ISTQB certification is the most widely held software testing qualification in the world. Run by the International Software Testing Qualifications Board, the scheme has issued more than 1.1 million certificates across 130 countries. In QA job postings across banking, government, healthcare, and enterprise technology, it shows up more consistently than any other testing credential, and increasingly as a requirement rather than a nice-to-have.
This page covers the full picture: what the certification levels are, what each level costs through AT*SQA, how to register, and how to choose the right certification for where you are in your testing career. If you already know what you need, go straight to Register at AT*SQA.
Register through AT*SQA when you are ready to buy, or download the free syllabus if you are still planning your study timeline.
ISTQB certification is structured as a scheme, not a single credential. There are three main levels, each building on the last, plus a growing number of specialist certifications that sit alongside the core levels. For a broader background, see What Is ISTQB?
Foundation Level is the entry point and the prerequisite for almost everything else in the scheme. It validates that you understand testing fundamentals, test design, defect reporting, and how testing fits into modern software development. No prior experience is required, and there are no prerequisites of any kind.
Advanced Level builds on Foundation with role-based specializations: Test Analyst, Technical Test Analyst, Test Automation Engineer, Test Management, Security Test Engineer, and others. Each targets a specific area of the testing profession.
Expert Level is the highest tier, currently available in Test Management across three modules. It is aimed at senior test leaders with significant hands-on experience.
Alongside the three core levels sits a growing set of specialist certifications: AI Testing, Testing with Generative AI, Agile Testing, Performance Testing, Usability Testing, Mobile Application Testing, and more. Most do not require Foundation as a formal prerequisite, but they make most sense once you have it.
The credential you earn is globally recognized. Every exam is based on a standardized ISTQB syllabus, so a Foundation Level certificate earned in Toronto carries exactly the same weight as one earned in London, Bangalore, or Manila. To understand how the scheme fits into a testing career, see Is ISTQB Worth It? and ISTQB Benefits.
If you have never taken an ISTQB certification before, start with Foundation Level. It is the prerequisite for most Advanced and Expert certifications, and it is the qualification that appears most in QA job postings regardless of country or industry.
Foundation Level is designed for anyone working in or around software testing: QA analysts, test engineers, developers who test, business analysts, project coordinators, and career changers moving into tech. There are no prerequisites, no minimum experience level, and no degree requirement. For background on what the testing profession looks like and how certification fits in, see How to Become a Software Tester.
Once you hold Foundation, the most common next steps are:
For a full breakdown of the scheme and a decision framework, see Which ISTQB Certification Should I Take?
The Foundation Level exam is 40 multiple-choice questions based on the CTFL v4.0.1 syllabus. You have 60 minutes standard time, or 75 minutes if the exam language is not your first language, and you need 65 percent to pass, which is 26 correct answers out of 40. There is no negative marking, so you should answer every question.
The syllabus covers six chapters: Fundamentals of Testing, Testing Through the SDLC, Static Testing, Test Analysis and Design, Managing Test Activities, and Test Tools. Chapters 4 and 5 carry the most questions and deserve the most preparation time.
Foundation Level costs $229 USD through AT*SQA. Your voucher is valid for 365 days from purchase. Prices are in USD and you can pay in your local currency at checkout, with the converted amount shown before payment is confirmed. Every Foundation Level purchase through AT*SQA includes a free micro-credential exam, so you can walk away with two credentials for the price of one.
For a complete breakdown of what each chapter covers, how the exam is structured, and how to prepare, see ISTQB Foundation Level. For study planning, see How to Pass ISTQB Foundation Level and ISTQB Exam Prep. If you want to know what the exam is actually like before committing, see How Hard Is ISTQB Foundation Level? and ISTQB Practice Questions.
All prices are in USD. AT*SQA's checkout lets you pay in your local currency, with the converted amount shown before you confirm. Vouchers are valid for 365 days from purchase. Organizations registering 20 or more candidates receive a 10 percent volume discount at checkout.
| ISTQB Certification | Level | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Level (CTFL) | Foundation | $229 |
| Agile Testing | Specialist | $199 |
| AI Testing | Specialist | $199 |
| Testing with Generative AI | Specialist | $199 |
| Performance Testing | Specialist | $199 |
| Mobile Application Testing | Specialist | $199 |
| Usability Testing | Specialist | $199 |
| Game Testing | Specialist | $199 |
| Automotive Software Testing | Specialist | $199 |
| Gambling Industry Testing | Specialist | $199 |
| Model-Based Testing | Specialist | $199 |
| Test Automation Engineer | Advanced | $249 |
| Test Automation Strategy | Advanced | $249 |
| Test Analyst, Advanced | Advanced | $249 |
| Technical Test Analyst, Advanced | Advanced | $249 |
| Test Management, Advanced | Advanced | $249 |
| Security Testing | Advanced | $249 |
| Security Test Engineer | Advanced | $249 |
| Agile Technical Testing | Advanced | $249 |
| Test Management, Expert (per module) | Expert | $575 |
All prices USD. Local currency payment available at checkout with amount shown before confirming. Vouchers valid 365 days. Volume discounts available →
For a focused pricing reference, see ISTQB Exam Cost.
