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.
Local employer demand data, test center addresses, and registration specifics for each market.
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?
414,667 tech workers, 13 test centers, employer demand across the Big Six banks, Shopify, and Ontario government IT.
Ontario and Toronto guide →150,000 Vancouver tech workers, 8 test centers from downtown to Kelowna to Victoria, gaming studios and US tech giants.
BC and Vancouver guide →12 test centers across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, and Darwin. ACS Digital Pulse data and local employer demand.
Australia guide →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 →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
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
$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?
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?
Every page organized by topic. Start wherever you need to.
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 breakdownAll extras included at no additional cost with every ISTQB purchase 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.
More detail on every topic at the full ISTQB FAQ.