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Through your review of the Candidate Guide, you should already be aware that there are 200 questions on the exam. For these questions, the exam is administered during a seven hour testing session, which consists of an online tutorial (up to 10 minutes), four 1 1/2-hour test periods, an optional break after any section (10 minutes after first testing block, 30 minutes after second block, and another 10 minutes after third testing block), and a post-test survey if any of the six-hour allotted testing time is still available. You may take unscheduled breaks, but please be advised that this does not stop the test timer on your examination. Unscheduled breaks while permitted, will be noted by the proctor.
Here's some information on breaks, double-testing, and other accommodations.
Some of these accommodations require pre-approval, others do not.
Accommodations
Preapproval is not required for the following items:
- Hearing aid/cochlear implant without Bluetooth/wireless capability
- Vocal cord magnifiers
Pre-approval for double-time testing is needed.
Individuals who may require more time for testing, may request an additional test day. You will need to have a physician complete the Documentation for Disability Related Needs form in order to have this accommodation approved.
For double testing time, examinations are administered to candidates on two consecutive days.
Part One of the exam will be administered on Day One. Part Two will be administered the next consecutive day. You will be given six hours to complete Part One of the examination on Day One.
On Day Two, you will be given six hours to complete Part Two of the exam. Part One and Part Two of the examination each contain 100 questions (broken into two blocks of 50 questions each) for a total of about 200 questions in the examination.
There are only two blocks each day for double testing time. You will have a 50 minute break each day after the first block of your examination.
Preapproval is not required for the following items:
- Catheter
- Colostomy bag
- Heart rate monitor
- Insulin pump
- Oxygen tank
- Spinal cord stimulator
- TENS units
- Urine drainage bag
Preapproval is not required for the following items:
- Arm/shoulder sling
- Bandages
- Braces – neck, back, wrist, leg or ankle
- Casts/cervical collar
- Earplugs (foam with no strings)
- Epi-Pen
- Eye patches
- Eyeglasses (without the case)
- Glucose monitor
- Handheld magnifying glass (non-electric, no case)
- Ice packs/heating pads
- Medical alert bracelet
- Pillow/lumbar support
- Stool for elevating a limb
- Surgical face
Preapproval is not required for the following items:
- Cough drops (must be unwrapped and not in a bottle/container)
- Epi-Pen
- Eye drops
- Glucose tablets
- Inhaler
- Nitroglycerin tablets
- Pills (must be unwrapped and not in a bottle/container)
Preapproval is not required for the following items:
- Cane
- Crutches
- Walker
- Wheelchair
Preapproval is needed for a nursing room to be made available.
If a nursing room is needed during testing, you should indicate this on your application in the accommodations section.
APTA program staff on your behalf, will coordinate with the testing agency to assure this is organized ahead of schedule.
PSI centers normally have several "booths" or cubicles in a single room. Any candidate who needs a separate room for testing can request one.
Anyone in need of a separate testing room will need to request this during their application process. Preapproval from ABPTS is required to receive a separate testing room.
Upon receiving your scheduling instructions, contact a PSI testing center from the list. Their staff will provide candidates with a list of centers in their geographic area that offer separate testing room accommodations, which may be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.
Preapproval is not required for the following items:
- Service Animal