Which ISTQB certification should you take next?

Start with CTFL: every ISTQB path begins there

CTFL v4.0 is the entry point. It needs no prior knowledge, and every other certification in the certification directory requires CTFL. The exam has 40 questions, and you need 26 points to pass in 60 minutes.

If you are new to ISTQB, read the beginner guide and the CTFL guide first. Come back to this page once you hold CTFL or plan your next step after it.

Match your work to a certification

Find the row closest to the work you do now or want to do next. Each row names the certification to compare first, its entry rule and the exam size.

Your work	Compare first	Entry rule	Exam
Functional, business-facing test analysis and design	CTAL-TA v4.0	CTFL plus practical experience	45 questions, pass at 51 of 78 points, 120 min
Code, white-box techniques, technical and non-functional risks	CTAL-TTA v4.0	CTFL plus practical experience	45 questions, pass at 51 of 78 points, 120 min
Leading or managing testing work and teams	CTAL-TM v3.0	CTFL plus practical experience	50 questions, pass at 58 of 88 points, 120 min
Building and maintaining test automation	CTAL-TAE v2.0	CTFL plus practical experience	40 questions, pass at 43 of 66 points, 90 min
Planning automation investment and strategy	CT-TAS v1.0	CTFL plus practical experience	40 questions, pass at 32 of 49 points, 60 min
Testing inside Agile teams	CTAL-AT v2.0	CTFL. Agile experience recommended	40 questions, pass at 34 of 52 points, 90 min
Testing AI-based products	CT-AI v2.0	CTFL	40 questions, pass at 29 of 44 points, 60 min
Using generative AI in your testing work	CT-GenAI v1.1	CTFL	40 questions, pass at 30 of 46 points, 60 min
Performance testing	CT-PT v1.0	CTFL	40 questions, pass at 26 of 40 points, 90 min
Security testing	CT-STE v1.0.1 or CT-SEC v1.0	CTFL. CT-SEC also asks for three years of relevant experience	CT-STE: 40 questions, pass at 28 of 43, 75 min
Quality in DevOps pipelines	CT-QDO v1.0	CTFL	40 questions, pass at 30 of 45 points, 60 min

Two blog guides go deeper on the most common choices: CTAL-TA vs CTAL-TTA and CT-AI vs CT-GenAI.

The five Advanced exams side by side

The Advanced exams do not require each other. Each one needs CTFL, and you can take them in any order. ISTQB no longer issues a combined Full Advanced certificate, so you hold each Advanced certificate separately.

Exam	Focus	Fee information
CTAL-TA	Test analysis and design with a business and user focus	See the USA fee guide
CTAL-TTA	Technical test analysis, structural techniques and non-functional testing	See the USA fee guide
CTAL-TM	Managing testing activities, teams and stakeholder decisions	See the USA fee guide
CTAL-TAE	Designing, implementing and maintaining automation solutions	See the USA fee guide
CTAL-AT	Testing strategy, collaboration and improvement in Agile teams	Check with the provider

Specialist exams by topic

Specialist exams cover one topic in depth. Each one requires CTFL, and some add practical experience. Group them by the area you work in:

• AI: CT-AI and CT-GenAI
• Quality characteristics: CT-PT (performance), CT-STE and CT-SEC (security), CT-UT (usability), CT-AcT (acceptance)
• Approaches and technologies: CT-MAT (mobile), CT-MBT (model-based), CT-QDO (DevOps), CT-TAS (automation strategy), CT-ATLaS (Agile leadership at scale)
• Industry domains: CT-AuT (automotive), CT-FT (finance), CT-GaMe (games), CT-GT (gambling)

Check the experience rules before you book

CTAL-TA, CTAL-TTA, CTAL-TM and CTAL-TAE require CTFL and sufficient practical experience, with exact criteria set locally by the member board or exam provider. CTAL-AT is an exception: CTFL is its only formal prerequisite, and Agile experience is recommended.

• Ask your provider for its experience rule in writing before you pay.
• CT-SEC asks for at least three years of relevant academic, practical or consulting experience.
• CT-ATLaS asks for CTFL v4.0, or an earlier CTFL plus CTFL-AT, and practical experience criteria apply.
• CTAL-AT asks only for CTFL. ISTQB strongly recommends Agile experience but does not require it.

When Expert Level makes sense

Expert Level is for senior testers who lead process improvement or test management. The Expert pages list CTFL and CTAL-TM, a passed Expert exam, at least five years of practical testing experience and at least two years in the specific Expert topic. Expert certificates are valid for seven years.

Read the Expert Level entry requirements before you plan an Expert route.

Three checks before you commit

1. Read two learning objectives from the syllabus and ask whether they match a decision you make at work.
2. Try the official sample exam for that certification, and mark it in points, not correct answers.
3. Confirm the fee, language and experience rule with your provider, then book.

Common questions about which ISTQB certification to take

Which ISTQB certification should I take first?

CTFL v4.0. It needs no prior knowledge, and every other ISTQB certification lists it as an entry requirement.

Which ISTQB certification is best for an experienced manual tester?

Compare CTAL-TA first if your work is business-facing test analysis and design. Compare CTAL-TTA if your work involves code, technical risks or non-functional testing. Both need CTFL and practical experience.

Which certification suits test automation work?

Compare CTAL-TAE for designing, building and maintaining automation, and CT-TAS for planning automation investments and strategy. Both need CTFL and practical experience criteria set by your board or provider.

Which ISTQB certification is for test managers?

CTAL-TM v3.0 covers managing testing activities, teams and stakeholder decisions. It is also the Advanced certificate the Expert Level pages require.

How much experience do I need for an Advanced exam?

CTAL-TA, CTAL-TTA, CTAL-TM and CTAL-TAE require CTFL and sufficient practical experience under local board/provider criteria. CTAL-AT requires CTFL; Agile experience is recommended rather than mandatory. Ask your provider for the qualification-specific rule before you book.

Can I take two certifications in any order?

Usually yes, after CTFL. The Advanced exams do not require each other. Check the prerequisites on each certification page, because a few Specialist exams have extra conditions.