Professional Testing Certifications
The purpose the Certified software Test Professional three-level certification is to help test and QA professionals advance their knowledge overtime while being recognized for their achievement. The IIST Advisory Board strongly recommends that test and QA professionals progress through all three levels to make sure they have acquired the necessary skills to lead a successful career in software testing. However, it is possible that an individual, after achieving the CSTP-Associate Level, decides to pursue other specialized certifications such as agile testing certification mobile testing certification, test automation certification, or even more advanced test management certification or quality management certification.
The Certified Software Test Professional Body of Knowledge
The Certified Software Test Professional Body of Knowledge consists of seven areas of knowledge that covers methods and techniques that must be mastered by every test professional. Each level of the CSTP requires certification candidates to attend certain number of testing courses to that covers specific areas of the CSTP Body of Knowledge in addition to some elective subject areas that the candidates can chose depending on their job responsibilities.
Certified Software Test Professional - Associate Level (CSTP-A)
This level requires certification candidate to complete 3 days of testing training that cover the following two areas of the CSTP Body of Knowledge:
Area #1: Principles of Software Testing
Area #2: Test Design
Certified Software Test Professional - Practitioner Level (CSTP-P)
This level requires certification candidate to complete 4 days of testing training that cover the following two areas of the CSTP Body of Knowledge:
- Area #3: Managing the Test Process
- Area #4 Test Execution
- Area #5 Requirement Analysis and Requirement-Based Testing
- One day elective, that may cover any of the above areas or other supporting areas
Certified Software Test Professional - Practitioner Master (CSTP-M)
This level requires certification candidate to complete 3 days of testing training that cover the following two areas of the CSTP Body of Knowledge:
- Area #6: Test Automation
- Area #7 Static Testing, reviews and inspections.
- One day elective, which may cover any of the above areas or other test-related areas
