The growth of the software testing ecosystem and corporate investment in automation to develop and manage complex processes, manufacturing, and products is creating demand for automation positions.
Global Market Insights estimates software testing is set to become a $60 billion industry by 2027, boosting the demand for certified automation testers.
Here are some of the top automation certifications that can help IT pros stay ahead in the workforce and land a job in the field:
1. Certified Software Tester (CSTE)
Offered by Quality Assurance Institute (QAI), the Certified Software Tester (CSTE) course is suitable for developers with prior experience in automation. Those who typically take this test include analysts, advisors, or managers opting for a quality control role in the future.
Skills Acquired: The exam validates an engineer’s skills in testing applications by following leading software practices. After the course, individuals can attain a better understanding of software architecture and debugging and gain hands-on experience with several automation tools.
Requirements: The exam requires a candidate to complete at least two years in the automation industry with a four-year degree or a combined experience of six years as a tester.
Duration: The course, which requires a passing score of 70%, includes a 75-minute essay paper and 112 multiple-choice questions.
Cost: The CSTE costs somewhere between $350 to $420.
2. Professional Scrum Developer Certification
The Professional Scrum Developer Certification course is suited for developers building a career in agile testing. Unlike the name suggests, Scrum has opened the certificate for developers, testers, and even novice coders applying for a work profile with the organization. The certification is PSD-recognized and can give a much-needed boost to a dev career.
Skills Acquired: After the certification, a candidate should be able to perform agile testing and build complex scrum apps.
Requirements: Although Scrum hasn’t listed any mandatory prerequisites to take the course, it is recommended that candidates finish the Applying Professional Scrum for Software Development manual, Scrum Guide, or Scrum’s Professional Scrum training class beforehand.
Duration: The exam includes 80 multiple-choice questions to be attempted in a 60-minute proctored environment. Scrum also advises users to take the Scrum Developer Open assessment to get familiar with the type of questions and time management. A candidate can retake the certification in case they fail a test. In exceptional circumstances, Scrum offers a free second attempt as well.
Cost: The overall cost of the certification is around $200.
3. A4Q Certified Selenium Tester Foundation
ISI conducts the A4Q Certified Selenium Tester Foundation test for candidates to assess their Selenium testing knowledge in business environments. The exam is available in both online and classroom modes and can be taken in English, German, and Spanish.
Skills Acquired: Successful candidates will get firsthand experience planning and maintaining Selenium’s automated testing solutions and WebDriver.
Requirements: Basic programming knowledge is preferred but not mandatory. Completing the Selenium testing training beforehand might give an individual some edge in grasping fundamental test concepts.
Duration: The course includes 40 multiple-choice questions to be taken in 60 minutes. A candidate needs to secure a score of 60% to pass the exam.
Cost: The A4Q Certified Selenium Tester Foundation certification costs $200 and an additional $20 for a digital badge.
4. UFT v15.x Certification
If you are looking to gain proficiency in universal functional testing, then UFT v15.x Certification is the best fit. The certification suits both beginners and master devs to test codes, debug, and run scripts efficiently.
Skills Acquired: Candidates will be able to implement QTP in real-time testing environments, understand UFT, and integrate UFT across GUI (graphical user interface) and API (application programming interface) tests.
Requirements: Basic UFT/QTP knowledge is preferred but not mandatory.
Duration: The test contains 45 multiple-choice questions and 120 minutes. A candidate needs to secure a score of 70% to pass the exam.
Cost: The UFT v15.x Certification costs $200.
5. ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level, Test Automation Engineer (CTAL-TAE)
ISTQB has specifically designed the Certified Tester Advanced Level—Test Automation Engineer (CTAL-TAE) course for quality assurance (QA) professionals looking to make advanced strides in their careers. The organization also offers beginner and mid-senior level courses for automation testing, requiring basic work checks and low-entry barriers.
Skills Acquired: Candidates will gain an understanding of test automation, software architecture, operational reports, and API testing.
Requirements: In addition to a bachelor’s degree, candidates are required to complete ISTQB’s Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) exam along with a 3-year work experience in automation testing.
Duration: A candidate can take the exam in a Pearson VUE on weekdays. The test has 40 multiple-choice questions, and the passing rate is 65%.
Cost: The CTAL-TAE costs $170, tax excluded.
