ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL)
professional in minutes from 15,000 CVs with precise AI matchingCTFL holders understand the basics of software testing, defect reporting, test design, and the role of testing in agile and traditional delivery. Get fast, precise matching with vetted freelancers who can support your quality work from the start.
Meet FRATCH ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL)
Matthias K.
Last position:
Business Owner at AKM
Management of several MFA methods for centralized authentication within a group. Interface between various stakeholders such as support, financial accounting, developers, and security departments. Assessment of compliance requirements such as KRITIS. Budget controlling and monitoring of KPIs and SLAs. Support with internal and external audits on MFA and with connecting new systems. Review of operational documentation. Participation in steering committees and leadership of service review meetings and decision-making committees.
Tools/Frameworks: FIDO, YubiKey, Veridium, BSI IT-Grundschutz, NIST
Mario M.
Last position:
Co-Founder and CTO at B2B SaaS Recruiting Platform
Complete build of a B2B SaaS platform for recruitment agencies
- Multi-source job aggregation via ATS APIs
- AI-assisted career page scraping
- Rule-based and AI-assisted matching
- Credit-based monetization model with Stripe integration
- Live in production since July 2026
Tech stack
- NestJS
- React
- PostgreSQL
- pgvector
- Claude AI
- Prisma
Ulysse Brice M.
Last position:
Agile Quality Engineer & Quality Master at Die Mobiliar
- Test strategy design
- Continuous defect tracking and documentation
- Test case creation and execution for performance and end-to-end tests as well as mass tests
- Responsibility for all test activities in the team
- Requirements and documentation analysis
- Agile testing based on stories, epics and features
- Test management and coordination
- Use of SAFe (PI planning, PI preparation, sprints, daily meetings, Kanban board, retrospective, review)
- Use of GitHub, Tortoise, Atlassian JIRA, Confluence, MS Teams, Splunk, Swagger UI, Tosca, Rocket.Chat, Visual Studio Code, Oracle SQL Developer
- SAFe framework and project abroad
Kathrin S.
Last position:
Requirements Engineer at Governikus GmbH & Co. KG
- Impact: Structured requirements analysis and quality assurance as a foundation for the further development of a software solution.
- Analysis, documentation, and coordination of requirements. Conducting stakeholder analyses, interviews, and workshops to gather and validate requirements. Conducting requirements reviews and working closely with business departments and development teams.
Techniques & Tools: Requirements Engineering, Stakeholder Management, Workshop Facilitation, System Context Modeling, Requirements Reviews, Quality Scenarios, Miro, Jira, Confluence
Hannes K.
Last position:
Business Analyst, Scrum Master, Electronic Legal Communication / Agile Coach at Bundesrechenzentrum GmbH (Bundesministerium für Justiz)
- Backlog Management
- Scrum Master
- PO for the Ministry of Justice
- Optimizing Agile Processes
- Classic Business Analysis, User Stories and Testing
- Operational Topics like Nagios Monitoring and Incident Handling
Tools:
- Jira / Confluence
- SQL Developer
- Elastic / Kibana
- Visual Studio Code
Ahmed R.
Last position:
AI & Automation Engineer at Teosek GmbH
- Build prototypes, expand AI skills, and practical application in a startup context.
- Transition phase: further training in prompt engineering, APIs, AI, working on independent prototype projects, and collaborating at a friend's startup.
- Technologies: LangChain, REST, Python, Java, JS, TS, Node.
Felix B.
Last position:
Digital Consultant and Solution Manager at Vorwerk SE & Co. KG
Launch of a new digital product in the Chinese market as part of a global growth strategy.
Contact point and coordinating interface between central product management, local Chinese teams, and international stakeholders.
Managing the full program management for coordinating complex digital projects.
Successful launch of a digital product in China (including successful certification for the Chinese market).
Balancing local requirements with global priorities while taking tax and regulatory conditions into account.
Introducing a new way of working to improve collaboration and governance across locations.
Developing and implementing a scaling strategy for the digital business model in China.
Use of Jira, Confluence, Miro, Scrum, agile ways of working, SAFe.
Project language: English.
Wael A.
Last position:
Test Automation Expert at Ebcont Work GmbH
- Automating software tests with Tosca instead of manual tests
- Ensuring system stability through early issue fixing
- Optimizing for faster releases and better software quality
- Technologies: Tosca, API Testing, JIRA, Confluence
Karim I.
Last position:
Test Engineer at Ixtrac AG for Swica
- Building a framework for automated website testing
- Testing, regression testing
- Defect management
- Release management, UAT, agile testing
- Feature discussions with business
- Test management
Onur K.
