When an ISTQB® certification is retired, examinations, examination retakes, and ISTQB®-accredited training for that module are discontinued from the retirement date.

In some cases, ISTQB® may announce a sunset period before retirement, during which examinations, retakes, and accredited training may continue until a specified date.

A retired certification may have a new or updated replacement module. Alternatively, an ISTQB® Member Board may adopt a retired certification scheme, in which case it will no longer be a recognized ISTQB® certification module.

Please check the retirement notice on the relevant certification product page for details of the retirement date, any applicable sunset period, and replacement certifications. For information about possible Member Board adoption, please contact your local Member Board or Examination Provider.

No. Once an ISTQB® certification is retired, examinations and examination retakes for that certification are no longer available, including retakes for candidates who previously attempted the examination.

An updated or replacement ISTQB® certification may be available. Please check the retirement or sunset notice on the relevant certification product page.

In some cases, a Member Board may have adopted the retired scheme, but it will no longer be a recognized ISTQB® certification module. Please contact your local Member Board or Examination Provider for further information.

ISTQB® certification examinations and retakes for the retiring module cannot take place after the applicable retirement or sunset deadline, regardless of the examination voucher’s expiry date.

If your examination is scheduled after that deadline, or you hold a voucher that has not yet been used, please contact your Examination Provider as soon as possible to discuss available arrangements, subject to the provider’s applicable booking terms and conditions.

No. The applicable retirement or sunset deadline applies to all candidates and Accredited Training Providers.

No extensions will be granted for ISTQB® certification examinations, retakes, or ISTQB®-accredited training courses for the retiring module beyond that deadline.

Yes. The retirement of an ISTQB® certification does not invalidate certificates already awarded.

If you obtained your certification before its retirement date, it remains valid. Retirement means that examinations for the certification are no longer available, but it does not revoke previously earned certificates.

ISTQB® has no plans to remove successful candidate details for retired certifications from the current SCR.

ISTQB® continually reviews its certification portfolio to ensure it remains focused, high-quality, relevant, and sustainable.

Retirement is a normal part of managing the certification portfolio. Not every retired certification requires a replacement or successor, and retirement does not diminish the value of the knowledge and skills associated with the certification.

In some cases, a Member Board may adopt a retired scheme that has no ISTQB® replacement. Such schemes are no longer recognized as ISTQB certification modules.

For further information, please contact your local Member Board or Examination Provider.

No. ISTQB®-accredited training courses for a retired certification may no longer be delivered from its retirement date.

In some cases, a new or updated ISTQB® module may be available, offering Training Providers the opportunity to develop accredited training for the replacement certification. Please check the relevant certification product page for details.

Alternatively, a Member Board may adopt a retired scheme, which will no longer be a recognized ISTQB® certification module. Separate training arrangements may apply.

For further information about Member Board adoption, please contact your local Member Board.

The retirement or sunset deadline of an ISTQB® certification applies regardless of the expiry date of any associated training accreditation.

Accredited Training Providers must ensure that all ISTQB®-accredited training courses for the retiring certification are completed by the final permitted date specified in the relevant certification’s retirement or sunset notice.

If your accreditation extends beyond that date, please contact your accrediting ISTQB® Member Board for guidance regarding your accreditation status.

ISTQB®-accredited training for a retired certification may no longer be delivered after the applicable retirement or sunset deadline.

Any training offered after that date must not be presented as ISTQB®-accredited or as leading to the retired ISTQB® certification. The ISTQB® logo and accreditation marks must not be used in connection with such training.

Any use of ISTQB® syllabi or associated materials remains subject to applicable intellectual property rights.

In some cases, an ISTQB® Member Board may adopt a retired scheme under separate arrangements that do not constitute ISTQB® accreditation.

Please contact your accrediting ISTQB® Member Board for further information.

Yes. Training Providers may continue promoting ISTQB®-accredited courses, provided those courses are completed before the applicable retirement or sunset deadline.

Promotional materials should clearly communicate the final dates for accredited training, certification examinations, and retakes, as specified in the retirement or sunset notice on the relevant certification product page.

ISTQB®-accredited training for the retiring certification must cease by the applicable deadline.

From 1 January 2027, Agile Test Leadership at Scale (CT-ATLaS) will no longer be a recognized ISTQB® certification module. ISTQB® certification examinations and ISTQB®-accredited training for this module will no longer be available.

An ISTQB® Member Board may choose to adopt the retired ATLaS scheme under its own arrangements. If adopted, any examinations or training would be offered independently of ISTQB®.

At present, we cannot confirm whether any Member Board will adopt ATLaS. Further information will be provided when available.

From 1 January 2027, Model-Based Tester (CT-MBT) will no longer be a recognized ISTQB® certification module. ISTQB® certification examinations and ISTQB®-accredited training for this module will no longer be available.

An ISTQB® Member Board may choose to adopt the retired CT-MBT scheme under its own arrangements. If adopted, any examinations or training would be offered independently of ISTQB®.

At present, we cannot confirm whether any Member Board will adopt CT-MBT. Further information will be provided when available.

From 1 January 2027, Gambling Industry Tester (CT-GT) will no longer be a recognized ISTQB® certification module. ISTQB® certification examinations and ISTQB®-accredited training for this module will no longer be available.

An ISTQB® Member Board may choose to adopt the retired CT-GT scheme under its own arrangements. If adopted, any examinations or training would be offered independently of ISTQB®.

At present, we cannot confirm whether any Member Board will adopt CT-GT. Further information will be provided when available.