ASTQB - ISTQB Software Testing Certification : Comparison of Software Tester Certifications

Comparison of Software Tester Certifications

How does ISTQB software tester certification differ from other certifications? Based on comments from software testers and their managers, we know why companies choose ISTQB, and why testers choose ISTQB. But what are the fundamental differences between the first levels of software tester certification? This table details some of the differences between CTFL, CSTE and CSTP:

First Level of Certification Certified Tester, Foundation Level (CTFL) Certified Software Tester (CSTE) Certified Software Test Professional (CSTP)

Company/Organization Providing Certification International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB)
Software Certifications (a division of the Quality Assurance Institute)
International Institute for Software Testing (a division of Software Dimensions Consulting and Training, Inc.)

U.S. Volunteer Board American Software Testing Qualifications Board (ASTQB) N/A N/A

Type of Organization Not for Profit Private - For-Profit Private - For-Profit

Number of certified individuals for all levels of certification Approximately 100,000 (CTFL and CTAL) Approximately 35,000 (CSTE and CSQA) Approximately 2,250 (CSTP and CTM)

Education required to be taken from company/organization providing certification? No No Yes

Sells training courses for their certification? No Yes Yes

Provides free syllabus/body of knowledge and glossary? Free 76 page syllabus and free 43 page glossary Free 10 page body of knowledge Free 1 page body of knowledge

Required Fees $250.00 $350.00 to $420.00 Cost of training + $120 graduation fee. Cost of training is approximately $5,500 for all 10 days of training if courses are attended in a public setting and it goes down to approximately $2,400 if courses are held at your company site.

Recertification Required for First Level? No Yes - every 3 years Yes - every 3 years

Additional Levels of Certification Available
Certified Tester, Advanced Level (CTAL):
• Test Analyst
• Technical Test Analyst
• Test Manager Advanced (ASTE) Master (MSTE) Certified Test Manager (CTM)

Note: The information used to create this table came from the public websites and press releases for CTFL, CSTE and CSTP as of October 2008. We cannot guarantee the completeness or accuracy of this information. Please contact ASTQB for any updated information.

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First Level of Certification	Certified Tester, Foundation Level (CTFL)	Certified Software Tester (CSTE)	Certified Software Test Professional (CSTP)
Company/Organization Providing Certification	International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB)	Software Certifications (a division of the Quality Assurance Institute)	International Institute for Software Testing (a division of Software Dimensions Consulting and Training, Inc.)
U.S. Volunteer Board	American Software Testing Qualifications Board (ASTQB)	N/A	N/A
Type of Organization	Not for Profit	Private - For-Profit	Private - For-Profit
Number of certified individuals for all levels of certification	Approximately 100,000 (CTFL and CTAL)	Approximately 35,000 (CSTE and CSQA)	Approximately 2,250 (CSTP and CTM)
Education required to be taken from company/organization providing certification?	No	No	Yes
Sells training courses for their certification?	No	Yes	Yes
Provides free syllabus/body of knowledge and glossary?	Free 76 page syllabus and free 43 page glossary	Free 10 page body of knowledge	Free 1 page body of knowledge
Required Fees	$250.00	$350.00 to $420.00	Cost of training + $120 graduation fee. Cost of training is approximately $5,500 for all 10 days of training if courses are attended in a public setting and it goes down to approximately $2,400 if courses are held at your company site.
Recertification Required for First Level?	No	Yes - every 3 years	Yes - every 3 years
Additional Levels of Certification Available	Certified Tester, Advanced Level (CTAL): • Test Analyst • Technical Test Analyst • Test Manager	Advanced (ASTE) Master (MSTE)	Certified Test Manager (CTM)