ISTQB® Software Testing Certification

The global standard for software testing certification, recognized worldwide for establishing and advancing the skills of software testers.

Why ISTQB® Certification?

ISTQB® certification provides numerous benefits for professionals, companies, and training providers.

Benefits for Professionals

How ISTQB® certification can advance your career

International Recognition

Gain worldwide recognition of your acquired competencies and skills

Certified Tester Logo

Authorization to use the "Certified Tester" logo (specifying the level of certification)

Career Path Support

Support throughout your career path, from Foundation to Expert level

Benefits for Companies

How ISTQB® certification can benefit your organization

Competitive Advantage

Gain a competitive edge with higher reliability of applications due to efficient and cost-effective testing practices

Higher-Level Services

Consulting companies with certified staff can offer higher-level services to customers, increasing revenues and brand value

Partner Program

ISTQB® has defined a "Partner Program" for companies that engage a large number of certified testers

Benefits for Accredited Training Providers

How becoming an ISTQB® Accredited Trainer Provider can benefit your institution

Accreditation

Educational institutions and consulting companies may become an ISTQB® Accredited Trainer Provider according to processes and rules defined at the international level

High Standing Training

Ensure high standing of training through certified trainers, quality-checked materials, and syllabus coverage verified by ISTQB® Boards

Logo Usage & Listing

Entitled to use relevant logos and are listed in the ISTQB® Website

Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) 4.0

The cornerstone of essential testing knowledge that can be applied to real-world scenarios.

Overview

The ISTQB® Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) certification provides a comprehensive understanding of the terminology and concepts used in the testing domain worldwide, making it relevant for all software delivery approaches and practices, including Waterfall, Agile, DevOps, and Continuous Delivery.

Audience

Suitable for anyone who needs to demonstrate practical knowledge of the fundamental concepts of software testing, including testers, test analysts, test engineers, test consultants, test managers, user acceptance testers, software developers, project managers, quality managers, software development managers, business analysts, IT directors, and management consultants.

Exam Price: R2,035.67
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Exam Structure

Number of Questions

40

Total Points

40

Passing Score

26

Exam Length

60 mins

(+25% for Non-Native Language)

Content Overview

Purpose of testing, testing principles, and the test process.

Integration of testing in various development models like Agile, Waterfall, and DevOps.

Techniques and benefits of static testing approaches.

Black-box, white-box, and experience-based techniques.

Planning, monitoring and control of testing activities.

Types of tools and their benefits for testing processes.

ISTQB® Certification Structure

The new ISTQB® product portfolio follows a Matrix approach with progressive levels and specialized streams.

ISTQB® Certification Structure

Comprehensive overview of the ISTQB® certification paths and their relationships

Expert Level
Test Management
Not Available
Not Available
Advanced Level
Test Manager
Test Analyst
Technical Test Analyst
Agile Test Leadership
Agile Technical Tester
Security Tester
Automotive Tester
Mobile Application Testing
Foundation Level
Core
(CTFL)
Agile Tester
(CTFL-AT)
Model-Based Tester
Usability Testing
Acceptance Testing
Core Stream
Agile Stream
Specialist Stream

Levels

  • Foundation
  • Advanced
  • Expert

Streams

  • Core
  • Agile
  • Specialist

Progressive Learning

The levels identify progressively increasing Learning Objectives, while streams identify clusters of certification modules. This structure allows for a comprehensive and flexible learning path.

Business Outcomes

The expected outcomes of a candidate who has achieved the Foundation Level certification.

Understand what testing is and why it is beneficial

Understand fundamental concepts of software testing

Identify the test approach and activities to be implemented depending on the context of testing

Assess and improve the quality of documentation

Increase the effectiveness and efficiency of testing

Align the test process with the software development lifecycle

Understand test management principles

Write and communicate clear and understandable defect reports

Understand the factors that influence the priorities and efforts related to testing

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about ISTQB® certification

ISTQB® certifications do not expire. Once you are certified, you remain certified at that level. However, it is recommended to keep your knowledge up-to-date with the latest industry practices.
There are no prerequisites for taking the ISTQB® Certified Tester Foundation Level exam. However, for higher levels such as Advanced or Expert, the Foundation Level certification is required.
You can prepare for the exam by attending courses from Accredited Training Providers, studying the official syllabus, using ISTQB® approved materials, and taking practice exams. Self-study is also an option, but training courses are recommended.
ISTQB® exams are administered by the local Member Boards in each country. You can find information about exam dates and locations on your local Member Board's website or through Accredited Training Providers.
Refund policies vary by Member Board and Training Provider. Generally, exam fees are non-refundable regardless of the result. Please check with your local Member Board or Training Provider for their specific policies.

Ready to Get Certified?

Take the first step towards advancing your testing career with ISTQB® certification.