STATE OF LOUISIANA

DEPARTMENT OF STATE CIVIL SERVICE

BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA

General Circular No. 001490

To: Heads of State Agencies and Human Resource Directors

Subject: Rule 7.20(c) test waivers and testing accommodations

Issue Date: June 25, 2002

Civil Service Rule 7.20 (c) allows the Director of Civil Service to waive testing requirements for bona fide clients of state Vocational Rehabilitation Services when the conditions described below are met. Rule 7.20 (c) applies to original appointments only and may not be used for promotions. An agency wishing to propose such a client for appointment should submit their request for a test waiver to the following address:

Staffing Division Administrator
Dept. of State Civil Service
P O Box 94111 – Capitol Station
Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9111

To be considered for a test waiver under Rule 7.20 (c), a candidate must meet all of the following conditions.

1. The candidate must be a bona fide client of the State Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program or the State Blind Services Program.

2. The candidate must be certified by the respective rehabilitation program as qualified to perform the duties of the position without hazard to him/herself or others.

3. The candidate must be certified to be handicapped to such an extent as to preclude his or her participation in the usual competitive examination.

4. The candidate must meet the minimum qualification requirements for the position.

Please note that not every Rehab client will meet these conditions. Many Rehab clients are fully capable of participating in the standard test process. Others may be capable of participating in the test process after reasonable accommodations have been made.

ANY candidate who needs special accommodations to participate in an exam may request them. A candidate need not be a Rehab client in order to request and receive accommodations. Examples of accommodations provided include large-print or braille tests, alternative answer sheets, special seating or desk arrangements, or additional time for non-speed tests.

Testing accommodations are arranged on a case by case basis to address the individual candidate’s needs. Candidates who require special accommodations should make their requests to the Staffing Division Administrator prior to reporting for testing.

For more information about testing accommodations or the appointment of Rehab clients with a test waiver, please contact Jean Tozer, Staffing Division Administrator at 225-342-8536.

Sincerely,

Allen H. Reynolds

Director