To qualify for candidacy, each applicant must meet one of three prerequisites:

1. A 3 year degree or 4 year degree from an accredited college-level institution
2. A 2 year degree from an accredited college-level institution and 1 years experience in the information services field
3. Three years experience in the information services field

Depending upon a compliance sample selected according to program criteria, the applicant may be required to provide detailed education and/or employment documentation supporting the prerequisite option selected on the application. If selected for verification, the applicant must supply the documentation to the program. Applicants who fail to provide the requested documentation will not be allowed to sit for the exam or, if the exam has been taken and passed, may be subject to de-certification.

A completed Certification Candidacy Application must be submitted through the Customer Portal for entrance to Software Certifications as a candidate for any particular certification. It should be submitted by individuals who:

1. Have reviewed the Associate in Software Quality Assurance Common Body of Knowledge
2. Are prepared to take the required examination and therefore desire to establish candidacy

The initial application fee is as follows:

• $200.00 (includes PDF version of CBOK). All fee paid in USD (see Payment Policy)
  Fees in this program are non-refundable or non-transferable

Candidates for certification who rely only on limited experience/education or too few/specific study materials typically do not successfully obtain certification.  Do not apply unless you feel confident that your work/education activities and past experience have prepared you for the examination. Applicants already holding a certification from Software Certifications must submit a new application when deciding to pursue an additional certification.

Once a new application is accepted and approved, the Candidacy begins the date the application fee was processed. The candidate then has 12 months from the date the application fee was processed to take their initial exam. If after the 12-month period the candidate has yet to take the initial exam their candidacy will expire. The candidate must then reapply for candidacy and pay the current application fee to begin the process again.

If the initial exam is taken inside that 12-month period, a second or third sitting, if required, must be completed within 24 months from the date the original application fee was processed. After the 24-month period has elapsed their candidacy will expire. The candidate must then reapply for candidacy and pay the current application fee to begin the process again.

Candidates for this certification must pass a two-part examination which includes multiple-choice items in order to obtain certification. The one and one half hour examination tests the candidate’s knowledge of the skill areas defined in the Associate in Software Quality Common Body of Knowledge.

Exams are now being offered either through a Prometric Testing Center (paper-based exam) or a Sponsored Site (paper-based exam). The location where you plan to take your exam will determine whether you take it at a Prometric Testing Center or Sponsored Site. See below for more information.