The CPACC certification validates your foundational knowledge of accessibility principles, standards, and laws. It covers disabilities, accessibility and universal design, and standards and legislation.
100
Total Questions
on the exam
110
Practice Questions
available here
65%
Passing Score
minimum
90 minutes
Duration
exam time
Practice each domain to build comprehensive knowledge
Understand different types of disabilities including visual, auditory, cognitive, neurological, physical, and speech disabilities, along with the assistive technologies used to overcome barriers.
Learn the principles of accessibility and universal design, including POUR principles (Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust), universal design principles, UDL, and usability and user experience concepts.
Explore key accessibility standards like WCAG, Section 508, ADA, EN 301 549, and international legislation, along with organizational management strategies for accessibility.
Study the CPACCBoK chapter by chapter. Each chapter includes flashcards for quick revision and quiz questions to test your understanding. Go at your own pace and track your progress across all 12 chapters.
Focus more on domains with higher weightage. Disabilities, Challenges, and Assistive Technologies carries 40% of the exam.
Consistent practice helps reinforce concepts. Try to complete at least one section per study session.
Don't just check answers—read every explanation to deepen your understanding of the concepts.
Use the question review grid to revisit incorrect answers and strengthen weak areas.
The actual exam is 90 minutes for 100 questions. Practice answering within time constraints.
You need 65% to pass. Aim higher in practice to build confidence for the real exam.
The Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC) is a foundational credential offered by the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP). It validates your understanding of disability types, assistive technologies, accessibility principles, universal design, and the legal and management landscape surrounding digital accessibility. The CPACC is designed for anyone involved in accessibility — project managers, designers, developers, content creators, QA professionals, and policy makers. It does not require coding skills, making it the ideal starting point for accessibility careers.
The CPACC exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 2 hours (120 minutes). A passing score of 65% is required (65 correct answers out of 100). The exam is divided into three domains: Disabilities, Challenges, and Assistive Technologies (40%), Accessibility and Universal Design (40%), and Standards, Laws, and Management Strategies (20%). The exam is administered online through a proctored testing platform. As of 2026, the exam fee is $385 USD for IAAP members and $485 USD for non-members. The certification is valid for three years and can be renewed through continuing education credits.
Start by reading the official CPACC Body of Knowledge (CPACCBoK), which outlines every topic the exam covers. Focus heavily on the two 40% domains — disabilities/assistive technologies and accessibility/universal design — as they make up 80% of the exam. Use flashcards to memorize key concepts like the seven principles of universal design, disability models (medical, social, biopsychosocial), and assistive technology categories. Practice with realistic questions that include detailed explanations — understanding why an answer is correct matters more than memorizing answers. Most successful candidates study for 4 to 8 weeks, dedicating 5 to 10 hours per week.
Practice tests are the most effective way to prepare for the CPACC because they simulate the real exam experience and reveal knowledge gaps before exam day. Our free practice test includes 110+ questions across all three exam domains, each with detailed explanations that teach the underlying concepts. Research consistently shows that active recall through practice testing produces significantly better learning outcomes than passive reading alone. By tracking your scores per domain, you can identify weak areas and focus your study time where it matters most. Aim to consistently score above 80% in practice before scheduling your actual exam.