Certified Professional in Web Accessibility
Exam Code: CPWA
The IAAP Certified Professional in Web Accessibility (CPWA) is IAAP’s highest web accessibility credential. It is awarded to individuals who successfully earn both the Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC) and Web Accessibility Specialist (WAS) certifications. CPWA validates both broad accessibility knowledge and technical web accessibility expertise.
- Exam Breakdown
- Domain Breakdown
- Access Breakdown
Exam Format
- Exam Code: CPWA
- Certification Level: Advanced / Professional
- Exam Duration: CPWA is not a single standalone exam. Candidates must pass both CPACC and WAS. Each component exam has a 2-hour time limit.
- Passing Score: IAAP uses a scaled score from 200 to 800, with 600 as the passing mark.
- Unscored Content: IAAP does not provide percentage scores or identify correct/incorrect answers; candidates receive domain feedback instead.
Exam Details
- Question Types: Multiple-choice questions
- Number of Questions: CPACC has 100 questions; WAS has 75 questions
- Hands-On Questions: CPWA does not include a separate hands-on lab exam. Candidates earn CPWA by passing the CPACC and WAS multiple-choice certification exams.
Exam Policies
- Offline Proctoring: IAAP exams can be taken at Pearson VUE test centers after the IAAP application is approved and the exam payment is completed.
- Online Proctoring: IAAP exams can be taken through Pearson Remote Proctoring / OnVUE where available.
- Waiting Period: Candidates who fail an IAAP exam must wait for two exam sessions before reapplying.
- Retake Fee: Candidates may retake at a reduced rate once within one year of the first attempt and may retake up to two times within one year of the original exam date.
Certification Validity and Renewal
- Validity: 3 years
- Renewal Options: Maintain CPWA by earning 55 IAAP educational credits over a three-year period through professional development, sharing knowledge, or structured volunteering.
Exam Fee
- Base Fee: CPWA itself is awarded after passing both CPACC and WAS. Standard combined exam fee: $1,065 USD ($510 CPACC + $555 WAS).
- Taxes: Country-specific VAT/GST may apply
- Example: In India, 18% GST applies, making the standard total $1,256.70 USD ($1,065 + $191.70 tax). IAAP also lists Emerging and Developing Economy fees: CPACC $170 + WAS $225 = $395 USD; with 18% GST, the EDE total would be $466.10 USD ($395 + $71.10 tax).
Prerequisites
CPWA is not earned through one separate exam. Candidates must earn both CPACC and WAS certifications.
Recommended preparation includes:
- Broad understanding of disability, accessibility, universal design, and accessibility laws
- Strong knowledge of WCAG and web accessibility standards
- Experience evaluating, designing, developing, or testing accessible web content
- Familiarity with assistive technologies and accessibility testing methods
- Practical technical experience with HTML, CSS, JavaScript, ARIA, forms, multimedia, and accessibility remediation
Exam Topics
CPWA combines the knowledge areas of CPACC and WAS.
- Disabilities and accessibility principles
- Universal design and inclusive design
- Accessibility laws, standards, and management strategies
- WCAG principles and success criteria
- Accessible web design and development
- HTML, CSS, JavaScript, ARIA, forms, and interactive components
- Accessibility testing and validation
- Assistive technology behavior
- Accessibility remediation recommendations
- Organizational accessibility strategy and professional accessibility practice
Intended Audience
The CPWA credential is ideal for accessibility professionals who need both foundational accessibility knowledge and technical web accessibility expertise, including roles such as:
- Web Accessibility Specialist
- Accessibility Consultant
- Digital Accessibility Engineer
- Front-End Developer
- UX Accessibility Specialist
- Accessibility QA Tester
- Accessibility Program Manager
- Inclusive Design Specialist
- Web Accessibility Auditor
- Accessibility Compliance Professional
Career Impact
Jobs You Can Get:
- Web Accessibility Specialist, Digital Accessibility Consultant, Accessibility Engineer, Accessibility QA Tester, Accessibility Program Manager, Inclusive Design Consultant, Front-End Accessibility Developer, Accessibility Auditor, etc.
