ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL)
experts in Essen, DE, matched in minutes from 15,000 CVs with the power of AI.Bring in freelancers who understand software test basics, defect reporting, test design techniques, and the role of quality in agile and classic delivery. Get fast, precise matching with vetted CTFL professionals who are ready to join your project.
Meet FRATCH ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) in Essen, DE
Felix B.
Last position:
Digital Consultant and Solution Manager at Vorwerk SE & Co. KG
Introduction of a new digital product to the Chinese market as part of a global growth strategy.
Point of contact and coordinating interface between central product management, local Chinese teams and international stakeholders.
Management of the entire program to coordinate complex digital projects.
Successful market 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 requirements into account.
Introduction of a new way of working to improve collaboration and coordination across locations.
Development and implementation of a scaling strategy for the digital business model in China.
Use of Jira, Confluence, Miro, Scrum, agile working, SAFe.
Project language: English.
Humayun S.
Last position:
Senior Test Manager - Lead at Star Finanz GmbH
- QA Lead for end-to-end quality assurance of the Sparkasse & Sparkasse Business banking apps (iOS/Android); design and implementation of the test strategy, including functional testing, regression testing, and UAT for eID, push notifications, and white-label components
- Creation and maintenance of test concepts and test plans in TestRail; structured defect management and error analysis; stakeholder management and risk management for the early identification of critical quality risks
- Accessibility testing according to WCAG 2.1 (iOS/Android); coordination of AI-supported test automation and optimization of test processes to shorten release cycles
- Release Management: planning, controlling, and coordinating all test activities; status reporting to management and stakeholders; quality assessment of releases and release recommendations in an Agile/Scrum environment
- Challenge: Highly complex build and release process across several Sparkasse institutions; close coordination with the DevOps team to stabilize the CI/CD pipeline and ensure reproducible test builds before each release.
Tools: Jira, Confluence, TestRail, Android Studio, Xcode, Firebase, Jenkins, GA4
- Success: Successful launch of the eID authentication process - quality assurance ensured for 50+ Sparkasse institutions
Jens S.
Last position:
Network Technology at ISP, Internet Service Provider, BGP Peering
- Optimization of the transmission media of the data links in the Ruhr area
- Configuration/expansion of switches and routers for an autonomous system AS
- Improve the network protocols used Layer 2/3 (OSI model), RSTP, broadcast, etc.
- Laying cables, crimping, antennas, routers, switches
- Maintenance, expansion, selection and prioritization of troubleshooting measures for network monitoring (PRTG, The Dude)
- Organization and new connection of another BGP peering, data center, NGN fiber optic
- VPN IPSec site connections for 6 sites with PFSense, Fritzbox
- Configuration of WLAN devices (Mikrotik, UBNT
Label: TCP/IP, VLAN, BGP, OSPF, MPLS, VPLS, routing protocols, WLAN, EoIP, PPPoE, routing, SNMP, DHCP, DNS, NAT, native IP, VLAN, Ethernet, VoIP., switches and routers from: Nortel, Cisco, MikroTik, UBNT., network management systems: The Dude, PRTG, UISP
Alexander K.
Last position:
Company AI assessment at ATRON
Arndt M.
Last position:
Project Manager for ServiceNow Vulnerability Response at Union Investment Services & IT GmbH
- Led the subproject for implementing Vulnerability Response as part of DORA
- Documented the current processes in compliance, risk & security
- Created the functional design for introducing application, infrastructure, and cloud vulnerabilities
- Agile management of the integration service provider, the technical department, and the company's cross-functional teams
- Integrated the V scanners Tenable, Qualys and Defender, as well as NVD and CISA/KEV
- Integrated GitLab Ultimate for importing and processing SBOMs
- Developed automation rules to match scan results with CIs in the CMDB, assign vulnerabilities and remediation tasks, handle approvals (false positives, exceptions) and closures
- Calculated multiple risk scores and priorities
- Defined dashboards and reports (Workspaces, Performance Analytics)
- Aligned the new processes, especially to improve the CMDB data quality (according to CSDM)
Aladdin A.
Last position:
Technical Consultant at NFON
- Presentations and workshops regarding different VOIP products and technologies
- Design of VOIP and network solutions from core to premium solutions and necessary non-standard solutions
- Processing of tenders
- Development of VOIP and network technical implementation of customer requirements
- Implement and configure different UC products on cloud
Mustafa K.
Last position:
Consultant (MBR Designer) at Bayer AG
Introduction of an MES system in pharmaceutical production.
Support in replacing existing recipes by introducing an MES system.
Focus on converting cleaning and manufacturing AKBs into MBRs.
System environment: Werum PAS-X MES, GMP, SAP, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel), XML
Daniel J.
Last position:
Information Security Consultant
- Enhanced quality assurance of documents, processes and required evidence in preparation for the upcoming KRITIS audit 2025.
- Reviewing and commenting on all relevant documents.
- Advising authors and document owners on inquiries and during the creation process.
- Supporting departments with IT security inquiries.
- Used tools/Frameworks MS Office, SharePoint, Jira, Confluence, ISO27001+, NIS-2 (EU 2022/2555), B3S (Statutory Health & Private Health Insurance), BSIG / IT-SIG 2.0, BSI-KritisV, BSI-C5, BSI Baseline Protection (200-2, 200-4), ServiceNow, RCE (EU 2022/2557), SGB, GDPR
Daron B.
Last position:
Digital Director at Bowl of Beauty
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ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) statistics
Aggregated from the professional profiles of matched freelancers.
