Top 11 Performance Test Engineer Certifications

Certifications are important for a performance test engineer in the job market because they demonstrate a certain level of knowledge, experience, and expertise. Certifications also help employers gain confidence that the engineer has the skills necessary to do the job well. As technology advances, certifications can show that an engineer is up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in performance testing. Employers may look more favorably on applicants who have certification credentials as it shows that they are committed to staying current and taking their career seriously. Ultimately, certifications can give performance test engineers an edge when applying for jobs and can be a valuable asset in their professional development.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Performance Test Engineers and explains how they can enhance a performance test engineer's career.

What are Performance Test Engineer Certifications?

Performance test engineer certification is a professional credential that validates an individual's knowledge and skills related to performance testing and engineering. This certification is designed to help performance engineers demonstrate their expertise in this field, as well as provide employers with assurance that they have the necessary qualifications for the job. Performance test engineers are responsible for ensuring that software applications meet or exceed performance requirements in terms of speed, scalability, reliability, and other key criteria. Performance test engineer certification provides professionals with the opportunity to showcase their abilities and demonstrate their commitment to the profession.

The certification process involves passing a rigorous exam which covers topics such as system architecture, software development life cycle models, performance testing principles, best practices for performance tuning, debugging techniques, load testing strategies, and more. Upon successful completion of the exam, individuals earn a certificate from a recognized institution. This certification can be used to demonstrate proficiency in various areas of performance engineering and serve as proof of expertise in the field. It can also be used to bolster resumes and increase one's chances of being hired for a position involving performance engineering or testing.

Overall, earning a performance test engineer certification can be incredibly beneficial for professionals looking to advance their career in this field. It demonstrates their commitment to learning new technologies and staying up-to-date on industry trends while also providing assurance to employers that they possess the necessary qualifications for the job at hand.

Pro Tip: Before pursuing a performance test engineer certification, make sure to gain experience in performance testing and troubleshooting. You should also become familiar with the tools and technologies used for performance testing, such as load testing tools, application monitoring tools, and database performance analysis tools. Additionally, research the different certifications available to find the best one that suits your needs.

Related: What does a Performance Test Engineer do?

Top 11 Performance Test Engineer Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Performance Test Engineers today.

1. ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level

ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) is an entry-level certification for software testers. It is designed to provide a basic understanding of the fundamentals of software testing, such as test design techniques, test management, and static testing. The certification is offered by the International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB).

It typically takes around 40 hours to prepare for the CTFL exam. This includes studying course material, attending training sessions, and taking practice tests. To get certified, you must pass the ISTQB CTFL exam with a minimum score of 65%.

The cost of the ISTQB CTFL certification varies depending on where you take the exam. Generally speaking, it costs around $200 to register for the exam and another $100-$150 for course material or online training courses.

In order to become certified, you must meet certain prerequisites. These include having at least two years of experience in software development or testing and passing an English language proficiency test.

2. ASTQB Mobile Application Testing Certification

ASTQB Mobile Application Testing Certification is an internationally recognized certification that validates a tester’s knowledge and skills in mobile application testing. It is designed to help testers demonstrate their expertise in this field and provide employers with a reliable way to assess the capabilities of potential employees.

The ASTQB Mobile Application Testing Certification requires applicants to pass two exams: the Foundation Level exam and the Advanced Level exam. The Foundation Level exam covers topics such as mobile application architecture, mobile application development, mobile test automation, and mobile security. The Advanced Level exam covers topics such as advanced test design techniques, device compatibility testing, performance testing, and usability testing.

It typically takes between three to six months to complete the ASTQB Mobile Application Testing Certification process. This includes studying for the exams, completing practice tests, and taking the actual exams.

To get certified by ASTQB, you must first register for an account on their website. Once your account is created, you can purchase access to their online training materials and practice tests. You will then need to schedule your exams through Pearson VUE or Prometric testing centers. After passing both exams with a score of at least 75%, you will be awarded with your certification from ASTQB.

The cost of the ASTQB Mobile Application Testing Certification varies depending on where you take the exams; however, it typically costs around $400 USD for both exams combined.

3. HP LoadRunner Certification

HP LoadRunner Certification is a professional certification program that validates the skills and knowledge of IT professionals in the use of HP LoadRunner software for performance testing. It is designed to demonstrate an individual’s proficiency in using HP LoadRunner to identify, analyze, and optimize application performance.

The certification consists of two exams: the HP LoadRunner Foundation Exam (HP0-M50) and the HP Performance Center Solutions Expert Exam (HP2-E56). The Foundation Exam focuses on basic concepts, while the Solutions Expert Exam covers more advanced topics such as scripting, analysis, and troubleshooting.

It typically takes 3-6 months to prepare for the exams depending on your experience level. To get started, you should review the exam objectives listed on HP's website and familiarize yourself with the software. You can also take advantage of online training courses or practice tests offered by third-party vendors.

The cost of taking both exams is approximately $400 USD.

4. Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE): Performance Testing

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE): Performance Testing is a certification that validates an individual’s ability to plan, deploy, and manage performance testing solutions using Microsoft technologies. This certification focuses on the skills needed to design and implement performance testing solutions for applications running on the Windows platform.

The MCSE: Performance Testing certification requires passing two exams: Exam 70-346: Managing Office 365 Identities and Requirements and Exam 70-347: Enabling Office 365 Services. The exams are designed to measure an individual’s knowledge of Microsoft technologies related to performance testing, including Windows Server, Active Directory, Exchange Server, SQL Server, System Center Configuration Manager, SharePoint Server, and more.

It typically takes between six months and one year to prepare for the MCSE: Performance Testing certification depending on an individual’s prior experience with Microsoft technologies. To get started studying for the exam individuals should review the exam objectives published by Microsoft and familiarize themselves with the topics covered in each exam. Additionally, individuals should take advantage of available resources such as practice tests and study guides to help them prepare for the exam.

The cost of taking the MCSE: Performance Testing exams varies depending on where they are taken but typically range from $150-$200 per exam. Additionally, there may be additional costs associated with preparation materials such as books or online courses which can vary widely depending on what is chosen.

5. Oracle Load Testing Cloud Service Certification

Oracle Load Testing Cloud Service Certification is an official certification program offered by Oracle that validates a user’s knowledge and skills in the use of Oracle Load Testing Cloud Service. This certification is designed to prove that a user has the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively utilize Oracle Load Testing Cloud Service to test the performance of web applications.

The certification exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as load testing concepts, load testing tools, load testing strategies, and best practices for using Oracle Load Testing Cloud Service. The exam takes approximately 60 minutes to complete and requires a score of 80% or higher to pass.

In order to get certified, you must first register for the exam on the Oracle website. Once registered, you will be provided with instructions on how to access the exam. You will also be asked to provide payment information before you can take the exam. The cost of taking the exam is $150 USD per attempt.

Once you have successfully completed the exam, your results will be available immediately after submission. If you pass, your certificate will be sent via email within three business days from when your results are available.

6. IBM Rational Performance Tester Certification

IBM Rational Performance Tester (RPT) is an automated performance testing tool that helps organizations test the performance and scalability of applications. It provides a comprehensive set of features to help you simulate real-world user load, analyze application performance, and identify potential bottlenecks.

The IBM Rational Performance Tester certification is designed to validate the skills and knowledge required to use RPT for performance testing. The certification consists of one exam, which covers topics such as architecture, installation and configuration, scripting, results analysis, debugging, and troubleshooting.

It typically takes 2-3 weeks to complete the exam preparation process. To get certified in IBM Rational Performance Tester, you must pass the exam with a score of at least 70%. You can register for the exam online or through a local Pearson VUE testing center.

The cost of the IBM Rational Performance Tester certification exam is $200 USD.

7. Apache JMeter Certification

Apache JMeter Certification is an official certification program offered by the Apache Software Foundation. It is designed to validate a person’s knowledge and skills in using Apache JMeter, a popular open source performance testing tool. This certification is intended for software testers, developers, system administrators, and other professionals who use JMeter as part of their job.

The certification process consists of two parts: an online exam and a practical assignment. The online exam covers topics such as JMeter installation, configuration, scripting, running tests, analyzing results, and troubleshooting. The practical assignment requires candidates to create a test plan and execute it using JMeter.

The certification process typically takes between one and three months to complete depending on the candidate’s experience level with JMeter. To get started with the certification process, candidates must first register for the exam at the Apache Software Foundation website. After registering for the exam, they will receive instructions on how to prepare for it and where to take it.

The cost of the Apache JMeter Certification varies depending on the country in which you take the exam but typically ranges from $100-200 USD.

8. Neotys Certified Professional

Neotys Certified Professional is a certification program offered by Neotys, a performance testing and monitoring software provider. The certification program provides an opportunity for professionals to demonstrate their expertise in using Neotys products, including NeoLoad, NeoSense, and Dynatrace.

The certification consists of three levels: Certified Professional, Advanced Professional, and Expert Professional. To get the Certified Professional level certification, applicants must pass an online exam that covers topics such as architecture, scripting language basics, performance testing principles, and best practices for using Neotys products. The exam typically takes two hours to complete and costs $250 USD.

To get the Advanced Professional level certification, applicants must have already obtained the Certified Professional level certification and pass an additional online exam that covers more advanced topics such as advanced scripting language concepts, advanced performance testing principles and best practices for using Neotys products. The exam typically takes two hours to complete and costs $350 USD.

To get the Expert Professional level certification, applicants must have already obtained both the Certified Professional and Advanced Professional certifications and pass an additional online exam that covers even more advanced topics such as expert-level scripting language concepts, expert-level performance testing principles and best practices for using Neotys products. The exam typically takes two hours to complete and costs $450 USD.

In addition to passing the exams at each level of certification, applicants are also required to submit a project demonstrating their skills in using Neotys products before they can be certified at any of the three levels.

