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Compare exam facts or filter by a name, acronym or level. Passing scores are points, not the number of correct answers. Open a guide for prerequisites, scoring details and official sources.

Code and version	Certification guide	Level	Questions	Pass / total points	Minutes
CTFL v4.0	Foundation Level	Foundation	40	26 / 40	60
CTAL-AT v2.0	Agile Tester	Advanced	40	34 / 52	90
CTAL-TA v4.0	Test Analyst	Advanced	45	51 / 78	120
CTAL-TAE v2.0	Test Automation Engineering	Advanced	40	43 / 66	90
CTAL-TM v3.0	Test Management	Advanced	50	58 / 88	120
CTAL-TTA v4.0	Technical Test Analyst	Advanced	45	51 / 78	120
CT-AI v2.0	AI Testing	Specialist	40	29 / 44	60
CT-QDO v1.0	Quality in DevOps	Specialist	40	30 / 45	60
CT-GenAI v1.1	Testing with Generative AI	Specialist	40	30 / 46	60
CT-MAT v1.0	Mobile Application Testing	Specialist	40	26 / 40	60
CT-MBT v1.1	Model-Based Tester	Specialist	40	26 / 40	60
CT-TAS v1.0	Test Automation Strategy	Specialist	40	32 / 49	60
CT-ATLaS v2.0	Agile Test Leadership at Scale	Specialist	40	47 / 71	120
CT-AcT v1.0	Acceptance Testing	Specialist	40	26 / 40	60
CT-PT v1.0	Performance Testing	Specialist	40	26 / 40	90
CT-SEC v1.0	Security Tester	Specialist	45	52 / 80	120
CT-STE v1.0.1	Security Test Engineer	Specialist	40	28 / 43	75
CT-UT v1.0	Usability Testing	Specialist	40	26 / 40	60
CT-FT v1.0	Finance Testing	Specialist	40	30 / 45	60
CT-AuT v2.1.1	Automotive Software Tester	Specialist	40	26 / 40	60
CT-GaMe v1.0.1	Game Testing	Specialist	40	26 / 40	60
CT-GT v1.0	Gambling Industry Tester	Specialist	40	26 / 40	60
CTEL-ITP-ATP v1.0	Assessing Test Processes	Expert	25 + essays	88 / 135	135
CTEL-ITP-ITPI v1.0	Implementing Test Process Improvement	Expert	25 + essays	88 / 135	135
CTEL-TM-SM v1.0	Strategic Test Management	Expert	14 + essays	88 / 135	135
CTEL-TM-OTM v1.0	Operational Test Management	Expert	14 + essays	88 / 135	135
CTEL-TM-MTT v1.0	Managing the Test Team	Expert	16 + essays	88 / 135	135

Sources checked October 5, 2026: ISTQB Exam Structures & Rules Tables v1.19 and Expert Exam Structure and Rules v2.32. Compare exam costs by country.

Choose by the work you want to do

Start with the problem you want to solve: learning testing fundamentals, improving test design, leading testing, building automation or developing a specialist skill. A longer certification name does not make it a better fit.

• First ISTQB exam: start with CTFL. New to ISTQB? Read what ISTQB certification is first.
• Already certified: compare the scope and prerequisites below before choosing your next syllabus.
• Already studying an older syllabus: check the transition dates before paying for an exam.

This directory lists 27 current certifications and Expert modules, plus four older entries in transition. “Current” means the qualification is current in ISTQB’s official catalog. It does not mean every provider offers it. Checked October 4, 2026.

Common certification paths

These are our suggested routes, based on the work you do. Every route starts with CTFL, because it is the prerequisite for every other ISTQB exam.

If you…	Suggested path
are new to testing or this is your first time	CTFL v4.0. Do not skip it. You cannot skip it.
design tests from requirements and user stories	CTFL → CTAL-TA, then a Specialist exam for your domain
work close to the code	CTFL → CTAL-TTA
lead or manage testing	CTFL → CTAL-TM → Expert Level Test Management once you meet the experience requirements
test in Agile teams	CTFL → CTAL-AT v2.0. Add CT-ATLaS if you work across many teams
build test automation	CTFL → CTAL-TAE. Choose CT-TAS instead if you plan automation programs
test AI-based products	CTFL → CT-AI v2.0
use generative AI in your testing	CTFL → CT-GenAI
work in automotive, gaming, gambling or finance	CTFL → the matching Specialist exam: CT-AuT, CT-GaMe, CT-GT or CT-FT

Two or three exams that match your actual work say more about you than a long list of certificates.

Foundation level

Start here. Every other certification on this page requires CTFL. New to ISTQB? Read the beginner guide first.

Advanced level

Next steps by role: test analysis (CTAL-TA), technical testing (CTAL-TTA), test management (CTAL-TM), test automation (CTAL-TAE) and Agile teams (CTAL-AT). Not sure which fits? Use the role-based guide.

Specialist certifications

Specialist certifications by topic: AI and generative AI, performance, security, usability, acceptance, mobile and model-based testing, DevOps, automation strategy, Agile leadership, and industry domains such as automotive, finance, games and gambling.

Expert level

Expert qualifications have several modules. Improving the Test Process has two parts. Test Management has three. Each part has its own exam. Passing a single module is not the same as completing the whole qualification. Expert certificates have a seven-year validity period.

Retiring exams: check your language

Do not switch materials halfway through preparation without checking the booked syllabus. The deadlines below apply to the named older versions. Follow the linked transition guide for the official sources and what to do next.

• CTAL-TA v3.1: English exams ended May 16, 2026. Other languages end November 16, 2026.
• CT-AI v1.0: English availability ends April 21, 2027. Other languages end October 21, 2027.
• CTFL-AT (also listed as CT-AT) and CT-ATT: English exams, retakes and training end May 6, 2027. Other languages end November 6, 2027.

Read the syllabus changes and retirement guide →

Common questions

Which ISTQB certification should I take first?

CTFL v4.0. It is the prerequisite for every Advanced, Specialist and Expert exam.

How many ISTQB certifications are there?

Our directory lists 27 current certifications and Expert modules, plus four older versions that are being retired. ISTQB updates its catalog regularly, so check the date on this page.

Do ISTQB certificates expire?

Foundation, Advanced and Specialist certificates are valid for life. Expert Level certificates are valid for seven years.

Is CTFL-AT retiring?

Yes. English CTFL-AT exams, including retakes, end on May 6, 2027, and other languages end on November 6, 2027. Existing certificates stay valid, and CTAL-AT v2.0 is the current Agile qualification.

Which ISTQB certification is best for AI?

CT-AI v2.0 if you test AI-based systems such as ML models or LLM features. CT-GenAI if you want to use generative AI tools in your own testing work.

What is the difference between CTAL-TAE and CT-TAS?

CTAL-TAE is for engineers who design, build and run test automation. CT-TAS is for people who plan automation at the organization level, including investment, resources and risks.

Does ISTQB publish pass rates?

No. We found no official pass-rate figures from ISTQB as of October 10, 2026.

How widely recognized is ISTQB?

ISTQB reports 1.5 million exams administered and more than 1.1 million certifications issued in over 130 countries (figures as of May 2025).

Can I take ISTQB exams online?

Many exams are available with remote proctoring as well as at test centers. Availability depends on the exam, language and provider.