ISTQB
Certification

The software testing credential that gets you interviews. The exam you take once.

The globally recognised standard for software testing professionals. Over one million certified in 130 countries. Register through AT*SQA and get eight free career benefits nobody else includes.

1M+ Certificates issued globally
130 Countries where ISTQB is recognised
CTFL Foundation Level: 40 questions, 60 minutes, valid for life
8 Free extras with every AT*SQA purchase

The Global Standard for Software Testing Professionals

Software testing is one of the most in-demand skills in technology right now, and the job market reflects it. The challenge is that experience alone is hard to verify. Hiring managers sifting through resumes cannot always tell the difference between someone who understands test design and someone who only knows the terminology. ISTQB is the credential that settles that question.

The Foundation Level exam is 40 questions and 60 minutes. No prerequisites, no degree required, valid for life once you pass. Most people prepare over four to six weeks and pass on the first attempt. From there you can build with Advanced and Specialist certifications covering Test Automation Engineer, Agile Testing, AI Testing, Test Management, Security Testing, and more.

You register through AT*SQA, the official ISTQB exam provider. Every purchase includes eight free career benefits no other provider bundles in: a micro-credential exam of your choice, practice exams matched to AT*SQA's question style, a listing on the ISTQB Successful Candidate Register, a spot on the Official U.S. List of Certified Testers, access to the AT*Work hiring directory, Testing Tiers ranking points, AT*Consult visibility, and a 365-day voucher so you schedule when you are ready. AT*SQA is a non-profit, which is why none of that costs extra.

This site covers everything before you register: exam format, what each certification does for your career, a proper cost breakdown, test center locations across Canada, Australia, the Philippines, the United States, the United Kingdom, India, Saudi Arabia, and worldwide, and how to prepare without wasting time on the wrong material.

Start Wherever You Are

ISTQB Certification by Region

Local employer demand data, test center addresses, and registration specifics for each market.

Canada
Canada

20+ test centers across seven provinces, how ISTQB fits the Canadian job market, exam costs in CAD and USD, and how to register as a Canadian candidate.

Canada guide →

Also see Canada exam cost and Do You Need a Local Provider?

Canada
Ontario and Toronto

414,667 tech workers, 13 test centers, employer demand across the Big Six banks, Shopify, and Ontario government IT.

Ontario and Toronto guide →
Canada
BC and Vancouver

150,000 Vancouver tech workers, 8 test centers from downtown to Kelowna to Victoria, gaming studios and US tech giants.

BC and Vancouver guide →
Australia
Australia

12 test centers across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, and Darwin. ACS Digital Pulse data and local employer demand.

Australia guide →
United States
United States

AT*SQA is the US national board provider. Test centers in every major metro. The US List of Certified Testers is only available through AT*SQA.

United States guide →
United Kingdom
United Kingdom

One of the most established ISTQB markets globally. Strong employer demand across fintech, government IT, and consulting. Test centers across England, Scotland, and Wales.

United Kingdom guide →

Also see UK exam cost and Foundation booking in the UK

India
India

The world's largest IT services export market. ISTQB is actively required at Tier 1 firms including TCS, Infosys, and Wipro. Test centers in every major tech hub.

India guide →

Also see India exam fees

Philippines
Philippines

$38B IT-BPM sector with 1.82M professionals. Six test centers from Makati to Cebu to Baguio. International employer demand outpacing local certification supply.

Philippines guide →

Also see Foundation Level in the Philippines and Do You Need a Local Provider?

Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia

Vision 2030 is driving rapid IT sector expansion. Growing demand for internationally credentialed QA professionals in government, banking, and technology.

Saudi Arabia guide →

Also see Foundation Level in Saudi Arabia and Do You Need a Local Provider?

Explore All Topics

Every page organized by topic. Start wherever you need to.

Eight Free Extras. No Other Provider Comes Close.

AT*SQA is a non-profit and the only ISTQB exam provider that bundles genuine career benefits into every purchase. The certification you earn is globally valid and identical to one from any other accredited provider. The extras are what set them apart.

