TL;DR
ISTQB® offers around two dozen active software testing certifications, organized across four levels (Foundation, Advanced, Specialist, Expert) and three streams (Core, Agile, Specialist). The Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL®) v4.0 is the entry point and a prerequisite for every other exam. All exams are multiple-choice, except Expert Level, which mixes multiple-choice with essay-style tasks.
ISTQB certification portfolio at a glance
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Certifying body | International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) |
| Active certifications (as of May 2026) | 24 main certifications; several Expert exams have multiple required modules |
| Levels | Foundation, Advanced, Specialist, Expert |
| Streams | Core, Agile, Specialist |
| Mandatory prerequisite for all non-Foundation exams | CTFL v4.0 |
| Exam format | Multiple-choice for Foundation, Advanced, Specialist; multiple-choice plus essay for Expert |
| Time extension for non-native language speakers | +25% on the standard exam duration (verify on official page) |
| Languages | English plus multiple national languages, varies by certification and Member Board |
| Delivery | Test centre and remote proctored, depending on Member Board and exam provider |
| Validity | Lifetime for Foundation, Advanced, and Specialist. 7 years for Expert Level |
| Recognition | 130+ countries, 1.4 million+ exams delivered, 1 million+ certified testers |
What is an ISTQB certification?
An ISTQB certification is a vendor-neutral software testing qualification awarded by the International Software Testing Qualifications Board, a not-for-profit association legally registered in Belgium. ISTQB sets the syllabus, the question paper rules, and the accreditation criteria. The actual exams are delivered by national ISTQB Member Boards and accredited Exam Providers (such as ASTQB and AT*SQA in the United States, BCS in the UK, iSQI worldwide, and Pearson VUE test centres). ISTQB itself does not run training courses or sell exam vouchers.
The scheme is structured as a matrix of levels (depth of knowledge) and streams (focus area). Foundation establishes core terminology and process. Advanced builds professional competence in either Core testing or Agile testing. Specialist certifications focus on a single quality characteristic, test approach, or industry domain. Expert Level demonstrates the ability to define and improve testing at an organizational scale.
The ISTQB certification framework
| Core | Agile | Specialist | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation | CTFL v4.0 | CTFL-AT (retiring 2027) | (none) |
| Advanced | CTAL-TA, CTAL-TTA, CTAL-TM, CTAL-TAE | CTAL-AT v2.0, CTAL-ATT, CT-ATLaS | (none) |
| Specialist | (none) | (none) | 13 active certifications (see below) |
| Expert | CTEL-TM, CTEL-ITP | (none) | (none) |
Foundation Level is mandatory before anything else. Advanced Level Core certifications require CTFL plus relevant practical experience defined by the local Member Board. Advanced Level Agile certifications require both CTFL and CTFL-AT. Expert Level requires the relevant Advanced Level credential plus documented years of testing experience.
Foundation Level certifications
Foundation Level introduces the fundamental concepts, terminology, and process of software testing. Holders demonstrate that they can contribute meaningfully to a test team, write and execute test cases, and communicate using standardized vocabulary.
Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL®) v4.0
The cornerstone certification and the prerequisite for every other ISTQB exam. CTFL v4.0 covers the testing process, test analysis and design, test management essentials, test tools, and how testing operates inside Agile, DevOps, and Waterfall delivery. Released 21 April 2023, replacing v3.1. Mandatory for testers, test analysts, QA engineers, and anyone who interacts with a test team (developers, BAs, scrum masters, project managers).
Read the full CTFL v4.0 guide on istqb.com →
Certified Tester Foundation Level Agile Tester (CTFL-AT)
Extends CTFL with the testing skills required inside Agile teams: collaboration with developers and product owners, test-driven development, behaviour-driven development, continuous integration, and Agile-specific test techniques. Important note: ISTQB has announced retirement of CTFL-AT exams (including retakes) on 6 May 2027 in English and 6 November 2027 in other languages, following the release of CTAL-AT v2.0. Candidates choosing Agile certification today should plan accordingly.
Read the full CTFL-AT guide on istqb.com →
Advanced Level certifications
Advanced Level credentials are aimed at experienced testers who want to take ownership of analysis, technical depth, automation, or management responsibilities. All Advanced Level exams require CTFL. Agile-stream Advanced exams additionally require CTFL-AT (until its retirement). Local Member Boards may require documented practical experience before issuing the certificate.
Core Advanced
Certified Tester Advanced Level Test Analyst (CTAL-TA®) v4.0
The professional test analyst credential. CTAL-TA covers structured test analysis and design across the entire software development lifecycle, including risk-based testing, experience-based techniques, and stakeholder communication. The earlier v3.1 retires on 16 May 2026 in English and 16 November 2026 in other languages, so v4.0 is the only current version going forward.
