Top 10 Usability Specialist Certifications

Certifications are important for usability specialists because they demonstrate a level of expertise that employers may find valuable. This is especially true if the certifications are from reputable organizations or universities. Certifications can also provide credibility and recognition when seeking new job opportunities. They can help distinguish one candidate from another, and they are often looked upon favorably by potential employers. In addition, certifications serve as proof of knowledge and experience in the field, which is an invaluable asset to any usability specialist.

The purpose of this article is to review and explain the value of the top certifications for Usability Specialists and how they can help advance their career.

What are Usability Specialist Certifications?

Usability specialist certification is an industry-recognized credential that validates the knowledge and skills of professionals who design, develop, and manage user experiences. This certification is offered by several organizations such as the Usability Professionals’ Association (UPA) and Human Factors International (HFI). The certification covers topics such as user research methods, usability testing techniques, visual design principles, information architecture, and more.

Having a usability specialist certification can help professionals stand out in the job market and demonstrate their expertise in the field. It also serves as proof of experience and knowledge to employers. Additionally, it helps individuals stay up-to-date with new developments in the field of usability engineering, which can be beneficial for their career growth. Certification holders are also eligible for exclusive networking opportunities with other certified professionals. These connections can lead to new job opportunities or collaborations on projects. Finally, having this certification shows a commitment to the profession and helps build credibility among colleagues and clients.

Pro Tip: Before pursuing a usability specialist certification, make sure to research the various certifications available and determine which one best meets your needs. Be sure to read up on the requirements for each certification, as they may vary depending on the organization that is offering it. Additionally, you should look into any additional resources or courses that may be required to obtain the certification.

Related: What does an Usability Specialist do?

Top 10 Usability Specialist Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Usability Specialists today.

1. Certified Usability Analyst (CUA)

Certified Usability Analyst (CUA) is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual's knowledge and skills in usability engineering. It is designed to help professionals demonstrate their ability to identify, analyze, and solve usability problems in software applications.

The CUA certification is offered by the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES). To become certified, individuals must pass an exam administered by HFES. The exam covers topics such as user-centered design principles, usability testing methods, and usability analysis techniques.

It typically takes four to six months of preparation to be ready for the exam. During this time, individuals should review course material from HFES or take a training course from an approved provider. They should also practice with sample questions or take a practice test.

The cost of the CUA certification varies depending on where you take the exam. In most cases, it costs between $500 and $700 USD for the application fee and exam fee combined.

2. Certified Usability Professional (CUP)

A Certified Usability Professional (CUP) is a professional certification offered by the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES). It is designed to recognize professionals who have demonstrated expertise in the area of usability engineering and user experience design. The CUP certification is an internationally recognized credential that demonstrates a commitment to the profession and provides evidence of knowledge and skills related to user experience design.

It typically takes about two years of study and practice to prepare for the CUP exam. Preparation involves taking courses, attending workshops, reading books, and doing hands-on work in the field. In addition, applicants must meet certain educational requirements, such as having a bachelor’s degree or higher in a related field.

To get certified, applicants must take and pass the CUP exam administered by HFES. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as usability engineering principles, user interface design guidelines, user research methods, usability testing techniques, accessibility standards, and more.

The cost of the CUP certification varies depending on location. In general, it costs between $500-$1,000 USD for members of HFES or other professional organizations that offer discounts on the exam fee.

3. Human Factors International Certified Usability Analyst (HFICA)

The Human Factors International Certified Usability Analyst (HFICA) is a certification program designed to recognize professionals who have demonstrated expertise in usability and user experience design. The HFICA certification program is based on the Human Factors International Usability Body of Knowledge, which includes topics such as user-centered design, usability testing, and accessibility.

It typically takes approximately three months to complete the HFICA certification process. The process consists of an online application, a written exam, and an oral exam. The written exam is composed of multiple choice questions and covers topics such as user research methods, usability principles, and accessibility guidelines. The oral exam consists of a series of questions related to the topics covered in the written exam.

To obtain the HFICA certification, you must first submit an online application that includes your work experience and education background. Once your application is approved, you will be invited to take the written and oral exams. After successfully completing both exams, you will receive your HFICA certificate.

The cost for obtaining the HFICA certification varies depending on location but typically ranges from $1,000 - $2,000 USD.

4. User Experience Certification from Nielsen Norman Group (NN/g UX Certification)

The NN/g UX Certification is an online certification program offered by the Nielsen Norman Group (NN/g). It is designed to help professionals gain a comprehensive understanding of user experience (UX) design and research. The program provides a comprehensive overview of UX design, including topics such as usability, accessibility, information architecture, user interface design, and more.

