Top 10 Software Tester Certifications

Certifications are important for software testers in the job market because they demonstrate a certain level of knowledge and experience in the field. Employers often look for certifications when hiring, as they provide proof that an individual has met specific requirements and is qualified to perform their job duties. Additionally, certifications can help software testers stand out in a competitive job market, as they showcase a commitment to professional development. Certifications also make it easier for employers to evaluate potential employees since they provide a set of standards that can be used to measure an applicant’s skills and abilities.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Software Testers and explains how they can contribute to a software tester's career development.

What are Software Tester Certifications?

Software tester certification is a type of professional credential that demonstrates a person’s knowledge and expertise in software testing. It is typically obtained by passing an examination or completing a training program, and it can be used to demonstrate one’s qualifications for certain positions or promotions.

Software tester certification can be beneficial to those who want to pursue a career in software testing. Having this type of certification can help you stand out from other applicants when applying for jobs, as it shows employers that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in the role. Additionally, having such certification may make you eligible for higher wages, as employers may view certified testers as more competent than their non-certified counterparts.

Certification also provides an opportunity for software testers to stay up-to-date on the latest testing techniques and industry best practices. This can help them improve their skillset and ensure they are providing the best possible service to their clients. Furthermore, some certifications may also provide access to exclusive resources such as job boards and support networks that may not be available to non-certified testers.

Overall, software tester certification can be an invaluable tool for anyone looking to advance their career in software testing. It provides tangible evidence of one’s skillset while also allowing testers to stay current with new developments in the field.

Pro Tip: When considering software tester certification, make sure the program you choose offers hands-on experience and real-world application. Certification programs that include practical exercises and case studies are ideal for preparing you to become a successful software tester.

Related: What does a Software Tester do?

Top 10 Software Tester Certifications

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

1. ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level

ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level is a certification program designed to provide a comprehensive overview of software testing. It covers the fundamental concepts, processes, and techniques used in software testing. The certification is offered by the International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB).

The ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level certification consists of a two-day course and an exam. The course covers topics such as test management, test design techniques, static testing, test execution, defect management, and tool support for testing. The exam is a multiple-choice assessment that tests your knowledge of the material covered in the course.

To get the ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level certification you must first complete the two-day course and then pass the exam with a score of at least 65%. Once you have passed the exam you will be awarded the certification.

The cost of taking the ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level course and exam varies depending on where you take it. Generally speaking, it will cost between $500-$1000 USD to take both the course and exam.

2. ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level

ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level is an advanced certification program designed to recognize the expertise of experienced software testers. It is based on the International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) syllabus, which defines the core knowledge required for testing software. The certification is available in four different levels: Foundation, Advanced Test Analyst, Advanced Technical Test Analyst and Advanced Test Manager.

The ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level certification typically takes around two years to complete. It involves passing a series of exams at each level, as well as completing a number of practical assignments. The exams are conducted online and can be taken from anywhere in the world.

In order to get the ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level certification, you must first pass the Foundation exam and then progress through the other three levels in order. Each level requires a minimum score of 65% in order to pass and receive your certificate.

The cost of taking the ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level exams varies depending on where you take them and how many you take. Generally speaking, it costs around $200-$300 per exam, with discounts available for multiple exams taken at once.

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

The International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) Agile Tester Extension Certification is a certification that validates the knowledge and skills of professionals in agile software testing. The certification is designed to help professionals demonstrate their competency in agile testing practices and techniques, as well as their understanding of the principles of agile development.

In order to obtain the ISTQB Agile Tester Extension Certification, a candidate must first pass an exam. The exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions, which must be completed within 90 minutes. The exam covers topics such as agile testing approaches, test automation, test estimation and planning, risk management, and continuous integration. After passing the exam, candidates will receive their certificate from ISTQB.

The cost of the ISTQB Agile Tester Extension Certification varies depending on where you take the exam. Generally speaking, it costs around $200 USD to take the exam and receive your certificate.

Overall, it typically takes around two hours to complete the ISTQB Agile Tester Extension Certification process - including taking the exam and receiving your certificate.

