An individual who passes the Accessibility Professional Association's Certification Exam--APAC-BEs or APA Certified-Built Environment--will have demonstrated knowledge of the Federal Accessibility Requirements and the Model Codes and Standards and how each applies to the built environment. APAC-BEs will be able to interpret scoping requirements for any given facility.
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.
The exam is available through Pearson VUE testing centers and OnVUE online proctoring, and in person at various national conferences.
You may retake the exam
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-BE Exam Retake page for details.
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.
Some questions will include graphics or images with alternative text. The exam is closed book and is visually accessible.
For the eight exam topics/domains, see the APAC Study Resources page.
At this time, 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 must be 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.
The APAC-BE exam is administered through Pearson VUE testing centers and OnVUE online proctoring, and by paper and pencil at the close of select conferences.
Contact Camille North at APACInfo@accessibilityprofessionals.org for more information.
Cost: The regular application fee is $500 for APA members and $750 for nonmembers plus testing fees. 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
Professional Conduct
Candidates must agree to adhere to the APAC Code of Professional Conduct.
The APAC Program is committed to diversity and equality in all activities. The APAC Board, in both its values and practices, is committed to providing the accessibility community with credentialing practices that are based on inclusion and diversity.
This means that there shall be no barriers to participation in any activity of the Board on the basis of gender, race, creed, age, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, or disability.
The Board will seek diversity and inclusiveness in its business practices and it will not condone any form of unlawful discrimination.
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:
Completion of required CEUs and/or professional development activities
Ongoing adherence to professional conduct requirements
Submission of completed renewal documents
Review and approval by APAC
As of December 31, 2024:
70 individuals are APAC-BE certificants
93 exams administered total: 60 pass (64.52%)
69 in-person exams administered: 47 pass (68.12%)
24 computer-based or online proctored exams administered: 13 pass (54.17%)
View the APAC-BE Job Analysis Summary Report.
The following organizations are Approved Providers:
- Accessibility Professionals Association (APA): #101
- Certified Access Specialist Institute (CASI): #102
Visit our FAQs page. If you have a question not covered there, please see the APAC Standing Rules and Policies or contact Camille North at APACInfo@accessibilityprofessionals.org.
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.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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 partners with CPS Human Resource Services (CPS HR) to provide a national certification examination for accessibility professionals in the built environment. The APA Certification in the Built Environment Exam is 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 select conferences.
Participants requiring accommodations should contact Camille North at APACInfo@accessibilityprofessionals.org.
A resource list is available here.