How to Request Accommodations for the CPA Exam

For individuals with disabilities, taking the CPA Exam may seem impossible, but don't count yourself out! You can request CPA Exam accommodations to make the test-taking process more accessible, allowing you to meet your career goals and prove your expertise.

We're sharing insight into how to request CPA Exam accommodations, including who is eligible, common accommodations, and how to request CPA Exam accommodations and schedule your Exam Section.

What are CPA Exam accommodations??

CPA Examination Services (CPAES) honors the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to ensure that all qualified candidates have equal opportunity to pass the CPA Exam.?

These CPA Exam accommodations make minor adjustments to the normal testing environment, allowing candidates with disabilities to take part in the exam. ?

Who can request CPA Exam accommodations??

Anyone applying to take the exam may request CPA Exam accommodations. However, the CPAES and your State Board of Accountancy reserve the right to approve or deny your application, and you must provide proof of your disability as defined by the ADA.?

What types of disabilities are recognized??

CPA Exam accommodations can be made for people with disabilities recognized by the ADA. The Act uses disability as a legal term, rather than medical, defining disability as “a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity.”

When reviewing applications for accommodations, CPAES uses the following criteria to inform the disability’s eligibility and if an accommodation can be approved:

The applicant has a disability as defined by the ADA?

• The accommodation request and supporting documentation should provide evidence of substantial limitation?
• A licensed and certified medical professional?must perform the evaluation
• Detailed and specific documentation must be submitted on official letterhead from medical professional’s office?

There is a current need for testing accommodations?

• Documentation was provided no more than three years prior
• Documentation proves substantial disability currently affecting the candidate?
• For temporary disability, you must document its impact and anticipated length of recovery?

A reasonable accommodation can be provided?

• Include recommended accommodations supported by valid documentation?
• Approvals and accommodations are made individually, depending on the case?
• Accommodations are approved for future, unscheduled Exam Sections?

CPAES will incur all costs of approved accommodations, but candidates are responsible for the costs of obtaining diagnosis and documentation for their disabilities?

What types of CPA Exam accommodations are available??

NASBA is clear that CPA Exam accommodations must maintain the psychometric nature and security of the exam. However, many accommodations do maintain the exam's integrity while making the process more accessible to candidates with recognized disabilities.

Common accommodations

• Secluded environment?
• Noise-cancelling headphones?
• Additional time
• Additional breaks, including those that stop the clock, those that don't, and added restroom breaks
• Sign language interpreter assigned by Prometric
• Breastfeeding accommodations?

How to request a CPA Exam accommodation

1. Fill out a CPA Exam accommodation form.?

CPAES provides most jurisdictions with several services related to the CPA Exam, including an application for CPA Exam accommodations. If applying in one of these jurisdictions, you will fill out the CPAES Testing Accommodation Request Form at the time of your CPA Exam application.?

For individuals living in the following states or jurisdictions, you will apply directly to your jurisdiction’s State Board of Accountancy for both the CPA Exam and CPA Exam accommodations.?

• Alabama
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Kentucky
• Mississippi
• Nevada
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Oklahoma
• South Dakota
• Texas
• Virgin Islands
• Virginia
• West Virginia
• Wyoming?

Whether you’re applying for CPA Exam accommodations through the CPAES or your state, you will need to explain your disability and provide medical documentation as part of your application. Likewise, if you’ve been granted testing accommodations at a high school or college level, you will provide proof of that approval, too.

2. Send CPA Exam accommodation request form and exam application.?

Once you’ve filled out your applications for the CPA Exam and accommodations, it’s time to send them to the CPAES or your State Board of Accountancy. You’ll need to include application fees and likely your transcripts and higher education degree.?

3. Receive your NTS and CPA Exam accommodation approval.?

Response timing varies based on which governing body manages your application (i.e., CPAES or a State Board), but mailed-in applications normally receive responses in four to six weeks.?

You will receive your approval with your Notice to Schedule (NTS).

?4. Call to schedule your CPA Exam Section.?

CPA Exam accommodations cannot be scheduled through Prometric’s website. Once you have been approved, you must call Prometric directly—with your NTS in hand and at least 10 days prior to the date you wish to sit for the exam—in order to schedule.?

Be ready to name the dates, time, and locations for each section you want to schedule. You can choose to schedule one section at a time or multiple sections at once.?

Within the United States, the Prometric number is 1-800-967-1139

5. Verify your accommodation plan.?

Once you’ve successfully scheduled your Exam Section, Prometric will send you a verification email containing all the information of your CPA Exam accommodation, time and date of your scheduling, etc. Read this email thoroughly to make sure that all data is correct, you understand the plan for exam day, and that the CPA Exam accommodations provided will adequately meet your needs. If any information is incorrect, contact Prometric immediately.?