See the full breakdown
A free micro-credential exam of your choice: API Testing, AI for Testers, Test Automation, DevOps Testing, and more
Two exclusive practice exams matched to AT*SQA's question style, not generic samples
Listing on the ISTQB Successful Candidate Register, the global verification database employers check
A spot on the Official U.S. List of Certified Testers. No other non-U.S. provider can offer this
AT*Work directory visibility so employers can find you when you're open to new roles
AT*Consult listing if your company offers testing or consulting services
Testing Tiers ranking points that lift your standing on the US List and AT*Work
365-day voucher validity, with online exam changes allowed more than 24 hours before the appointment and testing center changes allowed more than 72 hours before the appointment

All extras included at no additional cost with every ISTQB purchase through AT*SQA.

ISTQB Certifications Available Through AT*SQA

Foundation Level is the starting point. Every certification above it builds on the one before. All available online or at a test center.

Full catalog at atsqa.org/istqb-certification. See all certification costs, which certification fits your role, Advanced Test Analyst, and Technical Test Analyst.

"I truly appreciate how easy and stress-free AT*SQA made this experience, and I'd gladly recommend them to anyone pursuing ISTQB certifications."

Register for ISTQB at AT*SQA Read More Reviews

ISTQB Certification FAQ

More detail on every topic at the full ISTQB FAQ.

  • What is ISTQB certification?
    ISTQB stands for International Software Testing Qualifications Board. It is the global standard for software testing credentials, recognised in over 130 countries. The Foundation Level is where most people start. From there you can build with Advanced and Specialist certifications in areas like Test Automation Engineer, Agile Testing, AI Testing, Test Management, Security Testing, and Performance Testing. For a complete walkthrough, see what ISTQB is and how it works.
  • How do I register for the ISTQB exam?
    Through AT*SQA at atsqa.org/purchase. Create an account, purchase your voucher, download the free study materials, and schedule at a time that works for you. You can sit the exam online from home or at a Kryterion test center in your country. Your voucher is valid for 365 days from purchase, with online exam changes allowed more than 24 hours before the appointment and testing center changes allowed more than 72 hours before the appointment. See the full ISTQB exam preparation guide.
  • What does ISTQB Foundation Level cost?
    $229 USD through AT*SQA. That includes the exam voucher, two exclusive practice exams matched to AT*SQA's question style, and a free micro-credential exam of your choice. The voucher is valid for 365 days from purchase. For a full comparison across every certification level, see the ISTQB exam cost page.
  • Is ISTQB certification valid worldwide?
    Yes. The exam is administered in over 130 countries and the credential is identical regardless of where you sit it. Employers verify it through the ISTQB Successful Candidate Register. If you register through AT*SQA, you can also appear on the Official U.S. List of Certified Testers, which no other non-U.S. provider can offer. See test center locations worldwide.
  • What makes AT*SQA different from other ISTQB providers?
    AT*SQA is the only ISTQB exam provider that includes eight free career benefits with every purchase. The certification you earn is globally valid and identical to one from any other accredited provider. Where AT*SQA stands apart is what comes with it, particularly the Official U.S. List of Certified Testers, which no other provider outside the United States can offer. AT*SQA is a non-profit, which is why those extras are included rather than charged separately. Full details at AT*SQA extra benefits.
  • Which ISTQB certification should I take first?
    Foundation Level (CTFL) for almost everyone. It has no prerequisites, it is the entry point to the whole scheme, and it is the most commonly listed ISTQB certification in job postings globally. Every Advanced and Specialist certification requires Foundation first. If you already hold Foundation and want to specialize, the right next step depends on your role: Agile Testing for scrum teams, Test Automation Engineer for automation-heavy environments, AI Testing or CT-GenAI for teams working with machine learning systems, Test Management for QA leads. The full decision guide is at which ISTQB certification should you take.
  • Can I take the ISTQB exam online from home?
    Yes. Online proctored ISTQB exams are available worldwide, including in countries where there are no Kryterion test centers nearby. You need a computer with a webcam, a stable internet connection, and a reasonably quiet space. Results are instant. Your certificate appears in your AT*SQA account within 24 hours of passing. Full requirements and what to expect on exam day are covered at how ISTQB online exams work.

Start with ISTQB

Buy through AT*SQA, choose Foundation Level if you are new, and schedule when your prep is in place.