Software Testing has helped a lot of ventures to evaluate and verify the quality of every software component so that the software can respond aptly to different inputs of stakeholders. Besides, the techniques, associated with the testing of programming, driver, or application software involve risks that, can run intentionally or intentionally in different environments. Those risks need to be remediated proactively and to do that, businesses must have that production unit, acquiring an overall knowledge of the practical implementation of risk analysis [which is an imperative part of Software Testing].
Top Software Testing Certifications (2025)
You may think about the demand for a software tester in this instance. Yes, the requirement is humongous and will always be till the creation and maintenance of software will occur!! Whether you plan dynamic or static testing, you need to bring quality testing practices to the table and for doing that, this becomes necessary - certified testers with recognition through certification by reputed institutions. Let’s take a look at top software testing certifications which won’t only land a high-paying job for you but also help the ventures reduce the risks so that their software may gain acceptance from their customers globally.
Ready to become an expert in software testing and automation? Join the “Manual to Automation Testing: A QA Engineer” course. This comprehensive program will equip you with practical skills in Java, Selenium, and Cucumber, empowering you to tackle real-world testing scenarios with confidence.
1. CAST (Certified Associate in Software Testing)
This certification can professionally identify the ability of an applicant or a candidate while demonstrating the software testing principles and their quality practices at a foundational level. Some prerequisites are there like: -
- 3 or 4 years degree from a college-level [accredited] institution
- 2 years degree from college-level [accredited] institution + 1-year experience in the IT services field
- 3 years experience in the IT services field
From the above, you must possess any ONE OF those for qualifying the candidacy of CAST. The fee for this certification is 100 US Dollars and one can pay this online after reading the payment terms carefully. Apart from all this, the certification will test your knowledge in various skill areas. They will be like how one can build ST i.e. Software Testing ecosystem keeping in mind the conditions and influences surrounding, your vocabulary about methods and approaches of ST, managing the allotted software project through communication, monitoring, staffing, budgeting, and scheduling. Also, there are some other skill areas such as the magnitude of risk(s) associated with the lifecycle of the deployment current software system, designing of the test cases (like black-box), checkpoint reviews and the required exceptions, testing of the assimilated specialized technologies of mobile applications or cloud-based applications, and reporting of the tests after collecting the metrics and graphs of the data interpreted.
2. CSQA (Certified Software Quality Analyst Certification)
This certification will let you receive recognition since the candidature is identified and evaluated on the grounds of a professional level of competence. Such competence is regarding the knowledge of the practices and principles of QA i.e. Quality Assurance used in Software Testing. Undoubtedly, one needs to ethically note these prerequisites down, and they start with: -
- 4-year degree from a college-level [accredited] institution + 2 years experience in the IT services field
- 3-year degree from a college-level [accredited] institution + 3 years experience in the IT services field
- 2-year degree from a college-level [accredited] institution + 4 years experience in the IT services field
- 6 years experience in the IT services field.
From the above, you need to acquire any ONE from those to let your candidacy qualify. Despite all these four prerequisites, the fee for CSQA certification is 350 US Dollars or $450. You must access the payment policy section to know accurately about the terms and conditions. Indeed, the certification will test your knowledge about assessing the software products and the connected services by the concepts and principles of Quality Assurance; defining, implementing, and improving the quality control leadership initiatives aligning with the behavior and commitment with management, assessing the baselines of software modules so that the organizations can proactively measure the overall customer satisfaction well. Not only this but also the knowledge, about outsourcing and COTS in the internal control audits, is cross-examined which can simplify the addressed quality assurance plans.
3. International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) Certification
This certification is most widely recognized for software testing at a foundational level as well as an advanced level. Currently, expert-level certification is being developed. For all these levels, the working groups of ISTQB are operating internationally so that the candidates can prepare well for roles like software testers, test managers, test analysts, IT directors, and QA managers i.e. quality assurance managers. In the foundational level (one module), you may either opt for the Foundational Level Core certification or Foundational Level Specialist certification. Similarly, the advanced level (three modules) is divided into Advanced Level Core Certification and Advanced Level Specialist Certification. For the candidates willing to receive advanced-level certification, they must possess the Foundational one. If we talk about the fees, the foundational level certification costs 229 US Dollars while each of the advanced level ISQB certification costs $249.