Experience
25 years (Germany: 19 years)
Position duration
1.6 years (Germany: 1.9 years)
Positions per freelancer
24 (Germany: 14)
Top business areas
Information Technology, Product Development, Quality Assurance
Top industries
Information Technology, Telecommunication, Manufacturing
Certification focus areas
Information Technology, Quality Assurance, Project Management
Bachelor's degree or higher
88% (Germany: 91%)
Master's degree or higher
50% (Germany: 51%)
Doctorate
13% (Germany: 6%)
Certifications per freelancer
8 (Germany: 6)
Most common languages
German, English, Spanish
Speak two or more languages
100% (Germany: 97%)
Based on our profile pool as of 17 Sep 2026.
Daily rate distribution
The chart shows how the daily rates of freelancers holding this certification in Essen, DE 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) in Essen, DE
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 17 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 (100%)
- Telecommunication (78%)
- Manufacturing (67%)
- Energy (56%)
- Banking and Finance (56%)
- Transportation (56%)
- Media and Entertainment (56%)
- Retail (56%)
Please note that freelancers can work across multiple industries, so percentages overlap.
About the certification
What CTFL means
ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level, usually called CTFL, is the entry-level certification in the ISTQB software testing scheme. It shows that a person understands the core language of testing and can work with test cases, defects, test levels, and basic risk-based thinking. For companies, it is a clear sign that the freelancer knows how to support quality work from the start.
Core skills
- Test principles and why testing is needed
- Static techniques such as reviews and early defect detection
- Test design techniques for selecting useful test cases
- Test management basics, reporting, and defect handling
- Agile test awareness and collaboration with developers and analysts
These topics make CTFL useful in project teams that need structured testing without heavy process overhead.
Typical profiles
CTFL is common among manual testers, QA analysts, test coordinators, and professionals moving into software quality from development or business analysis. It also fits freelancers who work across web, mobile, ERP, and internal business applications. In Essen and across Germany, companies often look for CTFL holders when they need reliable support for local project teams and clear communication with German-speaking stakeholders.
Where it helps
- Functional testing of business applications
- Regression testing before releases
- User acceptance support and defect triage
- Agile sprints with close team coordination
- Migration and change projects where coverage matters
CTFL does not make someone a test architect or automation specialist by itself. It tells you the freelancer understands the basics well enough to work in a real delivery setup and follow a shared testing approach.
What companies can expect
A freelancer with the CTFL certificate should be able to read requirements critically, prepare sensible test cases, report defects clearly, and speak about test levels and techniques in a structured way. That makes hiring easier when you need someone who can join quickly, work with your QA lead, and keep testing consistent. It is a strong signal for teams that want dependable execution rather than theory alone.
Exam and renewal
The ISTQB CTFL exam is a theory-focused foundation exam. It is usually taken after preparing with the official syllabus, practice questions, and hands-on test work. There are no strict job prerequisites, but real project exposure helps a lot. For professionals, the certification is often the first step before moving on to more advanced ISTQB specialist or advanced-level paths.
Frequently asked questions
What clients ask us most about ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) — answered in short.
ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) validates that a professional understands the basics of software testing. That includes test principles, test design, defect reporting, and the role of testing across the delivery cycle. For companies, it signals a shared testing vocabulary and a structured way of working.
Yes. In practice, CTFL is the common name for the ISTQB Foundation Level certification in software testing. People may also refer to it simply as ISTQB Foundation Level or the old “Certified Tester” foundation exam. The meaning is the same: entry-level ISTQB testing knowledge.
CTFL is a good fit for manual testers, QA analysts, test coordinators, and business professionals who take on test-related work. It is also useful for freelancers who support agile teams or join projects where testing needs to be structured and traceable. If you need someone to help with quality from day one, this certificate is a strong signal.
CTFL covers the fundamentals. Higher ISTQB levels go deeper into areas such as test analysis, test management, automation, or specialized testing topics. If you need broad base-level testing support, CTFL is relevant; if you need advanced leadership or deep specialization, look for an ISTQB advanced or specialist certificate as well.
A candidate for ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) should be comfortable with basic software project terms and ready to learn a formal test vocabulary. Prior testing experience is helpful, but the certification is designed as a foundation path, so it is also suitable for people entering QA from other roles. Good preparation usually means studying the syllabus carefully and practicing how to design and explain tests.
CTFL is generally treated as a foundational certification rather than a credential that is tied to a short renewal cycle. That said, professionals should keep their practical knowledge current as testing methods, tools, and delivery models change. Companies usually care most about whether the freelancer can apply the basics well in the current project context.
CTFL matters most in projects where testing needs to be clear, repeatable, and easy to explain. That includes business software, web and mobile releases, migration work, and agile delivery teams. In Essen and other German project environments, it also helps when freelancers must work closely with local stakeholders and document defects precisely.
CTFL is not an automation certification, but it still helps in automation projects. It gives the freelancer the test foundation needed to decide what should be automated, how to structure test cases, and how to understand test results. For hands-on automation work, companies usually pair it with tool-specific or coding skills.
The average hourly rate for freelancers with ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) in Essen, DE is 103 €, which corresponds to a daily rate of about 821 € based on an 8-hour working day.
Of the freelancers with ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) in Essen, DE, 88% hold at least a Bachelor's degree, 50% hold at least a Master's degree, and 13% hold a doctorate.
On average, freelancers with ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) in Essen, DE have 25 years of professional experience, with a single engagement typically lasting around 1.6 years.
The most common languages among freelancers with ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) in Essen, DE are German (100%), English (100%), and Spanish (22%).
The most common industries among freelancers with ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) in Essen, DE are Information Technology (100%), Telecommunication (78%), and Manufacturing (67%).
The most common business areas among freelancers with ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) in Essen, DE are Information Technology (100%), Product Development (89%), and Quality Assurance (89%).
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