized production requirements and therefore may require more time to implement. Although every effort is made to process all requests in a timely manner, the earlier you submit your request, the more time will be available to make arrangements for necessary staff, space, and specialized materials.

Notification of resolution. When your request for alternative testing arrangements has been resolved, you will be contacted regarding the resolution and given important information about scheduling your test appointment. Carefully review your resolution notification, as only accommodations listed as "Approved" will be available for you at your test appointment.

Some alternative testing arrangements may be accommodated at select sites only. You will be notified about test site availability when you schedule an appointment.

If you wish to modify your request for alternative testing arrangements after receiving the resolution of your request, you must submit a new Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form, along with any supporting documentation, prior to scheduling your test appointment. If you have already scheduled a test appointment, you will be required to cancel your appointment and complete the Procedures for Requesting Alternative Testing Arrangements from the beginning.

If you need additional assistance, please contact Customer Service to be connected with an Alternative Arrangements Coordinator.

Documentation Requirements for a Learning or Cognitive Disability

The Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form (also found below) must be submitted each time you register. The first time that you request alternative testing arrangements, you must submit the required documentation to support your request for accommodations. If you have been approved for specific accommodations in the past and you are requesting the same accommodations again with no modifications, then you will not need to resubmit your documentation.

Documentation, in itself, does not automatically support the granting of alternative testing arrangements.

If you are requesting select alternative testing arrangements, you may be eligible to use the Institutional Verification of Documentation as an alternative to providing documentation directly to Evaluation Systems for review. Please see "Institutional Verification of Documentation" below for more information.

Documentation requirements. All documentation must meet all of the following requirements and must:

1. 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.
2. include recommended alternative testing 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 testing arrangement(s) at the high school or college/university level.
3. include a diagnosis of the disability or disabilities.
4. include results of diagnostic tests used to diagnose the disability. One of the following must be submitted:
   • Results of a psychological, neuropsychological, or psychoeducational diagnostic test battery, designed for purposes other than screening, administered within the past three 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
   • A full educational history with complete documentation of special education services, including other disability-related testing modifications, received within the past three 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 three years*, used to document the disability (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 three years*
5. be current, according to the Documentation Currency Policy

*See the "Documentation Currency Policy" below for exceptions.

If your documentation does not meet all the requirements above, you will be asked to submit additional documentation before your request can be resolved, which will delay when you are able to take your test with your requested alternative arrangements.

If your test(s) or evaluation(s) were administered prior to the past three years, a full battery of testing may not be required. Instead, you may wish to consult with a qualified professional to determine which diagnostic test(s) related to your disability would indicate the current functional impact of your disability.

Documentation Currency Policy

Documentation must be considered current in order for it to be reviewed in support of a request for alternative testing arrangements. In order to be current, your documentation must meet one of the following:

• Be dated within the past three years
  OR
• If not dated within the past three years, include a recommendation for the requested accommodation(s) dated no earlier than the high school level

Documentation Requirements for All Other Disabilities or Health Conditions

The Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form (also found below) must be submitted each time you register. The first time that you request alternative testing arrangements, you must submit the required documentation to support your request for accommodations. If you have been approved for specific accommodations in the past and you are requesting the same accommodations again with no modifications, then you will not need to resubmit your documentation.

Documentation, in itself, does not automatically support the granting of alternative testing arrangements.

If you are requesting select alternative testing arrangements, you may be eligible to use the Institutional Verification of Documentation as an alternative to providing documentation directly to Evaluation Systems for review. Please see "Institutional Verification of Documentation" below for more information.

Documentation requirements. All documentation must be on official letterhead stationery (including name, address, and telephone number) from a medical doctor or other qualified licensed professional (including license number). The documentation must:

1. include a signed statement by a qualified licensed professional describing and attesting to your specific disability or health condition and how it substantially limits one or more major life activities.
2. be current, according to the "Documentation Currency Policy".
3. include clear recommendations or support for alternative testing arrangements that are specifically related to the disability or health condition and that are reasonable within the context of the test, or verification that you have received the requested alternative testing arrangements at the high school or college/university level.

