diff --git a/src/main/java/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/JavadocVariableCheck.java b/src/main/java/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/JavadocVariableCheck.java
index df40b49a0f2..e7405de58c6 100644
--- a/src/main/java/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/JavadocVariableCheck.java
+++ b/src/main/java/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/JavadocVariableCheck.java
@@ -19,15 +19,17 @@
 
 package com.puppycrawl.tools.checkstyle.checks.javadoc;
 
+import com.puppycrawl.tools.checkstyle.utils.CheckUtil;
+import java.util.Arrays;
 import java.util.regex.Pattern;
 
 import com.puppycrawl.tools.checkstyle.StatelessCheck;
 import com.puppycrawl.tools.checkstyle.api.AbstractCheck;
 import com.puppycrawl.tools.checkstyle.api.DetailAST;
 import com.puppycrawl.tools.checkstyle.api.FileContents;
-import com.puppycrawl.tools.checkstyle.api.Scope;
 import com.puppycrawl.tools.checkstyle.api.TextBlock;
 import com.puppycrawl.tools.checkstyle.api.TokenTypes;
+import com.puppycrawl.tools.checkstyle.checks.naming.AccessModifierOption;
 import com.puppycrawl.tools.checkstyle.utils.ScopeUtil;
 
 /**
@@ -36,10 +38,10 @@
  * </div>
  * <ul>
  * <li>
- * Property {@code excludeScope} - Specify the visibility scope where Javadoc
- * comments are not checked.
- * Type is {@code com.puppycrawl.tools.checkstyle.api.Scope}.
- * Default value is {@code null}.
+ * Property {@code accessModifiers} - Access modifiers of methods where parameters are
+ * checked.
+ * Type is {@code com.puppycrawl.tools.checkstyle.checks.naming.AccessModifierOption[]}.
+ * Default value is {@code public, protected, package, private}.
  * </li>
  * <li>
  * Property {@code ignoreNamePattern} - Specify the regexp to define variable names to ignore.
@@ -47,11 +49,6 @@
  * Default value is {@code null}.
  * </li>
  * <li>
- * Property {@code scope} - Specify the visibility scope where Javadoc comments are checked.
- * Type is {@code com.puppycrawl.tools.checkstyle.api.Scope}.
- * Default value is {@code private}.
- * </li>
- * <li>
  * Property {@code tokens} - tokens to check
  * Type is {@code java.lang.String[]}.
  * Validation type is {@code tokenSet}.
@@ -84,35 +81,28 @@ public class JavadocVariableCheck
      * A key is pointing to the warning message text in "messages.properties"
      * file.
      */
-    public static final String MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING = "javadoc.missing";
-
-    /** Specify the visibility scope where Javadoc comments are checked. */
-    private Scope scope = Scope.PRIVATE;
 
-    /** Specify the visibility scope where Javadoc comments are not checked. */
-    private Scope excludeScope;
+    public static final String MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING = "javadoc.missing";
+    /** Access modifiers of methods where parameters are checked. */
+    private AccessModifierOption[] accessModifiers = {
+        AccessModifierOption.PUBLIC,
+        AccessModifierOption.PROTECTED,
+        AccessModifierOption.PACKAGE,
+        AccessModifierOption.PRIVATE,
+    };
 
     /** Specify the regexp to define variable names to ignore. */
     private Pattern ignoreNamePattern;
 
     /**
-     * Setter to specify the visibility scope where Javadoc comments are checked.
-     *
-     * @param scope a scope.
-     * @since 3.0
-     */
-    public void setScope(Scope scope) {
-        this.scope = scope;
-    }
-
-    /**
-     * Setter to specify the visibility scope where Javadoc comments are not checked.
+     * Setter to access modifiers of methods where parameters are checked.
      *
-     * @param excludeScope a scope.
-     * @since 3.4
+     * @param accessModifiers access modifiers of methods which should be checked.
+     * @since 11.0.0
      */
-    public void setExcludeScope(Scope excludeScope) {
-        this.excludeScope = excludeScope;
+    public void setAccessModifiers(AccessModifierOption... accessModifiers) {
+        this.accessModifiers =
+                Arrays.copyOf(accessModifiers, accessModifiers.length);
     }
 
