The selection of materials under the influence of hydrogen can be carried out using a variety of different testing and evaluation methods. The respective methods differ significantly in terms of their relevance to reality, informative value and technological and financial expenditure. In order to select a suitable method for material qualification and service life estimation for the respective application, a deeper understanding is required, as there is no scientific consensus on the existing damage mechanisms under the influence of compressed hydrogen and there are no internationally valid standards for the qualification of metallic materials for compressed hydrogen applications. The present work represents a literature study in which selected common methods for the qualification of metallic materials are taken up. Advantages and disadvantages are taken up and discussed on the basis of scientific work.