APSE Exams

APSE and the Push for Inclusive Employment

The Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE) advocates for the integrated, community-based employment of individuals with disabilities. Founded in 1988, the organization focuses on policy, advocacy, and professionalizing the employment support sector. While APSE is not a traditional technology vendor, its credentialing arm frequently intersects with the IT industry through accessibility initiatives, assistive technology (AT) roles, and specialized workforce development programs.

For IT professionals, an APSE certification is a niche credential. You will not find it on the standard trajectory for a systems administrator or cloud engineer. Instead, this credential serves technologists who manage neurodiversity hiring programs, develop accessible software, or work in state vocational rehabilitation agencies where technology and human support overlap.

The CESP Certification

APSE offers a single credential: the CESP (Certified Employment Support Professional). The Employment Support Professional Certification Council (ESPCC) oversees the program, which is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).

The CESP validates your ability to help individuals with physical, intellectual, or mental health disabilities secure and maintain employment. The exam ignores theoretical definitions in favor of situational judgment. Candidates face 135 scenario-based multiple-choice questions and have three hours to complete the test. Of those questions, 115 are scored, and you need 82 correct answers to pass.

The test content spans four main domains. First, it covers the application of core values, testing your knowledge of disability etiquette, person-first language, and employment legislation like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Second, it evaluates individualized career planning, which includes benefit analysis and workplace assessments. Third, it examines community research and job development. Finally, the exam tests workplace support strategies, focusing on how to implement reasonable accommodations and assess job performance.

Career Value in the Tech Sector

The CESP carries distinct weight in specific corners of the IT industry. Major tech companies frequently run dedicated neurodiversity hiring programs to recruit software developers, data analysts, and cybersecurity specialists on the autism spectrum. Managers and HR technologists running these programs use the CESP to prove they understand the legal, ethical, and practical requirements of supported employment.

Assistive Technology Specialists also pursue this credential. If your job involves evaluating software interfaces for screen-reader compatibility, configuring alternative input devices, or training employees with disabilities to operate enterprise systems, the CESP provides a formal framework for that work. It signals to employers that your technical skills are backed by a deep understanding of vocational rehabilitation.

State and federal government contractors often see the highest return on investment for this exam. Agencies that provide IT training and job placement services for individuals with disabilities frequently require the CESP for their staff. In these environments, the certification operates as a baseline qualification for employment support roles, ensuring compliance with federal guidelines and APSE ethical standards.

Sustaining the Credential

Earning the CESP requires an ongoing commitment to the field of supported employment. The certification remains valid for three years. To maintain the credential, professionals must complete and log 36 hours of continuing education credits related to employment support practices before the expiration date, or they must pass the current version of the exam again.