Average Salary:
- Varies by country — U.S.: $75,000–$125,000 USD,
- India: ₹7,00,000–₹20,00,000 INR,
- United Kingdom: £40,000–£75,000 GBP,
- UAE: 140,000–280,000 AED per year.
Why It’s Valuable:
- CPWA is IAAP’s highest web accessibility credential and demonstrates both accessibility core competency and technical web accessibility expertise.
Exam Mode
CPWA is earned by passing both CPACC and WAS. These IAAP exams are proctored and can be taken through approved IAAP/Pearson options:
- Online through Pearson Remote Proctoring / OnVUE
- In-person at Pearson VUE test centers
- Hosted exam events where available
Exam Booking Link
- Apply through the IAAP Certification Portal first. After the application is approved and the exam payment is completed, candidates receive Pearson scheduling instructions. https://www.pearsonvue.com/us/en/iaap/onvue.html
Once you pass the exam
- Pass the CPACC exam
- Pass the WAS exam
- IAAP automatically recognizes eligibility for the CPWA designation after both credentials are earned
- Maintain the CPWA certification through IAAP continuing education requirements
- Earn 55 educational credits during each three-year renewal cycle
- Keep the certification active to continue using the CPWA designation and badge
Offers
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Top Reasons to Choose
Certified Professional in Web Accessibility
Highest IAAP Web Accessibility Credential
CPWA is IAAP’s highest web accessibility credential, combining CPACC’s accessibility core knowledge with WAS technical expertise. It proves that professionals understand disability inclusion, accessibility principles, WCAG, assistive technologies, testing, remediation, and accessible web implementation.
Strong Career Value for Accessibility Roles
Many organizations need qualified professionals to design, audit, test, and manage accessible digital experiences. CPWA helps accessibility consultants, developers, testers, UX specialists, and program managers demonstrate advanced credibility in both strategic accessibility knowledge and technical web accessibility practice.
Combines Strategy and Technical Skill
CPWA is valuable because it shows balanced expertise across accessibility governance, disability concepts, universal design, standards, web development, testing methods, and remediation. This makes it useful for professionals leading accessibility programs or solving complex web accessibility issues.
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FAQ
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Who should take the Certified Professional in Web Accessibility exam?
CPWA is best for accessibility professionals who want to prove both broad accessibility knowledge and technical web accessibility expertise. It is ideal for accessibility consultants, developers, QA testers, UX specialists, auditors, program managers, and professionals who work with WCAG, assistive technologies, remediation, testing, and digital accessibility strategy.
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How difficult is the Certified Professional in Web Accessibility exam?
CPWA is considered advanced because it requires passing both CPACC and WAS. CPACC tests broad accessibility concepts, disability knowledge, standards, and laws, while WAS tests technical web accessibility. Candidates need conceptual understanding plus practical experience with WCAG, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, ARIA, testing, remediation, and assistive technologies.
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Why does IAAP offer the CPWA certification?
IAAP offers CPWA to recognize professionals who demonstrate both accessibility core competencies and technical web accessibility expertise. By requiring CPACC and WAS, IAAP ensures CPWA holders understand disability inclusion, accessibility strategy, standards, and practical web implementation, making them qualified for advanced accessibility roles and leadership responsibilities.
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What tools and resources can be used to prepare for CPWA?
Candidates should prepare separately for CPACC and WAS using official IAAP content outlines, Bodies of Knowledge, IAAP resources, WCAG documentation, W3C WAI resources, assistive technology practice, accessibility testing tools, browser developer tools, screen readers, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, ARIA, and hands-on accessibility audit and remediation experience.
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Is the Certified Professional in Web Accessibility certification still valuable in 2026?
Yes, CPWA remains valuable in 2026 because digital accessibility, WCAG compliance, inclusive design, and accessibility testing continue to be important for organizations worldwide. It is especially useful for consultants, developers, auditors, QA teams, UX professionals, government contractors, and accessibility program leaders working on accessible web experiences.
