Professional software testing is an increasingly important function that demands a solid foundation of training and qualification.

The ISTQB ® Certified-Tester Programme is recognised worldwide as a standard qualification scheme for software testers. It consists of three levels:

• Expert Level (in preparation)
• Advanced Level
• Foundation Level

The syllabus contents and examination questions are developed and published in Germany by the German Testing Board (GTB). GTB-approved certification bodies handle the examination of participants.

The Certified-Tester education programme is an international success. By the beginning of 2005, more than 2,000 testers had been certified in Germany alone. Worldwide, the figure is more than 40000 (Status 12/2006).

The examinees are software specialists from all sectors (automotive industry, financial services, medical technology, telecommunications, public services etc.) Universities are now offering lecture courses based on the Certified-Tester syllabus. At the moment, students at universities and technical universities in Munich, Darmstadt, Cologne, Dortmund and Bremen are able to take part in lecture courses, which build up to the examination for Certified Tester, Foundation Level.