If you're a software tester in Ireland, you've probably already noticed ISTQB coming up in job postings, especially in Dublin's technology sector. This page covers the practical side of getting certified: which certifications are available, what they cost, where you can sit the exam, and why registering through AT*SQA gives you more than just the exam. If you want cost specifics first, see ISTQB Exam Cost. For a broader introduction to the scheme itself, see What Is ISTQB?
ISTQB stands for International Software Testing Qualifications Board. Founded in Edinburgh in November 2002, it oversees the most widely held software testing certification scheme in the world, with more than 1.1 million certificates issued across 130 countries.
In Ireland, ISTQB carries particular weight because of the composition of the country's tech sector. Google, Meta, Stripe, LinkedIn, and HubSpot all have European headquarters in Dublin. Accenture, Salesforce, and a long list of enterprise software firms have significant engineering operations there too. Many of the QA teams inside these organizations work across borders, coordinating with engineers and testers in the US, UK, Germany, and India who may already hold ISTQB credentials. A shared certification standard reduces friction on distributed teams. That's why ISTQB shows up in Irish tech job postings not just as a credential to have, but as shorthand for a common technical vocabulary.
Most testers in Ireland start with Foundation Level. It's the prerequisite for all Advanced and Expert certifications, and it's the credential that appears most consistently in hiring. If you want to understand the value before committing, see Is ISTQB Worth It? and How ISTQB Helps on Your Resume.
Here's how the registration process works when you register through AT*SQA, which is open to candidates in Ireland.
Every level of the ISTQB scheme is available to candidates in Ireland through AT*SQA, online or at the Dublin test center. That covers Foundation Level, all Advanced Level specializations, and Expert Level. The certifications Irish testers ask about most are listed below, with the full pricing table further down. If you're deciding between specialist paths, the most relevant next reads for the Irish market are Test Automation Engineer, AI Testing vs Testing with Generative AI, Test Management, and Security Testing.
| Level | Certification | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation | ISTQB Foundation Level (CTFL) | $229 |
| Specialist | ISTQB Agile Testing | $199 |
| Specialist | ISTQB AI Testing | $199 |
| Specialist | ISTQB Testing with Generative AI | $199 |
| Specialist | ISTQB Performance Testing | $199 |
| Advanced | ISTQB Test Automation Engineer | $249 |
| Advanced | ISTQB Test Management | $249 |
| Advanced | ISTQB Test Analyst | $249 |
| Advanced | ISTQB Security Test Engineer | $249 |
| Expert | ISTQB Expert Test Management (per module) | $575 |
Prices in USD. See the full AT*SQA ISTQB certification list. Volume discounts available for organizations registering multiple candidates.
Foundation Level is the starting point for most testers and the credential that appears most in Irish job postings. It's the prerequisite for nearly all other ISTQB certifications, and the current version (CTFL v4.0.1) reflects how software gets built today: agile teams, DevOps pipelines, shift-left testing, and continuous delivery.
The exam is 40 multiple-choice questions. Standard time is 60 minutes and you need 65% to pass, which is 26 correct answers out of 40. If English is not your native language, you can request 25% extra time, which extends the exam to 75 minutes. There are no prerequisites. Foundation Level is open to anyone, including testers new to the field, developers, business analysts, and career changers.
Foundation Level certification is valid for life. There's no expiry date and no renewal requirement. For more on how CTFL fits into the Irish QA job market, see How Hard Is the ISTQB Foundation Level Exam? and How to Prepare for the ISTQB Exam.
Register for ISTQB Foundation Level through AT*SQA.
Most candidates in Ireland take the exam online from home. Online proctoring is available every day of the year at hours that fit around work. You need a computer with a webcam, a stable internet connection, and a quiet room. Results are available immediately after finishing.
For candidates who prefer in-person testing, there are two Kryterion test centers in Ireland:
The Exam Centre, City Centre 31 Marlborough Street, Dublin, D01 FR90
Bishopstown Campus, Cork ETB Rossa Avenue, Bishopstown, Cork, T12 EE94
Test center availability can change. Always confirm current seat availability using the Kryterion test center locator before scheduling. Testing center exams run Monday through Friday at most locations.