9. WebLOAD Professional Certification

WebLOAD Professional Certification is a certification program from RadView Software that validates a user’s understanding of WebLOAD, a comprehensive load and performance testing solution. The certification covers topics such as installation, configuration, scripting, running tests and analyzing results. It also includes an in-depth look at the advanced features of WebLOAD.

The certification process consists of two parts: an online assessment and a hands-on lab exam. The online assessment is taken through the RadView Learning Management System (LMS) and consists of multiple-choice questions covering the topics mentioned above. Once the assessment is completed successfully, candidates can take the hands-on lab exam which requires them to demonstrate their knowledge by completing various tasks using WebLOAD.

The entire certification process can take up to 8 hours to complete depending on the candidate’s level of expertise with WebLOAD. Candidates who successfully pass both parts of the certification will receive an official certificate from RadView Software.

The cost for the WebLOAD Professional Certification varies depending on whether you are taking it as part of a training course or as an individual certifying candidate. For individual certifying candidates, it costs $199 USD for access to the LMS, online assessment and lab exam.

10. BlazeMeter Certified Professional

BlazeMeter Certified Professional is a certification program designed to recognize professionals who have demonstrated expertise in using BlazeMeter’s performance testing platform. The certification is offered by BlazeMeter, a leading provider of cloud-based load and performance testing solutions for web and mobile applications.

The certification exam consists of 50 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as architecture, scripting, configuration, and best practices related to the BlazeMeter platform. To become certified, candidates must pass the exam with a score of 80% or higher. The exam can be taken online or at an authorized test center.

The certification process typically takes about three weeks from start to finish. Candidates must first register for the exam on the BlazeMeter website and pay the associated fee (currently $250 USD). Once registered, they will receive an email with instructions on how to access the exam. After completing the exam, candidates will receive their results within two business days. Those who pass will receive their official certificate via email within one week of passing the exam.

The cost of becoming a BlazeMeter Certified Professional is currently $250 USD per person plus any applicable taxes or fees.

11. Eggplant Performance Test Engineer Certification

Eggplant Performance Test Engineer Certification is a certification program offered by Eggplant, a software testing automation company. The certification is designed to help test engineers demonstrate their knowledge and expertise in performance testing using the Eggplant Performance product.

The certification consists of two parts: an online assessment and a practical exam. The online assessment tests your understanding of the fundamentals of performance testing, while the practical exam requires you to demonstrate your ability to use the Eggplant Performance product.

To get certified, you must first register for the certification program and pay the applicable fee. Once registered, you will receive instructions on how to access the online assessment and practical exam. After completing both parts successfully, you will be awarded with an official Eggplant Performance Test Engineer Certification.

The cost of the certification program varies depending on whether you choose to take it online or in-person at one of Eggplant's training centers. The online version costs $495 USD, while the in-person version costs $795 USD. The duration of the certification depends on how quickly you complete both parts; typically it takes around four weeks from start to finish.

Do You Really Need a Performance Test Engineer Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the individual. A Performance Test Engineer Certificate can be a valuable asset for someone looking to break into the performance testing field, or for someone who has been in the field and wants to demonstrate their expertise. It can also provide a way to differentiate yourself from other applicants in a competitive job market.

However, it is important to remember that having a certificate does not guarantee success as a Performance Test Engineer. Even with certification, you will need to have an understanding of both software development and testing methodologies, as well as strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Additionally, you will need experience working with different types of software applications and technologies, as well as knowledge of programming languages and scripting tools used in performance testing.

At the end of the day, whether or not you should pursue a Performance Test Engineer Certificate is up to your own personal career goals and objectives. If you feel that having certification could help you achieve those goals, then it may be worthwhile to look into obtaining one. However, if you are confident in your existing skillset and experience, then pursuing certification may not be necessary.

Related: Performance Test Engineer Resume Examples

FAQs About Performance Test Engineer Certifications

Q1: What certifications are available for Performance Test Engineers?

A1: There are several certifications available for Performance Test Engineers, including the Certified Performance Test Engineer (CPTE) from the International Software Testing Qualification Board (ISTQB), Certified Performance Engineering Professional (CPEP) from the American Society for Quality (ASQ), and Certified Performance Analyst (CPA) from the Open Group.

Q2: How do I become a certified Performance Test Engineer?

A2: To become a certified Performance Test Engineer, you must first complete the appropriate training and pass an exam. Training courses can be found through organizations such as ISTQB, ASQ, and The Open Group. After completing your training and passing your exam, you will receive your certification.

Q3: How long does it take to become a certified Performance Test Engineer?

A3: Depending on the organization offering the certification, it can take anywhere from 1-4 months to complete the necessary training and exams.

Q4: What is covered in a typical certification exam?

A4: Certification exams typically cover topics such as performance testing best practices, methodologies, tools, techniques, and strategies. Additionally, some organizations may require knowledge of specific programming languages or software development processes.

Q5: Is there an expiration date for my certification?

A5: Generally speaking, certifications do not expire; however, some organizations may require that you re-certify every few years in order to maintain your status as a certified Performance Test Engineer.