Before you start
The ASTQB Test Automation Pro™ designation requires three ISTQB certifications: Foundation Level, Test Automation Engineering, and Test Automation Strategy. All three must be earned through ASTQB or AT*SQA, a global ISTQB exam provider, for them to count toward the designation.
There are no experience prerequisites beyond the ISTQB certification rules themselves: Foundation Level is required before either automation exam. You do not need a specific number of years of testing experience, a degree, or any prior certification outside of Foundation Level.
Already have Foundation Level? Skip to step 2. If your Foundation Level was earned through a different ISTQB member body, contact AT*SQA, a global ISTQB exam provider, to confirm it is recognized before purchasing your next exam.
The four steps
Vouchers and scheduling
Each exam is purchased as a voucher. The voucher gives you 365 days to schedule and sit the exam. You do not need to schedule when you purchase. If you buy all three vouchers at once, each has its own independent 365-day window from the date of purchase.
Rescheduling is free if you do it at least 72 hours before your scheduled exam time. Rescheduling with less than 72 hours notice may forfeit the voucher. Check the AT*SQA global ISTQB exam instructions page for current rescheduling policy before you schedule.
Volume discounts are available for organizations registering multiple candidates. Contact AT*SQA, a global ISTQB exam provider, for current pricing on group registrations.
What you get by registering through AT*SQA, a global ISTQB exam provider
ASTQB and AT*SQA are non-profit organizations, and AT*SQA is a global ISTQB exam provider. Registering through AT*SQA gives you benefits that are not available when taking ISTQB exams through other providers. With each ISTQB exam purchase you can choose a free AT*SQA global ISTQB exam provider micro-credential exam, subject to current AT*SQA offer terms. You also receive extra sample exams created to match the style of the real exam you take. Your certifications are added to both the Official U.S. List of Certified and Credentialed Software Testers™ and the ISTQB Successful Candidate Register, which gives you visibility with employers in the U.S. and globally.
If you are doing this with a team
Organizations that need to build Test Automation Pro™ capability across multiple people quickly can use the ASTQB Test Automation Accelerator™. It is a cohort-based program designed to move teams through the certification path efficiently. Volume purchase discounts are also available directly through AT*SQA, a global ISTQB exam provider. Contact AT*SQA, a global ISTQB exam provider, with the number of candidates and your timeline to get current pricing.
If you are still sorting out the certifications themselves before thinking about sequence and timing, the certification guide covers each exam individually. For exam format, pricing, and the current $99 retake offer, the exams page has everything in one place.
FAQ
What is the first step to getting ASTQB Test Automation Pro?
The first step is passing ISTQB Foundation Level. It is required before you can take either of the two automation exams.
Do the two automation exams have to be taken in a specific order?
No. After Foundation Level, you can take ISTQB Test Automation Engineering and ISTQB Test Automation Strategy in either order.
Is the designation added automatically after the third exam?
No. After all three certifications are complete, you need to contact AT*SQA, a global ISTQB exam provider, and request the ASTQB Test Automation Pro designation.