Special Test Sites
Special Test Sites are only applicable to students on institutionally assigned full-time off-campus clinical rotations. Since the purpose of the Special Test Sites is to allow students to continue their off-campus clinical rotations without significant interruption, the priority is to establish sites near the clinical rotations. However, it may be necessary for candidates to travel to a centralized or regional location based upon available facilities and other special test site requests. Additionally, the Board reserves the right to deny any request. Special Test Sites are only applicable to students on institutionally assigned full-time off-campus clinical rotation at the time of the following scheduled examinations (Special Test Sites may not be requested for the Clinical Skills Examination):
- March Part I - Applied Basic Science examination
- December Part II - Patient Assessment and Management
Requesting a Special Test Center
A Request for a Special Test Site must be submitted by an academic institution that has scheduled a student candidate to be on off-campus clinical rotation at the time of a scheduled examination. Requests for Special Test Sites are not accepted from examination candidates.
The Dean/President or College Liaison of an academic institution must submit the following for each candidate:
- Special Test Site Request form, completed and signed
- Confirmation that the candidate has already paid the fee during the online registration. Candidates pay the Special Test Site by including it as part of their online credit card exam registration (Click here to register) should select the test center "Special Site" on page 2 of the online application.
The National Board must receive the completed Special Test Site Request Form with payment at least 2 weeks prior to the application deadline for that exam. It is in the best interest of the candidate to register on-line and have the institution submit the Special Test Site Form at the earliest opportunity to increase the likelihood of a test center being arranged. Special Test Sites will be established only if a site that meets Board specifications is located and logistically feasible. Additionally, although the National Board expends considerable effort in ensuring that Special Test Sites can accommodate the candidate, there is a larger chance of a situation arising at a Special Test Site that would preclude a candidate from taking the examination as scheduled.
Fees for Special Test Centers
The fee for requesting a Special Test Site is $300 per exam requested. The $300 Special Test Site request fee is non-refundable. If a Special Test Site is established and the candidate decides not to test at the Special Test Site, the $300 fee is nonrefundable. If, following receipt of a request and subsequent review by the Board, a Special Site Test cannot be found that meets Board specifications or is not logistically feasible, a partial refund of $150 will be issued.
The online special site payment must be part of registration, and cannot be made separately at a later time. Both payment and form must be submitted at least 2 weeks prior to the application deadline for that exam.