8 Best Software Testing Certifications Based on Your Experience Level

Certifications For QA Testing Professionals – Let’s Find Which Suits You

In the last topic we discussed – Is it worth getting a QA Software Testing certification. Certification is very much important if we want to have holistic growth in our professional life.

Certification not only adds to your profile but also acts as a catalyst to boost your knowledge and change your way to think “the other way”. When implemented correctly, helps to organize better and helps to think strategically, and has a long-term vision.

Learning should never be stopped.

Keeping this thought in my mind, here I am trying to jot down the certifications available for QA professionals right from the beginning of their career to higher experience. But we should keep in mind that the certification you do should be well mapped to your experience level.

Please note that these are just recommendations. The choice of selecting a certification/course is based on one’s personal aspirations.

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Recommended Certification Courses

(i) Certified Tester ISTQB Foundation Level (CTFL)

This course from Udemy is a perfect crash course for beginners who want to master the basic techniques and principles associated with software testing. The course is especially ideal for those who wish to prepare for the ISTQB Foundation level certification exam.

Course Features:

• Lessons explaining key issues in software testing
• Spearheaded by Industry recognized expert
• Lessons on designing tests to cover business requirements adequately.
• 5 Articles and 1 practical test
• 16 Downloadable resources

Duration: 8.5 hours of on-demand video
Price: $19.99

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(ii) Certified ISTQB® Agile Tester Foundation Level Exam

This online course at Udemy walks you through all testing techniques associated with various Agile methodologies. This is the perfect course for those who aspire to become skilled ISTQB-certified agile testers. By the end of this course, you will be able to master the skills required from a tester for handling Agile projects.

Course Features:

• Learn Fundamentals of Agile Software Development
• Learn Between Traditional and Agile Testing Approach
• Learn tools, techniques, and methods of Agile testing processes.
• 4 Downloadable resources
• Learn to Assess Product quality risks

Duration: 3.5 hours of on-demand video
Price: $19.99

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(iii) Certified ISTQB® Test Analyst Advanced Level (CTAL-TA)

This is an online course designed to help students prepare for the ISTQB advanced-level test analyst certification exam. By the end of this course, you will learn how to identify and implement test designs for varying applications.

The course also teaches you how to create good quality test design specifications by leveraging effective testing techniques.

Course Features:

• Learn to determine domain validity
• Learn to test quality characteristics by applying suitable techniques.
• 7 Downloadable resources
• 1 Practice test
• Covers the latest ISTQB Test Analyst Advanced level syllabus

Duration: 9.5 hours of on-demand video
Price: $19.99

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(iv) Certified ISTQB® Test Manager Advanced Level Exam (CTAL-TM)

This course was designed to help students prepare for ISTQB advanced-level test manager certification. The online course covers some of the best and most relevant testing methods being used today for software testing.

Moreover, you will be learning the concept of project management, software testing, and quality management from an industry-recognized expert.

Course Features:

• Learn up-to-date software testing methods
• 1 Article
• 22 Downloadable Resources
• Covers full syllabus for Advanced Test Management certification

Price: 10 Hours On-Demand Video
Duration: $19.99

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(v) Agile Scrum Master Certification

This is an effective online course for those who wish to prepare for the Agile Scrum Master Certification exam. The course serves as a guide that explains the detailed process of preparing an Agile Scrum Master.

You will learn about the key characteristics of Agile Scrum Master and understand the difference between predictive and adaptive approaches to development among many other things.

Course Features:

• 4 Articles
• 2 Practical Tests
• 4 Downloadable resources
• Covers key concepts associated with Agile Scrum Master

Price: $19.99
Duration: 4.5 hours

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Level #1 – Beginner (0 – 5 Year Experience)

1) Institute: QAI (Quality Assurance Institute – Florida – USA)

Certification: CAST – Certified Associate In Software Testing

Eligibility: One of the below:

• 3 Year or 4 Year degree from an accredited college
• 2 Year degree in college with 1 year of experience.
• 3 Year experience in IT.

Fee: $100

How to Apply: To apply for the CAST certification candidates must first log in to their Customer Portal account. If new to the Portal then need to create one by clicking on the Register Now link, and then the Register as a New User tab.

Link to Register:  Register here

How to Prepare: Once you register and pay the fee, you would receive the ” Software Testing Body of Knowledge (STBOK) for CAST (367 pages) book. That should be sufficient to prepare for the exam.

Exam Format: 100 multiple choice questions in 75 minutes’ time

Pass%: 70

2) Institute: ISTQB (International software testing qualification board)

Certification: ISTQB – Foundation Level

Eligibility:  None

Fee: Rs 4500 – India (Approx.), The US $250 – For the USA

How to apply: Connect with your National or Regional Board for information on Exam Providers, exam dates, applicable fees, and booking information.

