ISTQB is the International Software Testing Qualifications Board. It is the organization that created the world's most widely held software testing certification. Founded in Edinburgh in November 2002 by eight national testing boards from Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and the UK, ISTQB operates as a non-profit association.
As of May 2025, ISTQB has issued more than one million certifications and administered more than 1.4 million exams across more than 130 countries since its founding. It has 69 member boards worldwide representing those countries.
ISTQB does two things. First, it develops and maintains globally standardized syllabi for software testing knowledge. Second, it oversees a certification scheme that allows testers anywhere in the world to prove their knowledge against that global standard.
Each ISTQB syllabus is free to download. The different syllabi cover everything from the fundamentals of software testing to test design techniques, test management, and specialized topics like AI testing, security testing, and performance testing. The terminology in the ISTQB syllabus is standardized internationally so that when a tester in India and a test manager in Germany use ISTQB terminology, they mean the same things.
ISTQB does not administer exams directly. Instead, it accredits national member boards, which in turn license exam providers to administer the exams. In the United States, the member board is ASTQB and the official exam provider of ASTQB is AT*SQA.
Owns the certification standard. Develops the syllabi and sets the global rules. Does not run exams.
The official US national board for ISTQB. Accredits US training providers and represents US interests within ISTQB internationally.
Where you purchase your voucher and schedule your exam. Non-profit. Administers ISTQB exams globally, not just in the US.
When you take your ISTQB exam through AT*SQA, you can be added to both the ISTQB Successful Candidate Register and the Official US List of Certified and Credentialed Software Testers. No other exam provider can add you to both lists.
ISTQB certifications are organized into three levels:
Beyond these three levels, ISTQB also offers specialist certifications covering specific domains, including AI Testing, Testing with Generative AI, Agile Testing, Security Testing, Performance Testing, and Test Automation Engineering. These specialist certifications require Foundation Level as a prerequisite. If the AI side is what caught your eye, read ISTQB AI Testing vs Testing with Generative AI.
The Foundation Level is designed for anyone involved in software testing or who needs a foundational understanding of it. There are no prerequisites, so you do not need a degree or prior testing experience to sit the exam. If you are trying to turn that into a career plan, start with How to Become a Software Tester. If you want a quick U.S.-focused overview of the common basics, see this ISTQB FAQ.
Advanced and Expert Level certifications are aimed at experienced testers who want to move into senior, lead, or management roles.
Because it is verifiable, standardized, and internationally recognized. A hiring manager cannot verify from a resume alone whether someone understands testing methodology. ISTQB certification is independently tested and searchable through the ISTQB Successful Candidate Register. Additionally, teams that are ISTQB certified share the same software testing terminology and methodology, making it easier to integrate new team members who already hold the certification.
ASTQB maintains a documented list of US companies that have listed ISTQB in job postings, including:
The ISTQB certification appears in job postings across industries and across the globe, not just at software companies. If you want to see how that reads to hiring managers, use How ISTQB Certification Helps on Your Resume.
AT*SQA administers ISTQB exams globally. Select your country below to go directly to your registration page:
Not seeing your country? See the full list of countries AT*SQA serves or register directly at AT*SQA from anywhere in the world.