The certification consists of three courses: Introduction to UX Design, User Interface Design Principles, and User Research Methods. The courses are self-paced and can be completed in approximately 20 hours. Upon successful completion of all three courses, participants will receive a certificate from the Nielsen Norman Group.

In order to get the NN/g UX Certification, participants must first register for the program on the NN/g website. After registration is complete, participants will be able to access the course materials and begin their studies. Once all three courses have been completed successfully, participants will be able to download their certificate from the NN/g website.

The cost of the NN/g UX Certification program is $499 USD. This fee covers access to all three courses as well as a certificate upon successful completion.

5. User Experience Design Essentials Certificate from Interaction Design Foundation (IDF UXD Certificate)

The User Experience Design Essentials Certificate from Interaction Design Foundation (IDF UXD Certificate) is a professional certificate program designed to help individuals develop the skills and knowledge necessary to become proficient in user experience design. The program consists of four courses, each focusing on different aspects of UX design: Usability and User Research, Visual Design, Interaction Design, and Information Architecture. The program takes approximately six months to complete.

To get the IDF UXD Certificate, students must first register for the course online at the IDF website. After registering, students will have access to all four courses, which are delivered in an online format with video lectures and interactive activities. Students must also submit assignments after completing each course in order to receive their certificate.

The cost of the IDF UXD Certificate is $399 USD for a one-year membership or $599 USD for a lifetime membership. This includes full access to all four courses as well as any additional materials provided by IDF such as templates, ebooks, and more.

6. Professional Diploma in User Experience Design from Interaction Design Foundation (IDF PDUXD Certificate)

The Professional Diploma in User Experience Design (PDUXD) from Interaction Design Foundation (IDF) is a comprehensive online program designed to equip professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to become successful user experience designers. The program provides a deep dive into UX design principles and covers topics such as user research, usability testing, information architecture, interaction design, prototyping and more.

The PDUXD Certificate takes approximately 8 weeks to complete if you are studying full-time. It consists of 8 courses that cover all aspects of UX design. Each course takes around 1 week to complete and includes video lectures, reading materials and assignments.

To get the PDUXD Certificate you must register for the program on the IDF website, pay the fee and then complete all 8 courses within 8 weeks. You will also need to submit your final project at the end of the program in order to receive your certificate.

The cost of the PDUXD Certificate is €995 (approx $1,200). This fee includes access to all course materials, assessments and feedback from instructors as well as a one-year membership with IDF which gives you access to additional resources such as webinars, forums and discounts on other IDF programs.

7. Certified Professional Ergonomist (CPE)

A Certified Professional Ergonomist (CPE) is a professional who has been trained and certified in the field of ergonomics. Ergonomics is the science of designing and arranging the workplace, products, and systems to fit the user; it takes into account the user’s capabilities and limitations in order to create an environment that is both comfortable and efficient. CPEs are experts in human factors engineering, biomechanics, anthropometrics, physiology, psychology, industrial engineering, safety engineering, and other related disciplines.

In order to become a CPE, individuals must complete a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in ergonomics or a related field from an accredited college or university. They must also have at least five years of professional experience in ergonomics or a related field. After meeting these requirements they must pass an exam administered by the Board of Certification in Professional Ergonomics (BCPE). The exam consists of two parts: a written portion and a practical portion.

The cost for taking the exam varies depending on when it is taken but typically ranges from $400-$600 USD. It usually takes around 3-4 months to prepare for the exam depending on how much prior knowledge you have about ergonomics. Once you have passed the exam you will be officially certified as a CPE.

8. Certified Human Factors Professional (CHFP)

Certified Human Factors Professional (CHFP) is a professional certification offered by the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated a high level of expertise in the field of human factors/ergonomics. The CHFP certification is intended to demonstrate that an individual has achieved a level of knowledge and experience that meets or exceeds the standards set forth by HFES.

To become certified as a CHFP, an individual must meet certain criteria, including having at least three years of professional experience in the field of human factors/ergonomics, completing at least 45 hours of continuing education related to human factors/ergonomics, and passing a comprehensive examination administered by HFES.

The process for becoming certified as a CHFP typically takes about one year from start to finish. During this time, applicants must complete all requirements, including submitting their application materials, taking and passing the exam, and paying all associated fees. The cost for becoming certified as a CHFP is $450 USD for HFES members and $650 USD for non-members.

9. Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Certification Program in Human-Systems Integration (HSI CP)

The Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Certification Program in Human-Systems Integration (HSI CP) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of expertise in the field of human-systems integration. The program is intended to provide employers, clients, and colleagues with assurance that certified individuals possess the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully design, develop, and evaluate systems from a human-centered perspective.

The HSI CP consists of two components: an online assessment and an onsite practical exam. The online assessment is designed to assess an individual’s knowledge of human-systems integration principles and practices. The onsite practical exam requires applicants to demonstrate their ability to apply their knowledge by completing four tasks related to the design, development, and evaluation of a system.

It typically takes three months or more for an individual to complete both components of the HSI CP. During this time, applicants are expected to study extensively for the online assessment as well as prepare for the onsite practical exam.

To get started with the HSI CP process, individuals must first register through the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society website. Once registered, applicants will receive access to study material that can be used to prepare for both components of the certification program. Additionally, applicants must pay a fee prior to taking either component of the HSI CP. The fee for taking both components is currently $1,000 USD (as of 2021).

10. International Standards Organization 9241-11 Human-Centered Design for Interactive Systems

International Standards Organization 9241-11 Human-Centered Design for Interactive Systems (ISO 9241-11) is an international standard that provides guidelines and recommendations for designing user interfaces that are easy to use, effective, and satisfying. It was developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in 1998 and revised in 2008.

ISO 9241-11 focuses on the interaction between users and interactive systems, such as computers, mobile phones, gaming consoles, etc. It covers topics such as user interface design principles, usability requirements, user interface design processes, user interface evaluation methods, and more. The standard also includes guidelines for making sure that users have a positive experience when using interactive systems.

It does not take any specific amount of time to get ISO 9241-11 certification; however, organizations must go through a process of assessment and verification before they can be certified. This process typically involves an audit of the organization's user interface design processes and procedures to ensure they meet the requirements set out in ISO 9241-11. Once the organization has been assessed and verified to meet these requirements, it can then apply for certification from an accredited certification body.

The cost of getting ISO 9241-11 certification will vary depending on the size of the organization and other factors such as the complexity of its user interface design processes. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere from a few thousand dollars up to tens of thousands of dollars or more.

Do You Really Need a Usability Specialist Certificate?

Whether you need a usability specialist certificate or not depends on your career goals. A usability specialist certificate can be beneficial if you want to gain a certain level of expertise in the field of usability engineering. It can also give you a competitive edge in the job market, as employers may be more likely to hire someone with this type of certification.

However, it is important to note that having a usability specialist certificate does not guarantee success in this field. It is still necessary to have the skills and knowledge required for the job. The certificate may help demonstrate that you have those qualities, but it is ultimately up to you to prove them through experience and education.

In addition, there are other ways to become an expert in usability engineering without obtaining a specific certificate. You could pursue coursework or even self-study on the subject matter. You could also look into volunteer opportunities or internships related to usability engineering to gain practical experience and further your knowledge base.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a usability specialist certificate will depend on your individual goals and what kind of career path you are trying to pursue. If obtaining the certification looks like it might help you reach your goals quicker than other methods, then it may be worth considering pursuing this option.

Related: Usability Specialist Resume Examples

FAQs About Usability Specialist Certifications

Q1. What is a Usability Specialist Certification?

A1. A Usability Specialist Certification is a credential that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in the field of usability and user experience design. The certification includes knowledge of topics such as ergonomics, accessibility, and interface design.

Q2. Who should pursue a Usability Specialist Certification?

A2. A Usability Specialist Certification is beneficial for anyone seeking to gain professional recognition in the field of usability and user experience design, including web designers, software developers, digital marketers, UX researchers, and product managers.

Q3. How do I earn a Usability Specialist Certification?

A3. To earn a Usability Specialist Certification you must complete an accredited course or program that covers topics such as ergonomics, accessibility, and interface design principles. You will also need to pass an exam to demonstrate your knowledge of these topics.

Q4. How long does it take to become certified as a Usability Specialist?

A4. The length of time required to become certified as a Usability Specialist depends on the type of course or program you choose to pursue and your individual study habits; however, most courses can be completed within one year or less if studied full-time.

Q5. Are there any prerequisites for becoming certified as a Usability Specialist?

A5. Most courses or programs require applicants to have basic computer literacy skills; however some may require additional qualifications such as prior experience in web development or other related fields before enrolling in their program.