Appendix G – Examination Accommodation Policy

Registration Guidelines

UPDATED:  June 2024

Applicable to all applicants attempting any of the examinations required for registration with the College, as outlined in ss. 5. (1) 3. – 5. and 16. (1) 4. – 6. of O.Reg. 193/23 Registration under the Psychology and Applied Behaviour Analysis Act, 2021.

These three examinations are:

  1.  the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP);
  2.  the Jurisprudence and Ethics Examination (JEE); and
  3.  the Oral Examination.

Also applicable to members attending a focused interview for the purpose of modifying or removing a term, condition or limitation on their certificate for practice or requesting an expansion or addition to their areas of practice.

Legislative Framework:

  •  This policy was developed in compliance with the following statutes, which over-ride the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA), 1991 and the Psychology and Applied Behaviour Analysis Act, 2021:

    •  The Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC): The Code prohibits actions that discriminate against people based on a protected ground (disability) in a protected social area (membership in unions, trade or professional associations)1.
    •  O.Reg. 429/07: Accessibility Standards for Customer Service under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, S. O.  2005, c.  112.
  •  The privacy provisions of this policy were developed in compliance with Section 36 (1) of the RHPA and the College’s own Privacy Code3.

Principle(s):

The College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario is committed to providing accessible and equitable service to all exam candidates.  This includes administering the entry-to-practice examinations for psychology in Ontario in a way that respects the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities.

In reviewing accommodation requests, the College must balance the rights of the individual examination candidate with its mandate to protect the security, fairness, validity and reliability of the examinations.

Accommodations for the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) can only be made available consistent with what is allowable by the exam owner, the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) and provided through the testing agency (Pearson VUE) that administers the exam.

In supporting individuals requesting accommodation for the examinations the College will base its decisions on the following fundamental principles:

  1. No applicant to the College should be disadvantaged in the examination process due to disability.
  2. The individual’s private information, including personal health information, will be used only for the purpose of assessing the accommodation request and will be protected at all times.
  3. The College will provide reasonable accommodation fairly and in a manner that respects the dignity and independence of the applicant.
  4. Accommodations will be provided in a way that ensures that applicants receiving accommodation are not provided an unfair advantage in relation to other candidates completing the examinations.
  5. The College’s duty to provide accommodation will only be limited by considerations of undue hardship4 and the need to protect the integrity and confidentiality of the examinations.

Procedure:

Applicants who require accommodation to complete the registration examinations are required to:

  1. complete the Examination Accommodations section (D) of the Application for Supervised Practice;

 and provide to the College:

    1. Form 1 – Examination Accommodation – Medical Documentation, along with appropriate documentation, completed by a medical doctor, Psychologist, Psychological Associate or other regulated health professional who has specific training, expertise and experience in the diagnosis of the condition(s) for which the accommodation is being requested complete and sent directly to the College; or
    2. Form 2 – Examination Accommodation – Academic Documentation, along with appropriate documentation, completed by an accessible services representative of the post-secondary institution where degree(s) were completed,  indicating accommodations approved and used during their academic studies.  The form and documentation should also be sent directly to the College.

A candidate seeking an accommodation is not required to disclose a health diagnosis. The request however, must clearly demonstrate the following:

  • how the identified impairment impacts the ability of the candidate to successfully participate in the examination, and
  • how the requested accommodation(s) mitigate(s) the impairment within the specific context of the examination.

In order to allow the College sufficient time to prepare accommodations, applicants are required to submit requests and all supporting documentation at least 60 calendar days prior to the exam date.

Exam candidates requesting accommodation will be advised of the College’s decision within ten (10) business days of the submission date, unless more information is needed to effectively evaluate the accommodation request.

Additional Conditions:

  1. Candidates may request accommodations as needed for either permanent or temporary disabilities.
  2. Candidates are responsible for any costs associated with obtaining documentation from a regulated health professional or university regarding their disability or impairment and/or history of accommodations provided during their university education.
  3. Requests must be directed to the Senior Registration Assistant. Requests should be made at the same time as applying for any of the examinations, but no later than 60 calendar days before the date of the exam administration.
  4. An applicant who has been granted accommodation for either the EPPP or JEE will be afforded accommodation based on the same identified needs, if required, for both examinations.
  5. Documentation of a disability requiring accommodation will be considered current for three years from the date of assessment of a permanent disability and six months from the date of assessment of a temporary disability.
  6. A candidate who has been granted accommodation for a permanent or long-term disability will not be required to re-apply for accommodation for subsequent attempts.   However, if the request was related to a temporary condition (e.g. recent injury or pregnancy-related conditions) or if five years have passed since the initial accommodation request, the College may request updated information confirming the continued need for accommodation.

Decision Rule:

Exam candidates who complete and submit appropriate documentation within the timelines indicated will be provided accommodations as per the College’s duty, limited only by considerations of undue hardship and the need to protect the integrity and confidentiality of the examinations.

Required Documentation:

  1. Completed Section D – Examination Accommodation, of College application form(s); and
  2. Completed Form 1 or 2 with required documentation.

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1 This has been legally interpreted by the OHRC to include membership in a regulated profession.

2 The College’s Accessible Customer Service Plan, developed in compliance with this regulation, can be downloaded from: cpbao.ca/about-cpo/accessibility/.

3 In compliance with these obligations the College has also developed a Privacy Code (https://cpbao.ca/components/handlers/search.router.ashx?id=653) and the provisions of this Code apply to all information requested, used, retained and/or disclosed as part of the registration process, including personal health information related to requests for accommodation.

4 The Ontario Human Rights Commission provides guidelines regarding the definition and considerations to be taken into account regarding whether the provision of accommodation would cause an organization (e. g. employer, educational institution etc.) undue hardship: https://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/policy-and-guidelines-disability-and-duty-accommodate/5-undue-hardship.

Appendix F
Appendix H