Certification

About IAAP Certification
About CPACC Certification  |  About WAS Certification
About CPWA
CPACC Frequently Asked Questions 
   WAS Frequently Asked Questions
IAAP Approved Certification Preparation Providers
Recently Certified  |  CPACC Testimonials 
Registration and Retake Fees
Maintaining Certification
Continuing Accessibility Education FAQ's

  

APPLY TO TAKE A CERTIFICATION EXAM

Overview of IAAP Certification
Exam Application and Testing Dates
How to take an Exam
Exam Locations
Host an Exam at your Facility

Overview of IAAP Certification

The IAAP certification program aims to better define what accessibility professionals are expected to know and increase the quality and consistency of the work performed by accessibility professionals. This will not only help individuals to add to their professional qualifications, but it will also help employers of accessibility professionals to assess accessibility competence.

The IAAP will offer two types of certification: a professional level credential, and technical level credential. Certification exams are open to both members of IAAP and non-members.  Current exam offerings include:

• The IAAP Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC) credential is IAAP's foundational certification, representing broad, cross-disciplinary conceptual knowledge about 1) disabilities, 2) accessibility and universal design, and 3) accessibility-related standards, laws, and management strategies.  Apply to take a certification exam (CPACC).

• The IAAP Web Accessibility Specialist (WAS) credential is a technical level exam for an individual with at least an intermediate level of detailed technical knowledge about the WCAG guidelines and other related web accessibility topics. This exam is not intended for beginners or those without regular hands-on experience in identifying and remediating accessibility issues in code. Apply to take a certification exam (WAS).

• Any individual who passes both the CPACC and the WAS exams will receive the designation of Certified Professional in Web Accessibility (CPWA).

More about goals, scope and structure of certification.
 

Become a Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC) And Web Accessibility Specialist (WAS)

Upcoming Exam Application Deadlines and Testing Dates

• 2019 Jan-Feb:  Applications and payments accepted starting December 17, 2018 - February 15, 2019  |  Exams can be taken:  January 14 - February 22, 2019
• 2019 Mar-Apr:  Applications and payments accepted starting February 18 - April 12 |  Exams can be taken:  March 11 - April 19
  • IAAP Exams in Anaheim, CA on Tuesday, March 12, 2019. Two sessions 8 a.m. - Noon and 1 - 5 p.m. Sponsored by eSSENTIAL Accessibility. Applications and payments due by March 5.
• 2019 May-Jun:  Applications and payments accepted starting April 22  |  Exams can be taken:  May 13 - Jun 21
  • IAAP Exams at AccessU 2019 on Tuesday, May 14, 2019 from 2-5 p.m. (applications and payments accetped now through May 6)
  • IAAP Exams at M-Enabling 2019 on Wednesday, June 19, 2019 from 2 - 5 p.m. (applications and payments accepted now through June 12)
• 2019 Jul-Aug:  Applications and payments accepted starting June 24  |  Exams can be taken:  July 15 - August 23
• 2019 Sept-Oct:  Applications and payments accepted starting August 26  |  Exams can be taken:  September 16  - October 19
• 2019 Nov-Dec:  Applications and payments accepted starting October 21 |  Exams can be taken:  November 11 - December 20

Learn more about Certifications

Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC)

Web Accessibility Specialist (WAS)

 

How to take the CPACC and WAS exams: 

1. Application and payments
The January - February 2019 Exam Window is open.

• Exams can be taken: January 14 - February 22, 2019

The March - April 2019 Exam Window is open.

• Exams can be taken: March 11 - April 19, 2019

Applications are now being accepted for IAAP Exams at AccessU 2019.

• Exams will be offered in the afternoon of May 14 from 2-5 p.m.

Applications are now being accepted for IAAP Exams at the 2019 M-Enabling Summit.

• Exams will be offered in the afternoon of June 19 from 2-5 p.m.

Prepare for the WAS Exam

Prepare for the  CPACC Exam

2. Exam locations:

• Privately proctored exams - Ideal for individuals who use AT or require an accommodation, but are open to all IAAP exam candidates. Proctors must not be a supervisor, direct report, caregiver, or family member. Proctors must be able to verify government-issued identification, communicate with IAAP Certification team, oversee the candidate for the duration of the exam, sign a confidentiality agreement, and will not be able to sit for the IAAP Exam they proctor for one year after proctoring. Exam candidates are responsible for providing their own proctor.  For full details on proctoring, please contact the IAAP Certification Team. 
  • Additional information on selected locations and individual private proctoring for those using assistive technology and requesting accommodations are available on our Apply to Take a Certification Exam page.  

 

• Hosted exam sites – for those who do or do not use AT or require an accommodation.  Deadline to apply and submit payment is five business days prior to your suggested exam date. 

 

• Barrier Break, Mumbai, India
  • Friday, January 25 at 10:30 AM 
• AbilityNet, London, England
  • Tuesday, February 19 at 10:00 AM

 

• Anaheim, CA - Marriott Courtyard
  • Tuesday, March 12, 8 a.m.
  • Tuesday, March 12, 1 p.m.

 

• Kryterion test centers – for those who do not require the use of AT or an accommodation (1000 test locations in 120 countries). 
  • Take the exam at a Kryterion test center for those who will not be using assistive technology or requesting an accommodation. You can view a list of Kryterion testing center locations here: http://www.kryteriononline.com/Locate-Test-Center.

 

3. For details on how to submit an application and to register for an exam, visit Apply to Take a Certification Exam.

 

Interested in hosting the exam at your facility? 

 

IAAP is a member of ICE (Institute for Credentialing Excellence) 

The Institute for Credentialing Excellence, or ICE, is a professional membership association that provides education, networking, and other resources for organizations and individuals who work in and serve the credentialing industry.  ICE is a leading developer of standards for both certification and certificate programs and it is both a provider of and a clearing house for information on trends in certification, test development and delivery, assessment-based certificate programs, and other information relevant to the credentialing community.