Top 10 Software Quality Assurance Analyst Certifications

Certifications are an important part of a software quality assurance analyst's job market success. They demonstrate to employers that the analyst has the necessary skills and knowledge to understand and apply software quality assurance concepts and processes. Certifications also show employers that the analyst is committed to staying up-to-date on new trends in the industry, as well as having a deep understanding of best practices for software development. Ultimately, certifications can help an analyst stand out from other candidates and help them get hired faster.

This article reviews the most beneficial certifications for Software Quality Assurance Analysts and explains how they can help to advance their career.

What are Software Quality Assurance Analyst Certifications?

Software Quality Assurance Analyst Certification is a professional certification that validates an individual’s knowledge, skills and abilities in software development and quality assurance. This certification provides a comprehensive overview of the best practices, methodologies, tools and techniques employed in software quality assurance. It also covers topics such as process improvement, project management, risk analysis and defect tracking.

The certification helps individuals to demonstrate their expertise in this area to employers, increasing their value as potential employees. It also allows them to access career opportunities that may not have been available without the certification. In addition, it gives holders the ability to stay up-to-date with industry trends and emerging technologies. By having this certification on their resume, individuals can be sure that they are considered for positions requiring expertise in software quality assurance.

Overall, Software Quality Assurance Analyst Certification is an invaluable asset for any individual looking to break into or advance within the field of software development and quality assurance. It provides a way for individuals to demonstrate their knowledge and expertise in this area while simultaneously giving them access to more job opportunities.

Pro Tip: Make sure to research the certification requirements of any software quality assurance analyst certification you are considering. Many certifications require a certain number of hours of training, experience, and/or exams in order to become certified. Additionally, make sure that the certification is accredited by a reputable organization and is recognized by employers in your field.

Related: What does a Software Quality Assurance Analyst do?

Top 10 Software Quality Assurance Analyst Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Software Quality Assurance Analysts today.

1. ISTQB Certified Tester

ISTQB Certified Tester is an international qualification for software testers. It is a certification program that provides a common basis of understanding and knowledge of software testing.

The ISTQB certification is divided into three levels: Foundation, Advanced, and Expert. The Foundation level is the entry-level certification and requires no prior experience in software testing. The Advanced level requires two years of experience in software testing and the Expert level requires five years of experience in software testing.

In order to get the ISTQB certification, you must first take an exam at one of the approved examination centers. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and you will need to score at least 65% to pass it. After passing the exam, you will be awarded with an ISTQB certificate which is valid for three years.

The cost to take the exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $150-$300 USD.

2. Certified Software Quality Analyst (CSQA)

Certified Software Quality Analyst (CSQA) is a professional certification awarded by the American Software Testing Qualifications Board (ASTQB). It is designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of software quality assurance and testing principles, practices, and processes. The CSQA certification is intended for professionals working in software development, IT, or related fields.

The CSQA certification requires passing an exam that covers topics such as software quality assurance fundamentals, test design techniques, test management strategies, and risk-based testing approaches. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete.

To be eligible for the CSQA certification, applicants must have at least two years of experience in software quality assurance or related fields. Additionally, they must pass the Foundation Level exam offered by ASTQB with a score of 75% or higher.

The cost of the CSQA certification varies depending on the country in which you take the exam. In the United States, it costs $250 USD for members and $350 USD for non-members.

3. Certified Software Quality Engineer (CSQE)

Certified Software Quality Engineer (CSQE) is a certification offered by the American Society for Quality (ASQ). It is designed to recognize professionals who have demonstrated knowledge and experience in software quality engineering.

The CSQE credential requires candidates to pass an exam that covers topics such as software quality assurance, software quality control, software testing, and project management. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and has a four-hour time limit.

To be eligible to take the CSQE exam, candidates must have at least five years of professional experience in software quality engineering or related fields. Candidates must also have a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.

The cost of the CSQE exam varies depending on the country where it is taken. In the United States, the cost is $449 USD. In other countries, the price may vary due to exchange rates and other factors.

Once you pass the exam, you will receive your CSQE certificate within 8–10 weeks after completion of the exam.

4. ASQ Certified Software Quality Engineer (CSQE)

ASQ Certified Software Quality Engineer (CSQE) is a professional certification offered by the American Society for Quality (ASQ). The CSQE certification is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and expertise in software quality engineering.

The CSQE exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions, which must be completed within three hours. To become certified, applicants must pass the CSQE exam with a score of at least 70%.

