General - FAQs

What is the ISTQB® - International Software Testing Qualifications Board?

ISTQB® is a non-profit organization responsible for defining various guidelines such as examination structure and regulations, accreditation, certification etc. Working groups within the ISTQB® are responsible for developing and maintaining the syllabi and exams. The ISTQB® comprises representatives from each existing National and Regional Board.

What is the ISTQB® Certified Tester program?

The ISTQB® Certified Tester program provides certification for software testers internationally. There are currently two levels of certification: The Foundation Level certificate(one module) and the Advanced Level certificates(three modules). An Expert Level is currently being developed. For all three levels, international working groups develop and maintain internationally uniform curricula and exams. One of the core principles of the program is a strict separation between the administration of exams and the training to those who would like to prepare for the exam in ISTQB® compliant courses. This is not true of other testing and/or quality assurance organizations.

How can I be entitled to the Certified Software Tester certificate?

In order to win the title, you must successfully pass the ISTQB® certification exams. In order to pass the test you must acquire professional knowledge in the field of testing, and be familiar with the basics and work processes of software testing. More information regarding the exam schedule please contact your National and Regional Board.

How do I find a local Training Provider?

To get a list of operating training providers in your country, please contact your National Board. You can find a list here: National and Regional Board.

What do National Boards do?

A National Board is a working group of testing specialists from a specific country or region. Its members include professionals and recognized experts from industry, consultants, trainers, professors, scientists and specialists from other organizations.

A National Board is an independent, neutral commission, which is responsible for the quality of the ISTQB training and certification program in a special country. It also supervises and awards accreditation to training providers and examination providers.

All the members of the Board are unpaid volunteers with practical experience.

You can find your local board here: National and Regional Board.

What does an ISTQB® certificate tell me about the skills of a software tester?

The Foundation Level exam tests for knowledge, not skill. It provides information about the certificate holder's level of familiarity with the most common concepts of software testing and the associated terminology. It does not require work experience. The Foundation Level exam is a stepping stone toward the Advanced Level, which is more in-depth and much more practice-oriented. Information on the knowledge and skills that need to be demonstrated in order to get the certificate can be found in the syllabi of the Levels.

How many ISTQB® certified testers are there?

To get to know about the updated numbers please visit the Facts and Figures page. ISTQB® is currently the world's most popular software testing related certification.

What are the advantages of ISTQB® certification?

Truly international nature of the certification:

This certificate is recognized in multiple countries in multiple continents. Hardly any other certification has adoption in as many countries as this one. Please see ISTQB® Worldwide.

The people behind this exam:

Test experts from various countries are constantly working towards defining and refining the syllabus, the exam pattern, the examination questions and compiling the valuable information on testing around the World.

Non-profit nature of ISTQB®:

The non-profit nature of ISTQB® ensures that nobody has a vested interest in promoting a particular Body of Knowledge (BOK) or a particular book. All material developed by ISTQB® is developed on a voluntary basis and are made available for free by ISTQB®.

Is this certification acknowledged across the world?

This is a truly internationally recognized certification program. For the list of participating countries please visit ISTQB® Worldwide.