100+ Free APC Practice Questions

The NCCAP APC (Activity Professional Certified) is the entry-level national certification from the National Certification Council for Activity Professionals. It validates that an individual meets professional standards of practice to work in an activities and life enrichment department in long-term care, assisted living, adult day services, and similar settings. NCCAP is recognized by CMS in F-tag F658 as establishing professional standards for the activity profession, and NCCAP certification satisfies the qualification requirements in F679 and F680.

Per the 2025 NCCAP Certification Standards, APC candidates must have a High School Diploma or GED, complete the MEPAP 1-APC curriculum (Modular Education Program for Activity Professionals — a national curriculum with class instruction and practicum experience), and pass the APC certification exam with a score of 70% or higher. Unlike ADC certification, APC does not require prior work experience.

The NCCAP initial application fee for APC is $65.00 (effective June 2025 fee schedule). This covers processing of your APC application. The fee does not include the cost of the MEPAP 1-APC course, which is required prior to certification and typically costs several hundred dollars through an approved NCCAP educator. Renewal every 2 years costs $65.00. Visit nccap.org/fees for the current fee schedule.

According to NCCAP Standards, the APC certification exam is administered online or in person by the MEPAP instructor at the conclusion of the MEPAP 1-APC course. A score of 70% is required to pass. NCCAP does not publish a fixed question count or time limit for the APC exam in its certification standards — format is determined by the approved MEPAP instructor. This contrasts with the ADC exam, which is offered through remote proctoring.

APC certification is valid for 2 years from the date of issuance. Renewal requires 10 continuing education (CE) clock hours earned during the current certification period, covering at least 3 different topic areas from the NCCAP Body of Knowledge. Up to 70% of hours can come from mandatory workplace in-services. The renewal fee is $65.00. Renewal notifications are sent 120 days before expiration.

The APC exam covers the NCCAP Body of Knowledge, which includes: human development and aging; biology, sociology, and psychology of aging; leisure and aging; therapeutic approaches for dementia (Validation, Montessori, trauma-informed care); MDS 3.0 Section F and care planning; regulations including CMS F679/F680 and OBRA '87; ethics and NCCAP Standards of Practice; group dynamics and communication; program development and implementation; documentation; and basic health, safety, and infection control.

APC (Activity Professional Certified) is the entry-level NCCAP certification for activity staff working IN an activities department. It requires MEPAP 1-APC and validates frontline competencies. ADC (Activity Director Certified) requires both MEPAP 1-APC and MEPAP 2-ADC and the National ADC Exam; it validates the competencies to LEAD and DIRECT an activities department. ADC has 20 CE hours/2 years renewal vs. 10 for APC, and meets the highest qualification standard in F680 for activities directors.

NCCAP APC is not always legally required at the entry level — F680 lists multiple acceptable qualification pathways for activities directors, and frontline activity staff qualifications vary by state and facility. However, NCCAP certification is widely recognized as the 'gold standard' for the profession, is preferred by employers, meets the highest federal standard under F658/F679/F680, and provides portability across states. Many employers require or strongly prefer NCCAP certification for advancement to ADC and management roles.