If you're a software tester in the Netherlands, you're working in one of Europe's most ISTQB-aware markets. This page covers the practical side of getting certified: which certifications are available, what they cost, where to take the exam, and what registering through AT*SQA gives you beyond the exam itself. For a broader introduction to the scheme, see What Is ISTQB?
ISTQB stands for International Software Testing Qualifications Board. It's the non-profit organization behind the world's most widely held software testing certification, with more than 1.1 million certificates issued across 130 countries.
That history shows up in the market. ISTQB is not a new concept for Dutch employers. It appears in QA job postings across financial services, logistics, government IT, and enterprise software. The Netherlands is home to major technology operations for ASML, Philips, ING, KPMG Netherlands, and a dense cluster of international companies that maintain engineering teams working across European offices. On those teams, ISTQB credentials function as a shared technical language: the same syllabus, the same terminology, whether someone is in Amsterdam, Munich, or London.
The AT*SQA exam is delivered in English. For Dutch testers working with international or English-speaking teams, a credential taken and passed in English provides additional professional credibility. It demonstrates that your testing knowledge is transferable beyond Dutch-language contexts.
Here's how the process works when you register through AT*SQA, open to all candidates in the Netherlands.
Every level of the ISTQB scheme is available to candidates in the Netherlands through AT*SQA, online or at Dutch test centers. The table below covers the certifications Dutch testers ask about most. For those deciding between specialist paths, the most relevant reads for this market are Test Automation Engineer, AI Testing vs Testing with Generative AI, Security Testing, and Test Management.
| 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 where almost every tester starts and the qualification that appears most in Dutch job postings. It's the prerequisite for all Advanced and Expert certifications and the foundation the rest of the scheme builds on. The current version, CTFL v4.0.1, was updated in 2023 to reflect modern software delivery: agile teams, continuous integration, shift-left testing, and test automation principles.
The exam is 40 multiple-choice questions. Standard time is 60 minutes. You need 65% to pass, which is 26 correct answers out of 40. If English is not your first language, you can request 25% extra time, bringing the exam to 75 minutes. There are no prerequisites of any kind. Foundation Level is open to anyone, including testers new to the field, developers, business analysts, and those switching into QA from adjacent roles.
Foundation Level certification is valid for life. No renewal, no expiry.
For more on what preparation looks like, 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.
Online proctoring is available every day of the year and is the most popular option for candidates in the Netherlands. For those who prefer in-person testing, the Netherlands has one of the stronger Kryterion test center networks in Europe, with locations across Utrecht, Noord-Holland, Noord-Brabant, Gelderland, and Zuid-Holland.
Use the Kryterion test center locator to confirm current availability and directions before scheduling. Center availability can change.
For full online exam technical requirements, see AT*SQA's online exam instructions.
AT*SQA is a non-profit. The ISTQB certification you earn is the same globally valid credential you'd get from any accredited provider. The difference is what comes included:
Free micro-credential exam with every purchase. Buy any ISTQB exam through AT*SQA and you get a complimentary micro-credential voucher. Choose from API Testing, AI for Testers, Test Automation, DevOps Testing, and more. It's a direct way to add a second credential without a second full exam purchase. See the free micro-credential offer.
Extra practice exams matched to AT*SQA's exam format. AT*SQA provides practice exams written to match their exam format. Generic ISTQB practice questions available elsewhere are formatted differently and don't reflect AT*SQA's exam style. For Foundation Level especially, using AT*SQA's practice exams in the week before you sit is worth it.
ISTQB Successful Candidate Register listing. After passing, you can be added to the public global register where employers verify ISTQB credentials. Useful for roles at Dutch companies with international hiring teams who want independent verification.
Official U.S. List visibility. The Netherlands hosts European headquarters for many US technology and financial services companies. Dutch testers on distributed teams that include US-based colleagues or who interface with US clients benefit from appearing on the Official U.S. List that US hiring managers and procurement teams actively check.
365-day voucher validity and free rescheduling. Your voucher is valid for a full year from purchase. Online exams: free rescheduling more than 24 hours in advance. Testing center exams: free rescheduling more than 72 hours in advance.
AT*Work and AT*Consult career tools. After passing, you can list yourself in AT*Work for employer discovery, or list your company in AT*Consult if it provides QA consulting services.
For the full breakdown, see Why Choose AT*SQA? and AT*SQA Extra Benefits.
Online exam results are immediate. Your certificate appears in your AT*SQA account within 24 hours. You can download it directly.
After passing, you can opt into the ISTQB Successful Candidate Register. Employers and hiring managers worldwide can search it to verify your certification. Foundation Level and Advanced Level credentials are valid for life. Expert Level is valid for seven years.
Yes. ISTQB credentials are well understood by Dutch employers in tech, finance, government, and logistics, and ISTQB is recognized globally. Dutch companies with offices abroad also value it because their international colleagues use the same standard.
Yes. Online proctoring is available every day of the year. You need a webcam, a stable internet connection, and a quiet space. Before scheduling, read the AT*SQA online exam instructions so you're ready on the day.
For many candidates in the Netherlands, yes. Dutch testers working in international environments or with English-language clients benefit from a credential taken in English, since it signals that their testing knowledge extends to English-speaking professional contexts. If English is not your native language, the 25% extended time option is available at no extra charge.
$229 USD through AT*SQA. The voucher is valid for 365 days and includes a free micro-credential exam.
No prerequisites for Foundation Level. It's open to anyone. Most Advanced Level certifications require Foundation as a prerequisite, which is one of the practical reasons to start there.
Most candidates spend four to eight weeks at an hour or two a day. Testers already working in QA often move through the material faster. The CTFL v4.0.1 syllabus is free to download and is the primary study resource.
Take your exam online from anywhere in the Netherlands or at one of seven Kryterion test centers across the country. Every ISTQB purchase through AT*SQA includes a free micro-credential exam and extra prep materials.