The APAC-BE exam is administered through Pearson VUE testing centers and OnVUE online proctoring, and by paper and pencil at the close of every National Conference. Approved applicants will be notified with instructions on how to register.

Contact Camille North at APACInfo@accessibilityprofessionals.org for more information.

Cost: The application fee is $500 for APA members and $750 for nonmembers plus testing center fees. Once a candidate has been approved, they are eligible to sit for the exam for a one-year period. See APAC Exam Fees for detailed fees. Reasonable accommodations will be provided upon request to qualified individuals at no cost.

Eligibility: Accessibility professionals who meet the experience criteria outlined below may pursue the APAC. Candidates must submit an application that documents fulfillment of requirements in formal education, professional (work) experience, professional conduct, and professional development as follows:



Professional Education, Experience, and Employment

• Option 1: Professional degree/license (architecture, engineering, interior design, landscape architecture, or equivalent) and one year of accessibility experience related to building planning, design, review, inspection, consultation, or equivalent
• Option 2: Four years’ accessibility experience related to building planning, design, review, inspection, consultation, or equivalent
• Option 3: Accessibility certification (e.g., ICC, state certification, ADAC) and two years’ accessibility experience related to building planning, design, review, inspection, consultation, or equivalent

Professional Conduct

Candidates must agree to adhere to the APAC Code of Professional Conduct. Once an eligibility application is approved, a candidate is eligible for a one (1) year period.

Candidates may request accommodations in the space supplied on the application or by contacting the APAC Program at APACInfo@AccessibilityProfessionals.org.

Visit the Study Resources page for a list of topics the exam will cover and helpful resources.

For complete requirements for renewal, please visit our APAC-BE Renewal page.

Certification renewal is required every 3 years, and 24 CEUs must be completed within the 3 years immediately prior to renewal.

All of the following steps must be completed in order to receive successful renewal:

1. Completion of required CEUs and/or professional development activities

2. Ongoing adherence to professional conduct requirements

3. Submission of completed renewal documents

4. Review and approval by APAC

APAC-BE Renewal Info

The following organizations are Approved Providers:

- Accessibility Professionals Association (APA)
- Certified Access Specialist Institute (CASI)

Visit our FAQs page. If you have a question not covered there, please contact Camille North at APACInfo@accessibilityprofessionals.org.

APAC Bylaws
APAC Code of Professional Conduct

APAC Standing Rules and Policies

The APAC Board is an independent certifying body of APA. The APAC Board awards the APA Certified–Built Environment (APAC-BE) credential and is responsible for setting policy and standards related to the APAC Program. 

The APAC Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) are an all-star team of experts from across the country,

representing all areas of accessibility in the built environment

APA  has partnered with CPS Human Resource Services (CPS) to develop a national Certification Examination for the accessibility field in the built environment. The APA certification exam will be a legally defensible professional certification exam aligned to established and agreed upon best practice standards for the accessibility industry.

The APAC-BE was first administered at the 2023 APA National Conference, on Friday, January 27, 2023. The exam is now administered on demand through Pearson VUE testing centers and OnVUE online proctoring service, and in person by paper and pencil at the close of every National Conference.

Participants requiring accommodations should contact Camille North at APACInfo@accessibilityprofessionals.org.

A resource list is available here.

Robin Roberts, APAC Examination and Item-Writing Committee Chair Contact

Matt Lescher, APAC Board President Contact

Camille North, APAC Executive Director Contact