4. ASTQB Mobile Application Testing Certification

ASTQB Mobile Application Testing Certification is a professional certification program for software testers who want to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in mobile application testing. The certification is offered by the American Software Testing Qualifications Board (ASTQB), an independent, non-profit organization that provides certifications for software testers.

The ASTQB Mobile Application Testing Certification is a comprehensive program that covers all aspects of mobile application testing, including best practices, techniques, and tools. It consists of two parts: the Foundation Level and the Advanced Level. The Foundation Level covers topics such as mobile platform fundamentals, mobile test automation, and mobile security testing. The Advanced Level covers topics such as advanced test design techniques and performance testing.

To get the ASTQB Mobile Application Testing Certification, you must pass both the Foundation Level and Advanced Level exams. Each exam is composed of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately one hour to complete. You can take each exam online or in a physical location at an approved test center.

The cost of the ASTQB Mobile Application Testing Certification varies depending on your country of residence and whether you are taking the exams online or in person. In general, it costs around $200 USD for each level of certification plus any applicable taxes or fees.

5. HP LoadRunner Certification

HP LoadRunner Certification is an industry-recognized credential that demonstrates a professional’s expertise in HP LoadRunner, an automated performance testing tool. This certification validates the knowledge and skills necessary to design, develop, and execute performance tests for web applications.

The certification exam consists of 60 multiple choice questions and takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. The exam covers topics such as architecture and components of LoadRunner, scripting techniques, analyzing test results, troubleshooting performance issues, creating custom reports and graphs, etc.

To get certified as an HP LoadRunner Professional, you must pass the HP0-M102 Exam: HP Performance Center 12.x Software Exam. You can register for this exam at any Pearson VUE Test Center or through the Pearson VUE website. The cost of the exam varies by country but typically ranges between $200-$300 USD.

Once you have passed the exam, your name will be added to the official list of HP Certified Professionals on their website and you will receive a digital badge which you can use to showcase your achievement on social media platforms like LinkedIn.

6. Microsoft Technology Associate: Database Fundamentals (MTA-DBF)

Microsoft Technology Associate: Database Fundamentals (MTA-DBF) is a certification program designed to help professionals gain the skills and knowledge necessary to work with databases. The MTA-DBF certification validates an individual’s understanding of core database concepts, including relational database design, data manipulation language (DML), data definition language (DDL), and query optimization. It also covers topics such as database security, data warehousing, and business intelligence.

The MTA-DBF exam takes approximately 90 minutes to complete and consists of 40 multiple-choice questions. To earn the MTA-DBF certification, you must pass the exam with a score of 700 or higher on a scale of 1000.

You can take the MTA-DBF exam at any Pearson VUE testing center or online through Microsoft's website. The cost for the exam is $127 USD.

7. Oracle Certified Professional, MySQL 5 Developer OCP

Oracle Certified Professional, MySQL 5 Developer OCP is a professional certification program offered by Oracle. It is designed to recognize professionals who have demonstrated the knowledge and skills required to design, develop, and deploy applications using the MySQL 5 database.

The certification requires passing two exams: 1Z0-883 (MySQL Database Administration) and 1Z0-884 (MySQL Developer). The exams are administered by Oracle University.

It typically takes about 6 months of study and practice to prepare for the exams. Candidates should have a good understanding of SQL and relational databases, as well as experience with the MySQL server.

To get certified, candidates must register for an exam at an Oracle University test center or through Pearson VUE. The cost varies depending on location but typically ranges from $200 - $400 USD per exam.

8. ISEB/ISTQB Foundation Certificate in Software Testing

The ISEB/ISTQB Foundation Certificate in Software Testing is a globally recognized qualification that provides an understanding of the fundamental principles and processes of software testing. It is designed for those who are new to software testing, or those who wish to gain a formal qualification in the area.

The course typically takes around 20 hours to complete, and can be done online or through classroom-based training. The course covers topics such as test design techniques, static techniques, test management, tool support for testing, and defect management.

To get the certificate, you must pass an exam which consists of 40 multiple choice questions. The exam has a time limit of 60 minutes and a pass mark of 65%.