If your documentation does not meet all the requirements above, you will be asked to submit additional documentation before your request can be resolved, which will delay when you are able to take your test with your requested alternative arrangements.

Documentation Currency Policy

Documentation must be considered current in order for it to be reviewed in support of a request for alternative testing arrangements. In order to be current, your documentation must meet one of the following:

• Be dated within the past three years
  OR
• Provide confirmation of a permanent physical condition

Institutional Verification of Documentation

As an alternative to submitting documentation directly to the FTCE/FELE program, examinees who receive alternative testing arrangements at a college/university or through Vocational Rehabilitation services may be eligible to submit an Institutional Verification of Documentation Form  for any of the following alternative testing arrangements.

• 50% extra time (time and one half)
• Sign language interpreter (for communication with test center staff)
• Screen magnification software allowing for magnification greater than 200%
• Braille test format

For all other alternative testing arrangements requests, supporting documentation must be submitted directly to the FTCE/FELE program for review.

Verification requirements. In order to be accepted for review:

• The Institutional Verification of Documentation Form must be printed on official institution letterhead.
• The Institutional Verification of Documentation Form must be completed and signed by an authorized professional representing one of the following:
  • Office of Disability Services at the examinee's college or university
  • Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) office in the examinee's state of residence
• The institutional representative must be able to verify that the examinee is eligible for the requested alternative testing arrangement(s) at the institution and that the institution has on file the examinee's documentation supporting the requested alternative testing arrangement, a copy of which must be supplied to Evaluation Systems upon request.
• The institutional representative must be able to provide specific information contained in the documentation and certify that the documentation meets FTCE/FELE program requirements, including certifying that the documentation is complete and current according to program requirements (see the applicable "Documentation Requirements" section above).

Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form

Before submitting your Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form, please:

1. Review the applicable "Documentation Requirements" section of this page.
2. Register for your test. Indicate that you intend to request alternative testing arrangements when prompted during registration.

Then submit your form, including all required documentation. Once you have received confirmation that your alternative testing arrangements request has been resolved, you will be given instructions on how to schedule your appointment with any approved accommodations.

• Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form

Appealing a Denied Request

You may appeal the denial of some or all of your requests for alternative testing arrangements. Before you submit your appeal, please review the applicable "Documentation Requirements" section above. If after reviewing the information in this section you still wish to appeal the decision, you may do so by submitting your appeal, in writing, to Evaluation Systems.

The appeal should include the following information:

• Your name and address
• The date of the appeal
• Any documentation, in addition to the documentation that you submitted with your Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form, that supports your alternative testing arrangements requests
• A brief summary of the reasons why your alternative testing arrangements request should be granted
• Your signature

Your appeal should be submitted within 30 days after you receive notification of the denial of your requested accommodation(s). Appeals must be resolved before an appointment can be scheduled. 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 Florida Department of Education, and all appeal determinations are final.

Frequently Asked Questions

General Information

I have a documented disability. Can the requirement to take a subtest of the General Knowledge Test be waived for me?

If the Department of Education's Bureau of Educator Certification has stipulated that you must take and pass the General Knowledge Test or any other examination for certification in the state of Florida, there is no provision in law to waive the test requirement. However, special accommodations, such as extra time, may be requested.

When do I need to submit my request?

Plan to register and submit the Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form along with any required documentation as early as possible. You should allow sufficient time for the review and processing of your request. You cannot schedule your test appointment until your request has been resolved.

I am taking an exam that is split into subtests. Do I have to take all the subtests in one testing appointment?

This will vary by exam and examinees are encouraged to carefully review the test information provided for each exam. Some exams with subtests require that examinees take all subtests on the first testing attempt. For these exams, splitting the subtests into more than one appointment would need to be a requested accommodation specifically recommended or supported by your documentation.

For exams that do not require you take all subtests/sections on the first attempt, your registration must include only those subtests/sections you want to take in a single testing appointment. To take each subtest as an individual testing appointment, you will need to create a separate registration for each subtest. You can submit a single Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form for these registrations but must list each subtest for which you are requesting accommodations.

I have a temporary medical condition or circumstance. Can I request accommodations?

