Top 10 Performance Tester Certifications

Certifications are important for performance testers in the job market because they demonstrate a certain level of knowledge and expertise in the field. Performance testing is a specialized skill that requires an understanding of the technology, processes, and tools used to measure and optimize system performance. Certifications provide employers with assurance that candidates have the necessary qualifications to perform the job effectively. Additionally, certifications can help performance testers stand out from other applicants during interviews and can be used as leverage when negotiating salary.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Performance Testers and explains how they can help advance a Performance Tester's career.

What are Performance Tester Certifications?

Performance tester certification is a type of professional certification that demonstrates a person's ability to effectively assess and improve the performance of software applications. It is designed to help individuals demonstrate their knowledge and skills in the area of performance testing, which involves assessing and optimizing the performance of software applications. Performance testers are tasked with ensuring that an application meets its performance requirements, as well as identifying and addressing any issues that may be impacting its performance. Performance tester certification can be extremely beneficial for professionals looking to work in this field, as it helps them stand out from other applicants who may not have the same level of expertise or experience. Furthermore, having this certification can potentially open up more job opportunities, as employers often look for individuals who have been certified in their desired field.

Pro Tip: When considering a performance tester certification, make sure to select a program that offers hands-on experience and real-world scenarios. This will ensure that you are prepared to tackle any performance testing challenges you may face in the workplace. Additionally, make sure to research the certifying body and their accreditation process to ensure that your certification is recognized and respected by employers.

Related: What does a Performance Tester do?

Top 10 Performance Tester Certifications

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

1. ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level

ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) is an entry-level certification program designed to provide software testers with a basic understanding of the principles and processes involved in software testing. It is the first step in becoming an ISTQB Certified Tester, and provides a foundation for further learning in the area of software testing.

The CTFL certification requires successful completion of a 60-minute multiple choice exam. The exam covers topics such as test design techniques, static testing, test management, tool support for testing, and reviews & audits.

To obtain the CTFL certification, you must first register for an examination with one of the accredited examination providers. You can find these providers on the ISTQB website or by searching online. Once registered, you will be provided with detailed instructions on how to prepare for and take the exam.

The cost of taking the CTFL exam varies depending on your location and examination provider. Generally speaking, it costs around $200 USD to take the exam.

2. ASTQB Mobile Application Testing Certification

ASTQB Mobile Application Testing Certification is an industry-recognized certification that validates a tester’s knowledge and skills in mobile application testing. It is designed to ensure that testers have the necessary skills to effectively test mobile applications on different platforms such as iOS, Android, Windows Phone and Blackberry. The certification covers topics such as mobile app development lifecycle, testing strategies, test case design and execution, defect tracking and reporting.

It typically takes around 15 hours of study and preparation to pass the ASTQB Mobile Application Testing exam. To get certified, you must first register for the exam online at the ASTQB website. Once registered, you will receive an email with instructions on how to access the exam. You will need to complete the exam within 2 hours and answer all questions correctly in order to pass.

The cost of taking the ASTQB Mobile Application Testing Certification exam is $150 USD. This fee includes access to the exam materials as well as a certificate upon successful completion of the exam.

3. ISTQB Advanced Level Performance Tester Certification

ISTQB Advanced Level Performance Tester Certification is an internationally recognized certification that demonstrates a professional’s knowledge and skills in performance testing. It is designed for professionals who are responsible for the performance of software applications, systems, and networks. The certification covers topics such as performance testing principles, test planning and design, test execution, analysis and reporting, and performance tuning.

It typically takes about two to three months to complete the ISTQB Advanced Level Performance Tester Certification program. The program consists of self-study materials, online courses, and exams that must be completed in order to receive the certification.

In order to get certified as an ISTQB Advanced Level Performance Tester, you must first pass the Foundation Level exam. After passing this exam you can then move on to taking the Advanced Level Performance Tester Exam which will cover topics such as load testing, stress testing, capacity planning, scalability testing and more. Once you have passed both exams you will receive your ISTQB Advanced Level Performance Tester Certification.

The cost of the ISTQB Advanced Level Performance Tester Certification varies depending on where you take the exams but usually ranges from $200-$400 USD.