Read the full CTAL-TA v4.0 guide on istqb.com →
Certified Tester Advanced Level Technical Test Analyst (CTAL-TTA®)
The deep-technical complement to CTAL-TA. CTAL-TTA targets white-box testing, static and dynamic analysis, non-functional testing (performance, security, reliability, portability, maintainability), and risk-based technical testing. Best suited to testers with development or architecture exposure who want to operate close to the code.
Read the full CTAL-TTA guide on istqb.com →
Certified Tester Advanced Level Test Management (CTAL-TM®) v3.0
The professional credential for test leads and test managers. CTAL-TM v3.0 covers designing a test approach aligned to the organizational test strategy, building and managing a test team, estimating and reporting, defect management, and stakeholder communication. Suitable for current test managers, senior testers preparing for management roles, scrum masters with test ownership, and project managers responsible for QA delivery.
Read the full CTAL-TM v3.0 guide on istqb.com →
Certified Tester Advanced Level Test Automation Engineering (CTAL-TAE®, also listed as CT-TAE) v2.0
The senior automation credential. CTAL-TAE focuses on designing, developing, and maintaining automated test solutions: framework selection, architecture, tool evaluation, automation reporting, and the integration of automation with CI/CD pipelines. Important for automation engineers, SDETs, and test architects.
Read the full CTAL-TAE v2.0 guide on istqb.com →
Agile Advanced
Certified Tester Advanced Level Agile Tester (CTAL-AT®) v2.0
A material upgrade of the Agile testing credential. CTAL-AT v2.0 elevates Agile testing from foundation-level awareness to advanced-level professional capability, covering test strategy in Agile, scaling testing across multiple teams, exploratory testing in iterations, and quality coaching. This is the current Agile credential of record once CTFL-AT retires in 2027.
Read the full CTAL-AT v2.0 guide on istqb.com →
Certified Tester Advanced Level Agile Technical Tester (CTAL-ATT®)
The technical counterpart of CTAL-AT. CTAL-ATT focuses on test automation approaches, technical testing techniques, and continuous delivery practices inside Agile teams. Aimed at developers-in-test, automation-focused QA engineers, and DevOps practitioners operating in Agile environments.
Read the full CTAL-ATT guide on istqb.com →
Certified Tester Agile Test Leadership at Scale (CT-ATLaS®)
Focuses on how to organize, lead, and improve quality and testing across multiple Agile teams and at a strategic level. Covers test approach in scaled Agile frameworks (such as SAFe and LeSS), enterprise quality strategy, and cross-team coordination. Best suited to senior agile coaches, QA leads, and engineering managers responsible for quality across multiple squads.
Read the full CT-ATLaS guide on istqb.com →
Specialist certifications
Specialist certifications go deep on a single area of testing. There is no fixed sequence between Specialist exams. Candidates choose the certifications that match their role, industry, or technical interests. All Specialist exams require CTFL.
Certified Tester AI Testing (CT-AI®) v2.0
Covers how to test AI-based and machine-learning systems, including model evaluation, training data quality, bias and fairness testing, adversarial testing, and explainability. v2.0 (released April 2026) replaces v1.0 and adds coverage relevant to current AI delivery practice. CT-AI v1.0 exams in English retire on 21 April 2027.
Read the full CT-AI v2.0 guide on istqb.com →
Certified Tester Specialist: Testing with Generative AI (CT-GenAI®) v1.1
Focuses on using generative AI tools (large language models, prompt engineering, retrieval-augmented generation) responsibly across the test process: test case generation, defect analysis, documentation, and limitations. v1.1 is a minor update to v1.0 with terminology clarifications.
Read the full CT-GenAI guide on istqb.com →
Certified Tester Performance Testing (CT-PT®)
Covers the technical, methodological, and organizational aspects of performance testing: load, stress, spike, endurance, and scalability testing; performance test planning; tool selection; and reporting against service-level objectives. Suitable for performance test engineers and senior testers expanding into non-functional testing.
Read the full CT-PT guide on istqb.com →
Certified Tester Security Tester (CT-SEC®)
Covers planning, performing, and evaluating security tests across four perspectives: risk, requirements, vulnerability, and human factors. Includes security testing tools and standards. Best suited to testers entering application security, and to developers and BAs who need a structured security testing vocabulary.
Read the full CT-SEC guide on istqb.com →
Certified Tester Security Test Engineer (CT-STE®)
A deeper, engineering-focused credential beyond CT-SEC. CT-STE addresses how security testing should be executed: methodologies, standards, processes, asset protection, audits, and adapting testing to evolving threat models. Suitable for security testers, AppSec engineers, and DevSecOps practitioners.
Read the full CT-STE guide on istqb.com →
Certified Tester Mobile Application Testing (CT-MAT®)
Covers the testing of native, hybrid, and web-based mobile applications across device fragmentation, network variability, sensors, gestures, and platform-specific guidelines (iOS, Android). Useful for QA engineers in mobile-first products.
