Certification

Several certification programs exist to support the professional aspirations of software testers and quality assurance specialists. No certification currently offered actually requires the applicant to demonstrate the ability to test software. No certification is based on a widely accepted body of knowledge. No certification board decertifies individuals.^{[verification needed][citation needed]} This has led some to declare that the testing field is not ready for certification . Certification itself cannot measure an individual's productivity, their skill, or practical knowledge, and cannot guarantee their competence, or professionalism as a tester .

Open Certification of Software Testers

Certifications can be grouped into: exam-based and education-based. Exam-based certifications: For these there is the need to pass an exam, which can also be learned by self-study: e.g. for ISTQB or QAI. Education-based certifications are instructor-led sessions, where each course has to be passed, e.g. IIST (International Institute for Software Testing).

Testing certifications

• CSQE offered by the American Society for Quality
• CSTE offered by the Quality Assurance Institute (QAI)
• CSTP offered by the International Institute for Software Testing
• ISEB offered by the Information Systems Examinations Board
• ISTQB offered by the International Software Testing Qualification Board

Quality assurance certifications

• CSQA offered by the Quality Assurance Institute (QAI)