If, during an examination, you believe you have been prevented from demonstrating your ability due to serious medical circumstances or unanticipated exceptional circumstances beyond your control, you must submit a compassionate appeal to void your result. Upon consideration, the Executive Committee may grant a refund of fees.
If the circumstance beyond your control occurs before the administration of the examination, you must withdraw. Please refer to the NDEB By-laws and Policies for Examinations for more information.
Many examinees experience anxiety prior and during an examination. This is normal. Exam anxiety does not lead to a test accommodation or compassionate appeal. Anxiety must be a diagnosed disorder to warrant accommodation or a compassionate appeal.
To request a compassionate appeal, submit a request through your NDEBConnect account.
Compassionate Appeal Policy
Compassionate appeals must be received in writing within seven days of the examination.
Supporting documentation must be included with the compassionate appeal submission. All supporting documents must be issued in English or French.
The Executive Committee will consider a submitted appeal at their next available meeting and only after supporting documentation has been validated. Examination results will not be released or voided until the
decision of the Executive Committee is released to the examinee.
Submission Requirements
Medical documentation must:
- be issued on the date of the NDEB examination (initial doctor visit).
- be on official practice or hospital letterhead.
- include the professional’s credentials.
- include a phone number and fax number for documents to be verified.
- include a clear diagnosis and description of your limitations associated with the diagnosis.
- include information on how the diagnosis was made (i.e. tests administered, procedures performed, and a
comprehensive interpretation of results).
– If additional tests are required to establish a diagnosis after the initial medical visit, the medical documentation must show that additional test will be required.
Test results and a diagnosis are required before the compassionate appeal can be submitted to the Executive Committee; however, it is important that the submission and initial medical documentation is received by the NDEB office on time.
Examples of documentation that is not acceptable
- Handwritten letters from health care providers
- Diagnoses on prescription pads
Family related circumstances, documentation must include
- Proof of relationship between the examinee and the family member for reasons of immediate family illness
or death. Immediate family in relation to the examinee is defined as:
– spouse or common-law partner:
– father and mother and the spouse or common-law partner of the father or mother
– child(ren) and the child(ren) of the spouse or common-law partner;
– grandchild(ren);
– brothers and sisters;
– grandfather and grandmother;
– father and mother of the spouse or common-law partner and the spouse or common-law partner of the father or mother; or
– any relative who resides permanently with the examinee or with whom the examinee permanently resides - Death certificate for family member if applicable.
- Medical documentation for a family member that meets the criteria outlined in the “Medical documentation” above if applicable.