     /**
@@ -176,6 +166,17 @@ private boolean isIgnored(DetailAST ast) {
             || "serialVersionUID".equals(name);
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Checks whether a method has the correct access modifier to be checked.
+     *
+     * @param accessModifier the access modifier of the method.
+     * @return whether the method matches the expected access modifier.
+     */
+    private boolean matchAccessModifiers(final AccessModifierOption accessModifier) {
+        return Arrays.stream(accessModifiers)
+                .anyMatch(modifier -> modifier == accessModifier);
+    }
+
     /**
      * Whether we should check this node.
      *
@@ -185,14 +186,69 @@ private boolean isIgnored(DetailAST ast) {
     private boolean shouldCheck(final DetailAST ast) {
         boolean result = false;
         if (!ScopeUtil.isInCodeBlock(ast) && !isIgnored(ast)) {
-            final Scope customScope = ScopeUtil.getScope(ast);
-            final Scope surroundingScope = ScopeUtil.getSurroundingScope(ast);
-            result = customScope.isIn(scope) && surroundingScope.isIn(scope)
-                && (excludeScope == null
-                    || !customScope.isIn(excludeScope)
-                    || !surroundingScope.isIn(excludeScope));
+            final AccessModifierOption accessModifier = getAccessModifier(ast);
+            final AccessModifierOption surroundingAccessModifier = getSurroundingAccessModifier(ast);
+            final AccessModifierOption effectiveAccessModifier = getEffectiveModifierOption(surroundingAccessModifier, accessModifier);
+            result = matchAccessModifiers(effectiveAccessModifier);
         }
         return result;
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Returns the access modifier of the given AST.
+     * In case of an invalid access modifier, null is returned.
+     *
+     * @param ast the AST to get the access modifier from.
+     * @return the access modifier of the given AST.
+     */
+    private static AccessModifierOption getAccessModifier(DetailAST ast) {
+        AccessModifierOption accessModifier;
+        try {
+            accessModifier = CheckUtil.getAccessModifierFromModifiersToken(ast);
+        }
+        catch (IllegalArgumentException e) {
+            accessModifier = null;
+        }
+        return accessModifier;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns the access modifier of the surrounding scope of the given AST.
+     * In case of an invalid access modifier, null is returned.
+     *
+     * @param ast the AST to get the surrounding access modifier from.
+     * @return the access modifier of the surrounding scope of the given AST.
+     */
+    private static AccessModifierOption getSurroundingAccessModifier(DetailAST ast) {
+        AccessModifierOption surroundingAccessModifier;
+        try {
+            surroundingAccessModifier = CheckUtil.getSurroundingAccessModifier(ast);
+        } catch (IllegalArgumentException e) {
+            surroundingAccessModifier = null;
+        }
+        return surroundingAccessModifier;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns the effective access modifier.
+     *
+     * @param surroundingAccessModifier the access modifier of the surrounding scope.
+     * @param accessModifier the access modifier of the current scope.
+     * @return the effective access modifier.
+     */
+    private static AccessModifierOption getEffectiveModifierOption(AccessModifierOption surroundingAccessModifier, AccessModifierOption accessModifier) {
+        final AccessModifierOption effectiveAccessModifier;
+        if (surroundingAccessModifier != null && accessModifier != null) {
+        effectiveAccessModifier = surroundingAccessModifier.isIn(accessModifier)
+                ? accessModifier
+                : surroundingAccessModifier;
+        }
+        else if ( accessModifier == null){
+            effectiveAccessModifier = surroundingAccessModifier;
+        }
+        else {
+            effectiveAccessModifier = accessModifier;
+        }
+        return effectiveAccessModifier;
+    }
 }
diff --git a/src/main/java/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/naming/AccessModifierOption.java b/src/main/java/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/naming/AccessModifierOption.java
index 817488cff5b..02e692b2d53 100644
--- a/src/main/java/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/naming/AccessModifierOption.java
+++ b/src/main/java/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/naming/AccessModifierOption.java
@@ -52,6 +52,17 @@ private String getName() {
         return name().toLowerCase(Locale.ENGLISH);
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Checks if this access modifier is a sub access modifier of another access modifier.
+     * Example: PUBLIC is a sub access modifier of PRIVATE.
+     *
+     * @param accessModifierOption a {@code AccessModifierOption} value
+     * @return if {@code this} is a sub access modifier of {@code accessModifierOption}.
+     */
+    public boolean isIn(AccessModifierOption accessModifierOption) {
+        return compareTo(accessModifierOption) <= 0;
+    }
+
     /**
      * Factory method which returns an AccessModifier instance that corresponds to the
      * given access modifier name represented as a {@link String}.
diff --git a/src/main/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/meta/checks/javadoc/JavadocVariableCheck.xml b/src/main/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/meta/checks/javadoc/JavadocVariableCheck.xml
index 32a9ff77988..0322aac524e 100644
--- a/src/main/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/meta/checks/javadoc/JavadocVariableCheck.xml
+++ b/src/main/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/meta/checks/javadoc/JavadocVariableCheck.xml
@@ -8,18 +8,15 @@
  Checks that a variable has a Javadoc comment. Ignores {@code serialVersionUID} fields.
  &lt;/div&gt;</description>
          <properties>
-            <property name="excludeScope" type="com.puppycrawl.tools.checkstyle.api.Scope">
-               <description>Specify the visibility scope where Javadoc
- comments are not checked.</description>
+            <property default-value="public, protected, package, private"
+                      name="accessModifiers"
+                      type="com.puppycrawl.tools.checkstyle.checks.naming.AccessModifierOption[]">
+               <description>Access modifiers of methods where parameters are
+ checked.</description>
             </property>
             <property name="ignoreNamePattern" type="java.util.regex.Pattern">
                <description>Specify the regexp to define variable names to ignore.</description>
             </property>
-            <property default-value="private"
-                      name="scope"
-                      type="com.puppycrawl.tools.checkstyle.api.Scope">
-               <description>Specify the visibility scope where Javadoc comments are checked.</description>
-            </property>
             <property default-value="ENUM_CONSTANT_DEF"