To get the CSQE certification, you must first meet certain eligibility requirements. These include having a minimum of five years of experience in software quality engineering or related fields, and having at least one year of experience leading software quality engineering projects. You must also complete an approved training course or demonstrate equivalent knowledge through work experience.

The cost for taking the ASQ Certified Software Quality Engineer (CSQE) exam is $419 USD for members and $569 USD for non-members.

5. Six Sigma Green Belt Certification

Six Sigma Green Belt Certification is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of competency in the Six Sigma methodology. This certification is offered by various organizations, including the American Society for Quality (ASQ), and is ideal for business professionals looking to demonstrate their knowledge and expertise in process improvement.

The Six Sigma Green Belt Certification typically takes between 10-20 hours to complete, depending on the organization offering it. The program includes training on topics such as DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) process improvement methodology; project management; problem solving; data analysis; and statistical tools. Most organizations offer online or classroom-based programs that can be completed at your own pace.

To get certified as a Six Sigma Green Belt, you must pass an exam administered by the organization offering the certification. The exam typically consists of multiple-choice questions and covers topics related to Six Sigma principles and processes. Depending on the organization, you may also need to complete a project or case study to demonstrate your understanding of the material covered in the course.

The cost of obtaining a Six Sigma Green Belt Certification varies depending on which organization you choose to certify through. Generally speaking, most organizations charge between $500 - $1,000 for their courses and exams.

6. Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification is a professional certification program that provides individuals with the knowledge and skills to lead Lean and Six Sigma projects, initiatives, and teams. The certification is designed for professionals who are looking to improve their leadership capabilities in order to maximize the effectiveness of their organization’s operations.

The Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification requires a minimum of two weeks of classroom training, which can be completed online or in-person. During this time, participants will learn about the various aspects of Lean and Six Sigma, including project management techniques, process improvement tools, data analysis methods, problem solving strategies, and more. After completing the classroom training, participants must pass an exam in order to receive their certification.

In order to get certified as a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, individuals must first complete the required coursework and pass the exam. The cost of the coursework and exam varies depending on the provider; however, most courses range from $2,000-$4,000 USD. Once certified as a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, individuals may need to renew their certification every three years by taking additional courses or passing an updated version of the exam.

7. PMI-ACP Certification

PMI-ACP (Project Management Institute Agile Certified Practitioner) is a certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI) that recognizes an individual's expertise in using agile practices in their projects. The PMI-ACP certification is designed to help project managers, product owners, and other stakeholders understand the value of agile principles and how to apply them to their projects.

It typically takes between three and six months to prepare for the PMI-ACP exam. To become certified, individuals must have at least 2,000 hours of general project experience within the last five years and 1,500 hours of agile project experience within the last three years. They must also complete 21 contact hours of training in agile practices.

To get the PMI-ACP certification, individuals must first register with PMI and pay a fee. Once registered, they will need to fill out an application form which includes information about their professional experience and training. After submitting the application form, individuals will receive a confirmation email from PMI with instructions on how to schedule their exam date.

The cost for the PMI-ACP exam varies depending on where you take it, but typically costs around $435 for members of PMI or $495 for non-members.

8. CSTE - Certified Software Tester

CSTE (Certified Software Tester) is an internationally recognized certification program that validates a software tester’s knowledge and experience in the field of software testing. It is offered by the Quality Assurance Institute (QAI), a global leader in quality assurance and testing certifications.

The CSTE certification requires applicants to have at least two years of professional software testing experience and pass a written exam. The exam covers topics such as test planning, execution, and management; defect tracking; QA processes; and test automation.

To get certified, you can either attend an accredited training program or self-study for the exam. If you choose to self-study, you will need to purchase the official CSTE study guide from QAI. This guide includes sample questions, practice tests, and other resources to help you prepare for the exam.

The cost of the CSTE certification varies depending on whether you attend a training program or self-study for the exam. If you choose to attend a training program, it typically costs around $2,000–$3,000 USD. If you choose to self-study for the exam, it usually costs around $600–$800 USD (including the cost of purchasing the official study guide).

In general, it takes about three months to prepare for the CSTE certification if you are studying on your own or attending an accredited training program. After passing the written exam, candidates must also complete a practical project within six months in order to become fully certified.

9. CMST - Certified Manager of Software Testing

CMST (Certified Manager of Software Testing) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a level of expertise in software testing. The certification is offered by the International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB).