The cost of the course varies depending on where you take it. Online courses typically range from £200 - £400 while classroom-based courses can cost up to £1,000.

9. EXIN Agile Scrum Master

EXIN Agile Scrum Master is a certification program designed to provide professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to lead successful Agile projects. It is based on the internationally recognized Scrum framework, which is used by many organizations worldwide to manage their software development projects. The certification provides an understanding of the principles and practices of Scrum, as well as how to apply them in real-world situations.

The EXIN Agile Scrum Master certification consists of two exams: EXIN Agile Scrum Foundation (ASF) and EXIN Agile Scrum Master (ASM). The ASF exam covers topics such as the basics of agile project management, scrum roles and responsibilities, product backlogs, sprint planning, retrospectives, user stories and more. The ASM exam focuses on advanced topics such as team dynamics, conflict resolution, stakeholder management, release planning and more.

It typically takes about two months to prepare for both exams. To get started, you should familiarize yourself with the material covered in each exam by reading books or taking courses from accredited providers. You can also practice sample questions from the official EXIN website or other online resources.

The cost for taking both exams ranges from $250-$400 depending on your location and provider.

10. EXIN DevOps Foundation

EXIN DevOps Foundation is an internationally recognized certification program designed to give professionals the knowledge and skills to be successful in their roles as DevOps practitioners. It provides a comprehensive overview of the principles, practices, and tools for successful DevOps implementations. The certification covers topics such as continuous delivery, continuous integration, automation, collaboration, and communication.

The EXIN DevOps Foundation exam takes approximately two hours to complete. The exam consists of 40 multiple choice questions that must be answered correctly in order to pass. To get certified, you must score at least 65% on the exam.

To get your EXIN DevOps Foundation certification, you must first register with EXIN and pay the required fee of €250 (approximately $280). After registering and paying the fee, you will receive an email with instructions on how to take the exam online. Once you have completed the exam successfully, you will receive your certificate within two weeks.

The cost of getting your EXIN DevOps Foundation certification depends on where you take it from; however, it typically costs between €250-€300 (approximately $280-$340).

Do You Really Need a Software Tester Certificate?

Software testing is an important part of software development and can be a great career path for those with the right technical skills. However, there is no official software tester certificate or qualification required to become a software tester.

In most cases, employers are more interested in seeing that you have the necessary skills and experience rather than whether you hold a specific software tester certificate. Having said that, having some sort of certification or qualification can be beneficial when it comes to job applications as it demonstrates your commitment to the role and your knowledge of the subject.

There are several organizations which offer accredited training courses and certifications for software testers. These courses can provide you with valuable knowledge about various aspects of software testing such as debugging, automation tests, performance tests and so on. They also provide a good opportunity to network with other professionals in the field and gain hands-on experience in working with different kinds of testing tools and techniques.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a software tester certificate depends on your own personal goals and objectives. If you are looking to build your skillset or demonstrate your commitment to the role then obtaining certification may be beneficial. However, if you already have the necessary technical skills then it may not be necessary at all.

Related: Software Tester Resume Examples

FAQs About Software Tester Certifications

1. What qualifications do I need to become a software tester?

Answer: Generally, you will need a bachelor's degree in computer science or related field, as well as experience in software development and testing. Some certifications may also be required.

2. Are there any professional certifications available for software testers?

Answer: Yes, there are several industry-recognized certifications available for software testers such as ISTQB Foundation Level Certification, Certified Software Tester (CSTE), and International Software Testing Qualification Board (ISTQB) Advanced Level Certification.

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

Answer: It depends on the certification program you choose and your prior experience. Generally, most certifications can be completed within 6 months to 1 year of dedicated study and practice.

4. What is the cost of getting certified as a software tester?

Answer: The cost of certification varies depending on the certification program you choose. Generally, you can expect to pay between $500-$1,000 USD for most popular certification programs.

5. How do I stay up-to-date with the latest trends in software testing?

Answer: To stay up-to-date with the latest trends in software testing, it’s important to join relevant online communities and forums where you can learn from other testers and share best practices. Additionally, attending conferences and seminars is another great way to stay informed about new technologies and techniques in the field of software testing.