N-648 Evaluations
N648 Evaluations: A Comprehensive Overview
An N-648 evaluation, also known as a Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions, is a specialized evaluation form used in the U.S. immigration process. It is required when an immigrant seeks an exception from the English language and/or civics testing requirements for naturalization due to a documented physical, developmental, or mental impairment. The goal of this evaluation is to determine if a medical condition or disability prevents the individual from meeting the testing requirements.
Role of the Psychologist in N-648 Evaluations
A psychologist plays a crucial role in the N-648 evaluation process, particularly when the request is based on cognitive, emotional, or psychiatric impairments. The psychologist's responsibilities include:
Assessment of Impairment: The psychologist conducts a comprehensive clinical evaluation to determine if a mental health condition, developmental disorder, or cognitive impairment exists. This can involve the use of standardized psychological tests, interviews, and reviews of medical records.
Diagnosis and Documentation: Based on the assessment, the psychologist provides a diagnosis. This diagnosis must clearly demonstrate how the condition affects the individual's ability to learn English and/or participate in the civics test.
Report Writing: The psychologist is responsible for filling out the N648 form with clear, detailed, and accurate information about the applicant's medical condition, treatment history, and prognosis. The form requires explanations of how the disability affects learning and processing information.
Specialized Expertise: Psychologists who specialize in neuropsychology, developmental psychology, or clinical psychology are often well-suited to provide these evaluations. Their expertise helps ensure that complex mental health conditions are accurately diagnosed and that the impact on functioning is thoroughly explained.
Advocacy and Support: The psychologist may also serve as an advocate, helping to ensure that applicants who genuinely cannot meet the testing requirements due to a disability receive the exemption. They may collaborate with immigration attorneys and other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive support to the applicant.
At PCP, our psychologists specialize in N-648 Evaluations and are able to offer them for clients across all PSYPACT states, inlcuding PA, NJ, DE, and all of the following:
- Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
If you would like to get an N-648 evaluation with our practice, here are the steps for what that would look like:
- Send us a text message to 267-209-3209 indicating that you are interested in getting this evaluation done.
- In that message, send us your full name, date of birth, and email address.
- Before your appointment can be scheduled, the payment must be received through Cash App, Zelle, or credit/debit card.
- Once payment is received, your appointment will be scheduled based on your availability and ours, and a portal will be created for you to login and fill out a couple of assessments there before your appointment.
- The assessment is scheduled for 1 hour and is usually done through video-conferencing. The evaluation will go over your psychological and cognitive functioning.
- At the end of the evaluation appointment, our psychologist will fill out the N-648 form, and email it to you or directly to your lawyer.