To get CMST, an individual must pass the ISTQB’s Certified Tester Foundation Level exam, and then pass the CMST exam. The Foundation Level exam covers topics such as software development life cycle, test design techniques, and test management. The CMST exam focuses on more advanced topics such as risk-based testing, process improvement, and project management.

The time it takes to get CMST depends on how quickly you can study for and pass the exams. It typically takes between 6-12 months to complete both exams.

In order to take the exams, you must register with an accredited training provider or purchase an online self-study package from ISTQB. The cost of registration varies depending on the provider but usually ranges from $200-$400 USD for both exams.

10. CSQP - Certified Software Quality Professional

CSQP stands for Certified Software Quality Professional. It is a certification offered by the International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB). The CSQP certification is designed to recognize those professionals who have achieved a high level of knowledge and experience in software quality assurance and testing.

The CSQP certification requires applicants to have at least five years of professional experience in software quality assurance and testing, as well as passing an online exam. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as software development life cycle, test planning, test design, test execution, defect management, and other related topics.

The CSQP certification process typically takes about 6 months from start to finish. To begin the process, applicants must first register with ISTQB and pay the registration fee. Once registered, applicants will need to complete an online application form and submit it to ISTQB for review. If approved, applicants will be sent an invitation to take the online exam.

Once the exam has been completed successfully, applicants will receive their official CSQP certificate within 6 weeks. The cost of the CSQP certification varies depending on where you live but typically ranges from $500-$1000 USD.

Do You Really Need a Software Quality Assurance Analyst Certificate?

Software Quality Assurance (QA) Analysts are often seen as the unsung heroes of the software development process. They are responsible for ensuring that a software application is free from bugs, runs smoothly and meets the needs of its users. A Software Quality Assurance Analyst Certificate can be a valuable asset to any aspiring software developer or QA analyst.

The value of a Software Quality Assurance Analyst Certificate lies in the fact that it demonstrates an individual’s commitment to excellence in their work. It shows that they have taken the time to learn industry best practices and understand what it takes to produce quality software applications. It also serves as a testament to an individual’s willingness to invest in their professional development and strive for higher standards of performance.

In addition, having a Software Quality Assurance Analyst Certificate can help open up new career opportunities for those looking to break into the field or advance within their current role. Employers may be more likely to hire someone with a certificate because they know they have already taken steps towards becoming a more qualified candidate. Furthermore, holding such certification could potentially lead to higher salaries and promotions down the line since employers will recognize an individual’s commitment to excellence in their work.

Overall, obtaining a Software Quality Assurance Analyst Certificate is not essential for everyone looking to pursue this career path; however, it can be beneficial for those who want to demonstrate their commitment and dedication towards producing quality software applications. By investing in one’s professional development and taking advantage of certifications like this one, individuals can increase their chances of success while pursuing this rewarding career path.

Related: Software Quality Assurance Analyst Resume Examples

FAQs About Software Quality Assurance Analyst Certifications

1. What are the benefits of becoming a Software Quality Assurance Analyst?

A: Becoming a Software Quality Assurance Analyst provides numerous benefits, including improved job security and career advancement opportunities, increased salary potential, better understanding of the software development lifecycle, and the ability to use industry-standard tools and techniques.

2. How long does it take to become certified as a Software Quality Assurance Analyst?

A: The amount of time it takes to become certified as a Software Quality Assurance Analyst varies depending on individual experience and educational background. Generally speaking, it takes between two and four years for most people to complete certification requirements.

3. What qualifications do I need to become certified as a Software Quality Assurance Analyst?

A: In order to become certified as a Software Quality Assurance Analyst, you must typically have at least two years of experience in software testing or quality assurance, plus an academic degree in computer science or related field. You may also be required to pass an exam administered by the certifying body.

4. Do I need any special training or education before taking the certification exam?

A: Yes, most certifying bodies require that you have completed some sort of formal training before taking their exams. This could include courses offered through accredited universities or online providers such as Coursera or Udemy. Additionally, many employers offer in-house training programs for their employees who are seeking certification as a Software Quality Assurance Analyst.

5. What type of job can I expect after becoming certified as a Software Quality Assurance Analyst?

A: After becoming certified as a Software Quality Assurance Analyst, you can expect to find work in various industries such as software development, IT services, healthcare technology, banking and finance, telecommunications, automotive engineering and more. Job titles may include QA Engineer/Analyst/Manager/Director depending on your level of experience and expertise within the field.