Top 10 Manual QA Tester Certifications

Certifications for a manual QA tester are important in the job market because they demonstrate to employers that the candidate has the necessary skills and knowledge to be successful in the role. Certifications provide proof of competency, which is invaluable when it comes to hiring decisions. They also serve as an indicator that the candidate is dedicated to professional development and staying up-to-date with industry trends and best practices. Ultimately, certifications can help a manual QA tester stand out from the competition and increase their chances of getting hired.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Manual QA Testers and explains how they can help to advance a manual qa tester's career.

What are Manual QA Tester Certifications?

Manual QA Tester Certification is a type of certification that recognizes the knowledge and skills of a manual quality assurance (QA) tester. It validates an individual's expertise in the area of manual testing, which includes creating test plans, executing tests, and analyzing results. This certification can help individuals demonstrate their proficiency in this field to potential employers, as well as increase the chances of success when applying for jobs or promotions. The certification also serves to validate an individual's understanding of software development life cycle (SDLC), software testing tools and techniques, and industry standards. Additionally, it provides a way for professionals to stay up-to-date with the latest trends in manual QA testing while gaining recognition from peers and organizations.

Pro Tip: Investing in manual QA tester certification can be an invaluable asset to your career. Not only do certifications demonstrate proficiency and expertise, but they also tend to open up job opportunities that may have otherwise been unavailable.

Related: What does a Manual QA Tester do?

Top 10 Manual QA Tester Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Manual QA Testers today.

1. ISTQB Certified Tester

ISTQB Certified Tester is an internationally recognized certification program for software testers. It is designed to improve the quality of software testing by providing a common body of knowledge and a set of skills that can be applied in any testing environment. The certification is offered by the International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB).

The certification process consists of three levels: Foundation, Advanced, and Expert. The Foundation level is the entry-level exam and covers basic concepts in software testing. The Advanced level tests more complex topics such as test management, risk-based testing, and automation. The Expert level focuses on specific areas such as security or performance testing.

It typically takes around 6 months to complete all three levels of the ISTQB Certified Tester program. However, this may vary depending on how much time you have available to dedicate to studying.

To get certified, you will need to pass each level's exam with a minimum score of 65%. Each exam costs around $250-$300 USD depending on your location and currency exchange rate. You can register for exams through the ISTQB website or through one of their accredited training providers.

In addition to passing the exams, you must also meet certain criteria in order to become an ISTQB Certified Tester. This includes having at least two years of experience in software testing or related fields, being able to demonstrate knowledge in specific areas such as test design techniques and test automation tools, and having references from employers or supervisors who can vouch for your experience and skill set.

2. CSTE Certified Software Tester

CSTE Certified Software Tester is a certification program for software testers. It is offered by the Quality Assurance Institute (QAI). The certification is designed to help software testers demonstrate their knowledge and experience in the field of software testing.

It typically takes about 6-8 weeks to complete the CSTE Certification program, depending on the individual's level of experience and commitment. The program consists of online training, self-study, and an exam. The online training covers topics such as test design, test execution, defect management, and process improvement. Self-study involves reading material from QAI's recommended reading list and completing practice tests. Finally, candidates must pass a proctored exam to become certified.

To get the CSTE Certification, individuals must first register with QAI and pay the registration fee ($350 USD). After registering, they can access all of the materials needed to complete the program. Once they have completed all of the requirements for certification, they will receive their certificate in the mail within two weeks.

The cost of CSTE Certification varies depending on which package you choose (Basic or Premium). The Basic package costs $350 USD while the Premium package costs $450 USD.

3. ATSQA Certified Test Automation Engineer

ATSQA Certified Test Automation Engineer (CTAE) is a professional certification that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge and skills needed to design, develop, and execute automated tests for software applications. The certification is offered by ATSQA, an international organization dedicated to promoting quality assurance in software development.

The CTAE certification requires candidates to pass two exams: the Automation Foundation Exam (AFE) and the Advanced Automation Exam (AAE). The AFE covers topics such as automation principles, scripting languages, test frameworks, and debugging tools. The AAE focuses on more advanced topics such as architecture design, performance testing, continuous integration/delivery, and DevOps.

It typically takes around six months to complete both exams. Candidates should plan to spend at least 30 hours studying for each exam. It is recommended that candidates take practice exams before attempting the real exams in order to become familiar with the format and types of questions asked.

