Is WCAG Certification Possible? 6 Things You Need to Know

More than ever, today’s businesses are being held accountable for the accessibility of their online content. From increased accessibility lawsuits to a shift in consumer expectations, accessibility is much more than meeting compliance requirements — it’s a business imperative. To stay compliant with accessibility laws (and provide an accessible user experience for all), you need to understand the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines(opens in a new tab) (WCAG). This framework sets the standard for accessible digital content.

Understandably, you might be looking for a WCAG certification to prove your expertise. But here’s the thing — no such certification exists. This is one of the biggest misconceptions around digital accessibility.

The good news: There are recognized accessibility certifications that can boost your credibility and help you create more inclusive digital experiences. We’ll explore those options in more detail below and the top things you should know about accessibility certification.

1. Can You Get a WCAG Certification? Understanding the Reality

If you’ve been searching for a way to get WCAG certified, you’re not alone. Many individuals assume that because WCAG is the gold standard for web accessibility, there must be an official certification to prove compliance. But here’s the reality: the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), the organization that created WCAG, does not offer any kind of WCAG certification for individuals or websites.

So, what about all those companies that claim to have WCAG certifications? The truth is that third-party organizations can evaluate websites for WCAG conformance and issue audits or reports, but these are not official certifications. Instead, they serve as documentation that a site has been assessed for WCAG conformance — useful, but not the same as a recognized credential from W3C.

Rather than chasing a nonexistent WCAG certification, focus on achieving conformance with WCAG standards. Remember: the goal isn’t just to pass a test or get a stamp of approval — it’s to create digital content that’s truly accessible to all users, including those with disabilities.

2. The Importance of WCAG in Businesses

Before we dive into accessibility certifications, courses, and training, a quick refresher on the importance of WCAG in business settings. 

As mentioned above, WCAG is the global standard for making digital content accessible to people with disabilities. These guidelines outline best practices for everything from text readability to keyboard navigation and assistive technology compatibility, ensuring that websites, mobile apps, online documents, and other digital content can be used by everyone — including individuals with visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive disabilities or impairments.

Conforming to WCAG isn’t just about compliance — it’s also a strategic advantage for businesses. An accessible website improves SEO since search engines favor well-structured, user-friendly content. It enhances the user experience, making navigation more consistent and easier for all visitors. And perhaps most importantly, it strengthens your brand reputation, showing your commitment to providing an accessible, usable experience for your users. This can increase your audience reach, more potential customers, and more revenue streams.

Beyond the user benefits, understanding WCAG is critical from a legal standpoint. Many countries, including the U.S., enforce the accessibility standards outlined in WCAG, and businesses that fail to comply risk lawsuits, financial penalties, and reputational damage. Accessibility-related lawsuits have increased in the last few years(opens in a new tab); brands that ignore WCAG may face costly legal battles or accessibility fixes. 

Here’s the bottom line: WCAG isn’t something you can overlook. Whether you’re optimizing content, designing campaigns, or managing a website, accessibility should be a part of your content creation process from the start. With the importance of WCAG in mind, let’s look at what accessibility certifications and courses are available.

Certificate in front of a green background with an accessibility ribbon in the top left-hand corner.

3. Professional Certifications that Cover WCAG Standards

Though a WCAG certification doesn’t exist, several respected certifications cover WCAG fundamentals in-depth, helping you gain a solid foundation in digital accessibility. Not only do these certifications enhance your knowledge, but they also demonstrate your commitment to creating accessible and compliant digital experiences.

Here are some of the top certifications that boost your accessibility expertise.

CPACC (Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies)

Best studied for marketers, web designers, developers, or anyone new to digital accessibility, CPACC(opens in a new tab) provides a broad understanding of accessibility. Offered by the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP), the course covers topics such as disability types, accessibility laws, WCAG principles, and more. It’s a great starting point if you want to integrate accessibility into your marketing strategy but don’t need deep technical expertise.

WAS (Web Accessibility Specialist)

The WAS certification(opens in a new tab), another IAAP certification, is designed for web developers, UX/UI designers, digital content creators, and anyone working hands-on with websites and digital content. WAS focuses on WCAG conformance, testing, and remediation, making it ideal if you need to apply accessibility standards directly to your work. If you’re responsible for ensuring your website is accessible, this certification is worth considering.

CPWA (Certified Professional in Web Accessibility)

Those looking for comprehensive accessibility expertise should consider the CPWA certification(opens in a new tab). It’s an advanced understanding of accessibility principles and technical implementation and is a strong choice if you want to position yourself as a leader in digital accessibility.

Even though WCAG certification isn’t possible, the above certifications help you build credibility and apply accessibility best practices effectively. They signal to employers, customers, clients, and stakeholders that you or your organization understand what WCAG is and how to implement it in real-world digital experiences.

4. Online Courses and Training to Learn WCAG Standards

If you’re looking to deepen your understanding of WCAG, professional certifications aren’t your only option. There are plenty of high-quality online courses and training programs that can help you master digital accessibility. Whether you’re new to WCAG or looking to refine your expertise, structured learning courses, like the ones below, can provide clarity, hands-on practice, and expert guidance — things that can be harder to get through self-study alone.

Here are some of the best accessibility training options available:

AudioEyeQ

AudioEyeQ is a best-in-class education platform that’s free, self-paced, and available to anyone wishing to enhance their knowledge of core accessibility topics, best practices, and resources. The course is for professionals who build websites or mobile apps, such as designers, developers, and website owners. AudioEyeQ covers topics such as accessible coding, accessibility testing basics, accessible design practices, CPACC preparation, and more.

