Software Testing Career Path Guide & Roadmap

The Official Software Testing Skills Path for Jobs in QA, Test Engineering & Development: The ISTQB Roadmap

Whether you test software full-time or part-time, ISTQB software testing certifications through ASTQB and AT*SQA offer an easy path to QA jobs and promotions. The roadmap below and our article, “What comes after ISTQB Foundation Level?” help guide your career to new promotions and job opportunities.

Want an interactive version of the career path graphic below? Use our interactive software QA career path guide. Answer just a few questions and you’ll see the next steps toward your goal!

Only ASTQB & AT*SQA give you extra, free career benefits with ISTQB, so be sure to register for all of your ISTQB exams through us.

1. Get more distinction: You may appear in both the Official U.S. List of Certified & Credentialed Software Testers™ and the ISTQB successful candidate register.
2. Stand apart with a complimentary credential: You may choose a free AT*SQA micro-credential exam with each ISTQB exam purchase so you can prove your QA testing superiority.
3. Get job aid: You may appear in the AT*Work™ list of testers for hire if you need a job. Employers search AT*Work™ for testers who are between jobs, looking for their first job, or available for freelance testing projects.
4. Make your manager happy: You may help your company get business if they offer testing services or consulting simply by adding your company to AT*Consult™.
5. Prove you are among the best: You will earn points toward your Testing Tiers® software tester ranking, increasing your level in the Official U.S. List and moving you higher in AT*Work™ and AT*Consult™.

Use the ISTQB software testing skills path below to choose certifications for jobs in Software QA, Software Testing, Agile, Test Engineering, DevOps, Test Management, Game Testing, and more.

Below is a summary of the software testing career path roadmap above. You may also wish to download a PDF of the QA Analyst and Software Tester Career Path / Software Testing Skills Path.

“I appreciate you letting me know about the ‘The Software Testing Career Road Map,’ it will help me in my career path.”

• Of course, all software professionals must have Foundation Level Certification (CTFL) knowledge. It is required before you can earn any other ISTQB certification and it ensures everyone uses the same testing terms and principles.
• If you will work with Agile development teams, then Agile Testing Certification is a must. It’s an easy addition. If you are planning on going to Advanced Agile Technical Testing Certification, you can skip if you have the CTFL 4.0.
• Then show your Agile leadership with Advanced Agile Technical Testing Certification. It’s in demand in an increasingly Agile testing world.
• Do you need to organize and improve quality and testing across multiple teams in an Agile organization? Then ISTQB® Agile Test Leadership at Scale certification may be useful. Note: This is not yet available.
• Do you want to be in demand by thousands of employers who need test automation skills? Then consider Test Automation EngineeringCertification.
• Do you want to lead the test automation strategy? Then get Test Automation Strategy Certification.
• Are you interested in usability testing? Then Usability Testing Certification is a great foundation-level step.
• Does your software need performance testing? (“Yes,” is the likely answer.) Then Performance Testing Certification is an important addition to your resume.
• Does your software require acceptance testing? Then Acceptance Testing Certification is a vital skill for you and your team.
• Do you work in the gambling industry ecosystem? Then Gambling Industry Testing Certification is an important certification for your career.
• Are you interested in breaking into game testing? The Game Testing Certification is a certification that will interest you.
• Are you interested in artificial intelligence testing? Then AI Testing Certification is critical for your career.
• Do you need to be a leader in security testing? Then Security Testing Certification is for you.
• Do you work with mobile applications? Mobile Application Testing Certification shows you have insight into mobile device and mobile app testing methods, techniques and tools.
• The Advanced Level Certification options provide exciting career choices.
  • Do you want to work with customers through your Test Analyst Certification?
  • Do you want to work with programmers via your Technical Test Analyst Certification?
  • Do you want to lead the team with your Test Management – Advanced (formerly Test Manager) Certification?
• A model-based tester on a project uses models to drive test analysis and design. The Model-based Testing Certification provides a practical and easy entry to the MBT approach.
• If you work in the automative industry, it comes with its own set of testing challenges, making Automotive Testing Certification important.

• If you don’t have any of the Advanced Level certifications yet, this podcast on Advanced is a MUST: Hear a veteran IT pro describe:
  1) Why you shouldn’t fear the Advanced Level testing certification exam,
  2) How to prepare for the Advanced Level exam, including two very important tips, and
  3) Why it’s important for your career – and your company – that you become Advanced Level testing certified. This is a podcast that will inspire you to build your testing skills and career!
• Finally, if you want to be regarded as THE expert manager in testing, Expert Tester Certification offers options that will prove you truly are the expert in your field. This requires Advanced Test Manager as a prerequisite, as you would expect.

No matter what you want to do with your career, ASTQB and AT*SQA offer the software testing certifications you need to pursue the testing career that will make you happy.

Are you a manager or CIO? See the 3 reasons you need ISTQB certified testers. Looking for a job or promotion in software testing? Learn how to build a career in software testing.