New York moves fast, and ADHD can make keeping up feel impossible, whether you’re managing a Midtown workload, a Brooklyn commute and a family, a semester at CUNY or SUNY, or preparation for the New York bar exam. A comprehensive ADHD evaluation gives you a clear answer about what’s driving your difficulties and documentation that New York employers, colleges, prescribers, and testing agencies will take seriously.
Evaluations are conducted by Dr. Alan S. Jacobson, Psy.D., MBA, a clinical psychologist with more than 25 years of experience who holds a New York State psychology license (#024941). He is also licensed in Massachusetts, California, and New Hampshire, and holds PSYPACT authority covering 44 states. That combination matters for New Yorkers who study or work across state lines.
A free 15-minute consultation helps you decide whether a full evaluation is the right next step.
Quick answer: If you live in New York, you can get a comprehensive ADHD evaluation by secure telehealth from anywhere in the state, or in person in New York City, as long as the psychologist holds a New York license. New York has not joined PSYPACT, so a New York license is what allows a psychologist to evaluate you while you’re physically in the state. A complete adult evaluation includes a clinical interview, childhood history, rating scales, objective attention testing, screening for look-alike conditions, and a written report. It typically costs $1,750 to $2,500.
Who We Evaluate in New York
Adults across the state
Professionals, parents, and career changers in New York City, Long Island, Westchester, the Hudson Valley, the Capital Region, and upstate cities from Syracuse to Buffalo. Many have never been diagnosed and are wondering whether lifelong struggles with focus and follow-through have a name. See undiagnosed ADHD in adults and ADHD in women.
College and graduate students
Students at CUNY and SUNY campuses, NYU, Columbia, Cornell, Fordham, and New York’s many private colleges, plus law, medical, and business students. Our ADHD testing for college students page covers campus documentation in depth.
New Yorkers studying out of state
If you’re a New York resident attending college in another state, PSYPACT authority may allow you to be evaluated from campus, and your New York license coverage applies when you’re home on break. Out-of-state students attending school in New York can be evaluated while here.
Adults weighing medication
If your prescriber wants testing before starting or continuing ADHD medication, or you have doubts about a quick online diagnosis, see ADHD evaluations for medication decisions. Teens can be evaluated too; see ADHD assessment for teens.
New York Licensing and Telehealth: What You Need to Know
Psychology in New York is regulated by the New York State Education Department’s Office of the Professions, which also lets you verify any psychologist’s license online. Unlike most states, New York has not adopted PSYPACT, the interstate compact that lets psychologists practice telehealth across member states. Legislation to join (Assembly Bill A4566 and its Senate companion) has remained in committee. In practice, this means a psychologist must hold a New York license to evaluate you while you are physically in New York, even by video.
Dr. Jacobson’s New York license and PSYPACT authority together cover most situations New Yorkers face:
| Your situation | Can you be evaluated virtually? |
|---|---|
| You live and are located in New York | Yes, statewide, under his New York license. In-person testing is also available in New York City. |
| You’re a New York resident attending college in a PSYPACT state | Yes, from campus, under PSYPACT authority, or at home in New York over break |
| You’re from another state and attend school in New York | Yes, while you’re physically in New York |
| You’re temporarily in a state outside his licensure and PSYPACT | Sessions are scheduled for when you’re back in a covered location |
What counts is where you are during each session, not your permanent address. We confirm this during your free consultation.
What the Evaluation Includes
The New York evaluation follows the same rigorous process as our adult ADHD testing, consistent with CDC guidance and DSM-5 criteria:
- Clinical interview and developmental history. When symptoms began, how they showed up in school and work, and how they affect your life now. Old report cards and prior evaluations help.
- Multi-informant rating scales. Adult ADHD measures completed by you and, with your permission, a partner, parent, or someone who knew you as a child.
- Objective attention testing. Computerized measures such as the Conners CPT or TOVA.
- Cognitive and executive functioning measures. Working memory, processing speed, and real-world executive functioning.
- Screening for look-alikes. Anxiety, depression, sleep problems, substance use, learning disabilities, and autism traits.
- Effort and validity measures. Standard performance validity testing, which colleges and testing agencies increasingly expect.
- Feedback and written report. A detailed report with diagnosis or differential, your cognitive profile, and practical recommendations.
