Certified Software Test Lead (CSTL)
Testing and quality professionals wishing to pursue the Certified Software Test Lead credentials must satisfy one of the following two pre-requisite:
- Five years experience in software testing. This requirement shall be demonstrated by means of a statement signed by the manager or managers the candidate has worked with.
- A basic certification in software testing that covers areas 1 and 2 of the Software Test Professionals Body of Knowledge as described by the International Institute for Software Testing. Acceptable certifications are IIST CSTP - Associate Level, ISTQB foundation Level, or CSTE. You may achieve the IIST Certified Software Test Professional - Associate Level either online or at one of our public training events. Click here for details
Test professionals wishing to pursue the CSTL certification must complete the following educational requirements:
- Three days of training that cover the following three areas of the Test Management Body of Knowledge:
- Area #1: Test Process Management
- Area #2: Test Project Management
- Area #3: Test Process Measurement and Improvement
- One day of training that covers any subject area in software testing that relates to individual's job responsibility.
Candidates of the certification must pass a written exam in each course as described below.
CSTL Training Options Written ExamCandidates are required to complete a written exam for each course and pass with a level of performance no less than 80%. A candidate is allowed to retake the exam for a second time without having to attend the course again. There is a $100 fee to retake the exam. If 80% performance is not achieved on a second attempt, the candidate must retake the course or take another course covering the same BOK area. If the course failed was taken online you will get access to the online course and a retake exam for $100. If the course was taken on-site or at public training and is available online you can get access to both the online course and retake exam for half the original price of the online course. If the course is failed for a 3rd time and was taken online you will get access to the online course and a retake exam for half the original price of the online course.
Graduation:Upon satisfying both formal education and job experience requirements, a candidate shall apply online for graduation. This require a $50 non- refundable graduation fee. This fee covers the cost associated with record-keeping, processing, grading exams, and the certificate that will be emailed to you in PDF format.
CSTL Re-Certification RequirementsThe CSTL Certification will expire 3 years after it is granted. As a result, all CSTL recipients must complete the recertification requirements before that time. The re-certification requirements are four days of training to cover any topic in software testing. Days of training may be used to satisfy the requirements of a higher level certification such as Certified Test Master - Practitioner Level. All training requires attending an exam in each course and achieving 80% performance.
