Software Quality Certifications

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Software Quality Certifications

• CSQA and CSTE

By Laura Widder, CSQA
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Certification What It Is

• Formal recognition of skills by a professional
  organization
• Demonstrated level of proficiency in the QA
  industry or a discipline
• Acknowledgement of having an overall
  comprehension of disciplines and skills in a body
  of knowledge

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What It Isnt

• A license or degree
• The last step in your career development

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Why Become Certified?

• An edge in a competitive job market
• A way to advance your career and/or earning
  potential
• A way to assure you continue to improve your
  skills

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Types of Certifications

• Quality Assurance Institute (QAI)
• Certified Software Testing Engineer (CSQE)
• Focus on principles and practices of QC
• Testing practices, processes, and techniques
• Certified Software Quality Assurance (CSQA)
• Focus on principles and practices of QA
• Managing QA/QC Efforts
• Process Management and Improvement

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Other Certifications

• American Society of Quality (ASQ)
• Six Sigma Black Belt
• A comprehensive understanding of Six Sigma and
  its methodologies.
• Software Quality Engineer (CSQE)
• A comprehensive understanding of software quality
  development and implementation
• Quality Manager
• Quality principles and standards in relation to
  organization and human resource management.

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Prerequisites

• Comprehension of the body of knowledge
• Currently working in the field with a level of
  proficiency
• A college or associate degree, and/or equivalent
  years of experience in the field
• Apply for candidacy

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Certification Candidacy

• Complete an application
• Submit a character reference
• Schedule the examination

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The Examination/Preparing

• Four-part examination
• Multiple Choice, essay, and short answers
• Study guides can be purchased from QAI
• Prep courses available
• Form study groups
• Practice CSQA examination available for purchase

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The Examination/Results

• Results take up to 10 weeks
• You can retake the exam two more times
• You must wait six months between taking each exam
• You must retake all of the exam

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Maintaining Your Certification

• Recertify every three years.
• To recertify, you must
• Must have 120 continuing professional education
  (CPE) credits
• Submit a recertification journal
• Pay an administrative fee of 100

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CPE Categories

• Education
• Conferences, seminars, classes, other certs.
• Publishing
• Books, articles, and columns
• Teaching
• Presentations, night classes
• Participation in profession
• Memberships, committees, proctoring exams

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CPE Categories

• Self-study
• Books, periodicals, videos, internet
• Unique and innovative activities
• Job-related activities over and above

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Keeping the Journal

• Each CPE activity claimed must have a
  Recertification Activity form and accompanying
  documentation
• Start it early and keep it updated
• Keep a summary/log of activities and points
  earned
• Figure out an organization

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Submitting the Journal

• Journals arent returned, so keep a copy
• Submit in advance of expiration date (two to
  three months is a good rule)
• Can submit materials to include in journal up to
  two months after expiration date
• If the journal is rejected, you can resubmit it
• There is an appeal process

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Panel Discussion