4. CSTE Certified Software Tester

CSTE Certified Software Tester (CSTE) is an internationally recognized certification program designed to recognize the knowledge and skills of software testers. It is a professional certification offered by the Quality Assurance Institute (QAI). The CSTE certification demonstrates that a tester has achieved a certain level of competency in software testing principles and practices.

The CSTE certification requires successful completion of three exams:

1. Foundations of Software Testing (FST)

2. Advanced Test Analysis & Design (ATAD)

3. Advanced Software Test Automation & Engineering (ASTATE).

It typically takes 6-12 months to prepare for the CSTE exam, depending on your experience and background in software testing. To get certified, you must pass all three exams with a score of 75% or higher. You can take each exam separately or as part of a package that includes all three exams at once.

The cost for the CSTE exam varies depending on whether you choose to take individual exams or the full package. The cost for individual exams ranges from $250-$400 USD, while the full package costs around $1000 USD.

5. HP LoadRunner Professional Certification

HP LoadRunner Professional Certification is a certification program offered by Hewlett Packard (HP) that validates a user’s knowledge and skills in using the HP LoadRunner performance testing tool. This certification is designed to help IT professionals demonstrate their expertise in the use of this powerful software and gain recognition for their skills.

The certification consists of two exams: HP0-M102, which covers the basics of LoadRunner, and HP0-M103, which focuses on advanced topics such as scripting, analyzing results, and troubleshooting. The exams are taken online through Pearson VUE or Prometric testing centers.

In order to obtain the certification, candidates must pass both exams with a score of 70% or higher. Depending on the individual's experience level, it may take anywhere from 4-6 weeks to prepare for the exams.

The cost for taking the exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $200-$300 USD per exam. Once you have passed both exams, you will receive an official certificate from HP recognizing your achievement.

6. IBM Rational Performance Tester Certification

IBM Rational Performance Tester Certification is a professional certification program for software developers, testers, and performance engineers. It recognizes the skills and knowledge needed to use IBM Rational Performance Tester (RPT) to create and execute performance tests on applications.

The certification exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within 90 minutes. The exam covers topics such as creating test plans, running tests, analyzing results, debugging tests, and tuning performance.

To get certified in IBM Rational Performance Tester, you must pass the IBM Certified Specialist - Rational Performance Tester V8.0 exam (C2180-400). This exam can be taken at any Pearson VUE or Prometric testing center. The cost of the exam is $200 USD.

You can prepare for the certification by taking an official training course from IBM or a third-party provider. You can also find study materials online to help you prepare for the exam. It typically takes about two months to complete all of your preparation activities and take the certification exam.

7. Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE): Data Management and Analytics – Performance Tuning

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE): Data Management and Analytics – Performance Tuning is a certification that validates the skills and knowledge of IT professionals in optimizing the performance of Microsoft SQL Server databases. This certification focuses on database tuning, query optimization, and indexing techniques. It also covers topics such as data modeling, data warehousing, and business intelligence.

To get this certification, you must first pass two exams: 70-764 Administering a SQL Database Infrastructure and 70-765 Provisioning SQL Databases. Both exams are available through Pearson VUE or Prometric testing centers. The cost of each exam is $165 USD.

It typically takes around three to four months to prepare for these exams depending on your experience level with Microsoft SQL Server databases. During this time, it is recommended to take practice tests and review any relevant materials that can help you better understand the topics covered in the exams. Additionally, there are several online courses available from Microsoft Learning Partners that can help you prepare for the MCSE: Data Management and Analytics – Performance Tuning certification.

Finally, once you have passed both exams successfully, you will be awarded the MCSE: Data Management and Analytics – Performance Tuning certification from Microsoft.

8. Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 8 Programmer II – Performance Tuning and Optimization

Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 8 Programmer II – Performance Tuning and Optimization is an advanced certification for experienced Java developers. It focuses on the optimization of applications for performance and scalability. This certification requires a deep understanding of the Java platform and the ability to identify and solve performance issues.

