Today’s world is characterized by the information revolution, wherein information is easily accessible to everyone. This has led to more informed customers who are highly concerned about quality, which makes quality assurance an attractive career field. One effective way to gain practical expertise in the quality management field is through quality assurance certifications.
Certifications for quality assurance stand out as one of the best ways to express your proficiency in the professional practices of quality assurance. They prepare you for a lucrative career as a QA engineer by equipping you with advanced knowledge and skills. In this article, learn more about the best quality assurance certifications and the highest-paying quality assurance certification jobs.
What Is a Professional Certification?
Professional certification is a validation of the professional efficiency of an individual in a specific skill. These credential programs prove that a person has developed the skills and expertise to perform a particular job. It helps professionals build the competency for highly specialized jobs, leading to faster career advancement.
What’s the Difference Between a Certification and a Certificate?
The difference between a certification and a certificate is the learning process and applicability in the professional world. A certificate represents the credits earned in a particular field of study as a result of the academic process. A certification is a representation of professional expertise in a field proven through an exam.
Why Is Certification in Quality Assurance Important?
Certification in quality assurance is important because it adds to the credibility and competence of beginners and experts in ensuring the highest quality standards. It serves as a proof that an individual is capable of working professionally in the quality assurance field.
Best Quality Assurance Certifications by Salary
| Certification | Provider | Average Salary | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manager of Quality/ Organizational Excellence Certification | American Society for Quality | $115,000 | $568 |
| Six Sigma Black Belt Certification | American Society for Quality | $106,000 | $538 |
| Certified Scrum Master | Scrum Alliance | $103,000 | $500-$2,000 |
| Quality Auditor Certification | American Society for Quality | $93,000 | $498 |
| Quality Engineer Certification | American Society for Quality | $92,000 | $498 |
| Certified Software Quality Analyst | International Software Certification Board | $82,000 | $350 or $420 |
| Certified Tester Foundation Level | International Software Testing Qualification Board | $80,000 | $229 |
| Certified Welding Inspector | American Welding Society | $76,000 | $1,070-$1,325 |
| Quality Improvement Associate Certification | American Society for Quality | $66,000 | $394 |
| Quality Inspector Certification | American Society for Quality | $59,000 | $418 |
Best Quality Assurance Certifications to Further Your Career
How to Choose the Best Quality Assurance Certification for Your Career
Before enrolling for a quality assurance certification exam, you must ensure that it aligns with your career goals and needs. Keepy reading for some tips that can help you choose the best quality assurance certification for you.
Consider your Career Goals
The foremost tip to consider is going through your career goals. Do you want to land the best quality assurance remote jobs or want to level up from your current job position? Be clear on what you want to achieve with your prospective certifications, then choose according to your overall career goals.
Check the Scope
Another thing to consider is the scope of the certification you plan to earn. Will the certification be useful in the future while also complying with the latest trends in the market? Your certification is an investment, so it’s important to keep the long-term impact in mind.
Check for Industry Recognition
It’s no use investing your time and money in a certification that is not recognized in the relevant industry. Whether you are pursuing a software quality assurance certification or a quality auditor certification, make sure that the certification and the provider are credible and have a good industry recognition.
Which Quality Assurance Certifications Pay the Most?
The quality assurance certifications that pay the most are mentioned in the list below. All these certifications help professionals get hands-on quality assurance training in the latest skills they need. This way, they can earn higher in the quality assurance and quality management field.
Highest-Paying Quality Assurance Certifications
- Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence: $115,000
- Six Sigma Black Belt Certification: $106,000
- Certified ScrumMaster: $103,000
- Quality Auditor Certification: $93,000
- Quality Engineer Certification: $92,000
Which Quality Assurance Certifications Are the Best for Beginners?
The quality assurance certifications that are the best for beginners are Certified Associate in Software Testing and Certified Tester Foundation Level. These certifications are good for beginners because they are basic level certifications. They deal with fundamental concepts and practices that help beginners develop basic knowledge in quality assurance.
Best College Certificate Programs
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How to Prepare for Your Quality Assurance Certification Exam
To acquire certification in quality assurance, one must pass the qualifying exam to prove their expertise. Quality assurance exam prep becomes easy when you have access to all the helpful resources to aid you in learning for the examination. Below are some of the courses and other resources that can help you prepare.
Best Courses to Prepare for Quality Assurance Certification Exams
For those seeking to pass a quality assurance certification exam, quality assurance prep courses can serve as a useful resource. Many associations, organizations, and platforms offer the best courses to prepare for quality assurance certification exams. Following are some of them.
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Other Resources to Prepare for Your Quality Assurance Certification Exams
Besides quality assurance certification courses, there are also some other resources to aid your quality assurance exam prep. Some of these resources are available for free and open to all students, while others might require a fee and a membership to an association. Following are some of the best resources to prepare for your quality assurance certification exams.