If there are more than 10 candidates from the same company for the exam, then the exam can be conducted in the company by ITB.

Link to register: Register here

How to Prepare: Click here to get the study material.

Recommended: We have 100% sure to pass the study guide on the ISTQB foundation level exam. It contains 800+ practice questions, 200+ premium questions, and many eBooks based on the ISTQB exam syllabus. If you are interested in getting this study guide please check this page. It’s a premium study guide.

Exam Format: 40 multiple choice questions in 60 minutes

Pass%: 65%

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Level #2 – Intermediate (5 – 8 Years Experience)

#1) Institute: QAI ( Quality Assurance Institute – Florida – USA)

Certification: CSTE – (Certified Software Test Engineer)

Eligibility: One of the below:

• A 4-year degree from an accredited college-level institution & 2 years experience in the information services field
• A 3-year degree from an accredited college-level institution & 3 years experience in the information services field
• A 2-year degree from an accredited college-level institution & 4 years experience in the information services field
• Six years of experience in the information services field

AND

Are working, or have worked at any time within the prior 18 months, in the field within covered by the certification designation?

Fee: $350 – Includes fee and pdf format book; $420 – Includes fee, Book, and CD

How to apply: To apply for the CSTE certification candidates must first log in to their Customer Portal account. If new to the Portal then need to create one by clicking on the Register Now link, and then the Register as a New User tab.

Link to register:  Register here

How to Prepare:  CBOK (Common Body of Knowledge) book is sufficient to prepare for the exam. Read the book thoroughly and take up some mock tests available on the internet to prepare for the exam.

Exam Format: The exam is divided into 2 parts:
100 Multiple choice questions in 75 minutes; 12 essay-type questions in 75 minutes.

Pass%: 70% which is the average of both the parts.

#2) Institute: HP

Certification: HP HP0-M102 for UFT version 12.0

Fee: $350 approx.

How to apply: You need to have HP Learner ID.

Create an account with PearsonVUE. Once you submit the form, you need to schedule your exam through the Schedule Proctored Exam link. You would find the details of the cost and language of the exam and need to select a date, time, and up to 3 centers to give the exam.

Link to register:  Check this link for getting learners’ IDs; and this link for creating an account with PearsonVUE.

How to Prepare:  Self-study, practice, and take up the mock exam.

Exam Format: Total of 69 questions of multiple-choice, drag-and-drop, and point and click

Pass%: 75%

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Level #3 – Advance Level (8 – 11 Years Experience) – If Aspiring for a Test Architect kind of a role

Institute:  ISTQB (International software testing qualification board)

Certification:  ISTQB – Advanced Level – Test Analyst, ISTQB – Advanced Level – Technical Test Analyst

Eligibility: Foundation level certification/scorecard. AND

Anyone from below:

• For Degree holders in computer science or related fields, you need 24 months of testing experience if you want to take 2 sub-modules and 36 months of experience is mandatory if you want to take all three sub-modules.
• For a non-bachelor degree in computer science, 60 months of experience

Fee: India – Rs-4500 approx. for each of the sub papers; USA- $250 for each of the sub paper

How to apply: You need to find your exam provider and freshly enroll yourself in the ISTQB site for the advanced module. The enrollment is the same as that for the foundation level.

• Click here to download the syllabus for Test Analyst
• Click here to download the syllabus for Technical Test Analyst

Link to register:  For the Indian board register here or go through this link.
Check these links for the US board and For the UK board.

How to Prepare:  Study material + self-study and knowledge gained through experience would all combine to prepare for the exam

Exam Format: Total 65 multiple choice questions in 180 minutes. For Technical test Analyst – Total 45 multiple choice questions in 120 minutes.

Pass%: 75%

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Level #4 – Advance Level (8 – 11 Years Experience) – If Aspiring for a Test Manager kind of a role

Institute:  ISTQB (International software testing qualification board)

Certification: ISTQB – Advanced Level – Test Manager

Eligibility:  Foundation level certification/scorecard. AND

Anyone from below:

• For Degree holders in computer science or related fields, you need 24 months of testing experience if you want to take 2 sub-modules and 36 months of experience is mandatory if you want to take all three sub-modules.
• For a non-bachelor degree in computer science, 60 months of experience

Fee: India – Rs-4500 approx. for each of the sub papers; USA- $250 for each of the sub paper

How to apply: You need to find your exam provider and freshly enroll yourself in the ISTQB site for the advanced module. The enrollment is the same as that for the foundation level.

How to Prepare:  Study material + self-study and knowledge gained through experience would all combine to prepare for the exam

Click here to download the material.

