These are the 5 easy steps that will lead to software testing jobs and promotions

Take the online ISTQB exam at home or a testing center anywhere in the world when you register for ISTQB exams through ASTQB & AT*SQA. Online ISTQB exams are available for ISTQB Foundation Level, ISTQB Advanced Level, plus all other ISTQB exams such as ISTQB Agile Testing, ISTQB Test Automation Engineering, ISTQB Performance Testing, ISTQB Test Manager, and more!

Get on the Official U.S. List of Certified Software Testers™ used by American employers PLUS the ISTQB Successful Candidate Register. Only ASTQB and our official ISTQB exam provider AT*SQA can add your name to BOTH lists – plus give you points toward your Testing Tiers™ software tester ranking!

ISTQB LogoLogo of the Official US List of Certified Testers

  1. Start by learning about ISTQB Foundation Level Certification.
  2. Then study for the ISTQB exam using the free ISTQB syllabus (what you need to know to pass the exam), sample exam questions & answers, and glossary of software testing terms. Or you can choose the easier, faster route of taking an accredited (proven) software testing training course. Also see the tips to pass the ISTQB Foundation Level exam.
  3. Next, register for your exam through ASTQB and our ISTQB exam provider AT*SQA. Note: American employers check with us, ASTQB and AT*SQA, to see if you are ISTQB certified. Why? Managers want you to take ASTQB’s version of the ISTQB exam to show you can communicate clearly with the rest of their American team. You must register for your ISTQB exam through ASTQB and AT*SQA for your ISTQB certification to appear on the Official U.S. List of Certified Software Testers™ and earn points toward your Testing Tiers™ software tester ranking.
  4. Finally, pass the exam. Excellent! Now you can appear on the Official U.S. List of ISTQB Certified Software Testers™ that American employers check. We will also add you to the ISTQB successful candidate register. And AT*SQA will give you points toward your Testing Tiers™ software tester ranking! You can now proudly display your software testing certificate and include your certification on your resume, stating that you are on the official U.S. list. Pro tip: Add your certifications to LinkedIn for free through your AT*SQA account!
  5. Keep moving up. Look at the Software Testing Career Path to see where you should take your career. Hint: Mobile testing certification and Agile testing certification are in-demand certifications that are relatively easy. You can take them right away. Be sure to take them through ASTQB and AT*SQA so you keep earning points toward your Testing Tiers™ software tester ranking. Bonus: Only ASTQB and AT*SQA let you retake your ISTQB exam for free when you utilize an ASTQB Accredited Training Provider and meet the criteria – see the details.

What is software testing certification?

Software testing certification demonstrates your knowledge and skill. The leading software testing standards are ISTQB software testing certification and ASTQB mobile testing certification.

That’s why ISTQB software testing certification is used in 130 countries with 900,000+ software testing certificates issued, making it by far the #1 software testing certification in the world.

Important: US companies check with us, ASTQB & AT*SQA, to see if you are ISTQB certified, so you must register through ASTQB & AT*SQA to appear on our Official U.S. List of ISTQB Certified Testers and keep moving up in the Testing Tiers™ software tester rankings!

Register for ISTQB Exams


Find answers to frequently asked questions about ISTQB software testing certification.

See FAQs


The Easy Way to Get Ready for the ISTQB Exam

ASTQB recommends that you prepare for the ISTQB exam by utilizing an ASTQB-accredited training provider or by using self-study materials such as the ISTQB syllabi and glossary. We cannot confirm the accuracy or authenticity of other, non-accredited online test preparation sites or materials. You may also find these software testing books and publications to be useful.

The ISTQB exam costs are as follows:
  • The ISTQB Foundation Level exam is US $229
  • The ISTQB Agile Testing exam is US $199
  • The ASTQB Certified Mobile Testing exam is US $199
  • The ISTQB Usability Testing exam is US $199
  • The ISTQB Performance Testing exam is US $199
  • The ISTQB Model-Based Testing exam is US $199
  • The ISTQB Automotive Testing exam is US $199
  • Each of the ISTQB Advanced Level exams (Test Manager, Test Analyst, Technical Test Analyst, Test Automation Engineer, Security Testing) are US $249
  • Each of the ISTQB Expert Level exams is US $575

Of course, great pricing isn’t the only reason testers choose ISTQB Certification from ASTQB, the U.S. country board for ISTQB. Testers love ASTQB-built tests because they are of the highest quality: each question is fair, with no misleading or easily mistaken wording. See a full list of reasons why you should take your ISTQB Certification exam from ASTQB. As an added bonus, taking your ISTQB Certification exam through ASTQB gives you exclusive certified tester benefits such as earning points toward your Testing Tiers™ software tester ranking. Start today so you can pass your exam and show your boss your software testing certificate.