To obtain this certification, candidates must pass two exams: 1Z0-809 (Java SE 8 Programmer II) and 1Z0-810 (Performance Tuning and Optimization). The first exam covers topics such as object-oriented programming, functional programming, data structures, concurrency, collections, generics, lambdas, streams API, JDBC API, IO/NIO API and more. The second exam focuses on topics such as garbage collection tuning, JVM tuning and optimization techniques.

The exams can be taken at any Pearson VUE test center or online via proctored exams. Each exam costs $245 USD. It typically takes about 4-6 weeks to prepare for the exams depending on your experience level with Java.

9. Oracle Database 11g: Performance Tuning

Oracle Database 11g Performance Tuning is a comprehensive guide to optimizing the performance of Oracle databases. It provides detailed information on how to identify and fix performance issues in Oracle databases, as well as best practices for tuning and monitoring. The book covers topics such as database design, query optimization, data access methods, memory management, I/O optimization, parallelism, and more. It also includes practical advice on dealing with common problems like deadlocks, slow queries, and latch contention.

It typically takes anywhere from a few hours to several days to get up to speed with Oracle Database 11g Performance Tuning. The amount of time required will depend on the user’s existing knowledge of Oracle databases and their ability to absorb new information quickly.

To get started with Oracle Database 11g Performance Tuning, users should first download the software from the official website. They can then read through the documentation provided by Oracle or purchase a book or online course that covers the material in greater detail.

The cost of Oracle Database 11g Performance Tuning depends on which version of the software is purchased and how many additional features are included in the package. The basic version is free but does not include any advanced features or support services. More advanced versions may cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars depending on what is included in the package.

10. CompTIA A+ 220-901 & 220-902 Certifications

CompTIA A+ 220-901 & 220-902 certifications are industry-leading credentials designed to validate the skills of IT professionals. CompTIA A+ is the essential certification for launching a successful career in IT, and is recognized by employers around the world. The certification covers a wide range of topics, including hardware, networking, mobile devices, operating systems, software troubleshooting and security.

It typically takes between three to six months to prepare for the CompTIA A+ exams. Candidates should have at least nine to twelve months of hands-on experience with computer hardware and operating systems before attempting the exams.

To get CompTIA A+ certified, candidates must pass two exams: 220-901 and 220-902. Each exam is 90 minutes long and consists of multiple choice and performance based questions. Candidates must score at least 675 on each exam in order to pass.

The cost of taking the CompTIA A+ exams varies depending on where you take them. In general, it costs around $220 USD per exam or $440 USD for both exams combined.

Do You Really Need a Performance Tester Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on your individual situation. If you are looking to get a job in software performance testing, then having a performance tester certificate may be beneficial. It can demonstrate that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to do the job and make you more attractive to potential employers.

On the other hand, if you already have experience with performance testing or are confident in your own abilities, then a certificate may not be necessary. Many employers understand that experience is just as important as qualifications and will take this into account when considering applicants for positions.

Ultimately, it is up to you to decide whether getting a performance tester certificate is worth it for your situation. If you think it will give you an edge over other applicants, then go ahead and get one. However, if you are confident in your own skills and experience then there is no need to pursue additional qualifications.

Related: Performance Tester Resume Examples

FAQs About Performance Tester Certifications

1. What certifications are available for performance testers?

Answer: There are several performance tester certifications available, including ISTQB Specialist, HP LoadRunner certification, and the Certified Performance Engineering Professional (CPEP).

2. What qualifications do I need to become a certified performance tester?

Answer: To become a certified performance tester, you must have experience in software testing and experience with performance testing tools. You may also need to complete a training program or course related to performance engineering or testing.

3. How long does it take to get certified as a performance tester?

Answer: The amount of time required to get certified depends on the specific certification you are pursuing. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from one month to one year depending on the certification program requirements.

4. Is there an exam I need to pass in order to become certified?

Answer: Yes, most certification programs require applicants to pass an exam in order to receive their certification. The type of exam varies depending on the certification program and may include multiple-choice questions, written essays, or practical tests.

5. How much does it cost to get certified as a performance tester?

Answer: The cost of getting certified as a performance tester varies depending on the specific certification program you select and any additional materials needed for the program (e.g., textbooks). Generally speaking, certifications range from free up to several hundred dollars and beyond for more advanced certifications or specialized courses.