Last position:
Project Manager & Outsourcing Manager at SENEC GmbH (EnBW Group)
- Built a scalable nearshore IT developer hub (Croatia, Czech Republic, Poland) as an independent company through a BOT model (Build – Operate – Transfer)
- Identified, selected, and managed full-service agencies; introduced management and control mechanisms, including KPIs, SLAs, and regular service reviews
- Prepared and reviewed data processing agreements and framework contracts in coordination with Legal & Compliance; integrated regulatory requirements (including KRITIS) into process design
- Advised on cloud vs. on-premise strategies, data storage, and authorization concepts; supported Procurement with tendering and service provider evaluations
- Managed change and process harmonization between internal teams and nearshore partners; reported to executive management, CFO, and CIO
Result: Scalable IT developer hub with an audit-ready governance model, reduced operating costs, and accelerated product development.
Namik D.
Last position:
Test Manager / Test Automation Engineer at Sky Deutschland GmbH
- Implemented and maintained 443 automated test cases with a 99% pass rate (441/443)
- Enabled CI for test automation: automated runs on review/merge, reporting via Xray
- Introduced accessibility and performance checks and established them in reporting
- Served as QA lead in daily operations with stand-ups, Kanban progress tracking, prioritization, and targeted task distribution
- Handled defect triage and stakeholder communication with daily triage, QA status analysis, and actionable recommendations
- Developed and maintained a stable regression suite for CRM/Salesforce flows (UI/E2E and near-API validations)
- Integrated CI/CD using Jenkins pipelines with Groovy (IaC)
- Maintained QA documentation, test conventions, and processes in Confluence, aligned across the team
- Conducted Salesforce Einstein chatbot testing with intent/topic validation and output checks, and used Robot Framework/Python suites for continuous quality monitoring
- Technology stack: Jira, Xray, Confluence, Jenkins, Groovy, Git, Java, Selenium, Playwright, Cucumber, TypeScript, Postman, REST, Salesforce, Google Cloud, Lighthouse, Evinced, Scrum/Kanban, BDD (Gherkin)
Andreas H.
Last position:
Test Automation Architect at Banking Bank (name withheld)
- Set up a shift-left DevOps E2E system testing architecture
- Set up "DevOps Shift-left" E2E tests for 240+ applications
- Under NDA
Wolfgang O.
Last position:
Project Manager at EnBW - Netze Südwest
- New development and further development of the existing MS Dynamics CRM
IT systems: Microsoft Dynamics Customer Service, SharePoint, DevOps, SAP IS-U
- CRM implementation / further development
- Taking over from the previous service provider
- Business process analysis
- Agile project organization
- Business analysis / requirements engineering with AI support
- Use of AI in development
- Analysis of master data processes
- CRM customer data management
- Requirements documentation
- Stakeholder management
- Workshop moderation
Thomas P.
Last position:
QA Tech Lead at ready2order GmbH
- Leading a team of QA Engineers
- Implementing effective test strategies, driving the test automation strategy forward
- Hands-on testing for the web and mobile application (iOS, Android)
- Creating, maintaining, and executing test plans as well as documenting test results (Testrail)
- Evaluating and integrating new tools to improve the testing process (e.g. Playwright)
Beat Z.
Last position:
SAP Test Manager at E.ON Grid Solutions GmbH
- Responsible for IT integration test and user acceptance test for SAP S/4 Hana and BDO BO Customer Financials Management
- Led the test team (business testers and IT testers)
- Resource planning and control within the test team
- Created test concepts and test plans
- Performed test risk analysis
- Coordinated test execution and defect tracking
- Ensured test progress
- Generated and visualized reports
- Summarized test reports and reported to management
- Prepared and conducted user acceptance tests
- Managed SIGMA and JIRA/Confluence at project level
Discover over 15,000 top freelancers
ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) statistics
Aggregated from the professional profiles of matched freelancers.
Experience
19 years
Position duration
2 years
Positions per freelancer
13
Top business areas
Quality Assurance, Information Technology, Product Development
Top industries
Information Technology, Banking and Finance, Automotive
Certification focus areas
Quality Assurance, Information Technology, Project Management
Bachelor's degree or higher
92%
Master's degree or higher
53%
Doctorate
6%
Certifications per freelancer
5
Most common languages
German, English, French
Speak two or more languages
97%
Based on our profile pool as of 10 Sep 2026.
Daily rate distribution
The chart shows how the daily rates of freelancers holding this certification are distributed, based on recent contracts on our platform. Each bar covers a rate range — its height shows how many freelancers charge within that range.
Average rates for ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL)
Rates are based on recent contracts and do not include FRATCH margin.
The average daily rate is the mean of all daily rates from recent contracts of comparable freelancers on our platform.
The median daily rate is the middle value of all daily rates — half of comparable freelancers charge less, half charge more. Unlike the average, it is barely affected by outliers.
Calculated based on our freelancers’ daily rates as of 10 Sep 2026. Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.
ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) experts industry focus
See which industries our matched freelancers work in most often — every figure is calculated live from the freelancers on FRATCH.
- Information Technology (86%)
- Banking and Finance (52%)
- Automotive (45%)
- Manufacturing (42%)
- Telecommunication (37%)
- Professional Services (35%)
- Government and Administration (34%)
- Insurance (31%)
Please note that freelancers can work across multiple industries, so percentages overlap.
