If you’re a service member or veteran looking to build a high-demand skill set in software testing or QA for both your current role and civilian career, ASTQB / ISTQB Certification Plus offers a proven path forward.
Certification List
The American Software Testing Qualifications Board (ASTQB) is a non-profit organization that supports ISTQB certifications in the U.S. and provides ongoing educational resources for software testing professionals looking to stay up to date in their knowledge and careers.
As an O*NET Ally, ASTQB supports the United States Department of Labor in defining the role of Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers. This is currently defined in O*Net Online as a “Bright Outlook” occupation, meaning it is expected to grow rapidly in the next several years, will have large numbers of job openings, and/or is considered a new and emerging occupation.
Earning a certification through ASTQB / ISTQB Certification Plus™ validates your expertise in software testing, one of the most essential roles in today’s tech-driven world. Some of the benefits include:
- It’s requested by many of the top U.S. employers and it includes the U.S.’s most widely recognized software testing certification standard.
- Testers with this certification are eligible to appear in the Official U.S. List of Certified & Credentialed Software Testers™ and the AT*Work™ List of Testers for Hire if you ever need a job.
- Testers benefit from continued education on cutting-edge software testing best practices.
You Gain More Than A Credential
With ASTQB / ISTQB Certification Plus™ you also gain access to a long-term professional development pathway and up-to-date skills. This program includes recertification every three years through the AT*Micro™ software testing micro-credentials. You’ll build emerging software testing skills like test automation, cybersecurity testing, and API testing. That means your certification keeps its value, and so do your skills.
Whether you’re staying in the military or transitioning to a civilian career, ASTQB / ISTQB Certification Plus™ helps you stand out with credentials that top U.S. employers know and trust.
Q&A: ASTQB / ISTQB Certification Plus™
How Does ASTQB / ISTQB Certification Plus™ align with military workforce relevance and career opportunities for veterans?
Job postings on major platforms such as Indeed and LinkedIn routinely list ISTQB certification as a preferred or required qualification. U.S.-based companies that request it in their job descriptions include Amazon, Northrop Grumman, Google, Leidos, Wells Fargo, and Lockheed Martin. This shows clear alignment between the certification and real-world career opportunities for veterans.
ASTQB / ISTQB Certification Plus™ maps directly to civilian careers such as software tester, quality assurance analyst, software test engineer, and test automation tester. These are some of the occupations in software testing identified by the U.S. Department of Labor as high-growth and in-demand. Certification from ASTQB / ISTQB Certification Plus™ leverages the ISTQB global standard with certification exams developed and administered by ASTQB in the U.S. With over 1 million certifications issued worldwide, this is the #1 software testing certification in the United States. The recertification utilizes AT*Micro™ software testing micro-credentials, the #1 software testing/QA micro-credential in the United States and globally.
How Does ASTQB / ISTQB Certification Plus™ support readiness, retention, and transition?
Software reliability is mission-critical. From weapons systems to logistics platforms, military operations depend on thoroughly tested software to assess whether the software meets mission needs. ASTQB / ISTQB Certification Plus™ gives service members structured, recognized training in the skills needed to support these technologies.
- Readiness: By certifying foundational and advanced software testing skills, the program ensures that military personnel are prepared to support and evaluate software systems critical to operations.
- Retention: The certification provides a defined path for professional development, encouraging service members to grow within their technical specialties.
- Transition: The credential has direct application in the civilian workforce, allowing for seamless transition into high-paying roles in technology and software engineering.
How Does How Does ASTQB / ISTQB Certification Plus™ meet military certification standards?
ASTQB / ISTQB Certification Plus™ fully meets key requirements for inclusion in military certification funding programs:
- Recertification Required: Certification holders must recertify every three years by earning an AT*Micro™ software testing micro-credential. This ensures ongoing relevance and continuing professional development.
- No Membership Requirement: The program is open to all qualified individuals. No membership or organizational affiliation is required for initial certification or renewal.
- Proctored Exam: All certification exams are administered under secure, proctored conditions, either in-person or online.
- Quality and Accreditation:
ASTQB’s quality management system is compliant with ISO 9001.
ASTQB’s personnel certification process complies with ISO/IEC 17024, the international standard for certifying bodies.
AT*SQA, which handles recertification, also complies with ISO 9001 and ISO/IEC 17024.
Summary of Key Facts About ASTQB / ISTQB Certification Plus™
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Available Certification Options
ASTQB / ISTQB Exams GI Bill® Eligibility for Reimbursement
ISTQB exams through ASTQB are also available for reimbursement through the Post-9/11 GI Bill® Including Transfer of Entitlement and Fry Scholarship Recipients (Chapter 33) program. Others are added as they meet the timing criteria. Apply for your benefits directly through the Veterans Affairs (Licenses, certifications, and prep courses: GI Bill® Comparison Tool | Veterans Affairs).
GI Bill Information