ATP Exam

Who gives the exam?

The exam is administered by the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA).

What are the eligibility requirements?

Your eligibility depends on a combination of your level of education, and the amount of work experience you have.

An exact list of the eligibility criteria can be found on the RESNA website.

How do I go about applying to take the ATP Exam?

You will need to apply for the ATP Exam on the RESNA website.

The application is free for RESNA members, but if you are not a member, you will need to pay a $100 application fee.

After you pay the application fee and are approved, you will be provided with the application, and additional information, including instructions to send the $500 exam fee.

*Important: The approval process takes about 3-weeks.

Once you pass the exam your certification is good for two years, before you will have to renew it.

Will accommodations be available if I am someone with a disability?

If you have a disability that complies with the American Disabilities Act (ADA), then there are accommodations available. You must request accommodations at the time of application submission.

Where is the exam given?

The exam is given on an as-needed basis at Prometric testing centers. There are hundreds of locations across the country and internationally.

During the application process you will choose when and where you would like to take the exam.

How many questions can I expect?

The exam is 200 multiple choice questions and is computer-based.

How much time will I get to answer the 200 multiple choice questions?

You will get 4-hours to complete the exam. There is a 10-minute tutorial before the exam that shows you how to navigate it.

What kind of questions will I be tested on?

The ATP Exam covers four different domains:

• Assessment of Need (30% of the exam):
  • This section covers such topics including, but not limited to: Assisting the client and other stakeholders in clarifying and prioritizing goals and needs, assessing the effectiveness of existing and prior assistive technology; reviewing referrals and consults with clients, and other team members as needed.
• Development of Intervention Strategies – Action Plan (Approximately 27% of the exam):
  • Including, but not limited to: Conducting demonstrations, trials, and simulations, identifying and advising the client of the procurement process; defining potential intervention strategies and services using an algorithmic method from lowest to highest levels of assistive technology.
• Implementation of Intervention (Once Funded) (Approximately 25% of the exam):
  • This section includes but is not limited to: Verifying products for safety, function, performance, and quality; making sure the client is able to use equipment that is consistent with their goals once training is complete, and informing client and team members of their responsibilities and rights.
• Evaluation of Intervention (Follow Up) (Approximately 15% of the exam):
  • Including, but not limited to: Documenting outcomes, troubleshooting equipment failure, and developing a quality assurance plan to review client goal achievements.
• Professional Conduct (Approximately 3% of the exam):
  • Includes: Maintaining compliance with RESNA’s “Standards of Practice,” and “Code of Ethics;” participating in opportunities to advance the field of assistive technology.

Having knowledge of the following topics will help you enormously on the exam:

• Human Anatomy
• Human Development through the Life Cycle
• Psychology and Sociology
• Fundamental Functioning Abilities, Capacities and Limitations (Including Etiologies and Pathologies)
• Interventional Services
• Principles of Learning and Teaching
• Assessment Procedures
• Service Delivery and Outcomes
• Principles of Design, Development, and Application
• Knowledge of Assistive Technology Devices
• Environmental Integration
• Professional Conduct and Standards of Practice

*Important: You will also need to know certain acronyms, which you can find on the RESNA website.

Describe what test day will be like. What will I need to have with me?

On the day of your exam, you should arrive – at minimum – 15 minutes early. You will need to have a valid, government-issued photo ID with you in order to be permitted inside the testing center.

You will not be allowed to bring any other personal items, including, but not limited to: Cell phones, cameras, and/or laptops.

How long will I have to wait until I receive my exam results?

Good news! Once you have completed your exam, you will be provided with a preliminary pass/fail score.

What score do I need to aim for in order to pass?

The passing score for the ATP Exam is 69%, which means you want to get – at minimum – 138 out of 200 questions correct in order to pass.

What are my options if I fail the exam? Do I get to retake it?

If you fail the exam you may re-take it, but there is a $250 retake fee, and you are required to wait a minimum of 90-days.

There is no limit to how many times you can take the exam, so if you fail it once, it’s not the end of the world. However, you should set yourself up with a good study system.

How Can I Prepare for the ATP Exam?

That’s a great question.  We’ve broken down the answer into three parts.

1. Do yourself a favor and study.  Do not walk in unprepared. We have recommended prep materials below, but that only helps if you actually try.  Plus, studying is actually proven to be the best antidote to test anxiety.
2. Take care of yourself.  Make sure you’re eating well, exercising, and sleeping.  All of these things are scientifically linked to brain performance.  If you take care of your body, you’ll be helping your grades.
3. Get a study guide or set of flashcards.  Some people study better a certain way. Find your study strengths and make the most of them.  We’ve tried to make it easy for you by tracking down the best study guide and flashcard set for your exam.  Below you’ll see links to both!