The document compares three software testing certifications: the CSTP from the International Institute for Software Testing (IIST), the CSTE from the Quality Assurance Institute (QAI), and the ISTQB from the International Software Testing Qualification Board. The CSTP requires 10 days of formal classroom training, a test for each day of training, one year of testing experience, and costs over $5,500 for training plus $120 for graduation. The CSTE has no training requirement, a single 3-hour test, no experience requirement,

1. How Does CSTP Certification Compare to Other Certifications?
The comparison below is based on information published on web sites for these certifications.
IIST’s CSTP QAI’s CSTE ISTQB
Organization awarding International Quality Assurance International
the certification Institute for Institute Software Testing
Software Testing www.qaiusa.com Qualification Board
www.iist.org www.istqb.org
Status of the awarding Private – For-Profit Private – For-Profit Volunteers – Not for
organization Profit
How decisions and By an Independent By QAI By an Independent
directions regarding the Advisory Board Examination Board Board
certification are made
Formal training required 10 days of formal None. None.
for the certification to be classroom training An optional 3-day An optional 3-day
awarded with hands on prep course offered prep course available
workshops. by QAI. from ISTQB
Although IIST hosts certified training
this training, providers.
training is mostly
conducted by
outside instructors
that are approved by
IIST.
Handling of tests and By IIST’s By QAI staff By an independent
student records independent graders board
Tests required One test for each One 3-hour test. One 90-minute test.
day of training – if Many were Passing score is 65%
two days of training grandfathered
are attended in one without taking a
area, there is only test. Passing score
one test for the two is unknown.
days. Pass score is
80%
Testing experience At least one year None None
required for the working in software
certification to be testing
awarded
How detailed is the Body of Knowledge Body of Body of Knowledge
Body of Knowledge is covered by 10 Knowledge is is covered by an
covered based on the days of formal covered by an optional 3-day
certification training optional 3-day course
course
Cost Cost of training + $300 for taking or $250 for taking or
$120 graduation fee re-taking the exam re-taking the exam.

2. (graduates get a
brass/Cherry wood
plaque plus a lapel
pin).
- Cost of training is
approximately
$5,500 for all 10
days of training if
courses are attended
in a public setting
and it goes down to
approximately
$2,400 if courses
are held at your
company site.
- No cost for taking
or re-taking exam.
Is re-certification Yes Yes No
through continuous
education required?
Benefit of having been - Student has 80 Marketability Marketability
through the program hours of might be gained might be gained
education from from holding the from holding the
world-class certification certification
instructors who
are experts in
their niche areas.
- Student has
expertise to add
real value to their
organization as a
result of
techniques and
methods taught
during 80 hrs of
real-world
classroom
training.
- Marketability
might be gained
from holding the
certification