                       name="tokens"
                       type="java.lang.String[]"
diff --git a/src/test/java/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/JavadocVariableCheckTest.java b/src/test/java/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/JavadocVariableCheckTest.java
index 7ce4a492260..7f3e61a0dc6 100644
--- a/src/test/java/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/JavadocVariableCheckTest.java
+++ b/src/test/java/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/JavadocVariableCheckTest.java
@@ -67,10 +67,10 @@ public void testGetAcceptableTokens() {
     public void testDefault()
             throws Exception {
         final String[] expected = {
-            "18:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "311:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "318:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "337:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "16:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "309:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "316:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "335:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
         };
         verifyWithInlineConfigParser(
                 getPath("InputJavadocVariableTags.java"), expected);
@@ -80,9 +80,9 @@ public void testDefault()
     public void testAnother()
             throws Exception {
         final String[] expected = {
-            "23:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "30:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "36:13: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "21:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "28:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "34:13: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
         };
         verifyWithInlineConfigParser(
                 getPath("InputJavadocVariableInner.java"), expected);
@@ -100,13 +100,13 @@ public void testAnother2()
     public void testAnother3()
             throws Exception {
         final String[] expected = {
-            "17:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "22:13: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "42:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "15:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "20:13: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "40:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "47:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "48:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "49:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "50:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "51:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "52:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
         };
         verifyWithInlineConfigParser(
                 getPath("InputJavadocVariablePublicOnly.java"), expected);
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ public void testAnother3()
     public void testAnother4()
             throws Exception {
         final String[] expected = {
-            "52:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "50:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
         };
         verifyWithInlineConfigParser(
                 getPath("InputJavadocVariablePublicOnly2.java"), expected);
@@ -125,22 +125,22 @@ public void testAnother4()
     @Test
     public void testJavadocVariableOnInnerClassFields() throws Exception {
         final String[] expected = {
+            "14:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "15:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "16:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "17:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "18:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "25:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "26:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "27:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "28:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "29:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "37:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "38:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "39:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "40:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "41:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "49:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "50:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "51:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "52:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "53:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
         };
         verifyWithInlineConfigParser(
                 getPath("InputJavadocVariableOnInnerClassFields.java"),
@@ -150,27 +150,27 @@ public void testJavadocVariableOnInnerClassFields() throws Exception {
     @Test
     public void testJavadocVariableOnPublicInnerClassFields() throws Exception {
         final String[] expected = {
+            "12:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "13:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "14:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "15:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "16:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "17:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "23:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "24:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "25:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "26:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "27:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "28:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "35:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "36:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "37:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "38:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "39:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "40:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "47:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "48:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "49:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "50:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "51:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "52:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "59:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "60:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "61:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "62:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "63:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "64:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "74:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "72:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
         };
         verifyWithInlineConfigParser(
                 getPath("InputJavadocVariableOnPublicInnerClassFields.java"),
@@ -178,12 +178,12 @@ public void testJavadocVariableOnPublicInnerClassFields() throws Exception {
     }
 
