Requesting ADA Testing Accommodations for Louisiana Jailer Exams (OSE): What Families and Applicants Need to Know

The Louisiana Office of State Examiner (OSE) offers reasonable testing accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Put simply, accommodations are adjustments to standard testing conditions that help a qualified candidate access the exam on equal footing. The point is fairness: equal access without compromising the exam's validity, creating an unfair advantage, or placing an undue burden on the OSE.

Requesting ADA testing accommodations for an OSE exam takes three pieces, all submitted together: a completed examination application, a completed Testing Accommodations Request Form, and supporting documentation from a qualified physician or health care provider who specializes in the disability. If you're helping a loved one through this process, pay close attention to completeness. Every form needs to be fully filled out, and the medical documentation should be specific. The OSE uses that paperwork to decide which accommodations are appropriate.

The OSE has specific expectations for provider documentation. You'll need an original letter typed on official letterhead and dated within the past three years. The letter should document the disability and its severity, describe the limitations it causes, and state exactly what testing accommodations are needed. It must also include an original signature and the provider's credentials. A vague letter, or one missing any of these elements, can slow down the review or put the entire request at risk.

Timing trips up more applicants than anything else. The OSE requires all documentation listed in Section 2 of the request materials no later than two weeks before the scheduled test date. Miss that window, and the request may be denied for insufficient documentation. If you're supporting an applicant, build in extra time. Get the provider letter prepared, signed, and sent early, then confirm everything is submitted well ahead of that two-week cutoff.

Already been approved for the same OSE ADA testing accommodations within the past three years? You still need to complete the ADA Request form. The good news: the OSE generally won't require additional documentation in that situation.

Checklist

• ✓ Confirm you are requesting reasonable ADA testing accommodations through the Office of State Examiner (OSE).
• ✓ Submit a completed OSE exam application.
• ✓ Complete the OSE Testing Accommodations Request Form.
• ✓ Sign the request form. OSE will not process a request without the applicant’s signature.
• ✓ Include supporting documentation from a qualified physician or specialist.
• ✓ Make sure the provider letter is an original copy on official letterhead, dated within the past three years, describes the disability and limitations, states the specific accommodations needed, and includes an original signature plus credentials.
• ✓ Ensure all Section 2 documentation is received no later than two weeks before the scheduled test date.
• ✓ Email ADA accommodation requests (and Veteran’s Points requests, if applicable) to OSEregionaltesting@la.gov by the application deadline.
• ✓ If you were approved for the same accommodations within the past three years, complete the ADA Request form and, in most cases, you do not need to resubmit additional documentation.