Top 10 QA Specialist Certifications

Certifications are an important part of any QA specialist’s job market success. They demonstrate the knowledge and skills that a candidate possesses in their field, and they help employers assess the quality of a potential hire. Additionally, certifications can open up new opportunities for advancement within an organization or industry, as they indicate a certain level of expertise. Finally, certifications provide assurance to customers and clients that the QA specialist is qualified to perform their duties in a professional manner.

The purpose of this article is to review some of the top certifications for QA Specialists and explain how they can help enhance a QA Specialist's career.

What are QA Specialist Certifications?

QA specialist certification is a professional certification that provides evidence of an individual's knowledge and skills related to quality assurance (QA) practices. It is designed to help validate the expertise of QA professionals and ensure they have the necessary skills to perform their job responsibilities effectively. Quality assurance specialists are responsible for ensuring the quality of products, services, and processes in a variety of industries. They use various techniques and tools to evaluate and improve the overall quality of products or services.

The certification requires individuals to demonstrate their understanding of QA concepts, principles, and practices. This includes topics such as process improvement, problem solving, root cause analysis, statistical process control (SPC), customer satisfaction management, risk management, defect prevention, and other quality assurance methodologies. To be certified as a QA specialist, individuals must pass an exam administered by an accredited organization such as the American Society for Quality (ASQ).

Having a QA specialist certification can help individuals stand out from other job applicants in the competitive job market. Companies often look for employees who have demonstrated knowledge and experience with quality assurance practices when hiring new staff members or promoting within the organization. As well as giving applicants an edge over other candidates with similar qualifications, having this certification can also open up opportunities for career advancement or higher paying jobs in the field. Additionally, it can be beneficial for those who want to stay up-to-date with current industry trends and best practices in order to remain competitive in their profession.

Pro Tip: When looking for a QA specialist certification, make sure to research the program thoroughly. Look for certifications that are accredited by a recognized industry organization and that offer hands-on experience in testing methodologies and tools. This will ensure you receive the highest quality of training and knowledge to help you excel in your chosen field.

Related: What does a QA Specialist do?

Top 10 QA Specialist Certifications

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

1. ASTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level

ASTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) is an internationally recognized certification that validates a tester’s knowledge and skills in software testing. It is the first level of the ISTQB (International Software Testing Qualifications Board) certification program.

The CTFL certification requires passing an exam that tests your understanding of fundamental concepts, processes, and terminology related to software testing. The exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within 90 minutes.

To get the ASTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level, you must first register for the exam with ASTQB or one of its approved training providers. After registration, you will need to pass the CTFL exam within three months in order to receive your certificate.

The cost of taking the ASTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level exam varies depending on which training provider you choose. Generally, it costs around $150 USD.

2. ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level

ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level is an advanced level certification for software testers. It is designed to help software testers demonstrate their expertise and knowledge of the testing process. The certification is awarded by the International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB).

The certification consists of three modules: Test Manager, Test Analyst, and Technical Test Analyst. Each module requires a minimum of 40 hours of study and preparation before taking the exam. The exams are administered in English and must be taken at an authorized ISTQB examination center.

To get the ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level certification, you must pass all three modules with a score of at least 65%. After passing all three modules, you will receive your certificate from ISTQB.

The cost to take the ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level exam varies depending on where you take it. Generally, it costs around $500-$600 per module or $1500-$1800 for all three modules.

3. American Software Testing Qualifications Board (ASTQB) Mobile Application Testing Certification

The American Software Testing Qualifications Board (ASTQB) Mobile Application Testing Certification is a certification program designed to recognize the competency of software testers in mobile application testing. The certification is offered by the ASTQB, an organization dedicated to promoting software testing and quality assurance best practices.

The certification requires applicants to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in mobile application testing through a series of tests and assessments. To get the certification, applicants must pass two exams: ISTQB Foundation Level Exam and ISTQB Advanced Level Mobile Application Testing Exam. The Foundation Level exam covers general software testing topics such as test design techniques, test management, and test process improvement. The Advanced Level exam focuses on more specific topics related to mobile application testing such as device compatibility, usability testing, performance testing, security testing, and automated testing.

It typically takes around 40 hours of study time to prepare for the exams. Applicants can find study materials online or attend training courses offered by accredited providers like ASTQB-accredited training centers or universities.