For the full online exam walkthrough, see AT*SQA's online exam instructions.
AT*SQA is a non-profit. The ISTQB certification you earn through them is the same globally valid credential you'd get from any accredited provider. What differs is what comes included:
Free micro-credential exam with every purchase. Buy any ISTQB exam through AT*SQA and you get a free micro-credential voucher. Topics include API Testing, AI for Testers, Test Automation, DevOps Testing, and others. It's a practical way to add a second credential without paying for a second exam. See the free micro-credential offer details.
Extra practice exams matched to AT*SQA's exam style. AT*SQA provides practice exams written to match how their questions are structured, not generic ISTQB questions from a third party. For Foundation Level in particular, this is worth using before exam day. Find them on the educational resources page.
ISTQB Successful Candidate Register listing. Pass your exam and you can be added to the public global register employers use to verify ISTQB credentials. A recruiter or hiring manager can confirm your certification without relying on your resume.
Official U.S. List visibility. Irish testers working with American companies or distributed teams that include U.S. stakeholders can opt into the Official U.S. List of Certified and Credentialed Software Testers. Given the volume of US tech companies operating out of Dublin, this is more relevant in Ireland than almost anywhere else outside the United States.
365-day voucher validity and free rescheduling. Your voucher is good for 365 days. Online exams can be rescheduled at no charge more than 24 hours before the appointment. Testing center exams can be rescheduled at no charge more than 72 hours before.
AT*Work and AT*Consult career tools. After passing, you can list yourself in AT*Work, a directory where employers look for certified testers who are open to work. If your company offers QA consulting services, AT*Consult gives it visibility to potential clients.
For the full breakdown, see Why Choose AT*SQA? and AT*SQA Extra Benefits.
Results for online proctored exams are immediate. Your certificate appears in your AT*SQA account within 24 hours of passing. You can download it directly and share it with employers.
After passing, AT*SQA can add you to the ISTQB Successful Candidate Register. Employers in Ireland, the UK, Germany, the United States, and elsewhere can use that register to verify your credential without contacting you or AT*SQA directly.
Foundation Level and Advanced Level certifications are valid for life. Expert Level is valid for seven years. For most testers starting out, the credential you earn is permanent.
Yes. ISTQB is widely recognized by technology employers in Ireland, particularly in Dublin's international tech sector, and ISTQB is recognized globally. Companies with European headquarters in Ireland routinely include ISTQB in QA job postings because their engineering teams already use it as a shared standard across offices in multiple countries.
Yes. Online proctoring is available across Ireland with no travel required. You need a webcam, a stable internet connection, and somewhere quiet. Before scheduling, read the AT*SQA online exam instructions so you know what the proctor checks on the day.
$229 USD through AT*SQA. The voucher is good for 365 days from purchase and includes a free micro-credential exam.
Most candidates spend four to eight weeks studying two hours a day. Testers already working in QA often move faster because much of the material reflects what they already do. The CTFL v4.0.1 syllabus is free to download and is your primary study resource.
No prerequisites of any kind for Foundation Level. No degree, no prior testing experience, no prior certifications. Advanced Level certifications do require Foundation as a first step, which is part of why most testers start there regardless of their level of experience.
More than you might expect. If you work with US clients, at a company with US operations, or on a distributed team that includes American colleagues, being on a list that US employers actively check gives you an additional verification layer. Dublin's concentration of US tech companies makes this more useful here than in most European markets.
You'll need to purchase a new voucher to retake the exam. The original voucher is used when you sit, regardless of the result. AT*SQA offers discounted retake pricing on certain exams, so check the specials page before buying again.
Take your exam online from anywhere in Ireland or at a Kryterion test center in Dublin or Cork. Every ISTQB purchase through AT*SQA includes a free micro-credential exam and extra prep materials.