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ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL)

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CTFL holders bring a solid grip on test design, defect reporting, test execution, and the basics of test planning and risk-based thinking. They are a strong fit for software releases, regression cycles, UAT support, and quality-focused delivery teams. Match with vetted freelancers who hold this certification, fast and precisely.

Meet FRATCH ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) in Switzerland

Verified expert

Ahmed Rehman

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AI & Automation Engineer

Küsnacht
Ahmed Rehman

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.
Verified expert

Karim Ismail

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Test Engineer

Schwerzenbach
Karim Ismail

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
Verified expert

Andreas Hetz

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Test Automation Architect

Rheinfelden
Andreas Hetz

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
Verified expert

Beat Zangger

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SAP Test Manager

Zürich
Beat Zangger

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
Verified expert

Patryk Socha

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Test Manager

Rheinfelden
Patryk Socha

Last position:

Test Manager at HIQT GmbH

  • Set up a partnership to support UiPath from migrating new clients to the UiPath tool landscape
  • RPA testing
Verified expert

Andrew Longe

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Service Manager - Testing

Kloten
Andrew Longe

Last position:

Service Manager - Testing at Takeda Pharmaceutical International AG

  • Managing the Testing services for the Global IT Testing Centre of Excellence (TCoE) team, which is responsible for managing and supporting the Product & Project Testing Workstreams on various Regional Projects, especially in Pharmacovigilance, Digital Supply Chain, Clinical Practice and R&D, etc.
  • Managing Client relationships, escalations and continuing to grow the project services globally, while also driving the testing efforts on Takeda’s AI, DevOps, Agile, and Digital projects.
  • Led the implementation of a Quality Management System (QMS), ensuring compliance with GCP, GMP, and Swiss and EU regulations, resulting in a huge improvement in audit readiness.
  • Overseeing projects for systems including ERP, EDGE, SAP ECC, SAP Transportation Management, S/4 HANA migration etc.
  • Led an AI/ML PoC for AI implementation.
  • Led a cross-functional team to ensure compliance with MDR, FDA regulatory guidelines and achieved successful project deliveries.
  • Led and managed change management and communication for TCoE, keeping the Takeda organisation informed of change communication and practices, including presentations to various stakeholders.
  • Ensuring TCoE outsource vendor resources adhere to regulatory, compliance and quality system standards and practices for GxP & non-GxP System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) including aSDLC and TCoE Global Standards.
  • Translated the product vision, strategy and requirements into backlog items, which were prioritised based on potential business impact and customer value.
Verified expert

Zafer Baysan

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Lead Test Automation Engineer

Solothurn
Zafer Baysan

Last position:

Lead Test Automation Engineer at Unknown

  • Playwright-based API test automation for the Oracle JD Edwards ERP system
  • Development of a TypeScript/Node.js test framework with MSSQL database integration
  • End-to-end business process automation for order processing, customer management, etc.
  • OpenAI integration for automatic PDF document validation
  • Jira/Xray integration for automated test reporting with dashboard
  • REST API client development with role-based authentication
  • Test data management, dynamic ID validation, and cross-test data sharing mechanisms
Verified expert

Christof Hertkorn

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Test Manager

Bern
Christof Hertkorn

Last position:

Test Manager at Planning and Information System

  • Integrated Planning and Information System is rolled out and needs to be tested in various configurations and constellations
  • Coordination and management of tests at approval, end-to-end, system and system integration levels as well as interface tests
  • Development of a test plan according to HERMES standard for agile testing within SAFe/Scrum
  • Automated tests developed in Ansible and integrated into a CI/CD GitLab pipeline
  • Creation of system, integration, smoke, and end-to-end tests and management in Jira/Xray/Confluence
  • Introduced a new review process for testing, leading to a redesigned Jira workflow presented in a cross-department board and released for all departments
  • Consulting stakeholders to establish a toolchain for tests, requirements, bugs/defects for both GitLab and Atlassian tools
Verified expert

Thomas Höhle

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Sales Partner

Schübelbach
Thomas Höhle

Last position:

Sales Partner at SourceWeb Group

  • Consulting and sales in cyber security
Verified expert

Martin Gall

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IT Project Manager ALV-eGOV, Deputy Head, Group Leader, Business Analyst, Requirements Engineer

Basel
Martin Gall

Last position:

IT Project Manager ALV-eGOV, Deputy Head, Group Leader, Business Analyst, Requirements Engineer at SECO

  • Planning, implementation, and rollout of 7 eGov services for companies and job seekers for the Unemployment Insurance Fund (ALV)

Discover over 15,000 top freelancers

ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) statistics

Aggregated from the professional profiles of matched freelancers.

Experience

20 years

Position duration

2.2 years

Positions per freelancer

10

Top business areas

Information Technology, Quality Assurance, Project Management

Top industries

Information Technology, Insurance, Banking and Finance

Certification focus areas

Quality Assurance, Project Management, Information Technology

Bachelor's degree or higher

91%

Master's degree or higher

55%

Doctorate

9%

Certifications per freelancer

5

Most common languages

German, English, French

Speak two or more languages

100%

Based on our profile pool as of 26 Aug 2026.