The cost of the CTAE certification varies depending on where you are taking the exam. Generally speaking, it costs around $500 USD for both exams combined.

4. HP Quality Center Certification

HP Quality Center Certification is a professional certification offered by Hewlett Packard (HP) that validates an individual’s knowledge and skills in using HP Quality Center software. This certification is designed to help professionals demonstrate their expertise in the areas of test planning, execution, and reporting.

The HP Quality Center Certification exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete. The exam covers topics such as test planning, design, execution, and reporting.

In order to get certified, individuals must first register for the exam through the HP Learning Center website. They must then purchase the appropriate study materials from HP or other vendors, such as books or online courses. After studying for the exam, individuals can schedule a time to take it at one of HP's testing centers.

The cost of the HP Quality Center Certification exam varies depending on where you take it and which version you are taking. Generally speaking, it costs around $200 USD per attempt.

5. Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) Testing Fundamentals

Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) Testing Fundamentals is a certification program designed to provide individuals with the fundamental knowledge and skills needed to understand the core technology concepts in the Microsoft portfolio. It is an entry-level certification that validates basic technology knowledge for students looking to enter into the IT field.

The MTA Testing Fundamentals exam covers topics such as Windows Operating System, Networking, Security, and Software Development. It is designed to measure a student’s ability to analyze and solve technical problems related to these areas of technology. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and requires approximately 90 minutes to complete.

To get the MTA Testing Fundamentals certification, you must pass the corresponding exam with a score of 700 or higher on a scale of 1000. You can register for the exam online at Microsoft’s website or through an authorized testing center. The cost of the exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $100-$150 USD.

Once you have passed the exam, you will receive an official certificate from Microsoft along with access to exclusive resources such as study guides, practice exams, and other learning materials. With this certification, you will be able to demonstrate your foundational understanding of core technology concepts and gain recognition in the IT field.

6. Oracle Application Testing Suite Certification

Oracle Application Testing Suite Certification is a professional certification program designed to validate the skills and knowledge of IT professionals in using Oracle’s Application Testing Suite. This certification is designed for those who have experience in developing, testing and deploying applications using Oracle’s suite of application testing tools.

The Oracle Application Testing Suite Certification is divided into two levels: Associate and Professional. The Associate level focuses on the basics of using the suite, while the Professional level covers advanced topics such as performance tuning and optimization, security testing, and automation.

It typically takes between 6-12 months to complete the Oracle Application Testing Suite Certification program depending on your experience level. You will need to complete a series of online courses, exams, and hands-on labs before you can be certified.

To get certified, you must pass both the Associate and Professional levels of the certification exam with a score of 70% or higher. The cost of taking the exam varies depending on where you take it but generally ranges from $150-$400 USD per exam.

7. IBM Rational Functional Tester Certification

IBM Rational Functional Tester Certification is a professional credential that verifies an individual's expertise in the development and execution of automated functional tests. This certification is designed to demonstrate proficiency in the use of IBM Rational Functional Tester, which is a tool used for creating and executing automated functional tests.

The certification process typically takes up to four weeks to complete, depending on the individual's experience level and availability. To become certified, individuals must pass both an online exam and a practical exam. The online exam consists of multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as test design, test execution, test management, and automation. The practical exam requires individuals to demonstrate their ability to create and execute automated tests using the IBM Rational Functional Tester tool.

Individuals can get IBM Rational Functional Tester Certification by registering for the program through IBM's website or through an authorized training provider. The cost of the certification varies depending on the provider but generally ranges from $500-$1000 USD.

8. Selenium WebDriver Certification

Selenium WebDriver Certification is a certification program offered by the Selenium Project to demonstrate proficiency in using the Selenium WebDriver automation tool. It is designed to validate an individual’s ability to create robust, reliable, and maintainable automated tests for web applications.

The certification exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as locating elements on a page, working with different browsers, understanding how the DOM works, debugging tests, and more. The exam is administered online and takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. To pass the exam, you must score at least 80% or higher.

To get certified in Selenium WebDriver, you must first register for an account on the Selenium website and then purchase a voucher code. The cost of a voucher code varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $50-$100 USD. Once you have purchased a voucher code, you can use it to take the certification exam at any time within one year of purchase.

Once you have completed the exam successfully, you will be issued a certificate that is valid for two years from the date of passing. You can also download your certificate from your account on the Selenium website at any time during this period.

