Social Security Disability Law Exam Guide

Social Security Disability Law Exam Structure

• The Social Security disability law exam is offered with ExamSoft Remote Proctoring preferred.
• Four 90-minute modules (six hours long).

Morning Module 1

• Includes approximately 10 short answer or short essay questions that vary widely in point value. Please use the point value assigned to determine how long (or short) your answer should be for any given question.

Morning Module 2

• Includes approximately 10 short answer or short essay questions that vary widely in point value. Please use the point value assigned to determine how long (or short) your answer should be for any given question.

60-minute lunch break

Afternoon Module 1

• 50 multiple choice questions – covering topics listed below.

Afternoon Module 2

• 50 multiple choice questions – covering topics listed below.

* Copies of the Childhood and Adult Listings will be provided and may be used during all exam sessions.

Subject Matter

(A) Title II and Title XVI of the Social Security Act;

(B) Federal practice and procedure in Social Security disability cases;

(C) Medical proof of disability;

(D) Vocational aspects of disability;

(E)  Workers' compensation offset;

(F) Eligibility for Medicare and Medicaid;

(G) Eligibility for Social Security retirement and survivors’ benefits;

(H) Interaction of Social Security benefits with employee benefits (e.g., long term disability and back pay);

(I) Equal Access to Justice Act; and

(J) Fee collection and other ethical issues in Social Security practice.

Study Materials

The following are suggested for study:

• Title II and Title XVI of the Social Security Act
• The Equal Access to Justice Act
• Social Security Regulations, particularly Subparts J and P of Regulation No. 4 (procedure and determination of disability) and Appendices 1 and 2 to Subpart P (the listings and "grid" regulations)
• Dictionary of Occupational Titles

In general, an attorney with the experience needed to take the examination would probably have sufficient medical knowledge to answer the questions on the examination that require medical knowledge. If an attorney wishes to study for questions that require medical knowledge, the following may be helpful.

• The Merck Manual
• Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition Text Revision (DSM IV-TR), published by the American Psychiatric Association
• A dictionary of medical acronyms, such as M.F. DeLong, Medical Acronyms, Eponyms and Abbreviations (4th edition).

Those taking the examination should assume the current statutes, regulations and interpretations in effect in North Carolina. Do not consider any planned or proposed changes in the appeals process.

The additional topics listed below may be tested may appear on the exam.

Social Security Disability Law Exam Topics