Licensing Exams

National Board Testing Accommodations

Passing a national board exam is often required for licensure or certification in MUSC health professions programs. Students needing testing accommodations for these crucial exams must work directly with the administering board, not just MUSC.

Accommodations approved for your MUSC coursework via the Office of Federal and State Compliance are separate and do not automatically apply to national board exams.

Each board has its own application, documentation rules, and deadlines. It is your responsibility to understand and follow their specific process well in advance. Refer to the links below for details on applying for accommodations with specific boards. Your college's ADA Liaison can also provide guidance.

College of Medicine

  • Medicine (MD) - USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination)
    • Exam: USMLE Steps 1, 2 CK, and 3
    • Administering Body (for Accommodations): National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME)
    • Accommodation Information: The NBME Office of Disability Services handles requests for all USMLE steps.
    • usmle.org/test-accommodations
  • Psychology - EPPP (Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology)
    • Exam: EPPP (Part 1-Knowledge and Part 2-Skills)
    • Administering Body: Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB)
    • Accommodation Information: ASPPB provides information on requesting accommodations. Note that you often apply through your specific state/provincial licensing board first.
    • ASPPB General Info (Check your specific jurisdiction's requirements as well)

College of Nursing

  • Nursing (RN) - NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination)
    • Exam: NCLEX-RN
    • Administering Body: National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), administered via Pearson VUE.
    • Accommodation Information: Crucially, requests for NCLEX accommodations must typically be made through your specific state's Board of Nursing (Nursing Regulatory Body - NRB) first. Once approved by the NRB, they will notify Pearson VUE. Check your specific NRB's website for their process.
    • NCSBN general info/FAQ (directs you to NRB)
    • Pearson VUE (general info)
    • Find your Nursing Regulatory Body

College of Pharmacy

  • Pharmacy - NAPLEX & MPJE
    • Exam: North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX), Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE)
    • Administering Body: National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP)
    • Accommodation Information: NABP outlines the process and required documentation for requesting test accommodations.
    • nabp.pharmacy/programs/naplex/test-accommodations/ (Information often covers both exams)

College of Dental Medicine

  • Dentistry - INBDE (Integrated National Board Dental Examination)
    • Exam: INBDE
    • Administering Body: Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE), part of the American Dental Association (ADA)
    • Accommodation Information: The JCNDE provides specific guidelines for candidates requesting accommodations.
    • jcnde.ada.org/test-accommodations

College of Health Professions

  • Physician Assistants - PANCE (Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination)
    • Exam: PANCE
    • Administering Body: National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)
    • Accommodation Information: NCCPA has a dedicated section detailing the policy and procedure for requesting accommodations.
    • www.nccpa.net/legal-and-policies/test-accommodations/
  • Physical Therapy - NPTE (National Physical Therapy Examination)
  • Occupational Therapy - NBCOT Exam
    • Exam: NBCOT Certification Examination
    • Administering Body: National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)
    • Accommodation Information: NBCOT outlines the types of accommodations available and the request process.
    • nbcot.org/examinees/exam-day#testing-accommodations
  • Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) - NCE (National Certification Examination)
    • Exam: National Certification Examination (NCE)
    • Administering Body: National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA)
    • Accommodation Information: The NBCRNA provides specific policies and forms for requesting testing accommodations under the ADA. Review their handbook and website for detailed procedures and deadlines.
    • nbcrna.com/nce-handbook/ada-information
  • Cardiovascular Perfusion
    • Exam(s): Perfusion Basic Science Examination (PBSE), Clinical Applications in Perfusion Examination (CAPE)
    • Administering Body: American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion (ABCP)
    • Accommodation Information: The ABCP outlines policies for candidates requesting testing accommodations under the ADA within their official documents. Check their website for the latest Candidate Handbook or Examination Policies.
    • abcp.org/certified_clinical_perfusionist.htm (Note: Specific accommodation details are often within policy documents linked from main exam pages; look for ADA policies or Candidate Handbooks).
  • Speech-Language Pathology (SLP)
    • Exam: Praxis Examination in Speech-Language Pathology (used for ASHA certification CCC-SLP and often state licensure)
    • Administering Body (for Accommodations): Educational Testing Service (ETS)
    • Accommodation Information: ETS handles accommodation requests for all Praxis exams, including the SLP specialty test. They have a detailed process for requesting accommodations for test takers with disabilities or health-related needs.
    • ets.org/praxis/test-takers/register/disabilities-health-needs.html