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APAC-BE Candidate Handbook

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APA Certification Program

Certifying Excellence in Accessibility

The APAC-BE exam is the only national certification for accessibility professionals working in the built environment

APPLY

Contents

  • APAC Program and Exam
  • APAC-BE Candidate Information
    • Certification eligibility and approval
    • Preparing for the examination
      • Study resources
    • Accommodations
  • APAC-BE Application, Fees, and Exam Registration
    • Application for the exam and fees
    • Exam retest and fee
    • Testing fees
      • Testing center (computer-based testing or CBT) or remote proctored testing (RPT)
      • In-person conference
  • Exam Administration
    • Exam administration locations and times
      • Exam modes of delivery
        • Testing through a Pearson VUE testing center or OnVUE remote-proctored testing
        • Testing in person at a conference with a paper-and-pencil exam
    • Exam description
      • Exam domains
  • APAC-BE Scoring
    • Cut score or passing point
    • Interpreting test scores
    • Scaled scoring
  • Certification Renewal, Continuing Education, and Fees
    • Renewal and continuing education (CE)
      • Required CE units for renewal
      • Approved courses and providers
    • Certification renewal application fee
  • Suggestions, Complaints, and Appeals
    • Suggestions and complaints about the exam
    • Appeals
  • Security
    • Security of exam administrations
    • Security of certification records
  • Complaints and Disciplinary Action
    • Complaints against applicants and Certificants

APAC Program and Exam

A certification exam has been long needed in the accessibility profession, as there are widely differing requirements from state to state. The APA Certification Program (APAC) is designed to elevate professional standards, enhance individual performance, and designate those who demonstrate knowledge essential to ensuring accessibility.

An accessibility professional who holds the APA Certified-Built Environment credential (APAC-BE) shows their dedication to upholding the standards of accessibility and their ongoing pursuit of knowledge in the profession.

An individual who passes the Accessibility Professional Association's Certification Exam has demonstrated knowledge of the federal accessibility requirements and the model codes and standards and how each applies to the built environment. APAC-BEs are able to interpret scoping requirements for any given facility.

A passing score on the APAC-BE exam demonstrates an accessibility professional's knowledge, skill, and abilities to comply with the American with Disabilities Act.

Anyone who designs and consults in the construction and/or renovation of the built environment should become certified as an APAC-BE. Such professionals include architects, interior designers, engineers, building designers, ADA Coordinators, ADA consultants, contractors, and landscape architects, among others.

For more detailed information on policies, see the APAC Standing Rules and Policies. For questions or comments about the program or the exam, please contact the APAC Program at APACinfo@APAaccess.org.

The APAC Program actively encourages accessibility professionals working in the built environment to get involved with the program. APAC, a 501(c)(3), is always seeking new insights and diverse perspectives from those working in the accessibility community.

 

APAC-BE Candidate Information

Certification Eligibility and Approval

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.

Preparing for the Examination

There are many ways to prepare for the APAC-BE exam.

Following currently accepted practices, APA and/or the APAC Program are not involved in APAC candidate preparation, believing it to be a conflict of interest to develop materials to assist candidates in preparing for an exam designed and administered by the APAC Program. However, a list of topics and resources as well as a practice test with answer key can be found on the Study Resources page. 

The educational opportunities offered by APAC are optional and are only one of many ways to adequately prepare for the APAC-BE examination. These free resources are not required or endorsed as the only or preferred method of preparation for the certification examination. Courses offered by APAC, at present or in the future, are designed to cover in a general way topics included in the Study Resources and presented on the exam; they are not designed or intended to give any advantages to APAC-BE candidates who take such courses.

Study resources

Please see the Study Resources page exam topics and domains and for the most current links, all available free of charge, to reference material relevant to the APAC-BE Exam:

Accommodations

Reasonable accommodations for testing will be provided without charge to candidates who require them. The request should detail the required accommodation given the format and nature of the exam.

The APAC Program will endeavor to furnish all reasonable requested accommodations. Requests must be submitted no later than two weeks before the regular exam registration deadline.

