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NEWS: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
APAC-BE Exam Awarded Prestigious NCCA Accreditation
AUSTIN, TX, June 16, 2026Â
The Accessibility Professionals Association Certification (APAC) Program has earned accreditation from the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) for its Accessibility in the Built Environment (APAC-BE) examination. This milestone makes the APAC-BE the only national, third-party validated certification for accessibility professionals in the built environment.
The NCCA is widely recognized as the gold standard for credentialing organizations. To earn this accreditation, the APAC Program underwent a rigorous peer review ensuring compliance with the industry’s highest benchmarks for test development, security, psychometric soundness, and organizational governance. Accreditation is designed to safeguard public health, safety, and welfare.
The APAC Program joins an elite group of organizations dedicated to credentialing excellence. This accreditation enhances the value of the APAC-BE certification and gives employers, clients, and regulatory bodies unmatched confidence in certificants’ expertise. The APAC-BE credential serves a broad cross-section of professionals, including architects, engineers, ADA coordinators, and compliance consultants, assuring stakeholders that certificants possess the validated expertise to mitigate compliance risks and ensure equitable access.
For more information regarding the APAC-BE exam and eligibility requirements or to view the directory of current certificants, please visit APACexam.org or contact APACinfo@APAaccess.org.
About the APAC Program
The APAC Program is dedicated to elevating professional standards, enhancing individual performance, and designating those who demonstrate knowledge essential to ensuring accessibility.Â
About NCCA and I.C.E.
Created in 1987 by the Institute for Credentialing Excellence, the National Commission for Certifying Agencies ensures public health, safety, and welfare by using a strict peer-review process to accredit certification programs that meet stringent professional assessment and administration standards.
CONTACT:
Camille North, Executive Director, APAC Program
CamilleNorth@APAaccess.org
512-222-9474, APACexam.org
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Joseph Cooley
Joseph Cooley is an accessibility professional, architect, and educator working at the intersection of the built environment, disability, and policy. He currently serves in the role of the Campus ADA Architect at Virginia Tech, where he oversees compliance, consultation, and institutional accessibility strategy across facilities, programs, and employment.
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George "Dusty" Grimes - 1945-2026
George Grimes dedicated many years to accessibility and more than 25 years of service to theACCESSpartnership; he made a lasting impact on the world of accessibility. As one of the original pioneers in the field, and as RAS #49 for the State of Texas, George helped shape the practices and professional expectations that continue to guide accessibility work today.
His long-standing involvement with the Accessibility Professionals Association reflected his deep commitment to advancing accessibility, supporting others in the profession, and improving the built environment for all people. George’s contributions will continue to be remembered with respect and gratitude by those who had the privilege of working with him, and by the many lives touched through his work. He passed away on April 5, 2026, leaving behind a meaningful and enduring legacy.
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