| The 2 main software testing certification paths are the | | | | Qualifications Board (ASTQB) which itself was formed |
| ISEB and ISTQB, and both have been around for quite | | | | in 2004. |
| some time - especially ISEB certifications. Although | | | | The ISTQB Foundation (CTFL) syllabus was initially |
| both are unique, they definitely have many similarities, | | | | created in 2002 and revamped in 2005. Soon |
| so much so that these certification paths are likely to | | | | thereafter, the ISTQB Foundation syllabus was |
| converge in the future. | | | | adopted by the ISEB to replace the ISEB Foundation |
| Previous articles have discussed the current state of | | | | syllabus. This is why the ISEB Foundation and ISTQB |
| these software testing certifications as well as the | | | | Foundation / CTFL syllabi, exams, and certifications are |
| potential future direction of these accreditations. Now | | | | identical. At the Foundation level, a passing mark on |
| let us take a step back in time and discuss the history | | | | your exam provides dual accreditation in both. |
| of the certifications. | | | | Beyond the CTFL level, the next step in the ISTQB |
| History of the ISEB | | | | certification path is the ISTQB Advanced level. The |
| The British Computing Society (BCS, also known as | | | | ISTQB Advanced level encompasses 3 distinct |
| The Chartered Institute for IT) is the governing board | | | | modules, each of which has its own exam (although all |
| for ISEB certifications, and was formed in 1957. Soon | | | | 3 modules are covered in a single syllabus). The 3 |
| after formation, the BCS created the Information | | | | ISTQB Advanced-level modules are Test Manager, |
| Systems Examination Board (ISEB) to oversee the | | | | Test Analyst, and Technical Test Analyst. The first |
| ISEB software testing certification process. | | | | version of the ISTQB Advanced level syllabus was |
| Despite the long history, the ISEB Foundation | | | | launched in 2003 and the first Advanced level exams |
| certification and syllabus as we know it today were | | | | occurred in 2004. |
| not crafted until 1998. The ISEB Intermediate followed | | | | Today, ISTQB certifications are growing at a faster |
| shortly thereafter, and the ISEB Practitioner | | | | rate than ISEB certifications, which is to be expected |
| certifications were created in 2002. | | | | since there are more than twice as many ISEB |
| Since inception, ISEB has been the software testing | | | | certified testers as there are ISTQB certified testers. |
| certification standard in the UK. Today, there are nearly | | | | As of 2010, approximately 135,000 software testers |
| 300,000 software testers that have earned their ISEB | | | | across 50 countries have earned at least one ISTQB |
| Foundation certification and this number continues to | | | | certification. |
| grow. Despite the UK-centric nature of ISEB, as of | | | | Conclusion |
| 2010 these certification exams have been delivered in | | | | With the impending convergence of the 2 certification |
| over 200 countries. | | | | paths at some point in the future, the number of |
| History of the ISTQB | | | | ISTQB certified testers is expected to grow at an |
| The International Software Testing Qualifications | | | | increased rate going forward. That said, no matter |
| Board, or ISTQB, was officially formed in November | | | | what the future holds, ISEB certifications such as ISEB |
| 2002 in Edinburgh. It is a not-for-profit association | | | | Foundation, ISEB Intermediate and ISEB Practitioner will |
| legally registered in Belgium and is composed of | | | | always be recognized and valued, and will certainly go |
| member boards in 47 countries, the most prominent of | | | | a long way toward enhancing your software testing |
| which is probably the American Software Testing | | | | career. |