Accessibility and Reasonable Testing Accommodations for the CCTPEI Registration Exam

The information on this page was provided by COMPASS Centre for Examination Development.

Basic Principles

An accessibility issue or accommodation need, based on disability (whether temporary, transient, or permanent) is considered appropriate if it results in equal opportunity to attain the same level of performance as persons without an identified disability, and meets the individual's disability-related needs without affecting the confidentiality of the examination and integrity of the examination's assessment purpose. The basic principle for accessibility and reasonable accommodations for the Registration Examination (also known as the Canadian Professional Standard for Counselling and Psychotherapy (CPSCP): Entry-to-Practice Competency Assessment) is to remove barriers to enable equal opportunity with dignity and without impediment.

For the purposes of the Registration Examination, disability refers to any condition, diagnosis, or injury that impedes a candidate's ability to approach the examination in a manner equal to those of peers without such an impediment.

Universal Design

To support all persons in engaging fully in the Registration Examination process, the following priority steps have been undertaken for all test-takers:

  • Physically accessible test centres (wherever possible)
  • Additional test-taking time built-in to regular test-taking time allotment
  • Customizable font size for examination print
  • Short sentences with increased white space on screen
  • No use of 'flash' or colour-dependent information
  • No use of photographs, diagrams, or charts
  • Available personal breaks
  • Access to medication and/or glucose meter
  • Access to food and/or beverage
  • Stop clock feature for candidates who need to feed an infant, express milk, or take breaks due to recent childbirth or current pregnancy


A formal accommodation request is not required for these supports. You must inform CCTPEI of your need when you confirm your intent to write the examination. Proctors must be advised before the examination begins if you require access to medication or a glucose meter at your computer terminal. While food and beverages are not permitted at computer terminals, you may leave and re-enter the examination room as needed to access them.

Forms of Accommodation

Depending on documented individual needs, a variety of accommodations are possible. The following forms of accommodations are most common:

  • Extended time (to a maximum of 5 hours) with personal breaks
  • Service animal
  • Integrated text-to-speech technology
  • Mobility aide

Evaluation of Accommodation Requests

Requests are reviewed individually and confidentially. Accommodations are subject to COMPASS approval. Please note that accommodation approvals are based on guidelines for human rights; however, requests may be refused for the following reasons:

  • The accommodation request was received after the deadline to confirm your intent to write the Registration Examination.
  • There was no official documentation confirming a disability, condition, impairment, or injury.
  • The individual providing the documentation was not a registered practitioner familiar with the candidate and/or qualified to diagnose the condition(s) for which the accommodation was being requested.
  • Official documentation did not include the type or specifics of the Accessibility/Accommodation need required
  • Official documentation older than five years.
  • The requested accommodation posed a reasonable risk to the integrity of the examination (i.e., an unfair advantage would occur; the test would not be able to achieve its testing purpose; the confidentiality of the test items could reasonably be negatively affected).

If COMPASS requests additional information, please reply at your earliest convenience. If no further information is required, the email from COMPASS will indicate the specifics of which Accessibility/Accommodation need(s) have been approved. Review this information and reply to the email, indicating your awareness of the approved Accessibility/Accommodation plans.

Requesting Exam Accommodations

The same deadline applies to submitting an accommodation request and your intent to write COMPASS exam form. Find the deadline for the upcoming exam in the news section of this website.

To request accommodations:

  1. Complete the Computer-Based Testing Accessibility and Reasonable Testing Accommodations Request form (Section One).
  2. Have Section Two completed and signed by a qualified regulated health professional familiar with your condition. The documentation must be current (completed within the past five years).
  3. Gather any additional supporting documentation that may help explain your accommodation needs (optional), such as documentation from your workplace or educational institution.
  4. Submit the completed form and supporting documentation to the CCTPEI registrar. Using the contact form, you can upload two documents at once. If you have more than two documents to upload including the form, submit the contact form multiple times.

Your request will be reviewed by the college and then forwarded to COMPASS. They will notify you by email of the outcome and may request additional information if needed.