Read the full CT-MAT guide on istqb.com →
Certified Tester Model-Based Testing (CT-MBT®)
Covers an advanced test approach in which models drive test analysis, design, generation, and reporting. Useful for testers in systems with high regulatory or safety requirements, and in environments using formal modeling.
Read the full CT-MBT guide on istqb.com →
Certified Tester Usability Testing (CT-UT®)
Covers usability, user experience, and accessibility testing: planning sessions, recruiting participants, defining scenarios, recording observations, and applying relevant standards (such as ISO 9241). Suitable for QA professionals, UX researchers, and accessibility advocates.
Read the full CT-UT guide on istqb.com →
Certified Tester Acceptance Testing (CT-AcT®)
Focuses on the collaboration between product owners, business analysts, and testers in acceptance testing. Covers user acceptance testing (UAT), contractual and regulatory acceptance testing, plus alpha and beta testing. Useful for BAs, POs, and testers who own the handoff from build to business sign-off.
Read the full CT-AcT guide on istqb.com →
Certified Tester Test Automation Strategy Specialist (CT-TAS®)
Covers the planning and organizational factors behind a sustainable automation programme: business case, tool selection, scope, ROI, governance, and integration with development practices. Targets QA leads, test architects, and automation programme owners. Note: CT-TAS is strategic, while CTAL-TAE is engineering-focused. They are complementary, not duplicates.
Read the full CT-TAS guide on istqb.com →
Certified Tester Automotive Software Tester (CT-AuT®)
Covers the testing of electrical and electronic (E/E) systems in the automotive domain, aligned with Automotive SPICE®, ISO 26262, AUTOSAR®, virtual test environments (X-in-the-Loop), and automotive-specific static and dynamic techniques. Suitable for testers in OEMs, Tier-1 suppliers, and embedded software vendors.
Read the full CT-AuT guide on istqb.com →
Certified Tester Game Testing (CT-GaMe®) v1.0.1
Covers testing for video and game projects: game testing mechanics, sound testing, graphics testing, localization, game-specific risk identification, and the use of game testing tools. Useful for QA engineers in game studios and publishers.
Read the full CT-GaMe guide on istqb.com →
Certified Tester Gambling Industry Tester (CT-GT®)
Covers the testing requirements specific to the regulated gambling industry: random number generators, payout integrity, jurisdictional compliance, and platform certification. Targets testers working with online gambling operators, suppliers, and certification labs.
Read the full CT-GT guide on istqb.com →
Expert Level certifications
Expert Level is the highest tier in the ISTQB scheme. It is aimed at senior practitioners with documented years of testing experience. Exams combine multiple-choice with essay-style questions, and the certificate is valid for 7 years (unlike all other ISTQB credentials, which are valid for life). To sit an Expert exam, candidates must hold both CTFL and the relevant Advanced Level certification, plus the practical experience defined by their Member Board (typically 5 years of testing experience and 2 years in the specific expert topic).
Certified Tester Expert Level Test Management (CTEL-TM®)
Comprises three separately examined modules. All three must be passed to gain full CTEL-TM certification.
- Strategic Test Management (CTEL-TM-STM): test mission, policy, strategy, and alignment with business objectives.
- Operational Test Management (CTEL-TM-OTM): running the test function day to day, including planning, monitoring, and stakeholder management.
- Managing the Test Team (CTEL-TM-MTT): human and organizational aspects of leading testers and test stakeholders.
Read the full CTEL-TM guide on istqb.com →
Certified Tester Expert Level Improving the Test Process (CTEL-ITP®)
Comprises two separately examined modules. Both must be passed to gain full CTEL-ITP certification.
- Assessing the Test Process (CTEL-ITP-ATP): evaluating an existing test process against improvement models, identifying weaknesses, and prioritizing change.
- Implementing Test Process Improvement (CTEL-ITP-ITPI): the improvement process, organizational change management, and success factors for embedding change.
Read the full CTEL-ITP guide on istqb.com →
How to choose your ISTQB certification path
There is no single right path. Use these patterns as a starting point.
- You are new to testing or moving into QA: Start with CTFL v4.0. Do not skip it. Every other exam requires it.
- You are a working tester aiming for a senior IC role: CTFL → CTAL-TA (or CTAL-TTA if you are technical) → a Specialist certification matching your domain (e.g., CT-PT, CT-SEC, CT-MAT).
- You are moving into test leadership or test management: CTFL → CTAL-TM → eventually CTEL-TM (after the required years of practical experience).
- You work primarily in Agile teams: CTFL → CTAL-AT v2.0 (the new advanced Agile cert). If you are technical, add CTAL-ATT. If you operate across multiple teams, add CT-ATLaS.