ADHD Documentation for New York Colleges
New York has one of the largest higher education systems in the country, from CUNY’s urban campuses to SUNY’s statewide network and the state’s many private universities. Each school’s disability services office sets its own documentation policy, but most look for the same essentials: a clear diagnosis, evidence of current functional impact, and recommendations tied to specific findings. As the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights notes, a high school IEP or 504 plan generally isn’t sufficient on its own.
Our reports follow the CLEAR framework for documenting functional impairment, built to meet those expectations. See college accommodations, college housing accommodations, and our college students hub for next steps.
The New York Bar Exam and Professional Exams
New York law graduates request bar exam accommodations from the New York State Board of Law Examiners, which sets its own application process, deadlines, and documentation requirements. Requests for extended time or other accommodations are reviewed closely, so documentation should include objective test data, a clear developmental history, and a direct link between findings and each accommodation requested. Start well before the filing deadline.
The same principles apply to other high-stakes exams New York students take:
ADHD Medication in New York
Psychologists don’t prescribe; your physician, psychiatrist, or nurse practitioner does. New York adds its own safeguards for stimulant prescriptions. Under the state’s I-STOP prescription monitoring program, prescribers generally must consult the state registry before prescribing controlled substances such as stimulants. Many New York prescribers also prefer a formal evaluation before starting treatment in an adult. A comprehensive evaluation gives them a documented diagnosis, rule-outs, substance-use screening, and baseline measures. Learn more on our medication decisions page.
Workplace Accommodations in New York
Adults with ADHD may be entitled to reasonable accommodations at work under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and New York State and New York City human rights laws provide additional protections. Accommodations such as a quieter workspace, written instructions, or adjusted deadlines are often simple to implement once needs are clearly documented. See workplace accommodations testing and ADHD accommodations for school and work.
In-Person and Virtual Options
Most New York clients complete their evaluation by secure telehealth from home or work, which avoids commutes and fits around demanding schedules. In-person testing is available in New York City by appointment for those who prefer it or whose evaluation benefits from it. We serve clients in all five boroughs, Long Island, Westchester, the Hudson Valley, the Capital Region, and upstate cities including Rochester, Syracuse, Ithaca, and Buffalo. See our virtual testing guide, psychological testing in New York, and psychological testing in NYC pages.
New York Case Examples
These composite examples reflect common presentations. Details have been changed to protect privacy.
Manhattan professional, first diagnosis at 38
- Presentation
- A 38-year-old marketing director had built a successful career through long hours and last-minute sprints, but a promotion with more meetings and less structure left her missing deadlines and feeling constantly behind.
- Key findings
- Elevated inattentive symptoms on self and partner ratings, with childhood onset confirmed by her mother; inconsistent sustained attention on the CPT; working memory well below her reasoning ability; anxiety secondary to chronic overwhelm; valid effort throughout.
- Outcome
- Diagnosed with ADHD, predominantly inattentive presentation. She shared the report with her physician, began coaching on planning and task initiation, and requested modest workplace adjustments, including written meeting summaries and protected focus time.
Law student preparing for the New York bar
- Presentation
- A third-year law student in New York City had a childhood ADHD diagnosis but only a pediatrician’s note from age 9. He planned to request extended time on the bar exam and needed current documentation.
- Key findings
- Combined-presentation ADHD confirmed with school records and parent ratings; reading fluency and processing speed significantly below his verbal reasoning under timed conditions; validity measures within normal limits.
- Outcome
- The report documented current functional impact and tied each recommended accommodation to specific findings. He filed his request with the Board of Law Examiners well ahead of the deadline.
Long Island resident studying out of state
- Presentation
- A 20-year-old from Long Island attending college in another state was struggling with deadlines and wanted an evaluation without waiting until summer.
- Key findings
- Because her college was in a PSYPACT state, testing was completed by telehealth from her campus. Results showed ADHD with a co-occurring reading weakness that had been masked by strong verbal skills.
- Outcome
- Her campus disability office approved accommodations the same semester, and she began academic coaching. Her family doctor at home received the report to discuss treatment options over winter break.
