IAAP Certification Options

Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies

The IAAP Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC) credential is IAAP’s foundational professional certification. Relevant domains for the CPACC credential include the web and other digital technologies, architecture and the built environment, consumer and industrial design, transportation systems, and any domain in which thoughtful design, policy, and management can improve disability access.   

When to apply: This credential is for anyone with 1 year of experience in accessibility or a new/changing role with some responsibility for accessibility.   

To find out more about the CPACC Professional Certification, how to apply to be a candidate, exam price and dates, and how to maintain the certification, please visit the IAAP website:  https://www.accessibilityassociation.org/s/certified-professional  

CPACC Content Outline  

CPACC English Body of knowledge

Web Accessibility Specialist

The IAAP Web Accessibility Specialist (WAS) is an IAAP Technical Professional Certification that quantifies and represents a candidate’s expression of their “current” hands-on technical digital accessibility proficiency. IAAP, led by volunteer accessibility leaders, develops, and maintains WAS to help build benchmarks of experience in the technical accessibility profession.   

When to apply: WAS is not for beginners or individuals looking to get into web accessibility. The applicant must be actively participating in the first-person delivery of technical digital accessibility responsibilities for a minimum of three years.   

To find out more about the WAS Professional Certification, how to apply to be a candidate, exam price and dates, and how to maintain the certification, please visit the IAAP website:  https://www.accessibilityassociation.org/s/wascertification  

WAS Content Outline   

WAS English Body of knowledge  

Certified Professional in Web Accessibility

The designation of IAAP Certified Professional in Web Accessibility (CPWA) is earned by individuals who successfully pass both the Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC) exam and the Web Accessibility Specialist (WAS) exam. IAAP has chosen to award these individuals with a higher-level credential as evidence of the significant achievement of passing both exams.   

To find out more about the CPWA Professional Certification, pre-requisites, and how to maintain the certification, please visit the IAAP website: https://www.accessibilityassociation.org/s/certified-professional-web-accessibility  

Accessible Document Specialist

The IAAP Accessible Document Specialist (ADS) credential is intended for accessibility professionals who can create accessible electronic documents.   

When to apply: This credential is for anyone with 1-2 years’ experience in accessible document authoring, remediation, training, policy, and advocacy of accessible document solutions.   

To find out more about the ADS Professional Certification, how to apply to be a candidate, exam price and dates, and how to maintain the certification, please visit the IAAP website:  https://www.accessibilityassociation.org/s/accessible-document-specialist  

ADS Content Outline 

ADS Body of knowledge 

Certified Professional in Accessible Built Environments

The IAAP Certified Professional in Accessible Built Environments (CPABE) recognizes professionals who have acquired the knowledge and skills to implement built environment accessibility standards, codes, legislation, and apply universal design principles to environments in which we live, work and play.  

When to apply: CPABE identifies successful candidates as associate, advanced, or expert level accessibility professionals.   

Level 1 Associate: The candidates for Level 1 CPABE may be new to the profession (3-5 years) or have a new focus on accessibility as a design/building professional.  

Level 2 Advanced: The candidates for Level 2 CPABE are expected to be established practitioners (5 – 10 years) as an accessibility professional or professional with a focus of Universal Design in their chosen field.  

Level 3 Expert: The candidates for Level 3 CPABE are required to have successfully completed CPABE Level II Exam and are expected to have a well-established practice of 10+ years as an accessibility professional or professional with a focus of Universal Design in their chosen field.  

To find out more about the CPABE Professional Certification, the different levels, how to apply to be a candidate, exam price and dates, and how to maintain the certification, please visit the IAAP website: https://www.accessibilityassociation.org/s/certified-professional-environments  

CPABE Content Outline

CPABE Body of knowledge

More information on IAAP Professional Certifications

Qualifying as a candidate

IAAP Professional Certifications show someone has the necessary skills and work experience to perform specific accessibility-related job tasks.  Each certification is built on a list of job tasks the candidate should perform and can deliver independently.  

• Each Certification has a Content Outline and Body of Knowledge which highlights the exam topic domains.
  • Each certification’s Content Outline is a high-level list of these job tasks.  
  • Each certification’s Body of Knowledge is a detailed list of specific job tasks and explanations and references around each job task. 
• You provide documentation by creating a resume that clearly explains your responsibilities that are part of the job tasks. 
• Experience performing the work documented in technical certifications is required to become a Candidate for our technical certifications.  
• The application process is to be approved as a Certification Candidate, and not everyone will qualify. 

How much does it cost? 

• Certification fees are to cover the candidate process and exam administration.  
• You are not purchasing an exam. 
• The Body of Knowledge and Content Outline are available free of charge. 

Is IAAP Membership required?

• Membership is not required to earn an IAAP Certification. 
• IAAP Members receive a discount on Certification costs. 

Maintaining and renewing

• Certifications are valid for three years; professional education or sharing knowledge credits are required to maintain an IAAP Certification. 
• By earning the required credits, you can renew your IAAP Certification.  

Language of exams and supporting information  

• The application process is in English.  
• All exams and support materials are in English.  
  • CPACC & WAS and their supporting materials are translated into German.  
• If English is not your native language, please request aditional time on your application.

Where can I go if I have more questions?

Attend a drop-in session with our certification team the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. These sessions are held in English.   

Register here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUvdeGgrTMuGt3jvh90f-s46J6uvrTp4GMp#/registration