W3C’S Introduction to Web Accessibility

For beginners looking for a foundation in WCAG straight from the organization that created it, W3C’s Introduction to Web Accessibility(opens in a new tab) is perfect. The free introductory course is designed to help individuals understand why accessibility matters and how WCAG guidelines impact real users. It’s a great starting point if you’re new to accessibility or want to grasp the core principles before exploring more in-depth training.

Deque University’s WCAG-Focused Courses

Deque University’s accessibility courses(opens in a new tab) are designed for developers, designers, and teams that want to dive deep into WCAG conformance, accessibility testing, and deepening their accessibility skills. They are specifically focused on WCAG success criteria, remediation strategies, and accessibility testing. The courses are more technical in nature, which may be ideal for developers.

IAAP Prep Course for Professional Certification

If you plan to earn CPACC, WAS, or CPWA certification, taking IAAP’s certification prep course can significantly boost your chances of passing. These courses cover all accessibility concepts, including WCAG principles, and provide structured guidance to help you prepare.

Laptop screen with an image of checklist; a backpack is on the left side of the laptop and a globe on top of books is on the other.

5. How to Demonstrate WCAG Knowledge Without Certification

Earning an accessibility certification is a great way to prove your expertise, but it’s not the only way. You don’t need an official credential to show you understand WCAG standards or how to apply its principles in your work. What really matters is how well you implement accessibility best practices — and there are plenty of ways to do so without a formal certification.

Here are a few steps you can take to demonstrate your WCAG expertise and actively improve your website’s accessibility:

Conduct Regular Website Accessibility Audits

One of the best ways to apply your WCAG knowledge is to evaluate your digital content for accessibility barriers. Regular accessibility audits help you identify issues like missing alt text, poor color contrast, incorrect heading order, keyboard navigation problems, screen reader compatibility, missing captions, and more. Free tools like AudioEye’s Web Accessibility Checker and Color Contrast Checker are great starting points. Still, manual testing and expert audits give you a deeper understanding of real user experiences and where accessibility issues exist on your site.

Add Accessibility Best Practices to Content, Design, and Development Workflows

Whether you’re writing website content, designing graphics, or managing digital campaigns, accessibility should be built into your workflow. Simple changes can make a significant impact. As a best practice, try to incorporate as many WXAG success criteria into the design of your web pages or other digital content as possible. Our WCAG 2.1 checklist includes a list of accessibility features that improve usability and functionality for individuals with disabilities and meet compliance requirements.

Get involved in Accessibility Communities and Industry Discussions

Joining accessibility-focused communities and engaging in industry conversations can help you stay up-to-date on accessibility best practices, evolving legal standards, and emerging trends. Consider:

• Following accessibility experts on social media platforms.

• Joining discussions in accessibility forums like the IAAP community.

• Attending webinars and conferences, including the CSUN Assistive Technology Conference or Inclusive Design 24.

This will expand your knowledge and help establish you as someone who prioritizes accessibility, giving you a clear competitive advantage.

6. Should Your Company Pursue WCAG Certification?

Here’s the bottom line: even though there’s no such thing as WCAG certification, you shouldn’t abandon the idea of earning an accessibility credential altogether. Pursuing an accessibility certification — whether through CPACC, WAS, CPWA, or another recognized program — is still incredibly beneficial. Not only does it expand your knowledge and skills, but it also positions you as a trusted expert in a field that’s only growing in importance.

So, what else can you do to demonstrate your commitment to accessibility, even if you can’t get WCAG certified? Here are a few additional strategies to consider:

Work with Accessibility Experts for Compliance Validation

One of the most effective ways to ensure your digital content conforms to WCAG and is compliant with accessibility laws is to work with accessibility experts. They can perform a thorough audit of your digital content, identifying potential issues and providing a comprehensive conformance report. This report serves as official validation that your site meets WCAG standards and showcases your commitment to accessibility.

For example, AudioEye provides Expert Audits from accessibility experts and members of the disability community. Our testers conduct thorough, real-world evaluations of your digital content, identifying critical tools that automated accessibility tools might miss. The resulting report doesn’t just list problems but provides actionable, strategic guidance to fix these issues. Working with an accessibility expert like AudioEye helps you meet compliance requirements and provides ongoing support to maintain accessibility even as you scale and evolve.

Include an Accessibility Statement on Your Digital Content

Another important way to demonstrate your commitment to accessibility is by adding an accessibility statement to your website, app, or other digital content. This statement can outline your accessibility goals, your efforts to ensure compliance, and any feedback channels for users to report accessibility issues.

An accessibility statement shows that you take accessibility seriously and have made an effort to improve the digital experience for all users, including those with disabilities. It also signals to customers and legal authorities that you’re committed to continuing any accessibility initiatives and creating more accessible content.

Accessibility Certification is Still a Smart Investment

Pursuing accessibility certification in some form — whether through a recognized course or working with experts like AudioEye — is still a smart investment. By combining certification with ongoing efforts like audits and an accessibility statement, you’ll show that you’re not just checking boxes — you’re committed to making the digital world more accessible.

The bottom line? Accessibility is more than a trend — it’s a responsibility. And by actively pursuing certification and taking concrete steps to improve accessibility, you’ll meet compliance standards and create a more engaging, accessible experience for everyone.

And with AudioEye, you can maintain that accessible, compliant experience even as your digital content changes and evolves. From AudioEyeQ, our best-in-class education platform, to our collection of accessibility tools, you’ll have the knowledge and tools needed to create accessible online experiences. 

Ready to put your knowledge to the test? Use our free Web Accessibility Checker to see how well your current website aligns with WCAG standards. Or contact AudioEye for more information on accessibility training and tools that help you stay on top of evolving accessibility standards.