The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT), based in Alexandria, Virginia, has reached a settlement regarding allegations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The organization administers licensing exams for physical therapists and assistants and faced complaints about its handling of accommodation requests for test candidates with disabilities.

The agreement addresses claims that FSBPT improperly reviewed disability-based accommodation requests and demanded excessive documentation from applicants. Under ADA guidelines, entities administering high-stakes exams must ensure results reflect an individual's skills rather than their disabilities.

To settle the complaint, FSBPT will pay $295,000 to those who were required to provide costly documentation or were denied accommodations. Additionally, FSBPT will revise its review process to align with ADA standards. This ensures that individuals with disabilities aiming to become licensed physical therapists or assistants are not subjected to discriminatory practices.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Steve Gordon, serving as the Civil Rights Enforcement Coordinator for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Virginia, investigated the matter. It is important to note that these civil complaints remain allegations without any determination of liability.

For further guidance on ADA compliance, including testing accommodations requirements, resources are available at http://www.ada.gov or via the Justice Department's toll-free information line.