Hire proven professionals with a ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) in Stuttgart in minutes from 15,000 CVs with the power of AI.
CTFL holders bring solid test design, defect reporting, and software lifecycle basics to QA work, regression testing, and cross-functional delivery. Find vetted freelancers in Stuttgart who can plug into your team fast and work in English or German.
About the certification
What CTFL means
The ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) is the baseline certification for software testing knowledge. It shows that a tester understands the language of testing, the purpose of quality assurance, and the role testing plays across the software lifecycle. For companies, it is a clear signal that a freelancer can work with structured test methods, report defects clearly, and support delivery with a common professional standard.
Core skills
CTFL holders usually know how to plan and run tests in a disciplined way. They can work with test cases, exploratory checks, defect reports, and basic risk-based thinking.
- Test design and test case creation
- Defect reporting and retesting
- Test levels and test types
- Static testing and reviews
- Basics of test management and reporting
Where it fits
This certification is common among manual testers, junior QA engineers, test analysts, and developers who need a stronger testing mindset. It is useful in agile teams, release validation, regression testing, user acceptance support, and projects where requirements change often. In Stuttgart, it can be a practical filter when you need freelancers who can join local product teams on site or support distributed delivery remotely.
What companies gain
A freelancer with CTFL is less likely to improvise testing in an unstructured way. The certification helps ensure a shared vocabulary around risk, coverage, severity, and traceability, which is useful when several teams touch the same product. For hiring managers, ISTQB CTFL is not a guarantee of seniority, but it is a reliable sign that the person understands testing fundamentals and can contribute quickly in a professional QA setup.
Meet FRATCH ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL)
Holger Beck
Consultant for development support topics and standards
Last position:
Consultant for development support topics and standards at TeDiMoS GmbH
- Standards research "Product-/project-related for speed-controlled pumps".
- Support of internal development departments on standards issues nationally and internationally.
- Creation and maintenance of internal standards and test plans.
- Generation of technical requirements from normative specifications.
- Collaboration with authorities.
- Coordination with associations and organizations/authorities (VDE, UL, notified body EMC test).
Gildas Djomen
System Team Lead Diagnostics – Hybrid & Electric Drives (HEV/MHEV/PHEV) for Transmission and Engine (NA/SA)
Last position:
System Team Lead Diagnostics – Hybrid & Electric Drives (HEV/MHEV/PHEV) for Transmission and Engine (NA/SA) at Stellantis e-transmission
- Technical lead of diagnostics activities for eDCT transmissions and drive systems in the area of hybrid (HEV), mild-hybrid (MHEV), and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV)
- Responsibility for the development and validation of DTC strategies (OBD / EOBD) for markets in North and South America and the EU
- Coordination between interdisciplinary teams (system development, software, safety, calibration, after-sales)
- Creation and maintenance of diagnostic specifications (DID, DTC matrix, snapshot, freeze frame) according to STLA standards
- Support with troubleshooting, validation tests, EOL processes, and internal audits
- Technical interface to suppliers (Bosch, Valeo, etc.) in the area of actuators, sensors, and electric pumps
- Creation of diagnostic RFQ
Moulay Driss Sennaoui
Project Manager and Project Safety Manager
Last position:
Project Safety Manager at Harman Automotive International
- FuSi requirements engineering in Doors for tell-tales, reverse camera and chimes
- Draft system requirements specification
- Maintain and review requirements in Doors (DNG)
- Coordinate HW, system and SW architecture teams
- Safety work product roadmap and delivery planning according to ISO 26262 and ASPICE
- Track deadlines with functional safety gate assessments
- Project capacity planning and coordination up to series release
- SW/system planning and coordination with counterparts in India, Romania, China and USA
- Track SOP milestones with customer
- Bug tracking and follow-up with Jira
- Safety analyses and HSIS requirement traceability
- Plan organizational work packages using sprints
- Coordinate ISO 26262 and ASPICE work products in the V-model development process
- Create the safety plan and the safety-critical plan
- Interface between functional safety management, HW development and software development
- Clarify and align requirements regarding quality, FuSi, standards and A-SPICE
- Coordinate between different suppliers for SoC, HW and SW quality and KPIs
Leonard Howard
Senior Test Manager
Last position:
Senior Test Manager at LBBW
- Senior Test Manager for multiple strategic banking programs and large migration projects
- Responsibility for test and release management of central data integration platforms with over 40 data provider systems and 50 consumer IT systems
- Conducting acceptance reviews and management reporting
Mangal Mahalinge
Test Analyst
Last position:
Trainee Product Management at Digitale Leute Schule
- Remote learning with experts and 636 instructional units.
- Product management bootcamp teaching agile methods and software tools for modern product management in complex software projects.
