What is an Access Panel? An access panel is a door or panel that can be easily removed to provide access to a concealed area (like the area above false ceiling) to which you need occasional access in order to make a repair. Though a piece of plywood will usually suffice, you can purchase a manufactured access panel, complete with a frame and removable door. Installing one involves cutting the appropriate size hole in the drywall, then gluing the frame in place. Increasingly, access panels are being installed to provide easier access to low-voltage and communication wiring systems and devices.