ISTQB Foundation Level (CTFL) Testing Certification

Prerequisite

Minimum
Recommended
Experience
None
Basic to Mid-Level

Preparation

Minimum
Recommended
ISTQB books
Magazines
Standards
Learning
Self Study
Self Study

Examination

Minimum
Recommended
Exam Fee Option
Single Exam
Volume Purchase Plan
Exam Venue
Exam Center
or
Training Course
or
At Your Company
or
At Your College

ISTQB Foundation Level – Agile Testing Certification

Prerequisite

Minimum
Recommended
Experience
None
Basic to Mid-Level
Certification
ISTQB CTFL
Basic to Intermediate

Preparation

Minimum
Recommended
ISTQB books
Magazines
Standards
Learning
Self Study
Self Study

Examination

Minimum
Recommended
Exam Fee Option
Single Exam
Single Exam
Exam Venue
Exam Center
or
Training Course
or
At Your Company
or
At Your College

ASTQB Certified Mobile Tester

Prerequisite

Minimum
Recommended
Experience
None
Basic to Mid-Level
Certification
None
ISTQB CTFL

Preparation

Minimum
Recommended
Books
Magazines
Standards
Learning
Self Study
Self Study

Examination

Minimum
Recommended
Exam Fee Option
Single Exam
Single Exam
Exam Venue
Exam Center
or
Training Course
or
At Your Company
or
At Your College

ISTQB Certified Performance Tester

Prerequisite

Minimum
Recommended
Experience
None
Basic to Mid-Level
Certification
ISTQB CTFL
ISTQB CTFL

Preparation

Minimum
Recommended
Books
Magazines
Standards
Learning
Self Study
Self Study

Examination

Minimum
Recommended
Exam Fee Option
Single Exam
Single Exam
Exam Venue
Exam Center
or
Training Course
or
At Your Company
or
At Your College

ISTQB Certified Usability Testing

Prerequisite

Minimum
Recommended
Experience
None
Basic to Mid-Level
Certification
ISTQB CTFL
ISTQB CTFL

Preparation

Minimum
Recommended
Books
Magazines
Standards
Learning
Self Study
Self Study

Examination

Minimum
Recommended
Exam Fee Option
Single Exam
Single Exam
Exam Venue
Exam Center
or
Training Course
or
At Your Company
or
At Your College

Advanced Level (CTAL) Testing Certification

Note:
– Advanced Level certifications are considered either “Core” or “Specialist” certifications as noted above. Core certifications are more testing career focused, while specialist items are great skill building additions for anyone who does testing.
– If you wish to take an Advanced Level exam, you must have passed your ISTQB Foundation Level certification. We recommend 3 years experience.

Prerequisite

Minimum
Recommended
Experience
3 Years
3+ Years
Certification
ISTQB CTFL
Basic to Intermediate

Preparation

Minimum
Recommended
ISTQB books
Magazines
Standards
Learning
Self Study
Self Study

Examination

Minimum
Recommended
Exam Fee Option
Single Exam
Volume Purchase Plan (Core only)
Exam Venue
Exam Center
or
Training Course
or
At Your Company
or
At Your College

Expert Level (CTEL)

  • Test Manager
    – Strategic Test Manager
    – Operational Test Manager
    – Managing the Test Team

Note: If you wish to take any of the three Expert Level Test Manager exams, you must first submit proof of the appropriate CTAL-TM certification and a resume and/or employer verification of 5 years experience as a test manager to info@astqb.org. In the cover email, the examinee must state that the information contained in the resume or employer verification is accurate and complete to the best of his/her ability.

Prerequisite

Minimum
Recommended
Experience
5 Years
5+ Years
Certification
ISTQB CTAL Test Manager
Advanced

Preparation

Minimum
Recommended
Books
Magazines
Standards
Learning
Self Study
Self Study

Examination

Minimum
Recommended
Exam Fee Option
Single Exam
Single Exam
Exam Venue
Exam Center
or
Training Course
or
At Your Company
or
At Your College

ASTQB Reasonable Accommodations Policy

See Policy

Ways You Can Take the ISTQB Exam

See the answer: Can I take the ISTQB exam online?