The cost of the exams varies depending on where they are taken but generally costs around $250 for both exams combined.

4. HP Quality Center Certification

HP Quality Center Certification is a professional certification program offered by Hewlett Packard (HP) that focuses on the HP Quality Center software. This certification is designed to demonstrate an individual's knowledge and proficiency in the use of HP Quality Center for software testing, defect tracking, and requirements management.

The certification consists of two exams: one focused on the fundamentals of HP Quality Center, and one focused on advanced topics. The duration of each exam is two hours.

To get certified, you must pass both exams with a score of at least 70%. You can take the exams online or at a Pearson VUE test center.

The cost for the certification program varies depending on your location and the number of exams you need to take. Generally speaking, it costs around $200 - $300 USD per exam.

5. Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) - Software Testing Fundamentals

Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) - Software Testing Fundamentals is a certification program designed to help individuals gain a foundational understanding of software testing fundamentals. The MTA certification provides an entry-level credential for those interested in pursuing a career in software testing. It covers topics such as test planning, design and execution, defect management, automation, and quality assurance processes.

The MTA certification exam takes approximately 90 minutes to complete and consists of 40 multiple choice questions. To earn the certification, candidates must pass the exam with a score of at least 70%.

To get the MTA certification, you must register for the exam through Microsoft's Learning Portal or Pearson VUE. The cost of the exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $99-$125 USD.

Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your official MTA certificate and digital badge that can be shared on social media platforms to showcase your achievement.

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

The International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) Agile Tester Extension Certification is an internationally recognized certification that recognizes a tester’s knowledge and skills in agile software testing. It is designed to help testers become more proficient in agile testing practices and techniques, including test-driven development, continuous integration, and automated testing. The certification is awarded after successful completion of the ISTQB Agile Tester Extension Exam.

The exam typically takes about two hours to complete and consists of 40 multiple choice questions. To be eligible to take the exam, you must have already achieved the ISTQB Foundation Level Certification or equivalent. The cost of taking the exam varies depending on your country of residence but typically ranges from $200-$400 USD.

To prepare for the exam, it is recommended that you read up on agile methodology and familiarize yourself with topics such as test-driven development, continuous integration, automated testing, and other related topics. Additionally, there are several resources available online that can help you prepare for the exam such as practice tests and study guides.

7. International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) Expert Level Test Manager Certification

The International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) Expert Level Test Manager Certification is a professional certification for software testing professionals. It is designed to assess the knowledge and skills of experienced test managers, and to recognize them as experts in their field.

To become an ISTQB Expert Level Test Manager, you must first have an ISTQB Advanced Level Test Manager certificate. You must also have at least five years of experience in software testing and two years of experience in test management.

The certification process consists of two parts: a written exam and a practical assessment. The written exam covers topics such as test planning, risk analysis, defect management, and project management. The practical assessment requires you to demonstrate your ability to manage a test project from start to finish.

The cost of the ISTQB Expert Level Test Manager Certification varies depending on where you take the exams. In general, it costs around $750 USD for the written exam and $1,500 USD for the practical assessment.

It typically takes four months or more to complete the certification process once you have registered for it. This includes studying for the written exam, taking the exam, preparing for the practical assessment, and completing the assessment itself.

8. International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) Expert Level Test Analyst Certification

The International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) Expert Level Test Analyst Certification is an advanced certification for software testing professionals. It is designed to help experienced testers develop their skills and knowledge in order to become more effective and efficient in their work.

To become certified as an ISTQB Expert Level Test Analyst, you must have at least three years of experience in software testing and pass the Advanced Level Test Analyst exam. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as test planning, design, execution, evaluation, and reporting. It also includes a practical assignment which tests your ability to apply the concepts you have learned during the course.

In order to prepare for the exam, it is recommended that you take an accredited training course or self-study using ISTQB approved materials. The duration of the training course varies depending on the provider but typically takes between two and four weeks to complete. After completing the training course or self-study program, you can then register for and take the exam.

The cost of taking the ISTQB Expert Level Test Analyst Certification varies depending on where you take it. In some countries it may be free while in others it can cost up to $1,000 USD or more.

9. Oracle Certified Professional, MySQL 5 Database Administrator

Oracle Certified Professional, MySQL 5 Database Administrator is a certification that validates an individual's expertise in administering and managing MySQL databases. It is a professional-level certification from Oracle that demonstrates an individual's ability to install, configure, secure, monitor and optimize the performance of MySQL databases.

