In today’s digital world, creating accessible and inclusive content isn’t just best practice - it’s a necessity. As accessibility regulations evolve and awareness grows, a range of certification programs has emerged to help professionals, WCAG accessibility developers and organizations build the skills, standards, and confidence needed to ensure digital equity for all users, including people with disabilities. From foundational knowledge to advanced compliance auditing, these globally recognized certifications empower individuals and teams to meet legal requirements, enhance user experience, and lead accessibility efforts with credibility and impact.
1. DHS Section 508 Trusted Tester
- Focus: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Customer Experience Directorate (CXD) Accessibility & Language Services Division developed the DHS Section 508 Trusted Tester as a common testing approach for determining compliance with Section 508 standards through code inspection. This test approach provides more accurate and consistent results than assistive technology tools or automated tools, ensuring the website or software works with any assistive technology a person might use.
- Ideal For: Section 508 Coordinators, Trusted Tester candidates, IT personnel (including Project Managers, Program Managers, and Instructional Designers), Leadership, CIOs, Procurement & Acquisition Officers, and Web Developers.
- Cost: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) offers free online training to help you create and test digital content that is accessible to everyone.
- URL: https://www.dhs.gov/trusted-tester
2. IAAP
- Focus: IAAP certifications are globally recognized as a leading standard qualification within the accessibility profession. Increasingly, IAAP certification and membership are becoming prerequisites for hiring top-tier accessibility professionals. These credentials prepare individuals for a wide range of roles, equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and strategic insights needed to succeed. IAAP is dedicated to cultivating and evaluating expertise in accessibility, from technical skills to leadership capabilities. Their role-based professional certifications support career development and empower professionals to make a meaningful impact in the lives of people with disabilities.
- Ideal For: Designed and created by accessibility professionals for accessibility professionals.
- Cost: The IAAP CAP certification exam fee is $375 for IAAP members and $575 for non-members.
- Prerequisites:IAAP offers four different types of certifications: CPACC, WAS, ADS, and CPWA. Each certification is designed for different types of professionals and has its own set of prerequisites. For more details, please visit https://www.accessibilityassociation.org/certification-overview
- URL: https://www.accessibilityassociation.org/certification-overview
3. JAWS Certification program
- Focus: The JAWS Certification program is an online knowledge-based exam for JAWS Screen Reader. The product has its own test and certification.
- Ideal For: The certification program is designed for consultants, trainers, agency staff, and users to demonstrate their knowledge of and proficiency in using JAWS and helps to increase an individual's knowledge of JAWS.
- Cost: If you are interested in purchasing a high-quality print copy of your Certificate for proudly displaying in your home or office,
- Initial Certification – $49.00. For first-time certifications, a user needs to purchase the “Initial Certification.
- Certification Renewal – $29.00. For successive certifications, a user can purchase the “Certification Renewal” at this lower cost.
- Prerequisites: There are no formal prerequisites for the JAWS certification exam. However, a thorough understanding of JAWS functionalities and features is essential to successfully pass the exam. Freedom Scientific provides various training materials and resources to assist candidates in their preparation.
- URL: https://www.freedomscientific.com/training/certification/
4. W3School Accessibility Certification Exam
- Focus: This certification validates an individual’s accessibility skills and helps them stand out in a competitive job market. Professionals can become Certified Accessibility Practitioners through W3Schools, gaining recognition for their commitment to inclusive digital experiences.
- Ideal For: It is well-suited for both beginners and seasoned professionals looking to demonstrate their expertise.
- Cost: $155
- Prerequisites: None
- URL: https://campus.w3schools.com/products/accessibility-certificate
5. Centre for Inclusive Design
- Focus: The Centre for Inclusive Design alongside the University of South Australia, hosts one of the world’s only University-accredited professional certificates in web accessibility. The course runs over a 6-week period with a recommended 10-12 hours dedicated to it per week. The PCWA covers Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 and 2.1. This course gives your insight into WCAG 2.0 and 2.1 to help make you an accessibility champion and is internationally recognized!
- Ideal For: Developers and programmers, web designers, content writers, user experience designers and testers, accessibility or compliance managers, project managers, scrum masters, web content managers, administrators and/or editors, senior ICT managers, digital team members and marketing staff, internal and external communications specialists and managers.
- Cost: AUD $2,400 (ex GST) for Australian students / AUD $2,400 for international students
- Prerequisites: Some knowledge of web design or development
- URL: https://centreforinclusivedesign.org.au/accessibility/pcwa/
6. NVDA Expert Certification
- Focus: The NVDA Expert Certification assesses your proficiency in using the NVDA screen reader, drawing from the NVDA Basic Training module, user guide, and other public resources. This certification demonstrates your ability to navigate and support NVDA effectively, making you a trusted resource for others. The program includes a free online exam (in English), and successful candidates can purchase an official certificate and badge.
- Ideal For: Professionals offering accessibility training or consulting.
- Cost: $110 AUD
- Prerequisites: No prerequisites are required.
- URL: https://www.nvaccess.org/product/nvda-expert-certification/
7. WIX Accessibility Certification
- Focus: With the WIX Accessibility Certification, you’ll establish your credibility in planning and building accessible websites. Become a certified accessibility-focused site creator and contribute to making the internet a more inclusive space for everyone.
- Ideal For:
- Freelancers who want to add valuable expertise to their offerings
- Agencies looking to standardize website accessibility among their web designers and builders
- Business owners who want to test their knowledge of accessibility on the web
- Cost: Certifications are completely free.
- Prerequisites: Complete a 30 question, multiple choice exam in 50 minutes and pass with a score of 75% or higher.
- URL:https://www.wix.com/learn/certification/accessibility
- URL 2:https://www.wix.com/learn/certifications
8. Eliquo Training
- Focus: Learn the how's and why's behind making web content truly accessible according to ADA Title II, Section 508 and the WCAG guidelines and earn your WCAG accessibility certification. An Eliquo web accessibility certification allows web designers to easily qualify their knowledge and demonstrate their WCAG proficiency to their employers, and peers.
- Ideal For: Ideal for web designers, developers, content creators, and UX professionals who are responsible for creating or managing digital content and want to ensure it meets accessibility standards.
- Cost: Certification Exam & FlexPass: $2,250, Certification Exam Only: $500.
- URL: https://eliquotraining.com/ada-wcag-certification/
At Skynet Technologies, we believe in empowering professionals to build a more inclusive digital world. Whether you're a developer, designer, educator, or organizational leader, investing in accessibility certification can deepen your expertise and open new opportunities in a growing field. These certifications not only validate your commitment to inclusive digital practices but also serve as a benchmark for quality, compliance, and innovation. By choosing the right certification, you’re taking a meaningful step toward making the web a more inclusive space for everyone.
As a leading website accessibility service provider company, we deliver comprehensive website accessibility solution – Accessibility Assist PRO® includes automated and manual ADA WCAG audit, remediation, consulting, monitoring, maintenance, VPAT /ACR, PDF / documents remediation, support, and website accessibility certification services. With increasing emphasis on web accessibility standards and regulations, we provide web accessibility remediation services to the state and federal agencies, corporations, higher education institutions, and large enterprises. Reach out [email protected] or request a free quote for more information.