9. ISTQB Advanced Level Test Analyst Certification

The ISTQB Advanced Level Test Analyst Certification is a globally recognized certification for software testers. It is designed to validate the skills and knowledge of experienced software testers who have already achieved the Foundation Level certification. This certification is intended for those who are involved in the planning, designing, and execution of tests as part of a software development project.

It typically takes between 6-12 months to complete the Advanced Level Test Analyst Certification, depending on your experience level and how much time you can dedicate to studying. To get certified, you must pass two exams: the Advanced Level Test Analyst exam and an additional module exam. The Advanced Level Test Analyst exam consists of 40 multiple choice questions that must be completed within 90 minutes. The additional module exam also consists of 40 multiple choice questions that must be completed within 90 minutes.

The cost of the ISTQB Advanced Level Test Analyst Certification varies depending on the country in which you are taking the exams. Generally speaking, it will cost around €500 - €700 (approximately $550 - $800 USD).

10. International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) Agile Tester Extension

The International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) Agile Tester Extension is a certification program designed to recognize and validate the knowledge and skills of software testers who are working in agile development environments. This certification is intended for software testers who want to demonstrate their understanding of agile principles and practices, as well as their ability to apply them effectively in their work.

The ISTQB Agile Tester Extension consists of two parts: a Foundation Level exam and an Advanced Level exam. The Foundation Level exam covers topics such as agile principles and values, agile testing processes, test techniques, automation, communication, collaboration, and risk management. The Advanced Level exam focuses on topics such as managing test activities in an agile environment, using tools to support testing practices, applying test design techniques in an agile context, and applying risk-based testing approaches.

To earn the ISTQB Agile Tester Extension certification, you must pass both the Foundation Level and Advanced Level exams. Each exam takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. You can take the exams online or at a certified testing center.

The cost of taking the ISTQB Agile Tester Extension exams varies depending on your location and whether you choose to take them online or at a certified testing center. Generally speaking, it will cost between $150-$200 USD per exam.

Do You Really Need a Manual QA Tester Certificate?

The short answer to this question is no, you do not need a manual QA tester certificate in order to be successful as a manual QA tester. While having a certification can certainly demonstrate that you have knowledge and experience in the field of quality assurance testing, it is by no means necessary for success.

Ultimately, employers are looking for someone who has the skills and experience to do the job well. If you can demonstrate that you possess the required knowledge and skills through your work experience and portfolio, then it may not be necessary to get a certification. However, if your skills are lacking or if you want to show potential employers that you have an understanding of quality assurance testing beyond what they can see from your work samples or resume, then getting certified may be beneficial.

Certifications also come with certain advantages such as access to job postings that are restricted to those who possess them and recognition from peers in the industry. Additionally, certifications provide structured learning opportunities where you can learn best practices and gain insight into industry trends.

In conclusion, while having a manual QA tester certificate is not essential for success in the field of manual QA testing, it can certainly help open doors for job opportunities and demonstrate your commitment to professional development.

Related: Manual QA Tester Resume Examples

FAQs About Manual QA Tester Certifications

Q1. What is a Manual QA Tester Certification?

A1. A Manual QA Tester Certification is an industry-recognized credential that recognizes the skills and knowledge of a professional in the field of manual software testing. It is designed to demonstrate competency in fields such as software development, testing strategies, test case creation, and software quality assurance processes.

Q2. Who should get a Manual QA Tester Certification?

A2. Any individual who wants to become a professional manual tester or increase their proficiency in the field should consider getting certified. This includes experienced testers who are looking to enhance their credentials, as well as those just starting out in the field who want to prove their skills and knowledge to potential employers.

Q3. How do I obtain a Manual QA Tester Certification?

A3. To obtain certification, individuals must first pass an exam administered by an accredited certifying body such as the International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB). The exam covers topics such as test design techniques, software quality assurance processes, and risk management strategies.

Q4. How much does it cost to get certified?

A4. The cost of certification varies depending on the certifying body and type of certification you choose but typically ranges from $300-$700 USD depending on your location and other factors.

Q5. Are there any prerequisites for obtaining certification?

A5. Yes, some certifying bodies may require that you have prior experience with manual software testing before taking the exam or they may require certain courses or training before you can sit for the exam. Additionally, some certifying bodies may also have age requirements or other qualifications that must be met before taking the exam so be sure to check with your chosen certifying body for more information about specific requirements for taking the exam and obtaining certification.