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Which browsers are supported?

Updated

Quick answer

The Washington Work Zone and First Responder course works on the latest two versions of Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, and Apple Safari. You also need JavaScript and cookies turned on, and a stable internet connection of 5 Mbps or faster.

Tip: If you have a choice, use Chrome or Edge on a computer for the smoothest experience.

 

In this article

  • Browsers that are supported
  • Browsers and environments that are not supported
  • Settings your browser needs to have on
  • How to check or update your browser
  • What to do if the course will not load

Supported browsers

The course is delivered through a responsive web application, so the same site works on a desktop, laptop, tablet, or phone. For the most reliable experience, we recommend using one of the browsers below at its current version.

BrowserMinimum versionNotes
Google ChromeLatest 2 major versionsRecommended for Windows, macOS, and Android devices.
Microsoft EdgeLatest 2 major versionsRecommended for Windows 10 and 11.
Mozilla FirefoxLatest 2 major versionsFully supported on desktop. Some mobile video controls may vary.
Apple SafariSafari 15 or newer (macOS 12+ / iOS 15+)Recommended for Mac, iPhone, and iPad.

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Figure 1 — Browser version check. Where to find the version number in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari (a 2×2 grid of cropped “About” screens).

Browsers and environments that are not supported

The browsers and apps below may stop you from signing in, prevent the course from loading, or fail to save your progress. If you find yourself in one of these, switch to a supported browser before you start.

Browser / environmentWhy it isn’t supported
Internet Explorer (any version)Discontinued by Microsoft and missing security and video features the course relies on.
Older Safari (macOS 11 or earlier)Does not support the playback and authentication standards used by Secure Access Washington.
In-app browsers (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Messenger, LinkedIn, X)Block the WA.gov sign-in pop-up and do not save progress reliably. Open the course in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari instead.
Other Chromium browsers (Brave, Opera, Vivaldi, Arc)May work but are not formally tested. If you hit an issue, retry in a supported browser before contacting support.

Heads-up about links from text messages or social media

If you tap the course link from inside an app like Instagram, Messenger, or TikTok, it usually opens inside that app’s built-in browser, which does not work with Secure Access Washington (WA.gov SSO).

Copy the link, then paste it into Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari to continue.

Required browser settings

Whichever browser you choose, make sure the following are enabled. Most browsers turn these on by default.

  • JavaScript: required for course navigation and the knowledge check.
  • Cookies: required so we can keep you signed in and save your progress between modules.
  • Pop-ups for WA.gov: required so the WA.gov sign-in window can open.
  • HTTPS / TLS 1.2 (or higher): the course only loads over a secure connection. This is set by your browser automatically.

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Figure 2 — Allowing pop-ups for WA.gov. Browser pop-up settings panel with WA.gov and dol.wa.gov added to the allowed sites list.

During the knowledge check

The end-of-course knowledge check runs in a Secure Browser Mode. While it is active, the course will:

  • Take over your full browser window.
  • Block extra tabs and copy-and-paste actions.
  • Watch for the window losing focus and warn you if it does.

You don’t need to install anything extra — this mode is built into the course player on supported browsers. If your browser is out of date, you may see a prompt to update before the knowledge check will start.

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Figure 3 — Secure Browser Mode prompt. Modal that appears just before the knowledge check, asking the learner to confirm they’re ready to enter Secure Browser Mode.

How to check your browser version

If you’re not sure which version you’re running, follow the steps for your browser:

Chrome or Edge

  1. Open your browser.
  2. Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
  3. Choose Help, then About Google Chrome or About Microsoft Edge.
  4. The browser will display its version and update automatically if a newer version is available.

Firefox

  1. Open Firefox.
  2. Click the three-line menu in the top-right corner.
  3. Choose Help, then About Firefox.
  4. Firefox will check for updates and display the current version.

Safari (Mac, iPhone, or iPad)

  1. On a Mac: click Safari in the menu bar, then About Safari.
  2. On iPhone or iPad: open Settings, tap General, then About, and look at Software Version. Safari updates with your iOS version.

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Figure 4 — Updating your browser. Side-by-side of the “Update available” screen in Chrome/Edge and the iOS Software Update screen.

If the course will not load

Try these steps in order. Most learners are back on track after step 3.

  1. Refresh the page (Ctrl + R on Windows, Cmd + R on Mac).
  2. Make sure your browser is on the latest version using the steps above.
  3. Open the course in a private or incognito window. If it works there, an extension is probably blocking the page.
  4. Try a different supported browser, for example switch from Firefox to Chrome.
  5. Restart your device and try again on a stable Wi-Fi connection (5 Mbps or faster).

Still seeing an error?

Take a screenshot of the error message and note the time it happened. Including these details when you contact support helps us resolve the issue faster.

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