About the certification
What CTFL means
ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) is the best-known entry certification in software testing. It shows that a person understands the language, principles, and core practices used to test software in a structured way. Companies look for it when they need someone who can work with test cases, defects, and quality checks without needing a full introduction.
Core skills
A CTFL holder is expected to know how testing supports delivery and risk control.
- Test principles and basic terminology
- Test levels, test types, and test design techniques
- Defect reporting and incident handling
- Static testing, reviews, and exploratory thinking
- Test tools, automation awareness, and test data basics
- Agile testing basics and collaboration with developers and analysts
Typical profiles
The CTFL is common among manual testers, QA analysts, test coordinators, business analysts who support testing, and developers who want a shared testing vocabulary. It is also a sensible first step for people moving into quality assurance from adjacent roles. In many teams, ISTQB Foundation Level is the baseline certification that helps new testers fit into established QA processes.
What it tells employers
A freelancer with the ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level certificate can usually join a team and follow agreed test practices quickly. That matters when you need support for regression testing, user story validation, acceptance checks, or defect triage. The certificate does not prove deep domain expertise on its own, but it does show a solid grasp of testing fundamentals and a common way of working.
How it is used
CTFL is relevant in projects where quality needs to be controlled from the start, not only at the end.
- Web and app releases
- Enterprise software and integration work
- Agile product teams
- UAT support and release readiness
- Outsourced QA and short-term test coverage
Hiring fit
If you hire in-house or remotely, the CTFL helps you filter for people who speak the same testing language as your team. That is useful when the role needs clear defect communication, structured test execution, and basic coverage across functional areas. For freelancers, it is a straightforward signal that they know how testing works in real projects, not just in theory.
Frequently asked questions
Before you brief your next project: the most common questions about ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL).
The ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) validates that a person understands the foundations of software testing. That includes test principles, basic techniques, defect reporting, review activities, and the role of testing in a delivery team. It is a broad starting point, not a deep specialist certificate.
Yes. CTFL is the common abbreviation for the ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level, and many people simply say ISTQB Foundation Level or ISTQB Foundation. All of these usually refer to the same entry-level software testing certification.
The ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level is a good fit for manual testers, QA analysts, and people starting a career in testing. It also suits business analysts, product team members, and developers who want a stronger testing mindset. Companies often use it as a baseline for freelancers who will support structured testing work.
A freelancer with CTFL can usually join a project and work within an existing QA process with little ramp-up on the basics. They should be able to write and execute test cases, report defects clearly, and support regression or acceptance testing. That makes the certification useful for delivery teams that need dependable test execution.
CTFL is the foundation layer. It focuses on core concepts and shared language, while higher ISTQB levels go deeper into specialisms, advanced testing practice, or test management. If you need someone for leadership, strategy, or niche testing topics, CTFL alone is usually not enough.
Preparation for the ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level usually means studying the syllabus, learning the terminology, and practicing how to apply test design techniques. Many candidates use training, self-study, or both. No specific work experience is always required, but practical exposure to software projects helps a lot.
The CTFL has traditionally been treated as a foundation certificate that is not tied to a short renewal cycle like some other credentials. However, certification policies can change over time, so candidates should always check the current ISTQB rules before planning their path. For employers, the important point is that the certificate signals a stable testing baseline.
This certification matters most in projects where structured testing is part of everyday delivery: web apps, business software, integration work, and agile teams. It is also useful when companies need clear communication between QA, development, and business stakeholders. In markets such as Germany, it is a familiar signal for employers looking for reliable test support.
The average hourly rate for freelancers with ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) is 95 €, which corresponds to a daily rate of about 763 € based on an 8-hour working day.
Of the freelancers with ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL), 92% hold at least a Bachelor's degree, 53% hold at least a Master's degree, and 6% hold a doctorate.
On average, freelancers with ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) have 19 years of professional experience, with a single engagement typically lasting around 2 years.
The most common languages among freelancers with ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) are German (100%), English (96%), and French (26%).
The most common industries among freelancers with ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) are Information Technology (86%), Banking and Finance (52%), and Automotive (45%).
The most common business areas among freelancers with ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) are Quality Assurance (95%), Information Technology (94%), and Product Development (76%).
FRATCH ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) main locations
Our freelancers and interim experts are at home all over Germany — available on-site in Berlin, Hamburg, Munich and every major business hub, or fully remote. Choose a city to discover matched specialists, local market insights and up-to-date availability.
Berlin 
Hamburg 
Munich 
Cologne 
Frankfurt 
Stuttgart 
Dusseldorf 
Dortmund 
Essen 
Nuremberg 
Vienna Across Switzerland our specialists are active in Zurich, Geneva, Basel and Bern — working on-site or fully remote. Choose a city to discover matched specialists, local market insights and up-to-date availability.
Zurich Geneva Basel Bern Countries:
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