Quality Assurance Communities
Quality assurance communities, such as ASQ communities, offer an interaction platform for professionals to meet others who want to learn about quality assurance practices. It consists of people who share their professional experience with beginners to help them learn. They share their knowledge about quality management and quality systems.
Quality Assurance Communities Overview
- Type of Resource: Online community
- Cost: Free
- Ideal For: People who want to experience interactive learning
Foundations of Software Testing ISTQB Certification, 4th edition
This book serves as a comprehensive guide for people seeking to get an ISTQB software testing certification. You can get the ebook in a PDF file, or you can buy a new or used paperback book. Both have varying prices. It’s a useful learning resource since it presents a blend of hands-on learning and explanation of fundamental concepts.
Foundations of Software Testing ISTQB Certification, 4th edition Overview
- Type of Resource: Book
- Cost: $37-$56
- Ideal For: People who prefer to self-study
ISTQB Glossary
The ISTQB glossary is a free resource offered by the ISTQB Foundation. It includes all the key terms and their definitions related to software quality assurance and software testing. This provides a comprehensive set of organized information easily accessible to you.
ISTQB Glossary Overview
- Type of Resource: Website
- Cost: Free
- Ideal For: People who want to have a quick overview of terminologies
The ASQ Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence Handbook
The ASQ Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence Handbook edition is prepared by highly qualified ASQ certified professionals. It provides detailed guidance to prepare for the CMQ/OE exam. It also elaborates on managerial level quality issues, which can serve as a guide for both beginners and experts.
The ASQ Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence Handbook Overview
- Type of Resource: PDF file
- Cost: $105
- Ideal For: People who want a day-to-day guide on quality matters
Video Tutorials
YouTube comes in handy for those looking for a free of cost resource to help them get through the exam. You can find a lot of courses and video tutorials relevant to your specific quality assurance certification. These video tutorials help students a lot in learning, understanding, and preparing to pass the exam.
Video Tutorials Overview
- Type of Resource: Online videos
- Cost: Free
- Ideal For: People who want to learn in depth
Best Online Courses
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Quality Assurance Job Outlook and Average Salary
Quality assurance has applications in a range of industries, contributing to its broader job outlook. Once you develop proficiency, you can find jobs in healthcare, information technology, manufacturing and other sectors. One of the highest-paying quality assurance jobs, software quality assurance analysts, has a growth projection of 22 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
There is a high earning potential in this field with a professional certification. For instance, a person with an Organizational Excellence and Quality Management Certification can earn an average of $115,000 per year, as reported by PayScale.
Best Quality Assurance Jobs After Certification
Getting a quality assurance certification improves your job prospect with the availability of high-paying quality assurance jobs. For instance, you can find many Six Sigma Black Belt Certification jobs after completing this certification. Listed below are some of the best quality assurance jobs that you might qualify for after certification.
Best Quality Assurance Associations
Quality assurance associations provide students and professionals with a platform to learn about quality assurance firsthand from industry experts and professionals. These associations provide knowledge through training programs, certifications, and communities to help people excel in quality assurance. Following are some of the best quality assurance associations.
American Society for Quality
The American Society for Quality (ASQ) is a globally recognized organization with members in over 130 countries. It aims to help individuals and industries to achieve excellence in quality through its solutions. Members get an opportunity to become a part of the ASQ, which has a community of quality professionals to help you learn and grow from experience.
Society of Quality Assurance
The Society of Quality Assurance is an organization consisting of over 2,000 professionals. They work collectively to promote high quality standards in the laboratory, manufacturing, and healthcare industry. The organization offers several opportunities for the career growth of all its members.
Quality Assurance Association
The Quality Assurance Association is a nonprofit organization offering its services to elevate the field of quality assurance. The association consists of professionals like retailers, manufacturers, wholesalers, and laboratory representatives. They help mentor beginners according to their level of experience.
Are Quality Assurance Certifications Worth It?
Yes, quality assurance certifications are worth it because they provide you with a quick route for advancing your career. They keep you updated with the latest advancements in the field and provide opportunities through practical experience and exams. If you plan on becoming a quality assurance manager, you can do that by getting a quality assurance certification.
Additional Reading About Quality Assurance
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Quality Assurance Certifications FAQ
Yes, software quality assurance certifications are in high demand for various software quality assurance jobs with a projected job growth of 22 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. With this positive projection, certifications can increase your chances in getting software testing and assurance jobs.
Yes, quality assurance certifications have prerequisites similar to degree requirements. Some certifications require a two-year degree, while others require a four-year degree. Some certifications accept three or four-year degrees with a few years of experience. The professional experience requirements also vary among different certifications.
Yes, you can get a quality assurance certification after getting your bachelor’s degree. Some programs even accept a three-year degree along with a few years of experience. You can select from beginners to advanced level certifications, depending on your learning and career objectives.
We can apply quality assurance to a wide range of areas, including products and services. Some popular areas include animal well-being, food, manufacturing, software testing, and technology. Quality control systems have become a necessity in every field.
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