The exam for Oracle Certified Professional, MySQL 5 Database Administrator consists of 70 multiple choice questions and takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. The exam covers topics such as installation and configuration, security administration, database management, replication and optimization.

In order to become certified as an Oracle Certified Professional, MySQL 5 Database Administrator you must pass the Oracle Certification Program Exam 1Z0-888: MySQL 5 Database Administrator. This exam can be taken at any Pearson VUE testing center or online through the Oracle website.

The cost of the exam varies depending on the country in which you take it. In the United States it costs $245 USD while in other countries it may cost more or less depending on local taxes and fees.

10. Oracle Application Testing Suite 11g Certified Implementation Specialist

Oracle Application Testing Suite 11g Certified Implementation Specialist is a certification program designed to validate the skills and knowledge of professionals who design, install, configure, and maintain Oracle Application Testing Suite 11g. This certification is intended for Oracle professionals who want to demonstrate their expertise in using Oracle Application Testing Suite 11g.

The Oracle Application Testing Suite 11g Certified Implementation Specialist exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. To become certified, you must pass the exam with a score of at least 75%.

To get the Oracle Application Testing Suite 11g Certified Implementation Specialist certification, you must first register for the exam through the Pearson VUE website. You will then need to purchase an exam voucher from Oracle University or an authorized reseller. The cost of the exam voucher varies depending on your location and currency exchange rate.

Once you have completed your registration and purchased your exam voucher, you can schedule your exam date and time at any Pearson VUE testing center worldwide. After successfully completing the exam, you will receive an email confirming that you have passed the test and are now an Oracle Application Testing Suite 11g Certified Implementation Specialist.

Do You Really Need a QA Specialist Certificate?

The short answer is no, you do not need a QA specialist certificate to become a quality assurance specialist. However, having one can be beneficial if you are looking to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in the field.

A QA specialist certificate serves as proof that you have been formally trained in the principles of quality assurance, and it can be used to show potential employers that you have taken the time to learn about the subject. It also serves as an indication of your dedication and commitment to the profession. Additionally, some companies may require that you possess such a certificate before they consider hiring you for their quality assurance team.

In addition to showing employers that you know what you are doing, having a QA specialist certificate can also give you an edge when it comes to competing for jobs or promotions. The certification allows employers to quickly assess your qualifications and experience in the field without having to conduct lengthy interviews or background checks. Furthermore, many organizations provide additional training opportunities for those who hold a QA specialist certification, which can help boost your career growth prospects.

Overall, while having a QA specialist certificate is not necessary for becoming a quality assurance specialist, it does offer several advantages that can help make your job search more successful. By obtaining this certification, you will be able to demonstrate your knowledge of the industry and stand out from the competition when applying for positions or promotions within the field.

Related: QA Specialist Resume Examples

FAQs About QA Specialist Certifications

Q1: What is a QA Specialist Certification?

A1: A QA Specialist Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and skills related to quality assurance (QA) principles, processes, and tools. It is designed to help organizations ensure their products and services meet the highest standards of quality.

Q2: What are the benefits of obtaining a QA Specialist Certification?

A2: Obtaining a QA Specialist Certification can provide an individual with valuable recognition in the industry, enhanced career opportunities, improved job performance, increased earning potential, and added credibility.

Q3: Who should consider getting certified as a QA Specialist?

A3: Any individual who wants to demonstrate their knowledge and skills related to quality assurance (QA) principles, processes, and tools should consider getting certified as a QA Specialist. This includes software testers, business analysts, project managers, developers, engineers, and other professionals working in the field of software development or quality assurance.

Q4: What types of certifications are available for QA Specialists?

A4: There are several different types of certifications available for QA Specialists including Certified Software Tester (CST), Certified Quality Assurance Engineer (CQAE), Certified Quality Analyst (CQA), and Certified Software Quality Assurance Professional (CSQAP). Each certification has its own set of requirements and focuses on different aspects of quality assurance.

Q5: How do I become certified as a QA Specialist?

A5: To become certified as a QA Specialist you will need to complete the appropriate coursework or training program offered by an accredited institution. After completing the required coursework or training program you will then need to pass an exam in order to receive your certification.