Best Quality Assurance (QA) Certifications

Quality Assurance plays a vital role in an IT project. Quality Assurance (QA) Analysts test software applications to ensure they function as per requirements. They ensure that all software defects are identified so a defective software is not deployed or delivered to a customer. Generally employers require a bachelors degree for the role and having Quality Assurance (QA) certifications showcases your dedication, enthusiasm and technical knowledge on Quality Assurance. Although it is not mandatory to get certified, a Quality Assurance certification helps you to increase your job prospective, salary, and self-confidence. The median salary of Quality Assurance Test Engineers is $54,541 per annum according to payscale. Let us take a look at some of the widely accepted and recognized popular Quality Assurance (QA) Certifications.

Best Quality Assurance (QA) Certifications

Certified Software Tester: (CSTE)

The Certified Software Tester (CSTE) certification is intended to establish standards for initial qualification and provide direction for the testing function through an aggressive educational program. Acquiring the designation of Certified Software Tester (CSTE) indicates a professional level of competence in the principles and practices of quality control in the IT profession. CSTE’s become members of a recognized professional group and receive recognition of their competence by business and professional associates, potentially more rapid career advancement, and greater acceptance in the role as advisor to management.

Certified Associate in Software Quality: (CASQ)

As the IT industry becomes more competitive, the ability for management to distinguish professional and skilled individuals in the field becomes mandatory. The CASQ Certification demonstrates a foundation-level understanding of quality assurance principles and practices.

Acquiring the designation of Certified Associate in Software Quality (CASQ) indicates a professional level of competence in the principles and practices of quality assurance in the IT profession. CASQ’s become members of an acclaimed professional group, receiving recognition of their competence by business and professional associates, and are afforded potentially more rapid career advancement.

Certified Software Quality Analyst: (CSQA)

Acquiring the designation of Certified Software Quality Analyst (CSQA) indicates a professional level of competence in the principles and practices of quality assurance in the IT profession. CSQA’s become members of a recognized professional group and receive recognition of their competence by business and professional associates, potentially more rapid career advancement, and greater acceptance in the role as advisor to management.

Certified Manager of Software Quality: (CMSQ)

The Certified Manager of Software Quality (CMSQ) certification establishes a worldwide standard for the assessment of the capabilities and competencies of software quality assurance professionals that are working at, or soon will work at the software quality assurance management level.

Acquiring the designation of Certified Manager of Software Quality (CMSQ) indicates a level of professional competence in both the principles and practices of software quality assurance, demonstrating the skills and capabilities necessary to manage the software quality assurance function. CMSQ certification provides IT upper management a necessary tool to predict the likelihood of success of individuals applying for management level positions. The CMSQ certification provides the IT professional with an objective assessment of their management skills.

Certified Associate in Software Testing: (CAST)

As the IT industry becomes more competitive, the ability for management to distinguish professional and skilled individuals in the field becomes mandatory. The CAST Certification demonstrates a foundation-level understanding of quality testing principles and practices.
Acquiring the designation of Certified Associate in Software Testing (CAST) indicates a professional level of competence in the principles and practices of software testing in the IT profession. CASTs become members of an acclaimed professional group, receiving recognition of their competence by business and professional associates, and are afforded potentially more rapid career advancement.

Certified Manager of Software Testing: (CMST)

The Certified Manager of Software Testing (CMST) certification establishes a worldwide standard for the assessment of the capabilities and competencies of software testing professionals that are working at, or soon will work at, the software testing management level.
Acquiring the designation of CMST indicates a level of professional competence in both the principles and practices of software testing, demonstrating the skills and capabilities necessary to manage the software test function. The CMST certification provides IT upper management a necessary tool to predict the likelihood of success of individuals applying for management level positions. The CMST certification also provides the IT professional with an objective assessment of their management skills.

ISTQB Foundation Level

The Foundation Level qualification is aimed at professionals who need to demonstrate practical knowledge of the fundamental concepts of software testing. This includes people in roles such as test designers, test analysts, test engineers, test consultants, test managers, user acceptance testers and IT Professionals.

The Foundation Level qualification is also appropriate for anyone who needs a basic understanding of software testing, such as project managers, quality managers, software development managers, business analysts, IT directors and management consultants

ISTQB Advanced Level

The Advanced Level qualification is aimed at people who have achieved an advanced point in their careers in software testing. This includes people in roles such as testers, test analysts, test engineers, test consultants, test managers, user acceptance testers and software developers.

To receive Advanced Level certification, candidates must hold the Foundation Certificate and satisfy the Exam Board which examines them that they have sufficient practical experience to be considered Advanced Level qualified.

The Advanced Level has three Syllabi:

A person with the special skills and knowledge representing mastery of a particular testing subject. Being an expert means possessing and displaying special skills and knowledge derived from training and experience“. Clearly stated expectations and business outcomes are established for each subject covered at Expert Level.

The Expert Level currently has five modules, three released and two in development:

Improving the Testing Process
Test Management
Test Automation Engineering
Test Automation Management (in progress)
Security Testing (in progress)

ISTQB Agile Tester

Agile Testing

Agile testing is a relatively new approach to software testing that follows the principles of agile software development as outlined in the Agile Manifesto. A QA Software Tester on an Agile project will work differently than one working on a traditional waterfall project. Software Testers must understand the values and principles that underpin Agile projects, and how testers are an integral part of a whole-team approach together with developers and business representatives.

There is a lot of confusion concerning agile testing – which means there’s an educational opportunity as well. The Agile Extension will give the tester the knowledge to be part of agile testing teams and achieve high performance.

http://www.istqb.org/about-istqb/istqb-levels-and-modules.html

4 Reasons You Should Choose ISTQB Software Testing Certification:

ISTQB software testing certification can help you cut software development costs and save time.

ISTQB software tester certification grows with your software testing job to make your company’s testing more efficient.

ISTQB software testing certification prepares you for your next software testing job

ISTQB is credible, giving you peace of mind that you made the right choice for your software testing certification.

HP Application Lifecycle Management

The HP ExpertOne community is a network of qualified HP channel partners, customers, and employees. These individuals have passed certification exams that validate skills and competencies for credentials offered through the HP ExpertOne program. The exam is intended for technical personnel who demo, perform Proof of Concept and, under supervision of a senior consultant, will implement, configure, and manage HP Application Lifecycle Management 11.x Software.

QTP –Certification
QTP certification by HP is meant for QuickTest professionals who wish to gain mastery in testing tools by HP called QuickTest. QTP 11 Certification (Code: HPO-M47) have been introduced in the place of QTP 10 certification. QTP 10 Certification has become obsolete.

HP LoadRunner v11

This certification verifies that you can automate performance validation and scalability tests with HP LoadRunner, and that you can apply your knowledge to Identify and reduce performance bottlenecks. Obtain an accurate picture of end-to-end system performance before going live. Verify that applications meet specified performance requirements and avoid issues in production. Demonstrate core Performance Center software knowledge

www1.hp.com/ExpertOne/certifications

Share your experiences preparing for Quality Assurance (QA) Certifications in the comments section below. Also, if you think there are other certifications that should be included to the above list, provide the details in the comment section below.

Click the following link for a list of Quality Assurance Trainings conducted by various Certified QA Software Testing Subject Matter Experts to begin a Quality Assurance career or to sharpen your skills and perform better in your current QA role or to prepare for a Quality Assurance (QA) Certification.

If you have a team of Quality Assurance professionals that have to be trained and certified in one of the above Quality Assurance (QA) certifications, provide your details in the contact form.

Quality Assurance

Best Quality Assurance (QA) Certifications for Software Testing Professionals