Brüssel/Erlangen, 28th October 2008 – The International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB®) has through its National Boards granted more than 100,000 certifications worldwide at the ISTQB® Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) and ISTQB® Certified Tester Advanced Level (CTAL) by October 2008. This makes the ISTQB® software tester qualification scheme by far the most successful and fastest growing certification programme for software testers worldwide.

“Reaching the 100,000 certification milestone validates ISTQB®’s leadership in helping software testers to demonstrate their knowledge, skill and professionalism,” said Rex Black, CTAL, President of ISTQB® when commenting this success.

ISTQB® certification traces its origins to the UK, where industry demand for professional software testers led to its development. “Software testing is critical to the reliable functioning of the world’s software systems,”  explained Geoff Thompson of the UK Testing Board (UKTB). “We realized that certification can help to improve the capability of those that test systems, while moving the profession forward.”

The appeal of the ISTQB® software testing certification quickly led to its expansion. Horst Pohlmann of the German Testing Board (GTB) continued, "Companies tell us they choose ISTQB certification because it is practical, focusing on the software testing knowledge and skills which their testers need every day."

The rapid growth of ISTQB® software testing certification can also be attributed to its not-for-profit nature. “Companies have found ISTQB® certification to be credible because we freely offer the ISTQB® certification syllabi and software testing glossary, and let you choose your own education,” said Patricia McQuaid, PhD, CTFL, President of the American Software Testing Qualifications Board (ASTQB).

The ISTQB® is composed of representatives from the ca. 40 national boards throughout the world, all of whom are volunteers. The ISTQB® decides on the standards for certification and the national boards develop and maintain the country-specific syllabi and examinations.

“While we’re proud of our status as the leading global software testing certification, we won’t rest on our laurels,” said Rex Black. “Companies look to the ISTQB® to help them deliver quality software, and software testers look to ISTQB® to help them build their profession. ISTQB®’s volunteer leadership is already developing the vision that will take software testing to a new level.”

International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB®)
The ISTQB® Certified-Tester Programme is recognised worldwide as a standard qualification scheme for software testers. It consists of three levels: „Foundation Level“, „Advanced Level“, and the „Expert Level“ which is currently in preparation.

The syllabus contents and examination questions are developed and published in Germany by the German Testing Board e.V. (GTB). GTB-approved certification bodies offer and handle the examination of course participants. Universities are now also offering lecture courses based on the Certified-Tester syllabi. In Germany, there are currently already more than 10,000 ISTQB®-certified software testing professionals and more than 100,000 worldwide (in 10/2008).

German Testing Board e.V.
The German Testing Board e.V. (GTB) is a working group of software and system testing specialists. Its members include recognised experts from industry, consultants, trainers, scientists and specialists from other organisations or associations.

The German Testing Board is an independent, neutral commission, which is responsible for the quality of the ISTQB® Certified-Tester system and the associated examination procedures in Germany. It also supervises the Certified-Tester training courses, monitoring defined criteria and awarding accreditations to the training providers.

At an international level, the German Testing Board is a founder member of the umbrella organisation ISTQB®. This group is responsible for the consistency and comparability of the teaching and testing content in all participating countries.

For more information, visit the GTB website at www.german-testing-board.info

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