- User experience (UX) · product management · Figma (software) · user-centered design · Scrum · agile project management · Jira · Confluence · product discovery · backlog management · user experience design (UED) · prototyping · lean thinking · product roadmapping · user stories · Miro collaboration platform · application monitoring tools · performance metrics · lean product management · product design kickoff indicators (KPI) & tracking events · product strategy · business modeling · product vision & goals · product discovery.
Wael Mansour
Test Manager
Last position:
Test Manager at Schwarz IT
- Test planning and test case analysis
- Integration testing
- Coordination of UAT in lab and on site
- Creation of hardware and software test catalogs
- Communication of test results from REST services to the SAP team
- Support of stores in the EU until rollout
- Coordination of defect management and software updates with involved vendors
- Verification of the configuration of charging stations in the backend software for different countries
- Ongoing quality status reporting to project management
- Documentation of the user manual in English and German
- Tools: Confluence, be.Energised, OCPP Postman, OPI, CCV (payone.elavon), Excel, it4you
Orhun Suezer
Consultant
Last position:
Independent Consultant
- Security, PMI and Agile project management projects and trainer
- Variety of projects with worldwide premium OEMs, Tier1s and Tier2s
- e.g. Panasonic Europe, Cymotive, Veoneer, Cyres, VW, BMW, Ford
Discover over 15,000 top freelancers
ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) statistics
Typical experience
19 years
Average project duration
2.6 years
Certifications per freelancer
3
Top business areas
Project Management, Quality Assurance, Information Technology
Top industries
Automotive, Information Technology, Manufacturing
Most common languages
German, English, French
Bachelor's degree or higher
100%
Master's degree or higher
50%
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. Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.
Average rates for ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) & Seniority distribution
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.
Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.
Frequently Asked Questions
Need more info? We have all the details about FRATCH
ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) validates a working knowledge of software testing fundamentals. It covers the purpose of testing, how defects are found and reported, and how test activities fit into the development process. For companies, it means the freelancer understands a shared testing language rather than relying only on experience without structure.
No. CTFL is an entry-level foundation certification, so it proves solid basics rather than deep specialization. A freelancer may still be highly capable, but the certificate itself mainly shows that the person understands standard testing concepts and methods.
CTFL, also known as the ISTQB Foundation Level or ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level, is a good fit for manual testers, QA newcomers, business analysts who work closely with test teams, and developers who want stronger testing skills. It is also useful for freelancers who want a recognized baseline credential when applying for project work. Employers often look for it when they need dependable testing support with a common method background.
The ISTQB CTFL syllabus usually covers the fundamentals of testing, the software development lifecycle, static testing, test design techniques, test management basics, and tool support. It also introduces quality characteristics, defect taxonomy, and the way different test levels and test types relate to each other. This makes it relevant for people who need to work on structured QA tasks, not just execute test steps.
ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) is the base for the ISTQB path. Later levels move into deeper specializations, more advanced test analysis, or leadership topics such as test strategy and management. If you want someone who can join a team quickly and speak the standard testing language, CTFL is the starting point; if you need advanced ownership, look for higher-level or specialist credentials too.
Preparation for CTFL usually involves learning the syllabus, practicing test design techniques, and getting comfortable with testing terms and categories. The exam is theory-driven, so memorizing definitions alone is not enough; candidates need to understand how the concepts work in real project situations. People with hands-on QA or development experience often find the material easier to place in context.
The ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) is generally treated as a stable foundation certificate, so the main concern is usually keeping skills current rather than chasing frequent renewal cycles. Freelancers should still stay up to date with modern testing practice, especially if they work in agile delivery, automation-heavy teams, or regulated environments. Companies should ask how recently the person has applied the methods in practice, not just whether they passed the exam.
In Stuttgart, CTFL is especially useful when teams need reliable QA support for product releases, system changes, regression testing, or user acceptance work. It can also help when you want a freelancer who can work with local stakeholders on site or collaborate remotely with distributed engineering teams. The certification is broad, so it fits many industries where software quality matters and a common testing framework is needed.
The average hourly rate for freelancers with ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) in Stuttgart, Germany is 100 €, which corresponds to a daily rate of about 796 € based on an 8-hour working day.
Of the freelancers with ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) in Stuttgart, Germany, 100% hold at least a Bachelor's degree and 50% hold at least a Master's degree.
On average, freelancers with ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) in Stuttgart, Germany have 19 years of professional experience, with a single engagement typically lasting around 2.6 years.
The most common languages among freelancers with ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) in Stuttgart, Germany are German (100%), English (100%), and French (50%).
The most common industries among freelancers with ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) in Stuttgart, Germany are Automotive (75%), Information Technology (50%), and Manufacturing (38%).
The most common business areas among freelancers with ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) in Stuttgart, Germany are Project Management (100%), Quality Assurance (100%), and Information Technology (75%).
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