Information & Applications » NTA » Nonstandard Testing Accommodation
Nonstandard testing accommodations (NTA) may be provided to qualified applicants with disabilities in connection with an Illinois bar examination when the accommodation is reasonable, is necessary because of the applicant’s disability, and does not fundamentally alter what the examination is designed to measure or otherwise impose an undue burden on the Board. NTA are determined on an individualized, case-by-case basis.
The Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar adheres to the definition of “disability” set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as amended. See 42 U.S.C. § 12102.
An applicant requesting NTA is responsible for providing sufficient information and documentation to establish the existence of a disability and the need for the specific accommodation requested. The Board may require documentation that is reasonable and limited to the need for the requested accommodation. The nature and extent of documentation required will depend upon the nature of the disability and the specific accommodation requested. Documentation may include information from qualified medical or psychological professionals, educational institutions, testing entities, or employers concerning the applicant’s diagnosis, functional limitations, and history of disability-related accommodations. The Board gives considerable weight to documentation of accommodations previously provided in similar high-stakes testing situations and to accommodations provided pursuant to an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 plan, when applicable.
Applicants must submit a complete NTA request, including all required forms and supporting documentation, simultaneously with the examination application and applicable fee. The latest deadline the Board will accept NTA requests is the final late filing deadline for the examination for which the applicant is applying: April 30 for the July examination and November 30 for the February examination. NTA forms and supporting materials submitted after the final late filing deadline will not be considered for the pending examination.
Because NTA may require substantial changes to examination scheduling, facilities, staffing, technology, security procedures, and other examination arrangements, the Board must receive complete requests and supporting documentation by the final late filing deadline in order to provide sufficient time for individualized review and, when appropriate, implementation of approved accommodations. A diagnosis, injury, or other condition arising after the final late filing deadline ordinarily cannot be accommodated through NTA for the pending examination.
NTA requests may be submitted to qualified, independent experts for impartial review and recommendation. The Board retains responsibility for determining whether an accommodation is warranted and, if so, what reasonable accommodation will be provided. The Board may request additional information or documentation when necessary to evaluate an NTA request. Any such request will be limited to information reasonably necessary to determine the applicant’s eligibility and need for the accommodation requested.
Applicants may obtain NTA forms and instructions at any time by visiting the Board’s Information & Applications page. The forms and instructions are also available with examination application materials during periods when bar examination registration is open.
ADMINISTRATIVE ACCOMMODATIONS
Bar exam applicants seeking an Administrative Accommodation at the exam must fill out an Administrative Accommodation Request Form. The Board may approve reasonable administrative accommodations that do not alter the examination environment, affect the examination security, or modify the conditions under which the examination is administered. Requests that seek to modify the testing environment, examination conditions, or manner in which the examination is administered must be submitted through the Board's Non-Standard Testing Accommodations (NTA) process.
Examples of administrative accommodations include, but are not limited to:
● Permission to wear religious attire or possess approved religious items.
● Permission to bring medically necessary medications or medical devices, such as a lumbar cushion, boot, brace, sling, diabetic supply, glucose monitor, insulin pump, inhaler, epi-pen.
● Permission to bring medically necessary food or beverages.
● Seating assignments for logistical or administrative purposes (e.g. near restroom due to late stage pregnancy or space for wheelchair, scooter, crutches, or other orthopedic device).
● Other similar accommodations that facilitate access to the examination without modifying testing conditions.
These examples are illustrative only and do not create an entitlement to any particular accommodation.
The Administrative Accommodation Request Form and medical documentation must be received by our office no later than January 15 for a February exam, and no later than June 15 for a July exam.
The following requests are not administrative accommodations and must be submitted through the Board's NTA process, if applicable:
● Requests for specialized furniture or equipment, including sit-stand desks, ergonomic workstations, or similar equipment.
● Requests to use noise-canceling headphones, electronic hearing protection, white-noise devices, or similar equipment intended to reduce auditory distractions.
● Requests for additional or extended break time.
● Requests for additional testing time.
● Requests for a reduced-distraction, semi-private, or private testing room.
● Requests for assistive technology or other modifications to the testing environment or examination procedures.
The foregoing list is not exhaustive. The Board shall determine whether a request constitutes an administrative accommodation or a request for a testing accommodation.
LACTATING INDIVIDUAL ACCOMMODATIONS
Bar examination applicants seeking permission to bring a breast pump, related accessories, and a cooler containing ice packs into the testing facility, and to request access to a space for expressing breast milk during the examination, must complete the Lactating Individual Request Form.
Applicants must select one of the following options when completing the request form:
Option 1: STANDARD TESTING — Breast Pumping Without Stop-the-Clock Breaks
This option permits an applicant to bring and use a breast pump during the examination, with access to a designated space, without stop-the-clock breaks. The applicant remains subject to the standard examination timing and break procedures. The Lactating Individual Request Form and required medical documentation must be received by the Board no later than January 15 for a February examination or June 15 for a July examination.
Option 2: STOP-THE-CLOCK BREAKS — Breast Pumping With Additional Break Time
This option permits an applicant to bring and use a breast pump during the examination, with access to a designated space, and provides an additional 30 minutes of stop-the-clock break time for each three hours of testing. The Lactating Individual Request Form and required medical documentation must be received by the Board no later than November 30 for a February examination or April 30 for a July examination.
Applicants should carefully consider which option best meets their needs when submitting the Lactating Individual Request Form. Requests for stop-the-clock break time for the purposes of using a breast pump must be specifically made through Option 2.