Daily rate distribution

0 1 2 3 4
<€640 €640-​800 €800-​960 €960-​1120 €1120-​1280 €1280+

The chart shows how the daily rates of freelancers holding this certification in Switzerland 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 Switzerland

Rates are based on recent contracts and do not include FRATCH margin.

1000
750
500
250
Rate comparison chart
Daily rate avg. 879 €

The average daily rate is the mean of all daily rates from recent contracts of comparable freelancers on our platform.

1000
750
500
250
Rate comparison chart
Median rate 800 €

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 26 Aug 2026. Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.

About the certification

What CTFL proves

The ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) shows that a professional understands the core ideas of software testing. It covers how testing supports quality, how defects are found and reported, and how test work fits into the software delivery process. For companies, this is a clear signal that the freelancer speaks the language of structured testing.

Core test skills

  • Test design based on requirements, risks, and expected behavior
  • Test execution and clear defect reporting
  • Understanding of static and dynamic testing
  • Basic test planning and test control
  • Awareness of test levels, test types, and test techniques
  • Good collaboration with developers, product owners, and business users

Typical holder profile

CTFL is often the entry point for test analysts, QA engineers, test consultants, and delivery professionals who work close to software quality. Many holders have hands-on experience in manual testing, test coordination, or business-facing acceptance work. In Switzerland, it is especially relevant for teams that need clear communication across mixed-language or cross-functional projects.

Knowledge areas covered

  • Testing principles and the purpose of quality assurance
  • The software development lifecycle and where testing fits
  • Test techniques such as equivalence partitioning and boundary analysis
  • Defect management and test documentation
  • Tool support and the limits of automation at foundation level
  • Test work in agile and traditional project settings

What it means for hiring

A freelancer with the CTFL certification brings a recognized baseline for professional testing practice. That helps when you need someone who can join quickly, understand requirements, and work with discipline on releases, regressions, or user acceptance testing. It does not replace deep domain experience, but it reduces the risk of hiring someone who lacks structured testing fundamentals.

When it matters most

The CTFL is useful in product teams, software vendors, banks, insurers, public sector projects, and systems integration work. It is also relevant when quality must be documented and test work needs to be repeatable. Companies in Switzerland often value it for remote collaboration as well as on-site work, especially when English is the project language and local teams need clear test communication.

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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 the basics of professional software testing. It shows that a person understands test principles, common test techniques, defect reporting, and how testing supports delivery. It is a foundation credential, so it proves structured knowledge rather than deep specialization.

CTFL is the entry-level ISTQB certification and covers the common testing foundation. Advanced or specialist certifications go deeper into areas such as test management, test analysis, or specific quality disciplines. If you need someone for broad QA support, CTFL is the baseline; if you need leadership or niche expertise, look further up the ISTQB path.

ISTQB CTFL is a good fit for testers, QA analysts, business testers, and consultants who want a recognized testing baseline. It is also useful for professionals moving into testing from delivery, support, or business analysis roles. For companies, it is a helpful sign that the freelancer can work in a disciplined and shared testing process.

Preparing for the CTFL usually means learning the testing vocabulary, the main principles of testing, and the standard techniques used to design tests. Candidates often combine study with practical examples from their own work. Because the exam focuses on understanding and application, real project context helps a lot.

ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) is designed as a foundation certification, so it does not depend on a long testing career. In practice, people with some exposure to software projects usually find it easier to connect the concepts to real work. It is often the first ISTQB step for professionals entering structured QA.

The CTFL is commonly treated as a stable foundation credential rather than a certification that changes with every project trend. Renewal and transition rules can evolve, so professionals should always check the current ISTQB program guidance. For hiring, the more important point is whether the freelancer still applies the core testing concepts well in current projects.

CTFL matters most in projects where testing needs to be organized, repeatable, and easy to explain to stakeholders. That includes software releases, regression testing, user acceptance support, and quality assurance in regulated or process-heavy environments. It is especially useful when a team needs reliable test execution and clear defect communication.

Yes. CTFL is useful in Switzerland because many teams work across regions, functions, and languages, so clear testing practice matters. It helps when freelancers must collaborate remotely, document defects carefully, and keep test communication simple and consistent. For local teams, it is a practical sign of shared QA basics.

The average hourly rate for freelancers with ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) in Switzerland is 110 €, which corresponds to a daily rate of about 879 € based on an 8-hour working day.

Of the freelancers with ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) in Switzerland, 91% hold at least a Bachelor's degree, 55% hold at least a Master's degree, and 9% hold a doctorate.

On average, freelancers with ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) in Switzerland have 20 years of professional experience, with a single engagement typically lasting around 2.2 years.

The most common languages among freelancers with ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) in Switzerland are German (100%), English (91%), and French (36%).

The most common industries among freelancers with ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) in Switzerland are Information Technology (82%), Insurance (64%), and Banking and Finance (55%).

The most common business areas among freelancers with ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) in Switzerland are Information Technology (91%), Quality Assurance (91%), and Project Management (82%).

FRATCH ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) main locations

Our freelancers and interim experts are at home across the DACH region — available on-site in the major business hubs or fully remote. Choose a location to discover matched specialists, local market insights and up-to-date availability.

Countries:

Zurich Geneva Basel Bern

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