SPECIALIST DESIGNATION PROGRAM – Updated 2/26/19
Two Options for receiving the APA/ADA Specialist (core) Designation:
Option I - Take and Pass Both the Standards and Specialist Exams with a score of 75% on each.
o It is a full fee to retake exams ($150)
Option II - Opt out of the Standards Exam by holding a current CASp, RAS, or ICC Accessibility Certification and pass only the Specialist Exam with a score of 75%.
o It is full fee to retake exams ($150)
(For all Designations to remain valid, you must maintain active APA Membership)
Sub Designations Available to APA-ADA Specialists:
1. APA Assembly Specialist (offered at 2018 annual meeting)
a. Be a current member of APA and hold a current APA.ADA Specialist Designation
b. Pass a written exam with a minimum 75 percent score. ($100 Fee)
2. APA Transient Lodging Specialist (offered at the 2019 APA Annual Mtg)
a. Be a current member of APA and hold a current APA/ADA Specialist Designation
b. Pass a written exam with a minimum 75 percent score. ($100 Fee)
3. Specialist Track Tests which we be offered in 2020 - APA offered all of the previously noted test at the 2020 Annual Mtg. There will not be a new test as a number of members have not yet had an opportunity to take all of the previous tests due to scheduling conflicts.
4. APA Play Area Specialist - Goal - 2021
a. Be a current member of APA and hold a current APA/ADA Specialist Designation
b. Pass a written exam with a minimum 75 percent score. ($100 Fee)
5. To Be Developed: Public Right of Way Specialist, Fair Housing Specialist, Education Specialist, Digital Communication Specialist, Healthcare Specialist, Recreation Specialist, etc.
One must remain a continuous member in good standing in APA in order to use the designations. Non-members are currently not eligible to use APA designations.
Those who hold and maintain designations will be afforded a shortened path to aNational Accessibility Professional Certification when made available through APA.
Information for APA Specialist Track Exam Takers
1. Study Guides: Exams are constructed based on questions that can be answered based upon the official source text of the applicable regulations, standards, or statutes. In addition previous power points are available for review here.
2. Materials allowed during the exam:· Test takers may bring printed materials (i.e. study guides, handbooks) with notes.
3. Test takers may NOT bring the following items into the exam: Computers, calculators, phones, or any devices capable of recording, photography, or accessing the internet.
4. Test takers may not write any part of a question or any notes about the test or test questions on the materials you bring into the room. Test takers may only write on the answer sheet and the provided scratch paper, both of which must be turned in to the proctor.
5. This is a timed test. Two hours are allowed to complete the exam.
*Continuing Education - *APA is an approved provider with the American Institute of Architects (AIA/CES, #G583), Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR, Provider #0007855, license #PVD312), Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR, #1521) and a preferred provider for the International Code Council (ICC, #1321). APA provides pre-verified ACTCP credits for the ADA Coordinator Training Certification Program (ACTCP). We provide courses of study and award an Accessibility Standards Basics completion, as well as Designations for APA-ADA Specialist, APA-ADA Assembly Specialist and APA-ADA Transient Lodging Specialist, when all criteria are met. Members/guests can meet the CE/LU requirements of numerous organizations by attending APA Training, and verifying with which organizations a course has been registered.