Requests will be approved or denied based on applicable laws and APAC administration and security policies. The candidate may be asked for further information in order to make a determination or refer to the APAC Board for guidance.

APAC Program management will confirm that the selected test site or testing service will be able to provide the approved accommodation(s) and will send the specified accommodations to the test site or service and proctor(s). Management will confirm the test site location and approved accommodation(s) with the candidate.

Accommodations provided during the examination administration will not appear on score reports or certificates.

APAC-BE Application, Fees, and Exam Registration

See the APAC-BE fees page for details.

Application for the exam and fees

Initial Application Fee:

APA member fee: $500

APA non-member fee: $750

  • Includes application and non-refundable $150 processing fee.
  • Does not include testing fee or retake fee.
  • All APAC applicants must pay the initial application fee. If an applicant is determined not eligible to sit for the exam, a refund of the initial application 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.

Re-application Fee:

APA member: $375

APA non-member: $575

  • Includes application and non-refundable $150 processing fee.
  • Does not include testing fee or retake fee.
  • Applies to 1) those whose initial application was denied and 2) those who did not pass the exam during the two (2) calendar years after their initial application was approved, whether by not taking the test or by taking the test and not passing. The re-application fee includes the first examination fee for those candidates who register and take the APAC examination within two (2) calendar years of application approval. 
    • APAC applicants who were denied: Those who were denied through their initial application must pay the re-application fee to reapply. If an applicant is still determined not eligible to sit for the exam, a refund of the re-application fee less a non-refundable processing fee shall be made. The re-application fee for these applicants is available for two years after their initial application; applicants who wish to reapply more than two years past their initial application must pay the full initial application fee.
    • APAC applicants who did not pass: Those approved applicants who did not pass the exam during the two years immediately after their initial approval, whether by not taking the test or by taking the test and not passing, must pay the re-application fee to reapply. Their testing period is valid for two (2) calendar years after the re-application fee is received. The re-application fee for these applicants is available for four years after their initial approval (i.e., two years after their initial application period ends); applicants who wish to reapply after four years past their initial approval must pay the full initial application fee.

Exam retest and fee

Candidates who fail the examination may retake the exam with a valid application, for a maximum of two attempts per year, for a total of four attempts. Candidates may retake the exam

  • if they were approved less than two years ago,
  • if they have only taken the exam once per year since their initial application, and
  • if it has been at least thirty days since a failed attempt.

If it has been more than two years since the initial application, or if they have taken the exam four times since the initial application, they will need to reapply.

Once a candidate has submitted their retake fee, they will receive instructions on how to register to retake the exam, whether through Pearson VUE testing centers and OnVUE online proctoring or in person at a conference.

  • Exam retake fee (both APA members and non-members): $250
    • Does not include testing fee.
    • Applies to those who are retaking the exam after not passing.

Testing fees

Testing center (computer-based testing or CBT) or remote proctored testing (RPT)

  • Testing fee (both APA members and non-members): $110 per test
    • A candidate may cancel or reschedule their testing session with the testing site when they are more than two (2) days in advance of the testing appointment.
    • If the cancellation or rescheduling request with the testing site is made within two (2) days in advance of the testing appointment, the candidate will be considered a no-show and will forfeit the fee for their scheduled exam.
    • A candidate who does not appear for their testing appointment at the testing site and has not contacted the testing site to cancel or to reschedule, will be considered a no-show and will forfeit the fee for their scheduled exam.
    • For remote online proctoring, a cancellation or scheduling fee may apply.

In-person conference

  • Testing fee (both APA members and non-members): Varies depending on the location but is generally discounted from the testing center fee.

Exam Administration

Exam administration locations and times

The APAC-BE exam can be taken at any time through Pearson VUE testing centers and OnVUE live remote proctoring, or in person at various accessibility conferences. Check the APAC main page for updates on in-person exam administrations as they become available.