Cost and Insurance
Comprehensive ADHD evaluations typically range from $1,750 to $2,500, depending on scope and whether documentation for a specific testing agency such as the Board of Law Examiners is needed. The fee is confirmed before testing begins. We don’t bill insurance directly, but we provide a superbill you can submit for possible out-of-network reimbursement. Many New York employer and student health plans include out-of-network mental health benefits, so check with your insurer before scheduling. See psychological testing costs for details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get tested for ADHD online in New York?
Yes. You can complete a comprehensive ADHD evaluation by secure telehealth from anywhere in New York, as long as the psychologist holds a New York State license. Dr. Jacobson is licensed in New York (#024941), so he can evaluate you virtually from home or work, whether you’re in Manhattan, Buffalo, or anywhere in between. In-person testing is also available in New York City for clients who prefer it. What matters is where you are physically located during each session.
Is New York part of PSYPACT?
No. New York has not adopted PSYPACT, the compact that lets psychologists practice telehealth across member states. Bills to join have been introduced but remain in committee. That means a psychologist must hold a New York license to evaluate you while you are in New York. Dr. Jacobson holds both a New York license and PSYPACT authority, so he can evaluate New Yorkers at home and, in most cases, New York students attending college in PSYPACT states.
How much does ADHD testing cost in New York?
Comprehensive adult ADHD evaluations typically range from $1,750 to $2,500, depending on the scope of testing and whether documentation for a specific agency, such as the New York State Board of Law Examiners, is needed. The fee is confirmed before testing begins, so there are no surprises. Prices across New York vary widely, from brief screenings to full neuropsychological batteries, so it’s worth asking any provider exactly what their evaluation includes.
Does insurance cover ADHD testing in New York?
Coverage depends on your plan. We don’t bill insurance directly, but we provide a superbill with the codes your insurer needs for possible out-of-network reimbursement. Many New York employer and student health plans include out-of-network mental health benefits that cover part of psychological testing. Before scheduling, call your insurer and ask whether psychological testing is covered out of network, what your deductible is, and whether pre-authorization is required.
Will New York colleges accept the evaluation?
Each college sets its own documentation policy, but most disability services offices, including those at CUNY, SUNY, and private universities, look for a clear diagnosis, evidence of current functional impact, and recommendations tied to specific findings. A comprehensive evaluation is designed to provide exactly that. A high school IEP or 504 plan often isn’t enough on its own. If your school publishes documentation guidelines, share them with us so the report addresses them directly.
Can the evaluation support New York bar exam accommodations?
Yes, when it’s planned for that purpose. The New York State Board of Law Examiners sets its own application process, deadlines, and documentation requirements, and reviews requests closely. Strong documentation includes objective test data, a developmental history, validity measures, and a clear link between findings and each accommodation requested. Tell us at the start that you’re preparing for the New York bar, and start early, well before the filing deadline.
Do I need testing to get ADHD medication in New York?
Not always, but many New York prescribers prefer a formal evaluation before starting stimulants in an adult. New York’s I-STOP program generally requires prescribers to check the state prescription monitoring registry before prescribing controlled substances, and prescribers are also asked to assess misuse risk. A comprehensive evaluation supports that process with a documented diagnosis, rule-outs, and substance-use screening. Psychologists don’t prescribe; your physician, psychiatrist, or nurse practitioner makes the medication decision.
How soon can I be seen, and how long does it take?
Our current wait to begin is about 10 to 14 days. Testing usually takes two to three hours, with some questionnaires completed at home beforehand. A draft report typically follows within one to two weeks, then a feedback session before the final report. If you have a deadline, such as a semester start, an exam registration date, or a bar exam filing window, mention it during your free consultation so we can plan around it.
Related Services
Get Clear Answers, Wherever You Are in New York
Whether you’re a professional who has always suspected ADHD, a student who needs documentation before the next exam, or a law graduate preparing for the bar, a comprehensive evaluation replaces guesswork with a clear explanation and a plan. Start with a free 15-minute consultation. Current wait time is about 10 to 14 days. For support and community, CHADD offers resources for adults with ADHD.
Evaluations conducted by Dr. Alan S. Jacobson, Psy.D., MBA, licensed psychologist in New York (024941), Massachusetts (7110), California (PSY 34380), and New Hampshire (1650), with PSYPACT authority (#14929). Member, National Register of Health Service Psychologists.
