ABCN understands and values the importance of a parent’s decision to breastfeed a child. In support of our candidates undergoing certification, accommodations can be provided for the Written and Oral Exams. For candidates taking the Written Examination, ABCN will work with our written exam vendor (https://home.pearsonvue.com/Test-takers/Accommodations.aspx) to approve and communicate accommodations for breastfeeding parents. ABCN has greater flexibility for oral versus written exam accommodations. More information about this accommodation request is available at this link. Extension requests for the 7-year candidacy period may also be considered on a case by case basis and can be requested through the ABPP Website https://abpp.org/abcn-candidacy-deadline-extension-request/. These requests can be completed at any time.
Written Exam
For the written exam, ABCN will work with Pearson Vue to provide accommodations for breastfeeding parents. Per the Pearson Vue site (https://home.pearsonvue.com/Test-takers/Accommodations.aspx), breastfeeding parents are afforded (at Pearson Vue sites):
- Access to a private space for pumping/expressing milk. While this varies per testing center, it is noted to be a breakroom with a door or an area with a privacy screen. Each space has a chair, table, and an electrical outlet.
- Per Pearson Vue, these are available on a first-come, first-served basis. ABCN recommends contacting your local center to coordinate this prior to scheduling.
- If you are testing outside of a Pearson Vue-owned center, they will work with you to find a suitable space for pumping. Please contact them to coordinate this prior to scheduling.
In order to accomplish this, ABCN will also grant:
- Additional time (45 minutes) for a break in order to express breast milk, with consideration made for special circumstances in regard to time or other needs.
Please note:
Requests should be submitted in writing to the ABCN administrator (Annunciata Porterfield; nunce@med.umich.edu). We understand that the exact specifics of one’s accommodations may not be fully known until closer to the exam date (e.g., a specific time to express milk; if needing to express more than once in the time window etc.); however, formally requesting generalized accommodations at least 60 days prior to the applicant’s exam window will aid in ensuring accommodations are met to the best of ABCN’s abilities. When in doubt, it is recommended to submit a request for accommodations even if specific details are not fully known.
Accommodations must be approved prior to scheduling an exam location.
Private space is provided on a first come, first served basis and is subject to test center availability. This may require a candidate to travel to a more distant center with an available private space.
Per test center regulations, children and/or visitors are not allowed in the test centers for any reason, and leaving the test site for breastfeeding rather than pumping, would not be possible. If pumping is not a viable option, ABCN would encourage scheduling the exam at an alternate time.
Refrigeration is not provided.
Restrooms are available at each site.
ABCN has no control over the accommodations offered at a test site; however, we will work with our written exam vendor to best accommodate the applicant.
Oral Exam
For the ABCN Oral exam, ABCN will provide the following accommodations:
- Access to a private space for pumping/expressing milk, which is not a restroom, with a chair, table, and an electrical outlet.
- Refrigeration for small items may be provided but we encourage you to bring a cooler.
- Additional time (45 minutes) for a break in order to express breast milk, with consideration made for special circumstances in regard to time or other needs.
- Children and/or visitors are not allowed in the exam area, and leaving the site for breastfeeding rather than pumping, would not be possible. If pumping is not a viable option, ABCN would encourage scheduling the exam at an alternate time.
Please email/contact the ABCN administrator (Annunciata Porterfield; nunce@med.umich.edu) to apply for accommodations for the Oral Exam. We understand there may be circumstances in which the 60-day window is not possible (e.g., a baby is born earlier than anticipated), and ABCN will work with the applicant to offer an appropriate accommodation.
