Certification is an honor, and those certified must abide by the Code of Ethics as agreed to in the ASTQB Terms of Use. Below is the Code of Ethics, ethics violation disciplinary and appeals processes, as well as the complaint process. As stated in the ASTQB Terms of Use, if you are found to be in violation of the rules ASTQB has set in place for exam testing, your exam and certification may be suspended or withdrawn by the decision of ASTQB. ASTQB Code of Ethics The examinee will follow the rules of the exam process as defined by the exam provider, including not using unfair aids or illegal materials. Moreover, the examinee will not share, disseminate, divulge the contents of any exam, recreate exam questions from memory, create replica exam questions, or distribute exam questions or replica exam questions, or otherwise distribute confidential or proprietary information pertaining to the ASTQB certification process. Ethics Violations: Policy Those who violate the Code of Ethics may be subject to disciplinary measures including, but not limited to: Revocation of certifications Forfeiture of exam attempts without refund Moreover, if ASTQB detects any exam anomalies before, during, or after an exam attempt, ASTQB reserves the right to investigate, apply disciplinary action, and void certifications. ASTQB may also require the candidate to retake an exam at the exam taker’s own expense. In the event that an individual’s certified status is withdrawn for any reason, the person must refrain from the use of all references to a certified status. Complaints Regarding the Code of Ethics: Policy and Process Anyone who suspects a violation of this code of ethics may submit a complaint to ASTQB. It must be presented in writing using the ASTQB contact form or email. At a minimum, the following must be submitted: A detailed description The source(s) of information All supporting information Timing: ASTQB will acknowledge receipt of the complaint within 8 calendar days. ASTQB will provide the complainant with progress reports within 31 calendar days. ASTQB will provide the complainant with the outcome within 90 days, or within 8 calendar days of the outcome decision, whichever comes last. Process: Each complaint of an ethics violation will be reviewed by the ASTQB Board of Directors. If not enough information is present to initiate a review, further information will be requested. Any substantiated complaint about a certified person shall also be referred by ASTQB to the certified person in question at an appropriate time. The Board of Directors will solicit details in writing from the individual being investigated as well as any others who may be able to provide relevant information. The decision to be communicated to the complainant shall be made by, or reviewed and approved by, personnel not previously involved in the subject of the complaint. On completion of its investigation, the Board of Directors will make a written report to the chief staff person recommending whether the complaint should be upheld, along with the recommended course of discipline, if any. Whenever possible, ASTQB will acknowledge receipt of the complaint and shall provide the complainant with progress reports and the outcome. The Board of Directors or chief staff person will give formal notice to the complainant of the end of the process. Confidentiality: Confidentiality will be maintained when possible, but ASTQB cannot guarantee the identity of the person submitting the information will not be revealed. Complaints Regarding General Issues: Policy and Process Users of ASTQB services may submit a complaint to ASTQB. It must be presented in writing using the ASTQB contact form or email. At a minimum, the following must be submitted: A detailed description The source(s) of information All supporting information Timing: ASTQB will acknowledge receipt of the complaint within 8 calendar days. ASTQB will provide the complainant with progress reports within 31 calendar days. ASTQB will provide the complainant with the outcome within 90 days, or within 8 calendar days of the outcome decision, whichever comes last. Process: Each complaint will be reviewed by the ASTQB staff. If not enough information is present to initiate a review, further information will be requested. Complaints of a major nature may be referred by the staff to the ASTQB Board of Directors. In that case, the Board of Directors may solicit details in writing from the individual being investigated as well as any others who may be able to provide relevant information. Whenever possible, ASTQB will acknowledge receipt of the complaint and shall provide the complainant with progress reports and the outcome. The staff will give notice to the complainant of the end of the process. Confidentiality: Confidentiality will be maintained when possible, but ASTQB cannot guarantee the identity of the person submitting the information will not be revealed. Appeals Against Decisions on Ethics Violations: Policy and Process Individuals may appeal the decision on an ethics violation with 30 days of the notice of the decision, stating the specific grounds for appeal. Appeals must be presented in writing using the ASTQB contact form or email. Timing: ASTQB will acknowledge receipt of the appeal within 8 calendar days. ASTQB will provide the appellant with progress reports within 31 calendar days. ASTQB will provide the appellant with the outcome within 90 days, or within 8 calendar days of the outcome decision, whichever comes first. Personnel: The decision-making personnel engaged in the appeals-handling process will be different from those who were involved in the decision being appealed. Process: The ASTQB Board of Directors will solicit further details as needed. On completion of its investigation, the Board of Directors will make a written report to the chief staff person recommending whether the appeal is successful and whether subsequent action is warranted. The Board of Directors or chief staff person will give formal notice to the appellant of the end of the appeals-handling process based on the timing described in this policy. Non-discrimination: Submission, investigation, and decision on appeals shall not result in any discriminatory actions against the appellant. Appeals Against Decisions on Certification: Policy and Process Individuals may appeal the decision on certification with 30 days of the notice of the decision, stating the specific grounds for appeal. Appeals must be presented in writing using the ASTQB contact form or email. Timing: ASTQB will acknowledge receipt of the appeal within 8 calendar days. ASTQB will provide the appellant with progress reports within 31 calendar days. ASTQB will provide the appellant with the outcome within 90 days, or within 8 calendar days of the outcome decision, whichever comes last. Personnel: The decision-making personnel engaged in the appeals-handling process will be different from those who were involved in the decision being appealed. Process: The ASTQB Board of Directors will solicit further details as needed. On completion of its investigation, the Board of Directors will make a written report to the chief staff person recommending whether the appeal is successful and whether subsequent action is warranted. The Board of Directors or chief staff person will give formal notice to the appellant of the end of the appeals-handling process based on the timing described in this policy. Non-discrimination: Submission, investigation, and decision on appeals shall not result in any discriminatory actions against the appellant. Questions If you have questions, please contact the ASTQB support team using the main site contact form. ISTQB Code of Ethics For reference, the ISTQB Code of Ethics for test professionals may be found on the ISTQB website.