Link to register:  For the Indian board or go through this link.
For the US board and For the UK board.

Exam Format: Total 65 multiple choice questions in 180 minutes

Pass%: 75%

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Level #5 – (Expert Level11+ years) If aspiring for  Delivery manager – QA  / OA Leaders kind of a role

Institute:  ISTQB (International software testing qualification board)

Certification: ISTQB – Expert Level – Test Manager

Divided into 3 sub-modules:

• Strategic management
• Operational test management
• Managing test team

ISTQB – Expert Level – Improving the testing process

Divided into 2 sub-modules

• Assessing test process
• Implementing test process improvement.

Eligibility:  Foundation level certification/score card.

• Advanced Certificate depending upon the expert module desired
• Minimum 5 years of testing experience.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in the selected Expert level

Fee: US $375 for each exam

How to apply: You need to find your exam provider and freshly enroll yourself in the ISTQB site for the advanced module. The enrollment is the same as that for the foundation level.

Link to register: For the Indian board or go through this link.
For US board register here and for UK board here.

How to Prepare:  Study material + self-study, referenced books, and knowledge gained through experience would all combine to prepare for the exam.

Click here for Syllabus.

Exam Format:

• 25 multiple-type questions in 45 minutes
• 2 out of 3 Essay type questions in 90 minutes

Click here for more details.

Pass%: 75%

As we all know that Agile methodology is widely used these days and gaining a lot of popularity, let us now talk about some Agile certifications for software testers.

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Certification for Foundation Level Extension – Agile Tester

Institute:  ISTQB (International software testing qualification board)

Certification: ISTQB Agile Tester Certification

No doubt, a tester working in an Agile team will work differently than the one working in a traditional team. For a tester to work effectively in an Agile Environment, this certification is very useful. This certification is an add-on to the ISTQB Foundation Level certification.

Who can be benefited from this certification? :

• Testers experienced with traditional SDLCs
• Entry-level testers who are interested in Agile Testing
• Experienced developers with some knowledge of testing who work on Agile projects
• Roles include testers, test analysts, test engineers, test consultants, test managers, user acceptance testers, software developers

Eligibility:  

• The ISTQB Foundation Level Certification is a pre-requisite

Fee: US $150

How to apply: First, you need to create an account at the ASTQB registration site. If you already have an account, you can log in with existing credentials. There are four ways to take the exam:

• Via an Online exam center
• Via an accredited Training Provider course
• Onsite at your company
• Onsite your college or University

The detailed instructions to apply for the exam are available at the link to register (below).

Link to register: Click this link to register for the exam.

How to Prepare:  To prepare for the Agile Tester extension, you can review the free resources on ASTQB which include syllabus, Agile tester extension overview, PPT on ‘Summary: Agile Tester in a Nutshell’, webinar, ISTQB Agile Foundation Introduction Video,  Sample Exam, answer sheet and more sample questions. If you wish then you can also attend two days of accredited training for foundation-level Agile certification.

Click here for Syllabus.

Exam Format:

• 40 multiple-choice questions to be answered in 60 minutes

Pass%: 65%

Note: In the future, two Advanced Agile module certifications will also be available.

Certified Agile Software Test Professional Practitioner Level (CASTP-P)

Institute:  IIST (International Institute for Software Testing)

Certification: CASTP – P Certified

This certification is designed to help test professionals in adapting to the culture of agile projects. It will aid you in developing the skills required to work in an agile environment. This certification will enhance your communication skills, and team dynamics skills, and enable you to work in a fast-paced, incremental, and iterative project model.

Who can be benefited from this certification?:

• All testing professionals who want to skill themselves to work on agile projects.
• Test leads & test managers who work on managing the test efforts in Agile projects. After acquiring this certification, they will be able to manage the test efforts more effectively.
• Developers who want to perform effective testing in agile projects.

Eligibility:  

There are two prerequisites before attempting CASTP – P certification exam:

• You should be a Certified Software Test Professional – Associate level or equivalent.
• At least one year of work experience in a software testing-related job. You need to provide a letter signed by your supervisor describing the responsibilities you had on that job.

Formal Education Requirements:

You need to cover 3 days of training that will cover the following areas of ATBOB:

• Agile Development Methodologies (CASTP #1)
• Agile Requirement Exploration and Requirement Management (CASTP #2)
• Agile Test Design and Test Execution (CASTP #3)

Click here to check on the training options.

Fee: In the US $885 per person (this covers training and certification exams both) for the online mode of training & certification.

There will be an additional $50 non-refundable graduation fee after passing the exams.

A $100 fee for a retake of exams.