     @Test
-    public void testScopes2() throws Exception {
+    public void testAccessModifiersPublicProtected() throws Exception {
         final String[] expected = {
-            "15:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "16:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "26:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "27:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "13:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "14:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "24:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "25:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
         };
         verifyWithInlineConfigParser(
                 getPath("InputJavadocVariableNoJavadoc2.java"),
@@ -191,41 +191,41 @@ public void testScopes2() throws Exception {
     }
 
     @Test
-    public void testExcludeScope() throws Exception {
+    public void testAccessModifiersPackagePrivate() throws Exception {
         final String[] expected = {
-            "17:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "18:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "28:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "29:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "15:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "16:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "26:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "27:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "36:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "37:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "38:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "39:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "40:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "41:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "48:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "49:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "50:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "51:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "52:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "53:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "61:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "62:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "63:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "64:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "65:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "66:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "72:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "73:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "74:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "75:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "76:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "77:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "84:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "85:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "86:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "87:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "88:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "89:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "96:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "97:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "98:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "99:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "100:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "101:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "108:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "109:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "110:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "111:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "112:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "113:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "123:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "121:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
         };
         verifyWithInlineConfigParser(
                 getPath("InputJavadocVariableNoJavadoc3.java"),
@@ -236,42 +236,42 @@ public void testExcludeScope() throws Exception {
     public void testIgnoredVariableNames()
             throws Exception {
         final String[] expected = {
+            "13:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "14:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "15:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "16:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "17:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "18:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "24:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "25:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "26:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "27:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "28:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "29:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "36:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "37:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "38:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "39:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "40:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "41:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "48:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "49:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "50:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "51:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "52:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "53:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "61:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "62:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "63:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "64:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "65:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "66:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "72:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "73:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "74:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "75:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "76:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "77:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "84:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "85:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "86:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "87:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "88:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "89:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "96:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "97:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "98:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "99:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "100:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "101:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "108:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "109:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "110:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "111:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "112:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "113:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
         };
         verifyWithInlineConfigParser(
                 getPath("InputJavadocVariableNoJavadoc4.java"),
@@ -282,43 +282,43 @@ public void testIgnoredVariableNames()
     public void testDoNotIgnoreAnythingWhenIgnoreNamePatternIsEmpty()
             throws Exception {
         final String[] expected = {
+            "13:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "14:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "15:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "16:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "17:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "18:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "24:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "25:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "26:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "27:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "28:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "29:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "36:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "37:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "38:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "39:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "40:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "41:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "48:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "49:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "50:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "51:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "52:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "53:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "61:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "62:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "63:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "64:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "65:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "66:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "72:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "73:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "74:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "75:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "76:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "77:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "84:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "85:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "86:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "87:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "88:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "89:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "96:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "97:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "98:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "99:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "100:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "101:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "108:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "109:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "110:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "111:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "112:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "113:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "123:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "121:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
         };
         verifyWithInlineConfigParser(
                 getPath("InputJavadocVariableNoJavadoc5.java"),
@@ -328,7 +328,7 @@ public void testDoNotIgnoreAnythingWhenIgnoreNamePatternIsEmpty()
     @Test
     public void testLambdaLocalVariablesDoNotNeedJavadoc() throws Exception {
         final String[] expected = {
-            "16:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "14:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
         };
         verifyWithInlineConfigParser(
                 getPath("InputJavadocVariableNoJavadocNeededInLambda.java"),
@@ -338,9 +338,9 @@ public void testLambdaLocalVariablesDoNotNeedJavadoc() throws Exception {
     @Test
     public void testInterfaceMemberScopeIsPublic() throws Exception {
         final String[] expected = {
+            "16:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
             "18:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "20:5: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "27:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "25:9: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
         };
         verifyWithInlineConfigParser(
                 getPath("InputJavadocVariableInterfaceMemberScopeIsPublic.java"),
diff --git a/src/test/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/InputJavadocVariableInner.java b/src/test/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/InputJavadocVariableInner.java
index 482c15e1bfb..08364f23e92 100644
--- a/src/test/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/InputJavadocVariableInner.java
+++ b/src/test/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/InputJavadocVariableInner.java
@@ -1,11 +1,9 @@
 /*
 JavadocVariable
-scope = (default)private
-excludeScope = (default)null
+accessModifiers = (default)private
 ignoreNamePattern = (default)null
 tokens = (default)ENUM_CONSTANT_DEF
 
