An Applicant, Candidate or Certificant may submit an appeal regarding but not limited to the circumstances provided under the tabs below. Each appeal determination is on a case-by-case basis. All appeals must be received within 30 days of a missed appointment or within 30 days of eligibility expiration or it will not be considered.
If you choose to reapply for an examination prior to receiving the determination of your appeal, your appeal is no longer valid, and you will forfeit the determination.
An appeal must be submitted by:
- Uploading to your MY APCA account, under the “My Resources” tab, “Upload Documents” link. Select “Pearson VUE Appeals” for the document type; or
- Email appeals@inteleos.org with a description of the circumstances surrounding the need to submit the appeal and any required documentation based on the circumstances (see tabs below).
Appeals submitted to the APCA Review Panel are based on the conditions described below. Actions regarding APCA compliance policies may not be appealed to the ARDMS Review Panel.
An appeal regarding determination of eligibility to take an examination must be received by APCA within 30 days of the date that APCA sent the notice denying eligibility to take the examination. The written appeal must identify the precise factual basis, applicable rules or examination conditions that are the basis for the appeal.
An appeal regarding disruptive examination conditions must identify the precise factual basis, applicable rules or examination conditions that are the basis for the appeal. It is also required that you bring the issue to the attention of the Proctor to obtain a case number and that you mention it in your exit survey PRIOR to receiving your score.
Appeals related to a family member will be considered for grandparents, parents, spouse, child, sibling, step-parent, step-children and parent-in-law.
Loss/Bereavement:
- Must include official documentation verifying the death of the Candidate’s family member as well as the date of death. Acceptable documentation includes but is not limited to an obituary, death certificate, and/or letter from the attending physician.
- Must provide documentation verifying the Candidate’s relationship to the deceased family member (if they do not share the same last name). Acceptable documentation includes but is not limited to an obituary, birth certificate, memorial pamphlet and/or letter from the funeral home.
Other Issue (i.e., hospitalization)
- Must include a letter from the family member’s treating physician dated and on organizational letterhead, including the date seen/diagnosed, dates family member was incapacitated (if applicable), date they are expected to resume normal activity, signed by the healthcare professional who provided the treatment.
- Must provide documentation verifying the Candidate’s relationship to the family member (if they do not share the same last name). Acceptable documentation includes but is not limited to a letter from the family member’s physician or birth certificate.
All documentation will be reviewed and if required, additional documentation may be requested.
If a Candidate fails to provide documentation that satisfies the requirements above, the candidate shall forfeit the examination fee for a missed examination appointment or expired examination and will be required to reapply for the examination.
The written appeal must include documentation of the weather conditions in your area (i.e., copy of weather report from a local newspaper). All documentation will be reviewed and if required, additional documentation may be requested.
If a Candidate fails to provide documentation that satisfies the requirements above, the candidate shall forfeit the examination fee for a missed examination appointment or expired examination and will be required to reapply for the examination.
The written request must include:
- A letter from the Candidate’s treating physician dated and on organizational letterhead, including the date seen/diagnosed, dates the Candidate was incapacitated (if applicable), date the Candidate is expected to resume normal activity, signed by the healthcare professional who provided the treatment.
- For previously scheduled or “elective” treatment the Candidate must provide an explanation of the circumstances that prevented the Candidate from scheduling the treatment for a time that would not interfere with the scheduled examination.
All documentation will be reviewed and if required, additional documentation may be requested.
If a Candidate fails to provide documentation that satisfies the requirements above, the candidate shall forfeit the examination fee for a missed examination appointment or expired examination and will be required to reapply for the examination.
All written requests must include:
- Examination name
- Date/time of the examination
- Pearson VUE case number (if applicable)
- Reason for the appeal
Be advised that the systems check verifies an internet connection and working webcam. However, it is possible you may still experience technical issues (connectivity, webcam, etc.) during the check-in process or during your examination. If this occurs and you are unable to start, complete and/or pass your examination, you will forfeit your application fee and will need to reapply.
Additionally, Pearson VUE and ARDMS are not responsible for internet interruptions or device batteries dying during the examination.
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