Exam modes of delivery

The exam is administered in one of three ways: (1) in-person paper and pencil, (2) computer-based testing (CBT), and (3) remote-proctored testing (RPT). Regardless of administration method, the order of items within the exam is randomized across administration periods. For in-person pencil and paper administrations, item order is randomized such that the order is always different for each administration period. For the CBT and RPT administrations, the items are presented in a new randomized order for each individual administration.

Testing through a Pearson VUE testing center or OnVUE remote-proctored testing 

  • Candidates will receive their authorization directly from Pearson VUE through email. Please allow one week to receive the authorization after making the testing fee payment.
  • Candidates should visit the Pearson VUE website for details on what to expect, what to bring, and what security measures are employed.

Testing in person at a conference with a paper-and-pencil exam

  • Candidates will receive their official authorization letter by email from the APAC Program one week prior to the exam, which will include specifics regarding the exam location and time. Those specifics may also be found on the upcoming exam administrations section of the APAC website.
  • Candidates are required to bring the following items to the examination:
    • Current, valid government-issued photo ID. The name on the ID must match the name on the application. The following government documents must contain some description (e.g., weight, height, gender, or eye color) of the person presenting it, a signature, and a photograph:
      • Driver’s license or state DMV-issued ID card (any state)
      • Canadian or Mexican driver’s license
      • U.S. Passport/Passport card or Passport/Passport card issued by a foreign government
      • U.S. military ID card
  • Candidates may NOT bring into the examination room:
    • Food or drink, except for water in a closed container
    • Scratch paper (candidates may write in the exam book)
    • Electronic and/or recording equipment
    • NOTE: The exam is closed book, so no resources are allowed at the table.
  • APA will provide:
    • Calculators
    • Two (2) sharpened #2 pencils (candidates are welcome to bring their own as long as they are #2 pencils)
  • Personal items
    • Personal items, including purses, wallet/credit cards, keys, cell phones (powered off), smartwatches (powered off), and IDs may be placed under the chair out of view. Candidates are at no time permitted access to their personal items during the exam. They must either remove hats or turn them around with the brim in the back.
    • Neither CPS HR nor APA/APAC is responsible for lost belongings.
  • Study aids
    • Study aids, guides, and all loose paper must be placed in the designated area for personal belongings and are not allowed at the candidate’s seat. Such items must be placed there before being seated.

Exam description

The APAC-BE written assessment is comprised of 100 three-option multiple-choice questions, and candidates are allowed up to 2.5 hours (150 minutes) to complete the exam. All items are scored, weighted equally, and distributed across eight sub-sections.

Questions that include graphics or images will include alternative text for the computer-based test. The closed-book exam is visually accessible, following the guidelines of Section508.gov.

Exam domains

The domains covered are

  1. Understanding accessibility requirements in general (20 questions)
  2. Determining what services are to be provided by the accessibility professional (5 questions)
  3. Determining which accessibility requirements are applicable to the project within the scope of work (16 questions)
  4. Using the appropriate methodologies (e.g., best practices, tools, processes, procedures, approach) to accurately collect and report information (16 questions)
  5. Reviewing plans, specifications, and other documentation provided by the client to identify potential issues prior to construction (16 questions)
  6. Conducting site visits (17 questions)
  7. Writing, explaining, and defending a report (8 questions)
  8. Assisting clients with post-report services (2 questions)

Total questions: 100

NOTE: Candidates must have a general knowledge of construction documents and practices as well as legal terms and procedures. None of the questions on the exam consider stricter state requirements.

APAC-BE Scoring

Cut score or passing point

The APAC-BE passing score is 300, out of a possible 500 points. 

Interpreting test scores

The exam is scored using a scaled score, which converts raw scores into a consistent and standardized scale, like for example, SAT and ACT scores. For the APAC-BE exam, the score ranges from 0 to 500, with 300 being the minimum score required to pass. A score of 0 indicates no correct answers; a score of 500 indicates all correct answers. If they have a score from 300 to 500, they pass; if they have a score from 0 to 299, they fail.