-
 */
 
 package com.puppycrawl.tools.checkstyle.checks.javadoc.javadocvariable;
diff --git a/src/test/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/InputJavadocVariableInner2.java b/src/test/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/InputJavadocVariableInner2.java
index 4a3f55bfc20..769ed894570 100644
--- a/src/test/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/InputJavadocVariableInner2.java
+++ b/src/test/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/InputJavadocVariableInner2.java
@@ -1,11 +1,9 @@
 /*
 JavadocVariable
-scope = public
-excludeScope = (default)null
+accessModifiers = public
 ignoreNamePattern = (default)null
 tokens = (default)ENUM_CONSTANT_DEF
 
-
 */
 
 package com.puppycrawl.tools.checkstyle.checks.javadoc.javadocvariable;
diff --git a/src/test/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/InputJavadocVariableInterfaceMemberScopeIsPublic.java b/src/test/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/InputJavadocVariableInterfaceMemberScopeIsPublic.java
index 190b8afe014..03f9b99d07d 100644
--- a/src/test/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/InputJavadocVariableInterfaceMemberScopeIsPublic.java
+++ b/src/test/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/InputJavadocVariableInterfaceMemberScopeIsPublic.java
@@ -1,11 +1,9 @@
 /*
 JavadocVariable
-scope = public
-excludeScope = (default)null
+accessModifiers = public
 ignoreNamePattern = (default)null
 tokens = ENUM_CONSTANT_DEF, VARIABLE_DEF
 
-
 */
 
 package com.puppycrawl.tools.checkstyle.checks.javadoc.javadocvariable;
diff --git a/src/test/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/InputJavadocVariableNoJavadoc2.java b/src/test/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/InputJavadocVariableNoJavadoc2.java
index 1bf8a5c21da..1411632a18a 100644
--- a/src/test/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/InputJavadocVariableNoJavadoc2.java
+++ b/src/test/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/InputJavadocVariableNoJavadoc2.java
@@ -1,11 +1,9 @@
 /*
 JavadocVariable
-scope = protected
-excludeScope = (default)null
+accessModifiers = public, protected
 ignoreNamePattern = (default)null
 tokens = (default)ENUM_CONSTANT_DEF
 
-
 */
 
 package com.puppycrawl.tools.checkstyle.checks.javadoc.javadocvariable;
diff --git a/src/test/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/InputJavadocVariableNoJavadoc3.java b/src/test/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/InputJavadocVariableNoJavadoc3.java
index 36ee9759a1f..0945dd4991f 100644
--- a/src/test/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/InputJavadocVariableNoJavadoc3.java
+++ b/src/test/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/InputJavadocVariableNoJavadoc3.java
@@ -1,11 +1,9 @@
 /*
 JavadocVariable
-scope = (default)private
-excludeScope = protected
+accessModifiers = package, private
 ignoreNamePattern = (default)null
 tokens = (default)ENUM_CONSTANT_DEF
 
