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Best tester certifications
The best certifications for a tester are Commercial Driver License (CDL), ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL), and Certified Instrumentation Specialist (CIS).
Tester certifications demonstrate your competency as a tester to employers. However, not all tester certifications provide the same value.
Below is a list of the best tester certifications. Obtaining a tester certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
5 best certifications for testers
| Rank | Tester certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Commercial Driver License (CDL) | FMCSA |
| 2 | ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) | ASTQB |
| 3 | Certified Instrumentation Specialist (CIS) | IAHCSMM |
| 4 | Certified Software Tester (CSTE) | ISCB |
| 5 | Certified Scrum Master (CSM) | Scrum Allianc... |
5 best tester certifications
1. Commercial Driver License (CDL)
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is the agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation that is responsible for establishing standards for Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) operators, including the Commercial Driver's License (CDL). The minimum national CDL testing standards and licensing requirements established by FMCSA are administered by state driver licensing agencies when they issue a CDL. You are required to obtain and hold a CDL if you drive interstate, intrastate (within a state), or for foreign commerce and drive a vehicle that meets any of the classifications of a CDL. States develop their own tests which must meet the minimum federal standards, but which also may have standards unique to the state. To get a CDL, first you must get a commercial learner's permit. States can only issue learner's permits and CDLs to drivers after they pass knowledge exams and skills tests. You have to pass the CDL knowledge and skills tests for the class of license and type of endorsement required to operate the type of commercial vehicle you plan to drive. And, you have to take the skills test in a vehicle of the same type as the vehicle you plan to operate. For a quick reference of CDL Classes, see the CDL License Matrix.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 4 year(s)
2. ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL)
The Foundation Level qualification is aimed at anyone linvolved in software testing. The Foundation level qualification is also appropriated for anyone who wants a basic understanding of software testing, such as project managers, quality managers, software development managers, business analysts, IT directors and management consultants.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
3. Certified Instrumentation Specialist (CIS)
Technology changes. Standards update. Instrumentation evolves. The learning curve for Central Service professionals is steep and ever-changing, and the demands placed on them ever-growing. To help professionals stay abreast of rapidly changing medical technology, IAHCSMM offers the Certified Instrument Specialist (CIS) exam, which tests knowledge and recognition of medical instruments, as well as reviewing instrumentation practice skills. The CIS exam will test your proficiency in the identification and cleaning of medical instruments, and upon completing and passing the exam you will hold the designation of Certified Instrument Specialist (CIS).
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)
4. 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. CSTEs 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.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
5. Certified Scrum Master (CSM)
A Certified ScrumMaster helps project teams properly use Scrum, increasing the likelihood of the project's overall success. CSMs understand Scrum values, practices, and applications and provide a level of knowledge and expertise above and beyond that of typical project managers. CSMs act as "servant leaders," helping the rest of the Scrum team work together and learn the Scrum framework.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
What is the best certification for a tester?
The best tester certification is Commercial Driver License (CDL). The Commercial Driver License (CDL) is awarded by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The advanced certification is for more experienced employees as it often requires some work experience to acquire.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this tester certification:
- To become a certified Commercial Driver License (CDL), you need to pass the exam.
- Lucky you - certification doesn't require more than two years of work experience.
- Renew certification every 4 year.
What certifications can impact a tester career and salary?
The Certified Scrum Master certification will help you to secure a senior tester position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A senior tester's average salary is $62,507 whereas testers make an average salary of $65,202.
The most common combination of tester certifications include: Commercial Driver License (CDL), ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL), and Certified Instrumentation Specialist (CIS).
Online courses for testers to earn certifications
1. Software Engineering Immersive (Full-time)
Meet the global demand for technical problem-solvers by developing your coding skills to create full-stack web applications across multiple frameworks, incorporating functionality from third-party APIs, executing software engineering projects in an Agile development workflow, and more...
2. Intro to Coding
Discover if coding is a career fit for you In this free, two-hour livestream, explore the building blocks of the web — HTML and CSS — and learn how you can apply these programming languages to develop your own simple sites. All in real time, taught by an industry professional. Come learn the basics and gain the skills you need to write your first line of code!...
3. Full Stack Web Developer
Design and develop modern web applications.Students will also learn how to deploy a Flask-based web application to the cloud using Docker and Kubernetes...
4. Agile Software Development
Learn best practices for using the Agile methodology to build better products faster and more efficiently...
5. SQL Tutorial For Tester
Course on SQL query for testers and developers...
6. SDET Training: Selenium WebDriver, Java Project & Code Tests
Complete SDET Training course on Selenium Web Driver with Java Framework, API & Automation Testing, Coding Interview etc...
7. Full Stack JavaScript Developer
Meet the growing demand for full stack developers and learn to build rich web experiences using a modern architecture and technology stack...
8. Cloud Developer using Microsoft Azure
The Developer for Microsoft Azure Nanodegree program teaches students how to deploy, build, migrate, and monitor applications on Azure, thereby preparing learners for success on Microsoft’s AZ-204 Azure Developer Associate Expert certification...
9. Python From Scratch & Selenium WebDriver QA Automation 2023
Bundle Course, Python and Selenium Web Driver from scratch for Automation Testing, SQL, Framework Design, Robot Framework...
10. Selenium WebDriver with C# for Beginners + Live Testing Site
Selenium is the most popular tool to test websites! Join me and hundreds of students to learn Selenium Webdriver!...
11. Intermediate Python
Gain practitioner-level skills with Python and learn the language powering transformation in Data Science, Machine Learning, and beyond...
12. Selenium WebDriver: Selenium Automation Testing with Python
Learn Selenium Web Driver Python Course for professional Selenium Web Driver browser testing and automation...
13. Selenium WebDriver and Java - Learn Automation with Selenium
Selenium webdriver and Java. Learn Automation Testing with Selenium & Java. Build Automation - Selenium, Junit & Test NG...
14. PL/SQL by Example - Beginner to Advanced PL/SQL
Using PL/SQL learn how to combine the efficiency of SQL & Procedural Language(PL) to build a powerful PL/SQL Application...
15. User Experience Design & User Interface Design Fundamentals
Learn the basics of successful User Experience Design and User Interface Design...
16. Learn Basic to Advance JIRA for Testers/QA/Test Manager-2023
Setup Jira Trial Account Bug Tracking, Task Management & Agile/Scrum Project Management using JIRA Realtime Examples...
17. Selenium Webdriver with Java Language
This course will help you in learning advanced techniques for testing web applications with Webdriver (Selenium 2.0)...
18. Selenium WebDriver with Java & Cucumber BDD
Build a start to finish web automation testing framework and simulate user behavior on a web application + LIVE TEST APP...
19. The Complete User Interface Design Bootcamp - Sketch UI/UX
Master Sketch software to get a job in UI Design, User Interface, User Experience design, Web Design & UX design...
20. Linux(Unix) Command with Shell Scripting-Must for Testers/QA
Learn Linux Shell Commands, Shell Scripting with Practical Implementation File Processing using SED, AWK & Advance GREP...