Scaled scoring

Scaled scoring allows direct and fair comparisons between exam scores. Scaled scores indicate the same level of performance, regardless of which version of the exam a candidate takes. Any differences in test difficulty are accounted for through the use of scaled scores. As with the ACT and SAT, if a test taker takes two different tests (e.g., different tests on different dates), that test taker's scores would be interpreted in the same way, even when there are different numbers of items or different item difficulty between the two tests, and they indicate the same level of competence.

To allow for consistency and ease of interpretation, candidates’ scores are changed from a raw score (i.e., number of test questions answered correctly) to a scaled score. Scaled scoring simplifies the interpretation of candidate scores; it enables the scoring of tests with different numbers of questions, difficulty levels, and pass points to be reported in the same way to all test takers.

Scaled scoring is important for a number of reasons. It makes the exam scores standardized, fair, and consistent over time. Also, in order to gain accreditation for the APAC-BE through the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), APAC must use psychometrically defensible methods, like scaled scoring, to help ensure that all candidates are held to the same performance standard.

For the APAC-BE, a candidate’s raw score is changed to a scale that ranges from 0 to 500, where 300 is the pass point. Therefore, regardless of how the test difficulty changes over time, the scores are reported and interpreted in the same way. That is, a score from 300 to 500 will always indicate a passing score and a score from 0 to 299 will always indicate a failing score.

Certification Renewal, Continuing Education, and Fees

The APAC Program actively encourages current APAC-BE credential holders to get involved with the program. APAC, a 501(c)(3), is always seeking new insights and diverse perspectives from those working in the accessibility community.  Contact APAC at APACinfo@APAaccess.org to find out more on how you can volunteer to support APAC and its important mission.

Renewal and continuing education (CE)

Certification renewal is required every three (3) years due to the rate of change in the profession, professional practices and standards affected by technological changes, and the need to stay current in accessibility practices and maintain knowledge. For a certificant to remain active, their renewal application must be submitted prior to the current certification expiration date. If the certification lapses, then an additional fee will be assessed to reinstate the certification within six months. Lapses of certification after six months will not be renewed; candidates must reapply and retake the exam.

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

Renewal applicants must again agree in writing that they will adhere to the APAC Code of Professional Conduct.

Required CE units for renewal

Renewing certificants must have completed a minimum of twenty-four (24) continuing education units (CEUs) of accessibility-related continuing education (CE), which may consist of 1) receiving accessibility-related continuing education, 2) presenting accessibility-related courses, 3) making contributions to the profession, or 4) any combination of these. When renewing, applicants may include qualifying APAC credits not previously submitted for APAC credit, provided they have been completed less than three (3) years prior to the certification expiration date.

  1. One (1) credit is equal to one (1) hour of continuing education. A minimum of one (1) credit focused on ethics is suggested.
    • Twelve (12) credits must be courses that are specifically approved by APAC, either by being pre-approved and offered by an Approved Provider or by being submitted to the APAC Board by the certificant where approval will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
    • The twelve (12) remaining units must fall into one of the categories listed in the Study Resources or have a focus on business practices, ethics, life safety code, state-specific accessibility codes, and universal design.
    • Certificants requesting approval of a specific course should do so by sending the course name, official length (e.g., 2.25 hours), topic, description, learning objectives, provider, and course number to APACinfo@APAaccess.org or by filling out the CEU submission form.
  1. A maximum of six (6) CEUs may be from presenting accessibility-related courses. Qualifying credits may include:
    • Presenting at a national or regional conference including, but not limited to, APA National Conference, CASI Summit, or ADA Symposium
    • Presenting in-person courses or webinars that have been approved for CEUs by APAC
    • Presenting or co-presenting on behalf of a national accessibility agency, such as the ADA Centers
    • Other presenting opportunities, to be submitted to APAC for approval
    • Making contributions to the profession, to be submitted to APAC for approval

See the APAC Program Standing Rules and Policies, Policy #7, for details.

Approved courses and providers

Courses taken from Approved Providers are pre-approved and designated with APAC-BE course numbers; these count toward the 12 credits specifically approved by APAC. For example, the APA Course "Access and Design Excellence" has the designation of "APAC-BE #103, 2 CEU"; the CASI course "Digital Inclusion and Accessibility" has the designation "CASI #414, 1 CEU."