-
 */
 
 package com.puppycrawl.tools.checkstyle.checks.javadoc.javadocvariable;
diff --git a/src/test/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/InputJavadocVariableNoJavadoc4.java b/src/test/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/InputJavadocVariableNoJavadoc4.java
index c2d60dd66c2..5d5a30ffbca 100644
--- a/src/test/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/InputJavadocVariableNoJavadoc4.java
+++ b/src/test/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/InputJavadocVariableNoJavadoc4.java
@@ -1,11 +1,9 @@
 /*
 JavadocVariable
-scope = (default)private
-excludeScope = (default)null
+accessModifiers = (default)private
 ignoreNamePattern = log|logger
 tokens = (default)ENUM_CONSTANT_DEF
 
-
 */
 
 package com.puppycrawl.tools.checkstyle.checks.javadoc.javadocvariable;
diff --git a/src/test/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/InputJavadocVariableNoJavadoc5.java b/src/test/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/InputJavadocVariableNoJavadoc5.java
index b87bd6553a1..f6c06f7c837 100644
--- a/src/test/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/InputJavadocVariableNoJavadoc5.java
+++ b/src/test/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/InputJavadocVariableNoJavadoc5.java
@@ -1,11 +1,9 @@
 /*
 JavadocVariable
-scope = (default)private
-excludeScope = (default)null
+accessModifiers = (default)private
 ignoreNamePattern =
 tokens = (default)ENUM_CONSTANT_DEF
 
-
 */
 
 package com.puppycrawl.tools.checkstyle.checks.javadoc.javadocvariable;
diff --git a/src/test/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/InputJavadocVariableNoJavadocNeededInLambda.java b/src/test/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/InputJavadocVariableNoJavadocNeededInLambda.java
index 75a834c7d19..b88aa99eb6c 100644
--- a/src/test/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/InputJavadocVariableNoJavadocNeededInLambda.java
+++ b/src/test/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/InputJavadocVariableNoJavadocNeededInLambda.java
@@ -1,11 +1,9 @@
 /*
 JavadocVariable
-scope = (default)private
-excludeScope = (default)null
+accessModifiers = (default)private
 ignoreNamePattern = (default)null
 tokens = (default)ENUM_CONSTANT_DEF
 
-
 */
 
 package com.puppycrawl.tools.checkstyle.checks.javadoc.javadocvariable;
diff --git a/src/test/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/InputJavadocVariableOnInnerClassFields.java b/src/test/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/InputJavadocVariableOnInnerClassFields.java
index 4e4f65fc8b5..91b50e0375d 100644
--- a/src/test/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/InputJavadocVariableOnInnerClassFields.java
+++ b/src/test/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/InputJavadocVariableOnInnerClassFields.java
@@ -1,11 +1,10 @@
 /*
 JavadocVariable
-scope = (default)private
+accessModifiers = (default)private
 excludeScope = (default)null
 ignoreNamePattern = (default)null
 tokens = (default)ENUM_CONSTANT_DEF
 
-
 */
 
 package com.puppycrawl.tools.checkstyle.checks.javadoc.javadocvariable;
diff --git a/src/test/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/InputJavadocVariableOnPublicInnerClassFields.java b/src/test/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/InputJavadocVariableOnPublicInnerClassFields.java
index 2b06ae2137d..571bb102e7e 100644
--- a/src/test/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/InputJavadocVariableOnPublicInnerClassFields.java
+++ b/src/test/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/InputJavadocVariableOnPublicInnerClassFields.java
@@ -1,11 +1,9 @@
 /*
 JavadocVariable
-scope = (default)private
-excludeScope = (default)null
+accessModifiers = (default)private
 ignoreNamePattern = (default)null
 tokens = (default)ENUM_CONSTANT_DEF
 
-
 */
 
 package com.puppycrawl.tools.checkstyle.checks.javadoc.javadocvariable;
diff --git a/src/test/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/InputJavadocVariablePublicOnly.java b/src/test/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/InputJavadocVariablePublicOnly.java
index 43f15016517..cc827230b40 100644
--- a/src/test/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/InputJavadocVariablePublicOnly.java
+++ b/src/test/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/InputJavadocVariablePublicOnly.java
@@ -1,11 +1,9 @@
 /*
 JavadocVariable
-scope = (default)private
-excludeScope = (default)null
+accessModifiers = (default)private
 ignoreNamePattern = (default)null
 tokens = (default)ENUM_CONSTANT_DEF
 
