Accommodations Disability Policy

The National Registry of EMTs offers the following recommendations regarding the EMT program application process:

The National Registry of EMTs recommends that all applicants to EMT programs complete an appropriate standardized aptitude test battery (such as the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB), Differential Aptitude Test Battery, Apticom etc.) and a standardized test of reading achievement. Aptitude Batteries such as the GATB assess capacities and abilities necessary to competently perform the responsibilities of the EMT such as: learning ability, verbal, numerical and spatial ability; form and clerical perception, motor coordination; finger and manual dexterity; eye-hand-foot coordination, color discrimination. In instances where Test Batteries are not given prior to admission into EMT training programs, NREMT recommends that such tests be administered at appropriate times as determined by state/training program policies. NREMT also recommends that vocational counselors be available to applicants to interpret the results of testing and provide guidance in terms of advisability of proceeding with the EMT training program.

Eligibility for Accommodations for Registration Due to Disability

The National Registry of EMTs will offer reasonable and appropriate accommodations for the written component of the registration examination for those persons with documented disabilities.

I. Learning Disabilities

Those persons requesting accommodations for the written component of the registration examination must submit documented evidence of a learning disability. Appropriate documentation must be submitted by the applicant and must be received three to four weeks prior to the examination.

Based upon a thorough analysis of the written examination it has been determined that persons with learning disabilities in the areas of reading decoding, reading comprehension, or written expression may be eligible for special test accommodations. Other areas in which learning disabilities may be evidenced (e.g. mathematics calculations, mathematics applications, oral expression, listening comprehension) should not negatively impact upon one's performance on the written examination due to the format (multiple choice) and content.

Documentation of a specific learning disability must include one of the following:

1.       Evidence of a previously documented learning disability in reading decoding, reading comprehension, or written expression. Such documentation is described as follows:

a.       Diagnosis of a learning disability in the area(s) of reading decoding, reading comprehension and/or written expression, based upon the results of standardized psycho educational assessment including an Individually administered standardized measure of intelligence and an individually administered standardized measure of achievement in reading decoding, reading comprehension and/or written expression. All persons requesting special accommodations for the written examination will be required to submit the scores obtained on individually standardized measures of intelligence and achievement. Both standard scores and grade equivalent scores are required.

b.       A learning disability diagnosis should be made by a qualified professional, according to the criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV; American Psychiatric Association, 1994).

c.       The following should also be included in the documentation: developmental and academic history, current cognitive functioning, thorough investigation of deficit areas; reasonable consideration of alternative diagnosis and comorbidity, and rationale for diagnosis.

d.       Results of previous psycho educational evaluations and IEPs (Individual Education Plan) will be helpful information to include. However, a recent evaluation (within the past five years) must be included. If no such assessment has been conducted, then the applicant is responsible for obtaining such documentation before any decision can be made by the National Registry of EMTs regarding the applicant's request for special accommodations.

No person will be granted special accommodation on the written examination if he/she does not meet the minimum standards for performance as determined by analysis of the requirements of the job and as documented by standardized measures of aptitude and achievement. Please contact the National Registry for further information regarding minimum standards of performance.

Types of Accommodations:

The types of accommodations which may be requested by persons qualifying for special accommodations on the written examination due to documented learning disability in reading decoding and or reading comprehension are as follows:

1.       The National Registry of EMTs will permit those persons who qualify for special accommodations on the written examination due to a documented learning disability in reading decoding, reading comprehension, and/or written expression to take the standard format of the examination but receive an extended amount of time in which to complete the examination. Applicants selecting this option will normally receive 3.75 hours verses the standard 2.5 hours.

2.       Additional accommodations may be provided as appropriate.