A request for alternative testing arrangements can be reviewed if you have a medical condition or circumstance that is not permanent. You will need to follow the standard Alternative Arrangements request process, including submitting documentation as detailed in the applicable "Documentation Requirements" section.

I have been approved for accommodations, but I am not ready to schedule an appointment. How long do I have before I need to schedule and take my test?

All FTCE/FELE registrations are valid for a period of one year. You must schedule and complete testing within one year of completing registration, during which you selected your exam and indicated you were requesting alternative arrangements.

I requested accommodations but have decided I want to test right away without accommodations. What should I do?

You cannot have two registrations for the same exam at one time. To create a new registration without requested accommodations, you must log into your FTCE/FELE account and cancel your current registration. Once cancelled, you can create a new registration for the exam.

Questions About Documentation

I had an IEP in high school. Does this mean I will automatically be approved for accommodations?

Submission of an IEP does not guarantee an approval for accommodations. The information contained in an IEP can vary, and many do not have all the information that is required. Please review your IEP carefully to determine if it has all required pieces of documentation.

I'm not sure if my documentation is acceptable. Can someone tell me over the phone?

Questions regarding accommodations can be answered over the phone; however, a review of your documentation cannot be done over the phone. Please review your documentation carefully to determine if it meets all requirements. Your Notification of Resolution sent via email will explain if your request or documentation is incomplete.

I was told I need to provide an evaluation for my learning disability, what does this mean?

Individuals who are suspected of having a learning disability may have testing done to determine if a disability is present. To receive accommodations based on a learning or cognitive disability, we will need to see the names, date, and results of the diagnostic tests that were done to diagnose or confirm a learning or cognitive disability. This information is usually included in a psychological, neuropsychological, or psychoeducational evaluation performed by a qualified professional (e.g., a licensed psychologist).

I submitted a letter from my school showing that I currently receive accommodations. Why wasn't I approved for accommodations?

A letter from your college/university stating the accommodations you are eligible for does not meet all documentation requirements. In addition to recommendations for accommodations, a diagnosis from a licensed professional is required. If you have a learning or cognitive disability, an evaluation may also be required. See the documentation requirements for more information.

For select accommodations, an Institutional Verification of Documentation (IVOD) can be used. See the IVOD section for more information about submitting this form instead of documentation.

After Initial Approval and Testing

I have been approved for accommodations for this testing program in the past. What do I need to do to receive accommodations in the future?

If you are requesting the same accommodations for which you have been approved in the past, you will need to submit a valid registration and a completed Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form. You do not need to resubmit your documentation.

If you are requesting new accommodation(s) that have not been previously approved, you must submit a valid registration, a completed Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form, and documentation supporting the new accommodation request.

I have completed my testing appointment and may need to retake my exam. Do I have to wait until my score report is released to register and request accommodations for a retake appointment?

No, you do not have to wait for your score report to create a registration for retake and submit your request form. As soon as the day after your test appointment, you can create a new registration to retake the same exam and indicate your intent to request accommodations. If you are requesting the same accommodations for which you have been approved in the past, you will need to submit a valid registration and a completed Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form. You do not need to resubmit your documentation.

When you receive your Notification of Resolution and your score report, you can schedule a test appointment in accordance with the retake policy . In the event that you no longer need to retake the exam once you receive your score report, you can cancel your registration.

Note: If you create one registration to retake an exam with multiple subtests, you will need to cancel the entire registration if you later find out that you passed one or more of the subtests. Therefore, you may want to create individual registrations to retake an exam with subtests if you have not received your score report for all subtests.

I took an exam with subtests that required I take all subtests on my first attempt. I need to retake more than one subtest. Do I have to retake these subtests together?

No, after your initial attempt, there is no requirement to retake subtests together. If you would like to retake any needed subtests as separate appointments, you must create a registration for each testing appointment. For example, if you need to retake two subtests and want to take them separately, you will need to create two registrations, each with only one of the needed subtests. You can submit a single Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form for these registrations but must list each subtest for which you are requesting accommodations.

I was approved for accommodations for my last exam but that was a year ago or more. Do I need to resubmit my documentation?

No, if you are requesting the same accommodations that you have been approved for in the past, you will need to submit a valid registration and a completed Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form. You do not need to resubmit your documentation.