Both these certifications will test your knowledge about the fundamentals of testing and quality assurance; defects, effects, and root causes of test processes, tasks, and work products, basic to the mid-level understanding of the lifecycle of software testing i.e. STLC, configuration management of the automated and agile test cases. Other than the above, tools and techniques for estimating risks (related to testing) and tracking the behavior and development of work products will be included in ISTQB certification. With this, applicants all around the world can plan and schedule test strategies so that they help businesses progressively develop the deliverables by the key project requirements.
4. Certified Quality Engineer (CQE)
The certification for CQE costs around 533 US Dollars and has an examination in two modes. The first one is computer-delivered (in English) which has 175 Questions in total which you need to complete in 5 hours and 18 minutes. Of those, 160 questions are multiple-choice type i.e. MCQ, and 15 questions are unscored which means they won’t impact your final marks. On the other side, the paper-and-pencil examination (in English, Portuguese, Spanish, Mandarin, and Korean in certain locations) for Certified Quality Engineer has 160 questions that need to be completed in 5 hours. Before getting enrolled in CQE certification, you must have 8 years of experience in one or more areas of CQE or a minimum of 3 years of experience (full-time, paid role as an intern or employee) in the decision-making position (i.e. you are involved with the execution and controlling of quality inspection processes) in any of its areas.
There will be variability in the set of topics asked like notions of service quality control and evaluation of products’ principles; development and analysis of statistical models, and human factors correctly diagnosing the metrology of management information systems. Rather than these, the certification will document your critical skills related to the validation and verification of sampling, distributions, and capability studies based on the hypothetical statistics of risk assessment and its acceptance.
5. Certified Manager of Software Testing (CMST)
This certification assesses the capabilities and competencies of the applicants inclined towards software testing. Soon, they will be working at the ST management level. If one wants to be on the qualifying list of CMST’s candidacy, then any ONE of these three prerequisites must be fulfilled:
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or another field of engineering from a college-level [accredited] institution + 4 years of experience in the ST field
- Associate Degree + 6 years of experience in the ST field
- 8 years of experience in the ST field.
Besides, there are 100 Multiple Choice Questions from which the candidate must answer 70 correctly to pass CMST certification whose fee is 450 US Dollars. On an overall basis, this certification will assess your candidature on grounds of resource planning, traceability, and controlling of various test processes, implementing and designing the product that will meet the requirements of the customers and maintenance of releases somewhere related to the quality standards of this competitive market.
6. Certified Software Tester (CSTE)
This certification is best if you want to establish good standards for establishing qualification at the initial stage and provide proper direction to do testing through a self-assertive educational program. If you want to acquire the position of a certified software tester then you must be capable of applying the principles and practice of quality control. Furthermore, if you want to be on the qualifying list for a CSTE then any ONE of these three prerequisites must be fulfilled:
- A 2-year degree from a recognized college institution or college and 4 years of working experience in the IT industry.
- A 3-year degree from a recognized college institution or college and 3 years of working experience in the IT industry.
- A 4-year degree from a recognized college institution or college and 2 years of working experience in the IT industry.
- or at least 6 years of working experience in the IT field
The CSTE is divided into two parts and both are available at Pearson Vue Testing Centers. To take these exams you will have to enroll in the certification program where the candidates will be given a Software Testing Body of Knowledge for CSTE (STBOK), which is a 557-page PDF that covers a complete examination syllabus.
7. ISTQB Foundation Level (CTFL)
This certification is relevant for all software delivery practices that include Agile, DevOps, Waterfall and Continues Delivery. The 2018 foundation-level course is best for those who need to demonstrate practical knowledge of the fundamental concepts of software testing. It includes people who are working in the roles of quality manager, business analyst, project manager, and software development manager. Moreover, if you want to know the exam details please take a look:
- Question- 40
- Multiple choice
- Time is given- 60 minutes
- Passing marks- 65%
- Fees- $250
This CTFL certification is better for people who want to apply for foundational roles in testing, for example, test consultants and test analysts. Also, anyone can take the exam as there are no eligibility criteria set for the same.
Conclusion
So there were top software testing certifications that are available and can be done according to need. You can choose the one which you think is required by you and help you in developing an additional skill. On the other hand, you can also consult with your company if they want you to do any specific best software testing certification then you can do the same.
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