-
 */
 
 package com.puppycrawl.tools.checkstyle.checks.javadoc.javadocvariable;
diff --git a/src/test/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/InputJavadocVariablePublicOnly2.java b/src/test/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/InputJavadocVariablePublicOnly2.java
index 1e2876e035b..12546d6ebb7 100644
--- a/src/test/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/InputJavadocVariablePublicOnly2.java
+++ b/src/test/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/InputJavadocVariablePublicOnly2.java
@@ -1,11 +1,9 @@
 /*
 JavadocVariable
-scope = public
-excludeScope = (default)null
+accessModifiers = public
 ignoreNamePattern = (default)null
 tokens = (default)ENUM_CONSTANT_DEF
 
-
 */
 
 package com.puppycrawl.tools.checkstyle.checks.javadoc.javadocvariable;
diff --git a/src/test/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/InputJavadocVariableTags.java b/src/test/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/InputJavadocVariableTags.java
index beccae83a79..1b9069363e9 100644
--- a/src/test/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/InputJavadocVariableTags.java
+++ b/src/test/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/InputJavadocVariableTags.java
@@ -1,11 +1,9 @@
 /*
 JavadocVariable
-scope = (default)private
-excludeScope = (default)null
+accessModifiers = (default)private
 ignoreNamePattern = (default)null
 tokens = (default)ENUM_CONSTANT_DEF
 
-
 */
 
 package com.puppycrawl.tools.checkstyle.checks.javadoc.javadocvariable;
diff --git a/src/xdocs-examples/java/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/JavadocVariableCheckExamplesTest.java b/src/xdocs-examples/java/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/JavadocVariableCheckExamplesTest.java
index e4e6e9f7415..ded43322ba0 100644
--- a/src/xdocs-examples/java/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/JavadocVariableCheckExamplesTest.java
+++ b/src/xdocs-examples/java/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/JavadocVariableCheckExamplesTest.java
@@ -54,8 +54,8 @@ public void testExample2() throws Exception {
     @Test
     public void testExample3() throws Exception {
         final String[] expected = {
-            "15:3: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
-            "23:15: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "14:3: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
+            "22:15: " + getCheckMessage(MSG_JAVADOC_MISSING),
         };
 
         verifyWithInlineConfigParser(getPath("Example3.java"), expected);
diff --git a/src/xdocs-examples/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/Example2.java b/src/xdocs-examples/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/Example2.java
index e19d834316f..f9b0cbb4597 100644
--- a/src/xdocs-examples/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/Example2.java
+++ b/src/xdocs-examples/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/Example2.java
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 <module name="Checker">
   <module name="TreeWalker">
     <module name="JavadocVariable">
-      <property name="scope" value="public"/>
+      <property name="accessModifiers" value="public"/>
     </module>
   </module>
 </module>
diff --git a/src/xdocs-examples/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/Example3.java b/src/xdocs-examples/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/Example3.java
index dad03f68d39..d1eacc469a4 100644
--- a/src/xdocs-examples/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/Example3.java
+++ b/src/xdocs-examples/resources/com/puppycrawl/tools/checkstyle/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable/Example3.java
@@ -2,8 +2,7 @@
 <module name="Checker">
   <module name="TreeWalker">
     <module name="JavadocVariable">
-      <property name="scope" value="private"/>
-      <property name="excludeScope" value="protected"/>
+      <property name="accessModifiers" value="private,package"/>
     </module>
   </module>
 </module>
diff --git a/src/xdocs/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable.xml b/src/xdocs/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable.xml
index 4a4c9e1bbe8..8f8b82d452b 100644
--- a/src/xdocs/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable.xml
+++ b/src/xdocs/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable.xml
@@ -26,11 +26,11 @@
               <th>since</th>
             </tr>
             <tr>
-              <td>excludeScope</td>
-              <td>Specify the visibility scope where Javadoc comments are not checked.</td>
-              <td><a href="../../property_types.html#Scope">Scope</a></td>
-              <td><code>null</code></td>
-              <td>3.4</td>
+              <td>accessModifiers</td>
+              <td>Access modifiers of methods where parameters are checked.</td>
+              <td><a href="../../property_types.html#AccessModifierOption.5B.5D">AccessModifierOption[]</a></td>
+              <td><code>public, protected, package, private</code></td>
+              <td>11.0.0</td>
             </tr>
             <tr>
               <td>ignoreNamePattern</td>
@@ -39,13 +39,6 @@
               <td><code>null</code></td>
               <td>5.8</td>
             </tr>
-            <tr>
-              <td>scope</td>
-              <td>Specify the visibility scope where Javadoc comments are checked.</td>
-              <td><a href="../../property_types.html#Scope">Scope</a></td>
-              <td><code>private</code></td>
-              <td>3.0</td>
-            </tr>
             <tr>
               <td>tokens</td>
               <td>tokens to check</td>
@@ -78,7 +71,7 @@
         </source>
         <p id="Example1-code">
           By default, this setting will report a violation if
-          there is no javadoc for any scope member.
+          there is no javadoc for a member with any access modifier.
         </p>
         <source>
 public class Example1 {
@@ -96,15 +89,15 @@ public class Example1 {
         </source>
 
