Certification Definition

Certification — a formal proof of qualifications issued by an authoritative body or independent entity in a written physical or digital format. A certification demonstrates assurance in the skills and capabilities of a software professional backed up by inspection and examination.

Typically, certifications are granted after a training course or appropriate education course have been completed. In quality assurance testing there are many varieties of the certification kinds which include but not limited to AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, Certified Tester Advanced Level Test Manager (CTAL-TM), to name a few.

Why certifications matter in Quality Assurance

Certifications in quality assurance act as a standard of professional capability, indicating that a professional has certified knowledge and skills that are up to par with the industry not just having hands-on experience alone.

For employers, certifications are similar to a risk-reducing factor in hiring by providing an external and impartial confirmation of the expertise, especially in the regulated or technically complicated areas where the cost of errors would be high.

For the QA experts, being certified entails enhanced reputation, career development, and very often, access to more intricate projects, leading positions, or higher pay.

In a rapidly changing testing environment that is influenced by cloud computing, automation, and DevOps practices, certifications serve as a means for professionals to stay updated and not be left behind the curve.