WHY BECOME CERTIFIED?
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IAAPA Certified Attractions Professionals (ICAP)
Build your expertise and take the next step in your attractions career. With 1 or more years of industry experience, you are eligible to validate your knowledge and demonstrate your commitment to professional growth with the ICAP.
IAAPA Certified Attractions Executive (ICAE)
Showcase your expertise and stand out as a leader in the global attractions industry with the ICAE. With 7 or more years of industry experience, you are eligible to demonstrate your advanced industry knowledge, strategic leadership, and commitment to excellence.
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Not sure which IAAPA certification is right for you?
Take this FREE course to explore your certification options, assess where you are in your career journey, and identify the IAAPA Certification that best aligns with your experience and goals.
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Connect Your Skills to IAAPA Professional Development and Certifications
The IAAPA Skills Assessment is a self‑guided online tool designed to help attractions industry professionals understand their current skill levels and identify a clear path forward through IAAPA‑supported career development and certification pathways.
Grounded in industry‑recognized skill frameworks, the assessment evaluates core competencies across functional, leadership, and business skill areas aligned with IAAPA education programs and certifications. Your results provide a practical snapshot of your proficiency today while highlighting targeted opportunities for growth, learning, and certification readiness.
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Begin the Assessment
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The Certification Process
Expand allThe first step on your certification journey is to understand the program eligibility requirements, certification process, and policies. Detailed information can be found in the 2026 Certification Handbook.
The table below illustrates the eligibility requirements for the ICAP and ICAE programs:
ICAP | ICAE (Pathway 1) | ICAE (Pathway 2) | |
Professional Attractions Industry Experience | 1 year | 7 years | 10 years |
Supervisory Experience | 1 year | 7 years | 10 years |
Education | n/a | Bachelor's Degree* or higher | n/a |
* or international equivalent
Professional Attractions Industry Experience is defined as full-time work within an attraction (Amusement Park, Family Entertainment Center, Zoo, Aquarium, Museum, Science Center, Water Park, or Manufacturer or Supplier to the attractions industry). Faculty and Professors who support the attractions industry, including students who meet the eligibility requirements, are encouraged to participate.
Supervisory Experience includes the following examples:
- Helping the team understand performance targets and goals.
- Training and ensuring that workers are competent in their role.
- Scheduling work hours and shifts.
- Coordinating job rotation and cross-training.
- Sharing company updates, financial results, and new objectives with team members.
- Assisting in resolving emergencies, such as a quality or customer problem, might escalate to the team supervisor for handling.
*Successfully earning an IAAPA Certification is a combination of meeting the eligibility requirements plus successfully passing the examination(s).
Certification Handbook:
English | Spanish | Chinese
Certification Policy Manual:
English | Spanish | Chinese
*Applicants may request that an exam provider accommodate applicants with a disability or any other condition that may impair applicant's ability to take the exam. More details can be found in the 2026 Certification Handbook on page 14.
The second step on your journey is to complete the application, submit your supporting document(s), and pay certification fees. This step will be completed in your IAAPA portal.
You will be asked to submit the following documentation upon confirmation of your application:
- Resume or C.V.
- College/University transcripts or degree (for ICAE only)
| PRICING | Member | Nonmember |
ICAP - Option 1 Traditional Route | $450.00 | $630.00 |
ICAP - Option 2 Micro-Exam Route* *Candidates pay for option 2 'as you go'. Starting with application fee, and then each exam fee is paid separately. | $550.00 | $770.00 |
ICAE - Exam | $800.00 | $1,175.00 |
The third step on your certification journey is to prepare for and then schedule exam(s). All IAAPA Certification exams are remotely hosted with the highest level of security. Candidates have the flexibility and convenience to schedule an exam time and date that works for them during the exam window.
Exam Prep Resources:
- IAAPA Learning Library (IAAPA Certification Prep Bundle, additional online courses and recorded content)
- ICAP Syllabus
- ICAE Syllabus
- Purchase a copy of the IAAPA Certified Attractions Professional (ICAP) Study Guide
- The study guide includes:
- Term Glossary
- Sample Questions
- Self-Assessments
- Links to Additional Training/Resources
- The study guide includes:
Schedule Exam:
- You will receive instructions on how to set up your profile and schedule your exam prior to your selected exam window.
- You can review the technical requirements in the 2026 Certification Handbook on page 15.
- Exam Windows:
- February 15 – March 15
- May 15 – June 15
- September 15 – October 15
- December 15 – January 15
The fourth step requires you to sit for your pre-scheduled exam. It is important to follow the exact protocols issued by the proctor during the check-in process.
*Candidates have a total of 3 attempts to successfully complete the IAAPA Certification exam(s). Additional fees apply for each exam attempt.
Congratulations on earning your IAAPA Certification! Now that you hold a prestigious IAAPA credential, it is essential to maintain your industry knowledge. Maintaining your ICAP or ICAE requires all certificants to accumulate 40 hours of Continuing Education Units (CEUs) every 3 years in the following categories:
- IAAPA Education
- Other Education
- Giving Back to the Industry
Renewal fees apply. More details on qualifying CEU activities can be found in the 2026 Certification Handbook on page 20.
IAAPA CEUs can be earned through activities offered by IAAPA Pre-Approved Providers. Take the guess work out of submitting CEUs by exploring these IAAPA approved learning opportunities.
View all Pre-Approved Training Providers
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