To see a current list of APAC Approved Providers, see APAC-BE Renewal and Continuing Education.

Certification renewal application fee

APA member: $400

APA non-member: $650

  • An APAC-BE must renew every three years to maintain their certification.
  • The non-refundable fee for APAC renewal is due when the Renewal Application is submitted at the end of each certification period.

Suggestions, Complaints, and Appeals

Suggestions and complaints about the exam

A post-exam administration survey is sent to each candidate within a week after the exam. Complaints and suggestions on the exam, approval process, and testing experience may be made on that survey or by emailing the program at APACinfo@APAaccess.org.

Appeals

An Appeal may be made to the APAC Appeals Committee by an APAC applicant, candidate, or Certificant for any reason, including the following:

  • the APAC Board’s interpretation of standards including candidate eligibility from the time of candidate inquiry or the filing of the initial application through the time of conferring of the credential;
  • exam administration procedures;
  • testing conditions severe enough to cause a major disruption of the examination process;
  • exam score based on exam content and/or keyed item responses; and
  • the APAC Board’s interpretation of standards required for renewal.

The applicant, candidate, or Certificant who wishes to make an Appeal (the “Appellant”) must submit an Appeal in writing to the APAC Appeals Committee within thirty days of receipt of notification of an adverse decision.

See APAC Standing Rules and Policies, Policy 16, for details.

Security

Security of exam administrations

Security of the APAC-BE exam, exam items, fairness in the testing process, and the highest levels of integrity are of the utmost importance to the APAC Program. For these reasons, APAC-BE candidates and proctors must understand and follow all security policies applicable to them. 

Ensuring exam security and candidate proof of identity is crucial for keeping the testing process fair and credible. APAC’s security guidelines protect the value of the credential for everyone—from the professional who earned it to the clients, employers, and institutions who rely on its authenticity.

Please see the “APAC Program Exam Administration Security Policy” on the APAC website for details on the security procedures applicable to the type of exam administration the candidate is using. 

Security of certification records

All applicant, candidate, and certificant records are maintained in a password-protected system. Only individuals expressly authorized by the APAC Standing Rules and Policies or required by legal process are allowed access, and are given access only on a need-to-know basis.

Complaints and Disciplinary Action

Complaints against applicants and Certificants

A Complaint against an APAC Certificant or applicant may be made to the APAC Professional Conduct Committee by anyone for any reason, by contacting APAC management or the APAC president. In this context, an applicant is a person who has applied to sit for the APAC-BE exam, has paid the application fee in full, and has been approved. For details on Complaints and disciplinary action, see APAC Standing Rules and Policies, Policy #15.

An APAC-BE may have their certification revoked, or an applicant may have their application revoked, or other disciplinary action taken for violation of APAC Program policies, including:

  • Violation of examination procedures or security
  • A material misstatement on an application for initial certification or renewal application or in any of its representations to the Board, or other information related to professional practice, whether intentional or unintentional
  • Misrepresentation or improper use of the credential
  • Nonpayment of program fees on a timely basis

In addition to the above violations, a Certificant may have their certification revoked, or an applicant may have their application revoked, or other disciplinary action taken for specific enforceable behaviors.

APAC Code of Professional Conduct. The APAC Code of Professional Conduct is published on the APAC website. An APAC-BE Certificant may be subject to discipline for the following:

  1. Knowingly violating the law in the course of the APAC’s professional activities, including, but not limited to, fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation of property, or unlawful discrimination. Allegations of violations of this section must be based on an independent finding of a violation of the law by a court of competent jurisdiction or an administrative or regulatory body.
  2. Failing to report and willfully concealing one’s knowledge of illegal activity by staff, volunteer, or vendor related to accessibility.

Become an APAC-BE

Join the preeminent group of accessibility professionals who have shown their dedication to upholding the standards of accessibility and an ongoing pursuit of knowledge in the profession.

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