Foundation Level and Advanced Level ISTQB^® certificates are valid for life.The Expert Level certificate is initially valid for 5 years. After the initial 5 years, individuals may extend their current level of certification for another 5 years period. There is no limit to the number of times that a certification can be extended.

ISTQB^® (International Software Testing Qualification Board) is an international non-profit organization. It is composed of representatives from each existing national board, such as the CSTQB. The ISTQB^® decides on the standards for certification and accreditation as an ISTQB^® accredited training provider. Working groups within ISTQB^® are responsible for developing and maintaining the Foundation and Advanced Level syllabi and exams. As with CSTQB, all members are volunteers. 

The ISTQB^® Certified Tester certification program established under the joint efforts of ISTQB^® and its national boards .There are currently three levels of certification: Foundation Level. Advanced Level and Expert Level. The entire system has covered the whole career path of software testing engineers. One of the core principles of the program is a strict separation between the administration of exams and the training to those who would like to prepare for the exam in ISTQB^® compliant courses.

CSTQB^®  was founded in 2006 as the Chinese Software Testing Qualifications Board. The CSTQB^® is a group of highly experienced experts in software testing who volunteer their time to the development, maintenance, and promotion of the ISTQB^®Certified Tester program in Greater China. They also represent China interests internationally as the national board for the China. within the ISTQB^®.

Nearly 914,000 software testers hold in the world have ISTQB^® Certificates.

ISTQB^® is international software testing engineer certification body, which has nearly 68 member boards. In May 26, 2006 ,China was officially approved as a national member boards.of ISTQB^® at its GAl meeting .Therefore, ISTQB^® certification is generally accepted in all its authorized countries right now. Besides, it is the only internationally recognized certificates for software testing engineers in China. The three levels of certification are aimed to different stages of software testingcareer path.

The Foundation Level exam consists of 40 multiple choice questions designed to evaluate a candidate's knowledge and understanding of the entire Foundation syllabus. A grade of 65% must be attained in order to pass. The exam is a closed book exam. You have 60 minutes to finish.

The Advanced Level exam is composed of three sections. They correspond to the three different subject modules: 'Technical Test Analyst,' 'Test Analyst,' and 'Test Manager.' At least two modules must be passed with more than 65% of the possible points in order to receive the full Advanced Level certificate. However, single sections of the exam can be taken, and the certificate identifies which sections have been completed. 

The Foundation Level exam is RMB 1500.

Each of the Advanced Level exams is RMB 2000.

You may take the exam at any of the locations published on the website. The exam is offered at the conclusion of ISTQB^® -compliant courses provided by ISTQB^® -accredited training companies.