6. LinkedIn Learning: Monday Productivity Pointers Course, Lynda
The Monday Productivity Pointers Course—Lynda is an intermediate-level training course based on a weekly series by Garrick Chow, Nick Brazzi, and Jess Stratton. The trio has created the lectures specifically for the needs of a customer support team, IT sales staff, and software specialists. Rather than a full-fledged certification, the course is an ongoing classroom program with backing from LinkedIn.
Skills Acquired: Candidates will learn topics related to Windows testing, productivity enhancement, software optimization, and software testing.
Prerequisites: Previous testing experience is mandatory.
Duration: The course lasts 27 hours.
Cost: The course is free to take.
7. Advanced Level Security Tester Certification Exam
ISTQB’s Advanced Level Security Tester Certification Exam is ideal for developers who already have a background in cybersecurity.
Skills Acquired: During this course, candidates will learn how to record document testing, analyze security knowledge, suggest added tests, and plan test methods as well as gain hands-on experience with several automation tools.
Requirements: No formal prerequisites are mentioned.
Duration: The exam lasts 120 minutes and covers 45 multiple-choice questions.
Cost: The Advanced Level Security Tester Certification Exam costs $249.
8. Certified Software Test Automation Architect by IIST
The Certified Software Test Automation Architect (CSTAA) is one of two entry-level online training certifications for automation testing offered by IIST. Candidates will have a 30-day time window to finish the course recording before taking the exam. Other automation certifications at IIST include Certified Software Test Professional (CSTP) for three levels, Certified Agile Software Test Professional (CASTP) for beginners and advanced, and a master-level Certified Mobile Software Test Professional (CMSTP) course.
The CSTAA certification expires after three years. The recertification involves the same three day training period and an added day to train a real-time setup.
Skills acquired: Candidates will acquire In-depth knowledge of STABOK, XML, and web testing; automation fundamentals; basic programming concepts; QA performance; and testing client server apps.
Requirements: To undertake CSTAA, a developer must pass certification for Certified Software Test Automation Specialist. The candidate is also required to undergo four-day training, including three days for covering STABOK and one day exclusively for gaining hands-on experience in real-time testing.
Duration: The written exam requires a minimum performance of 80% in the first try. Retakes are allowed; however, IIST charges another $100 for new attempts.
Cost: The CSTAA certification costs $180 (non-refundable).
9. HP HP0-M102 for UFT Version 12.0
HP recently upgraded its automation certification, HP HP0-M102, from the earlier UFT 11 version to the current UFT 12.0. The details, however, don’t vary much, and candidates can take the updated test hassle-free, as both certifications have a similar syllabus. UFT 12.0 combines QTP and service tests with a touch-base of GUIs, business process improvement (BPI), application life cycle management (ALM) integrations, UFT automation, test scripts, and automated troubleshooting.
HP organizes the test at Pearson VUE testing centers in a proctored format. Candidates need Pearson login credentials and HPE Learner ID to attempt the certification.
Skills Acquired: Candidates will gain firsthand experience with HP Service Virtualization as well as an understanding of the basics of the UFT testing tool, UFT’s GUI Testing, how to run a GUI test, UFT’s API Testing solution, and business process testing (BPT) in UFT.
Requirements: Although HP hasn’t listed any mandatory prerequisites to take the course, candidates should glance through testing APIs, UFTs, and documentation before starting the lessons.
Duration: The test has a total of 69 questions to be attempted in two hours across different formats, including multiple-choice, single-choice, point and click, and drag-and-drop. Users require an average of 75% to clear the level.
Cost: The HP HP0-M102 for UFT version 12.0 certification costs approximately $350.
10. Robot Framework Test Automation, Level 1
Bryan Lamb created the Robot Framework Test Automation—Level 1 lecture series for engineers to master the fundamentals of robot framework test automation and creating test suites. Lamb has also designed downloadable documents and offline video lectures for students to take at their own pace later.
Skills acquired: The intermediate-level certification helps candidates understand Selenium, command basics, and scalar variables from scratch. Candidates will also learn simplifying installation and configuration processes, reusable automation script, testing fundamentals, understanding object pattern usage, and deploying test cases in professional domains as well as gain hands-on experience with automation tools like Jenkins.
Prerequisites: Previous knowledge about software testing and manual test case creation is appreciated. No prior experience is needed.
Duration: The course lasts approximately 6.5 hours.
Cost: The Robot Framework Test Automation—Level 1 series costs $129.99, with a 30-day refund guarantee.
