Educational Opportunites

Certified Software Tester (CSTE) Study Group Dates for this year's Study Group for the Certified Software Tester (CSTE) exam will be announced shortly.

The study sessions will cover the Quality Assurance Institute's CSTE Common Body of Knowledge (CBOK). All study group members will be expected to actively participate. For each study session, one or more chapter(s) of the CBOK will be assigned group members, who will lead the discussion of key concepts and processes in those chapters. During the first session, we'll review the first two chapters together and assign the remaining chapters among the group.

Details on how to apply for the exam, summaries of the Skill Categories and a Bibliography of relevant reference material are available on the website of QAI's certification partner, Software Certifications.

The fee for CSTE exam registration from Software Certifications includes one copy of the CBOK. If you have not registered for the exam, you may participate in the group, but you must bring your own copy of the CBOK with you to the study sessions. You can order the CBOK on CD or a hard copy from the QAI e-Store.

Please note that participation in this Study Group is open to AQAA members. If you have not already paid membership dues for 2011, you may do so online from the AQAA Membership page. New members, please bring proof of payment to the first study session.

If you would like to participate and have not already contacted our Education Director, please send an email to . Confirmation letters will be sent to study group participants on Sept 18th and Sept 23rd.

Please direct additional questions to our .



Certification

The principal certifications in the Quality Assurance fields offered by QAI are:

Certified Software Quality Analyst (CSQA)
Acquiring the designation of Certified Software Quality Analyst (CSQA) indicates a professional level of competence in the principles and practices of quality assurance in the IT profession. CSQAs become members of a recognized professional group and receive recognition of their competence by business and professional associates, potentially more rapid career advancement, and greater acceptance in the role as advisor to management.

Certified Software Test Engineer (CSTE)
The Certified Software Test Engineer (CSTE) certification is intended to establish standards for initial qualification and provide direction for the testing function through an aggressive educational program. Acquiring the designation of Certified Software Test Engineer (CSTE) indicates a professional level of competence in the principles and practices of quality control in the IT profession. CSTEs become members of a recognized professional group and receive recognition of their competence by business and professional associates, potentially more rapid career advancement, and greater acceptance in the role as advisor to management.

Certification Exams

AQAA no longer offers the CSQA and CSTE exams in Atlanta. The process has been changed by Software Certifications. Certification Examinations are administered at Prometric testing centers worldwide.

Note: To schedule an exam at a Prometric testing center candidates will need to first go through the Software Certifications Customer Portal as they will not be able to schedule an exam directly with Prometric without a Prometric Exam Code. Once the code has been obtained candidates need to wait at least 72 hours before proceeding to the Prometric site.

Please go to www.softwarecertifications.org/ to register for the exams or for other exam information

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Recertification

Recertification Abstract

A certificant must obtain and report 120 Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits and pay a $100 administration fee every three years. A three year recertification period has been chosen because of the high pace of change in the information technology field. Individuals who have not participated in learning activities for more than three years will not be current in the field. It is critical to the integrity of Software Certification programs that individuals holding certification properly maintain competence and skill in their respective disciplines. Recertification assures the visibility of that maintenance.

- from Software Certifications


Continuing Education

This page seeks to provide information about classes, courses and training programs in and around the Atlanta GA area. If you or your company are interested in having information posted on this page please contact the

Master of Science in Quality Assurance (MSQA) is offered by Southern Polytechnic State University and is available in both traditional and online formats for more details please see their website at http://www.msqa.edu.

CQE (Center for Quality Excellence), a training and consulting unit of SPSU's Extended University, is an organizational development and improvement center at Southern Polytechnic State University that provides information, training, consulting, technical assistance, and research, focused on the body of knowledge that relates to Quality Management, ISO 9001:2000, Six Sigma, CQM, CQIA, Customer Service, and Team Development.

Georgia Tech's Professional Education department offers a range of course on quality topics. For more information visit http://www.pe.gatech.edu/conted/servlet/CEHome and select "Quality" as subject.