How to apply: You need to register for attending the training modules. Upon registration, you will be receiving access codes for all the above three modules and their associated exams.

The detailed instructions to apply for the exam are available at the link to register (below).

Link to register: Click this link to register for the course.

Exam Format:

There will be a written exam associated with each module. So, in total there will be 3 exams. The time duration to complete each module and exam is up to 30 days.

Pass%: 80%

Click here for complete details.

Certified Agile Software Test Professional Master Level (CASTP-M)

The prerequisite to obtaining this certification is that you should be CASTP-P  certified & must hold 2 years of work experience in the field of software testing. It is very helpful for experienced test professionals who want to do even better in their agile projects.

Click here to explore further details on this certification regarding training options, exam format, etc.

The validity of this certification is 3 years i.e. it will expire after 3 years it is granted. You will have to complete recertification requirements before that time.

Professional Scrum Developer certification

Apart from these above certifications in Agile testing, you can also go for the professional scrum developer certification offered by Scrum.

This certification is mainly meant for developers, however, since testers are the part of development team or overall agile team, this certification can prove very useful for testers as well. This certification course has very rich content for agile testing as well.

It costs you $200.

Click here for the complete details on the certification.

Having talked enough about agile testing certifications let’s now explore some automation testing certifications which help you to stand out in the field of automation testing:

Advanced Level Test Automation Engineer

This certification offered by ISTQB is meant for professionals who have already reached an advanced point in their software testing career and want to further develop expertise in automation testing.

If you equip yourself with this certification, you will be able to contribute greatly toward building automation solutions for business and designing test automation architecture (TAA).

Click here for more information.

The exam consists of 40 MCQs to be completed in 90 mins with a 65% passing percentage.

You may go through the below-embedded pdf for an end to end details on this certification:

Certified Automation Functional Testing Professional

This certification is provided by V Skills -A government of India & govt. of NCT Delhi joint venture.

It is a government certification and there is not any minimum education qualification required. It is beneficial for both professionals and students who are engaged (or want to engage) in the field of software testing.

This course covers a lot of automation testing & QTP.

The study material is sent to you once you enroll for the certification. The exam consists of 50 questions to be completed in 1 hour with a 50% passing percentage.

It costs you Rs. 3,499.

Click here for complete details on this certification.

Certified Software Test Automation Specialist

This certification offered by IIST aims at those test automation personnel who want to further enhance their test automation skills and become an expert in this area.

Click here for complete details on prerequisites, exam structure, certification requirements, fees, etc.

Certified Software Test Automation Architect

If you are CSTAS certified, then you are eligible for this certification.

This is intended for those test professionals who want to engage themselves in developing TAA (test automation architecture) and database frameworks.

Click here for complete details on prerequisites, exam structure, certification requirements, fees, etc.

These days mobile software testing is also in great demand. So, one of the certifications which can help you in that area is Certified Mobile Software Test Professional (CMSTP) which is again offered by IIST.

Click here to explore all the certifications offered by IIST.

With the growing technologies and expansion in the field of software testing, there are a lot of certifications and courses which can help you to move ahead. Furthermore, you need to choose the best certification for yourself based on your experience level and the kind of job role you are in or want to be in.

I was recently reading a job description at an organization for Test Analyst with 3-5 years total exp. They were demanding any of the Technical/Business/Quality Certification: CSTE, ISTQB, CMMI, LOMA.

So, what I will suggest to you is to stay up to date with the market demands and check out what certifications are most demanded by the job roles. And, then you can go for those certifications!

Conclusion

The learning does not stop here. Post expert level, one can opt for PMP (Project Management Professional) certification or/and move to Agile certifications like CSM (Certified Scrum Master) / CSPO (Certified Product Owner).

After completing your CSM certification, you can continue your learning by moving on to the next level which is CSP (Certified Scrum Professional), and gradually towards Agile Coach or Trainer.

Suggested reading =>> Top Certifications for IT Security Professionals

As I have already discussed before, whatever certification you do, it should map to your experience. Though you become eligible for many advance/expert level certifications at an initial stage of your career, merely doing the certification would not guarantee better growth, both in terms of personal learning and professional aspirations.

For example, in spite of having a Test manager certification from ISTQB, organizations won’t prefer to give you the role and designation of QA manager if you have only 5 years of experience. Similarly, a PMP-certified professional with 5 -6 years of experience would not be fit to perform a project manager kind of role. Hence, one should be really careful to choose a certification.

Please see that the recommendations and thoughts made by me are all based on personal experience, and observations and may have a disparity in opinions.

Author: This certification guide is written by STH team member Shilpa Roy.

If you still have any questions about pursuing your certification, feel free to post them in the comments below.