Registering through AT*SQA takes four steps. For full booking guidance after you purchase, see How to Book Your ISTQB Exam.
Online exam results are instant. Your certificate appears in your AT*SQA account within 24 hours of passing.
AT*SQA serves ISTQB candidates worldwide. You can register from any country and take the exam online or at a Kryterion testing center where available. Your certification is globally valid regardless of where you sit.
The country pages below cover local-currency pricing at checkout, testing center locations, registration specifics, and common local questions.
If your country is not listed above, you can still register through AT*SQA and take the exam online. See ISTQB Exam Locations for the full list.
AT*SQA is a non-profit and the official global ISTQB exam provider for ASTQB, the U.S. member board of ISTQB. The certification you earn is the same globally valid ISTQB credential you would receive from any accredited provider. What AT*SQA adds is a set of benefits that come with every purchase:
A free micro-credential exam is bundled with every ISTQB voucher. You pick the topic after you buy: API Testing, AI for Testers, Test Automation, DevOps Testing, and others are available. Two credentials for the price of one. AT*SQA also publishes exclusive practice exams written specifically to match the style and structure of their exam questions, which are more useful than the generic ISTQB sample questions available elsewhere online.
Your voucher is valid for 365 days, so you schedule on your own timeline. Once you pass, you can be listed in the ISTQB Successful Candidate Register and, where applicable, the Official U.S. List of Certified and Credentialed Software Testers, giving employers a direct way to verify your credential. For how certification affects your resume and career visibility, see ISTQB on Your Resume and ISTQB and Getting a QA Job.
For the full breakdown, see Why Choose AT*SQA? and AT*SQA Extra Benefits. If you are not sure about the relationship between ISTQB, ASTQB, and AT*SQA, see ISTQB vs ASTQB vs AT*SQA.
ISTQB stands for International Software Testing Qualifications Board. ISTQB certification is a globally standardized credential for software testers, offered at Foundation, Advanced, and Expert levels with specialist certifications alongside each level. The credential is recognized by employers in banking, government, healthcare, consulting, and technology sectors worldwide. See What Is ISTQB? for the full background.
Foundation Level costs $229 USD through AT*SQA. Specialist certifications are $199 USD. Advanced certifications are $249 USD. Expert Level certifications are $575 USD per module. You can pay in your local currency at checkout. Volume discounts apply for groups of 20 or more. See ISTQB Exam Cost for the full breakdown.
Foundation Level has no prerequisites: no degree, no testing background, no prior certification. Advanced and Expert certifications require Foundation Level as a prerequisite. Specialist certifications are generally open to anyone, though most candidates take Foundation first.
Foundation Level and most Advanced certifications do not expire. Expert Level certifications are valid for seven years and must be renewed. For the full details, see Does ISTQB Certification Expire?
Yes. AT*SQA offers online proctored exams 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You need a computer with a webcam and a stable internet connection. You can also choose to take the exam at a Kryterion testing center where available. The price is the same for both options. See ISTQB Online Exam for what to expect on exam day.
Yes. ISTQB exams are based on standardized syllabi and the certification is recognized by employers in over 130 countries. The credential is the same regardless of which accredited provider you register through.
Most candidates need 40 to 60 hours of focused preparation, typically four to six weeks studying an hour or two a day. Experienced testers familiar with the material often need less. For a week-by-week plan, see How to Pass ISTQB Foundation Level.
Yes. AT*SQA handles group purchases and can arrange invoicing for organizations. Volume pricing applies for 20 or more vouchers. Contact AT*SQA at atsqa.org/contact to set up group registration.
Every ISTQB purchase through AT*SQA includes a free micro-credential exam voucher, access to official study materials and exclusive practice exams, 365 days of voucher validity, and eligibility for the ISTQB Successful Candidate Register. For the complete list, see AT*SQA Extra Benefits and Why Choose AT*SQA?.
Buy your ISTQB exam voucher now and you have 365 days to schedule. Every purchase includes a free micro-credential exam.