APAC-BE Exam Info

The exam is available through Pearson VUE testing centers and OnVUE online proctoring, and in person at various national conferences.

• All APAC applicants must pay the initial application fee and testing fee. If and when an applicant is determined not eligible to sit for the exam, a refund of the initial application fee and testing fee less a non-refundable processing fee shall be made.
• The initial application fee is valid for those candidates who take the APAC examination within two (2) calendar years of application approval. Candidates who do not take the examination within two years after application must reapply.

You may retake the exam

• if you were approved less than two years ago and
• if you have only taken the exam once per year since your application

If it has been more than two years since your initial application, or if you have taken the exam four times since your initial application, you will need to reapply. See the APAC fees page for details.

Once you have submitted your retake fee and testing fee, you will receive instructions on how to register to retake the exam. The computer-based exam is available through Pearson VUE testing centers and OnVUE online proctoring, and the paper-and-pencil exam is administered in person at select conferences.

Cost: The regular application fee is $500 for APA members and $750 for nonmembers plus testing fees. The application fee and testing fee are combined into one payment upon application submission.

Candidates are eligible to sit for the exam for a two-year period, with two exam sittings per year.

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.

For details, see the APAC Standing Rules and Policies, Policy #7.

Visit the Study Resources page for a list of topics the exam covers along with helpful resources.

Candidates may request accommodations in the space supplied on the application or by contacting the APAC Program at APACInfo@APAaccess.org. Please submit requests at least two weeks before the exam administration.