Testing entity that administers the National Physical Therapist Examination agrees to settle Americans with Disabilities Act complaints

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT), located in Alexandria, Virginia, which administers licensing examinations for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants, agreed to settle allegations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) involving requests for accommodations for test candidates with disabilities.

The settlement agreement resolves allegations that FSBPT, a national testing organization that administers the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE), incorrectly reviewed requests for disability-based test accommodations and required test candidates to submit an unreasonable amount of documentation to support their requests. The ADA requires entities that administer high stakes examinations, such as the NPTE, to ensure that test results accurately reflect an individual's aptitude and not their disability.

To resolve this complaint, FSBPT agreed to pay $295,000 to individuals who had to provide excessive and expensive documentation to receive, and/or were denied, disability-based testing accommodations. FSBPT has also agreed to make changes to its review process for disability-based testing accommodations to comply with ADA requirements. This settlement agreement ensures that individuals with disabilities seeking to become physical therapists or physical therapist assistants do not face discriminatory barriers to licensure.

The matter was investigated by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steve Gordon, the Civil Rights Enforcement Coordinator for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. The civil complaints settled by this ADA agreement are allegations only; there has been no determination of civil liability.

The Department of Justice has a number of publications available to assist entities in complying with the ADA, including ADA Requirements: Testing Accommodations. For more information on the ADA and to access these publications, visit http://www.ada.gov or call the Justice Department's toll-free ADA information Line at 800-514-0301 or 800-514-0383 (TDD).

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office.