The most useful companion pages are What Is the Designation, The Three Required Certifications, and How to Get It. For primary sources, start with the ASTQB official page and the AT*SQA FAQ.
What is the ASTQB Test Automation Pro™ designation?
It is a designation from ASTQB for professionals who hold three specific ISTQB certifications: Foundation Level, Test Automation Engineering, and Test Automation Strategy.
Is Test Automation Pro a certification?
No. The certifications are the three ISTQB exams. Test Automation Pro™ is the designation that sits on top once all three are complete.
Why did ASTQB create it?
Test automation is now a major part of modern software delivery. Companies need professionals who understand not just how to write scripts, but when automation helps, where it creates risk, how to maintain it, and how to connect it to real business value. The designation exists to make those professionals easier to find and verify.
Who is it for?
Software testers moving into automation, automation engineers who want recognized credentials, QA professionals who want to stand out in the job market, test leads and managers responsible for automation programs, Agile and DevOps team members who work with automated testing, and consultants who advise teams on automation practices.
Which certifications are required?
ISTQB Foundation Level, ISTQB Test Automation Engineering, and ISTQB Test Automation Strategy. All three must be earned through ASTQB or AT*SQA.
Do you need Foundation Level first?
Yes. Foundation Level is both one of the three required certifications and the prerequisite for the two automation exams. You cannot register for Test Automation Engineering or Test Automation Strategy without it.
What is the difference between Test Automation Engineering and Test Automation Strategy?
Test Automation Engineering covers the technical work: automation architecture, framework design, implementation, and maintainability. Test Automation Strategy covers the organizational decisions: costs, risks, ROI, roles, and how automation fits into Agile, DevOps, and other delivery models.
Can you take the two automation exams in either order?
Yes. ASTQB does not require a specific order between Test Automation Engineering and Test Automation Strategy. The only fixed rule is Foundation Level first.
Are there any experience requirements?
No formal experience prerequisites beyond the ISTQB certification rules. You do not need a specific number of years of testing experience or a degree. The only requirement is that Foundation Level comes before either automation exam.
What format do the three exams use?
All three use 40 multiple choice questions with a 60-minute time limit. Extended time options for non-native English speakers are available. Check the individual exam pages on AT*SQA for current accessibility accommodations.
Can you take the exams online from home?
Yes. Online proctoring is available worldwide through AT*SQA. You can also sit at a Kryterion test center if that is easier.
How long do you have after buying a voucher?
365 days from the date of purchase to schedule and complete the exam.
Can you reschedule?
Yes. Rescheduling is free if you do it at least 72 hours before your scheduled exam time. Rescheduling with less notice may forfeit the voucher. Verify the current policy at atsqa.org/exam-instructions before scheduling.
Is there a retake discount for the automation exams?
Yes. AT*SQA currently offers a $99 retake for both ISTQB Test Automation Engineering and ISTQB Test Automation Strategy. Verify the offer is still active at atsqa.org/specials before purchasing.
Do you get Test Automation Pro automatically after passing all three exams?
No. You need to contact the AT*SQA support team at atsqa.org/contact and request the designation after all three certifications are confirmed.
Does Test Automation Pro need to be renewed?
Yes. After one year, renew the designation by completing an AT*SQA test automation micro-credential. Every ISTQB exam purchased through AT*SQA includes a free micro-credential, so that free benefit is a good fit for renewal.
What happens after the designation is approved?
It is added to your profile on the Official U.S. List of Certified and Credentialed Software Testers™, AT*Work, and AT*Consult. This increases your visibility with U.S. and global employers who use those directories.
What is the ASTQB Test Automation Accelerator?
A cohort-based program for organizations that need to build Test Automation Pro™ capability across a team quickly. Details are at astqb.org/astqb-test-automation-accelerator.
Does Test Automation Pro help in the job market?
It can, particularly when layered on top of real automation experience. ASTQB maintains examples of U.S. job postings that ask for ISTQB certification, and the certifications are recognized globally through the ISTQB Successful Candidate Register.
Does the designation replace hands-on tool experience?
No. Employers still expect practical familiarity with automation frameworks, languages, and CI tooling. The designation strengthens a profile but works alongside a demonstrated tool stack, not instead of it.
Is it useful for managers who do not write automation code?
Yes. The Test Automation Strategy certification in particular is designed for people who make automation decisions, justify automation programs to stakeholders, and define roles and ROI frameworks. Managers do not need to be hands-on engineers to find the designation relevant.
Are team or volume discounts available?
Yes. Contact AT*SQA with your group size and timeline for current pricing on volume registrations.
If you are done with the questions and want the operational next step, the path guide covers the full sequence from first exam to requesting the designation. The exams page covers format, pricing, and scheduling in one place.