ISEB and ISTQB Tester Certification Explained

Press Release from the BCS and UK Testing Board, 15 March 2010

Full press release from the UK Testing Board website
Full press release from the BCS website 

BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, which promotes qualifications for IT professionals, has signed an agreement with the UK Testing Board (UKTB). The agreement will see the two organisations working more closely together to promote and support Software testing accreditation and certification internationally. UKTB will become the preferred supplier for the Institute’s software testing exams at Foundation and Advanced levels, in accordance with the international ISTQB program.
The agreement will also see the Institute working more closely with an increasing number of ISTQB boards around the world.

Internationally, software testing exams are currently available at a number of different entry points from Foundation to Advanced, with the Institute’s Intermediate exam providing a valuable optional route between the two levels. For those professionals looking for certification beyond Advanced level, ISTQB will be providing its Expert level exam. The Institute will continue to offer its UK only Practitioner level in Software Testing until early 2011.

Michiel Van der Voort, Executive Director of International and Professional Development Services for the Institute, explains: "As the Chartered Institute for IT, we’re delighted to have reached this agreement with UKTB. Together we have an enormous amount of experience in this arena and we can deliver a high quality service to the software testing community internationally."
Geoff Thompson, Chairman of the UKTB welcomes the agreement, saying: "This is an exciting step forward for the software testing community which is central to the IT profession. By working together in this way, we can continue to increase the standard for software testing internationally."

Yaron Tsubery the current president of the ISTQB adds: "This agreement helps software testers in the UK and around the world clearly understand the standards they need to meet. It supports ISTQB’ goal to be the worldwide leading program for the development and certification of software testers."

SQS commentary: what this means for you?

This development finally gives the opportunity to consolidate testers onto one single International Software Testing Certification Scheme – the ISTQB Certified Tester scheme. This simplifies the choice of scheme you can follow whilst still giving a recognised international qualification (currently recognised in 47 countries worldwide). It also allows us to consolidate the testing vocabulary used globally and roll out clearer internal and external testing career paths.

I’m still confused, what are my options?

I have taken Foundation, how do I move on to the next level of certification?

Option 1: Just take ISEB Intermediate. You can also extend this later to either the ISEB scheme (though time is tight to do this by end of March 2011) or you could move across to the ISTQB Advanced scheme.

Option 2: Take ISEB Intermediate and one of the Practitioner schemes, you will need to act fast to ensure you can take the ISEB practitioner exam in June, September, December or March but it’s still possible.

Option 3: Move straight to the ISTQB Advanced scheme and choose from 3 paths: Test Manager, Test Analyst or Technical Test Analyst. Each course takes 5 days with the exam taken at the end of day 5.

I have taken Foundation and Intermediate, do I stick with the ISEB scheme or move to ISTQB?
If you’ve already started down the ISEB path, these qualifications remain valid in their own right and are still internationally recognised and so there is still value in completing this certification path. 

It will also be a better use of your time and budget to complete the ISEB scheme if you are already part way through as it is shorter. However you do need to take your Practitioner before the end of March 2011 so we recommend you act fast to reserve your course and exam. 

ISEB and the UK Testing Board are currently preparing more information regarding any formal transition between their schemes and more information will be released as soon as we receive it. 

I already have one of the ISEB Practitioner qualifications, how can I gain another software testing certificate?
Again, if you can do this before March 2011 we recommend you stick with ISEB as this is shorter and cheaper. Otherwise we recommend you look directly at the ISTQB Advanced scheme.

Need more help?
Call our advisors on London 020 7448 4682 or Dublin 01 671 7487 and we will talk you through your options and help you find the right path.