- You are an automation engineer or SDET: CTFL → CTAL-TAE for engineering depth, or CT-TAS if your role is strategic and programme-level.
- You work in a regulated or specialized industry: CTFL → the matching Specialist (CT-AuT for automotive, CT-GT for gambling, CT-GaMe for gaming).
- You build or test AI products: CTFL → CT-AI v2.0. Add CT-GenAI if you are using LLMs in the test process itself.
The honest tradeoff: chasing many certifications without practical depth signals less than passing two or three exams that match the work you actually do. Hiring managers see through certificate stacking.
Frequently asked questions
Which ISTQB certification should I take first?
The Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) v4.0 is the first certification for every candidate. It is the mandatory prerequisite for every Advanced, Specialist, and Expert Level exam in the ISTQB scheme. Years of testing experience do not waive this requirement. The current and only valid version of CTFL is v4.0, released on 21 April 2023.
How many active ISTQB certifications are there in 2026?
There are approximately 24 active ISTQB certifications across Foundation, Advanced, Specialist, and Expert levels. The exact count depends on how multi-part Expert exams are counted: CTEL-TM has three exam modules and CTEL-ITP has two, all separately required for full Expert certification.
Do ISTQB certifications expire?
Foundation, Advanced, and Specialist ISTQB certifications are valid for life with no recertification requirement. Expert Level certificates (CTEL-TM and CTEL-ITP) are valid for 7 years. There is no automatic upgrade between syllabus versions, so holders of older versions remain certified, even when newer versions are released.
What is the difference between ISTQB Core, Agile, and Specialist streams?
The Core stream covers software testing in a broad, technology-neutral way and is the historical backbone of the scheme. The Agile stream addresses testing practices inside Agile delivery (CTFL-AT, CTAL-AT, CTAL-ATT, CT-ATLaS). The Specialist stream provides deep coverage of a single quality characteristic, test approach, or industry domain (such as CT-AI, CT-PT, CT-SEC, CT-AuT).
What is the difference between CTAL-TAE and CT-TAS?
CTAL-TAE (Test Automation Engineering) is an engineering-focused certification covering the design, development, and maintenance of automated test solutions. CT-TAS (Test Automation Strategy Specialist) is strategic and organizational, covering how to plan and govern an automation programme. They are complementary. Engineers typically take CTAL-TAE; programme leads and test architects often take CT-TAS.
Is CTFL-AT being retired?
Yes. ISTQB has announced retirement of CTFL-AT exams (including retakes) on 6 May 2027 in English and 6 November 2027 in other languages. The CTAL-AT v2.0 (Advanced Level Agile Tester) is the replacement professional credential for the Agile stream. Candidates planning Agile certification today should weigh the timing carefully.
Which ISTQB certification is best for an AI or ML testing role?
CT-AI v2.0 (released April 2026) is the dedicated certification for testing AI-based and machine-learning systems. CT-GenAI v1.1 covers a related but distinct topic: how to use generative AI tools responsibly inside the test process. Most candidates working with AI products take CTFL first, then CT-AI, and add CT-GenAI if they routinely use LLMs in their day-to-day testing work.
Does ISTQB publish pass rates?
ISTQB does not publish official pass rates for any of its exams. Pass rates reported by training providers or community sources are not authoritative. The ISTQB Member Board or accredited exam provider that delivered the exam is the only source for individual results, and overall pass-rate figures are not released.
Which ISTQB certifications can I take online?
Many ISTQB certifications are available through remote proctored delivery, in addition to physical test centres. Availability depends on the certification, the language, and the Member Board or exam provider. Always verify the delivery options for your specific certification on the official ISTQB page and with your regional exam provider before booking.
Do employers actually recognize ISTQB certifications?
Yes. ISTQB is the most widely referenced software testing certification scheme in job descriptions globally, with over 1 million certified testers across 130+ countries. Recognition is strongest for CTFL (often cited as a baseline requirement), CTAL-TM (for test management roles), and Specialist credentials in regulated industries such as automotive and finance. Recognition varies by region and employer.
Next steps
Pick the certification that matches your role and current experience, read the dedicated page for that exam on istqb.com, then book through your regional ISTQB Member Board or accredited Exam Provider. For the official body’s certification directory and policy documents, visit istqb.org/certifications{rel=”noopener” target=”_blank”}.
Last reviewed on 22 May 2026 against https://istqb.org/certifications/ and related official certification pages on istqb.org.
Disclaimer
istqb.com is an independent educational resource. ISTQB®, CTFL®, CTAL®, CTEL®, CT-AI®, and related marks are registered trademarks of the International Software Testing Qualifications Board. This page summarizes publicly available information and is not an official ISTQB publication. Exam structures, fees, retirement dates, and syllabus versions can change. Always verify the current details on istqb.org and with your regional Member Board before booking any ISTQB exam.