         <p id="Example2-config">
-          To configure the check for <code>public</code>
-          scope:
+          To configure the check <code>public</code>
+          access modifier:
         </p>
 
         <source>
 &lt;module name=&quot;Checker&quot;&gt;
   &lt;module name=&quot;TreeWalker&quot;&gt;
     &lt;module name=&quot;JavadocVariable&quot;&gt;
-      &lt;property name=&quot;scope&quot; value=&quot;public&quot;/&gt;
+      &lt;property name=&quot;accessModifiers&quot; value=&quot;public&quot;/&gt;
     &lt;/module&gt;
   &lt;/module&gt;
 &lt;/module&gt;
@@ -128,24 +121,22 @@ public class Example2 {
         </source>
 
         <p id="Example3-config">
-          To configure the check for members which are in <code>private</code>, but not in
-          <code>protected</code> scope:
+          To configure the check for members which are in <code>private</code> or
+          <code>package</code> access modifier:
         </p>
 
         <source>
 &lt;module name=&quot;Checker&quot;&gt;
   &lt;module name=&quot;TreeWalker&quot;&gt;
     &lt;module name=&quot;JavadocVariable&quot;&gt;
-      &lt;property name=&quot;scope&quot; value=&quot;private&quot;/&gt;
-      &lt;property name=&quot;excludeScope&quot; value=&quot;protected&quot;/&gt;
+      &lt;property name=&quot;accessModifiers&quot; value=&quot;private,package&quot;/&gt;
     &lt;/module&gt;
   &lt;/module&gt;
 &lt;/module&gt;
         </source>
         <p id="Example3-code">
           This setting will report a violation if there is no
-          javadoc for <code>private</code> member and
-          ignores <code>protected</code> member.
+          javadoc for <code>private</code>  or <code>package</code> member.
         </p>
         <source>
 public class Example3 {
diff --git a/src/xdocs/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable.xml.template b/src/xdocs/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable.xml.template
index 70d036d7138..5bfc7a239a2 100644
--- a/src/xdocs/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable.xml.template
+++ b/src/xdocs/checks/javadoc/javadocvariable.xml.template
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@
         </macro>
         <p id="Example1-code">
           By default, this setting will report a violation if
-          there is no javadoc for any scope member.
+          there is no javadoc for a member with any access modifier.
         </p>
         <macro name="example">
           <param name="path"
@@ -44,8 +44,8 @@
         </macro>
 
         <p id="Example2-config">
-          To configure the check for <code>public</code>
-          scope:
+          To configure the check <code>public</code>
+          access modifier:
         </p>
 
         <macro name="example">
@@ -64,8 +64,8 @@
         </macro>
 
         <p id="Example3-config">
-          To configure the check for members which are in <code>private</code>, but not in
-          <code>protected</code> scope:
+          To configure the check for members which are in <code>private</code> or
+          <code>package</code> access modifier:
         </p>
 
         <macro name="example">
@@ -75,8 +75,7 @@
         </macro>
         <p id="Example3-code">
           This setting will report a violation if there is no
-          javadoc for <code>private</code> member and
-          ignores <code>protected</code> member.
+          javadoc for <code>private</code>  or <code>package</code> member.
         </p>
         <macro name="example">
           <param name="path"