The Web Accessibility Specialist (WAS) certification is the most technical and challenging accessibility certification offered by IAAP. Unlike CPACC which focuses on broad conceptual knowledge, WAS is designed specifically for developers, QA engineers, and technical professionals who implement and test web accessibility in code.
WAS certification validates your ability to identify, diagnose, and remediate accessibility issues in real-world web applications. The exam includes hands-on performance tasks where you must analyze actual code, identify WCAG violations, and propose technical solutions. This practical approach ensures WAS-certified professionals can immediately contribute to accessibility implementation projects.
The certification requires deep technical knowledge of HTML, CSS, JavaScript, ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications), and proficiency with assistive technologies like screen readers. WAS holders are equipped to conduct comprehensive accessibility audits, write accessible code from scratch, and remediate existing applications to meet WCAG 2.2 Level AA standards.
WAS is globally recognized as the gold standard for technical accessibility expertise. Major technology companies including Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and Adobe either require or strongly prefer WAS certification for accessibility engineering roles. The hands-on nature of the exam ensures that certified professionals have practical, job-ready skills.
Prerequisites and Eligibility
While there are no formal prerequisites, IAAP strongly recommends candidates have:
CPACC Certification: Foundation knowledge of accessibility principles, standards, and disability types
2-3 Years Development Experience: Strong HTML, CSS, and JavaScript skills with real-world project experience
ARIA Experience: Practical experience implementing ARIA roles, states, and properties
Screen Reader Proficiency: Ability to test with JAWS, NVDA, or VoiceOver
WCAG 2.2 Mastery: Deep understanding of all Level A and AA success criteria
Testing Tools Knowledge: Experience with axe, WAVE, Lighthouse, and browser DevTools
Reality Check: WAS has a lower first-time pass rate than CPACC (estimated 40-50%). Most successful candidates have 3+ years of hands-on accessibility work. If you're new to accessibility, start with CPACC and gain practical experience before attempting WAS.
Who Should Take WAS?
WAS is designed for technical professionals who write, test, or audit code for accessibility. This certification is essential for:
Front-End Developers: Build accessible web applications with proper semantic HTML, ARIA, and JavaScript interactions
QA/Test Engineers: Conduct comprehensive accessibility testing using manual and automated methods
Accessibility Engineers: Specialize in accessibility auditing, remediation, and implementation
Technical Consultants: Provide expert accessibility guidance to development teams
DevOps/Platform Engineers: Ensure CI/CD pipelines include accessibility testing
Full-Stack Developers: Implement accessible patterns across the entire application stack
Comprehensive Exam Format
The WAS exam is unique in accessibility certification - it's performance-based, meaning you'll actually work with code and websites, not just answer theoretical questions.
Exam Structure:
Performance Tasks (60%): Hands-on exercises where you identify and fix accessibility issues in actual code samples and live websites
Multiple Choice (40%): Technical questions about WCAG success criteria, ARIA patterns, and best practices
Duration: 4 hours (240 minutes)
Passing Score: 73% overall
Format: Online proctored via browser-based testing platform