In December 2024, I wrote a blog post outlining several accessibility certifications, including three from IAAP and the Trusted Tester Process & Certification Program. The post's main idea was to encourage readers to make a New Year’s resolution to earn a certification.
Recently, our own Joanie Chembars, a member of the DubBot support team and author of many of our help center articles, earned her Trusted Tester certification. 🎉 And even more recently, a client reached out to me about writing a post on accessibility trainings and certifications, and noted that he was currently studying to take the Trusted Tester program certification exam.
I took these as a sign and decided to take a deep dive into the Trusted Tester Process and Certification Program, exploring the training content, the exam, and the return on investment.
At its core, Trusted Tester is a government-backed certification program that teaches you a manual, structured approach to testing digital content for conformance with Section 508 accessibility standards . This certification is not just about theory. You learn to inspect code, use approved manual testing tools, and identify accessibility issues that automated scanners may miss. The Trusted Tester Process provides repeatable, shareable, and reliable conformance test results.
What Do You Learn?
The Trusted Tester certification program consists of a series of training modules, hands-on exercises, and a final certification exam. The curriculum covers accessibility basics, approved testing tools, manual test methods, and how to document results. No formal prerequisites are required, but familiarity with HTML and accessibility concepts is helpful.
Note: Although the program is Web-based and self-paced, you must complete the course within 6 months.
Here’s a sample of what is covered in the training modules.
Training begins with an introductory course that outlines Section 508 and why it matters. This course covers the legal background of the Section 508 standards, their purpose, and their role in ensuring digital accessibility. More importantly, it lays the groundwork for accessibility conformance testing, helping participants understand why testing exists before diving into how to do it.
From there, the program moves into the Section 508 Standards for Web, where the training gets more technical and hands-on. This section outlines the requirements that testers will evaluate, aligned with WCAG Level A and AA, as defined in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Testing Baseline. Participants learn how to identify accessibility issues at the code and content level.
Since the Trusted Tester process is about manual testing, the next section in the training is about the two manual testing tools you will use. Those tools are the Accessible Name and Description Inspector (ANDI) and the Colour Contrast Analyser. These tools are easy to use and learn, and are consistently accurate. They help testers quickly check accessibility features without digging through source code or having in-depth knowledge of programming languages.
Next are the core Trusted Tester topics - the Section 508 conformance tests. Each of these is a significant topic block in the training. This module includes 20 accessibility conformance tests. Here are just a few examples of the accessibility tests you will learn.
- Auto-Playing and Auto-Updating Content
Ensure moving, animating, and / or auto-refresh areas can be paused, stopped, or hidden.
- Flashing (Flicker) Content
Test for flashing content that may exceed safe thresholds.
- Keyboard Access & Focus
Full keyboard operability, no traps, focus.
- Images
Alt text, decorative vs. meaningful images, special cases such as CAPTCHAs and text imagery.
- Adjustable Time Limits
Ensuring users can extend or turn off time constraints.
- Repetitive Content
Options to skip repetitive regions like navigation menus.
For the complete list of conformance tests, how to conduct them, and how to evaluate the results, read Trusted Tester Section 508 Conformance Test Process for Web, Version 5.1.3. (PDF)
Finally, there are the practice exam and the certification exam. The practice exam is a full-practice assessment that simulates the format of the final certification exam. You must pass the practice exam to receive access to the certification exam. You must score at least 85% on the certification exam, and you are given two chances to pass.🤞🏼
What is the Timeline?
Expect to spend 40–80 hours studying and practicing before you’re ready to pass the exam. Count on a bit more if you’re new to digital accessibility. That includes watching lessons, doing sample tests, and taking practice quizzes.
What’s the Return on Investment?
Becoming a Trusted Tester is a worthwhile first step for anyone entering the accessibility testing field. The Trusted Tester Certification goes beyond definitions and theory. It is a practical, in-demand skill that strengthens both careers and organizations. When you become a Trusted Tester, you develop a deep understanding of accessibility and play a critical role in guiding organizations toward compliance and creating digital experiences that everyone can enjoy. While the certification requires a time commitment, it offers a valuable way to enhance your skills and career prospects. Most importantly, your work supports equitable access to information and services for all users.
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A human author creates the DubBlog posts. The AI tools Gemini and ChatGPT are sometimes used to brainstorm topic ideas, generate blog post outlines, and rephrase portions of content. Our marketing team carefully reviews all final drafts for accuracy and authenticity. The opinions and perspectives expressed remain the sole responsibility of the human author.
