Testing Accommodations
The Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) provides reasonable and appropriate testing accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Disability means a physical, mental or sensory impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of an applicant and substantially limits the ability of an applicant to demonstrate, under testing conditions, the knowledge, skills, and abilities tested on the NextGen Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) and Limited Practice Officer (LPO) Exam.
Deadline to Request Testing Accommodations
Applicants must request testing accommodations for a disability through the online admissions site by the applicable late application filing deadline. See Fees & Deadlines for additional information.
- For the October 2026 LPO Exam, testing accommodation requests must be submitted by Friday, August 14, 2026.
- For the February 2027 NextGen Bar Exam, testing accommodation requests must be submitted by Thursday, November 5, 2026; except, applicants who did not pass the July 2026 (or September 2026) NextGen Bar Exam in Washington must submit requests for testing accommodation by Saturday, December 5, 2026.
- For the April 2027 LPO Exam, testing accommodation requests must be submitted by Monday, February 15, 2027.
- For the July 2027 NextGen Bar Exam, testing accommodation requests must be submitted by Monday, April 5, 2027; except, applicants who did not pass the February 2027 NextGen Bar Exam in Washington must submit requests for testing accommodation by Wednesday, May 5, 2027.
NOTE: Applicants who are requesting the exact same testing accommodations that were previously granted to them by the WSBA for the NextGen UBE (administered in Washington starting July 2026) or the LPO Exam, should indicate this in response to questions while registering for an exam application through their WSBA Online Admissions account. Applicants requesting the exact same testing accommodations that were previously granted by the WSBA for the NextGen UBE or LPO Exam will not be required to submit a new testing accommodation application or supporting documentation at the time of submitting their exam application.
The WSBA reserves the right to make the final determination concerning testing accommodations and to request additional documentation as part of our interactive process to determine whether the previously granted testing accommodation(s) for the bar exam will be granted for the current exam. Prior approval does not guarantee that the same accommodation(s) will be granted for the exam.
Documentation Required
Applicants requesting testing accommodations must provide appropriate documentation of the disability and specify the extent to which the standard testing procedures need to be modified. The applicant is responsible for demonstrating their need for any requested accommodations. The WSBA reserves the right to make final judgment concerning testing accommodations and may have documentation reviewed by a specialist. The WSBA will only consider the testing accommodations requested by the applicant on the submitted Testing Accommodation Request form. Any testing accommodation may not compromise the integrity or the security of the examination or affect the standards set for the examination.
The following additional forms are optional but may assist in expediting review and consideration of an applicant’s request for testing accommodation for the bar examination. The WSBA will still engage the applicant in an interactive process to determine whether the requested testing accommodation(s) for the bar examination will be granted.
- Certification of Accommodations History Form (Optional)
- Certification of Qualified Professional Form (Optional)
A sample of the online Testing Accommodation Request form can be found HERE.
NOTE: If you submit a testing accommodation request, please include all accommodations and otherwise prohibited items you are requesting in your testing accommodation request. Do not submit a separate special request for these items. If you already submitted your testing accommodation request, please supplement your testing accommodation request via your User Homepage, including any additional items or accommodations that you are requesting for the upcoming exam. Instructions on how to submit a supplement are available on your User Homepage.
How to Request Testing Accommodations When Registering for the Exam
Applicants who need testing accommodations should complete the following steps when registering for an exam application through their WSBA Online Admissions account:
- Select “Yes” for the question “Do you intend to request testing accommodations for this exam?”
- Click “Submit Registration.”
- The testing accommodation request form will then appear on the applicant’s user homepage under “Applications & Forms” as shown below. Click “Continue” to access and complete the request form.
You must submit the testing accommodation application along with your exam application. Supporting documentation for the request must be uploaded by the applicable late application filing deadline. See Fees & Deadlines for additional information.
Please see the Step by Step Instructions for detailed information about to how to submit a testing accommodation request.
Requesting Testing Accommodations After Submitting Your Exam Application
If you have already registered for and submitted your exam application and you need to request testing accommodations, use the “Create Message” tool to send a message to WSBA staff requesting the testing accommodation request form. WSBA Admissions staff will upload a testing accommodation request form to your user homepage with instructions for submitting the form.
Testing Accommodations Acknowledgement Letter
After the WSBA provides notice to an applicant of the testing accommodations granted to that applicant, the applicant must acknowledge that they read and understand the accommodations granted no later than 18 days prior to the first day of the examination.
Other Helpful Information Regarding Testing Accommodations
Other helpful information regarding testing accommodation requests can be found on the Admissions FAQ page, WSBA Admissions Policies and in the Application Instructions.
NOTE: If you do not require testing accommodations, but instead, would like to submit a special request for the exam room, please see Exam Room Special Requests. For information about non-testing accommodations, please see General Accommodations.
Confidentiality of Testing Accommodation Requests
In accordance with APR 1(d), all testing accommodations requests and supporting documentation are confidential. This information is used to evaluate and determine appropriate modifications to standard testing procedures.