The International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB®) has released the Certified Tester Advanced Level Agile Tester (CTAL-AT) v2.0. The new syllabus was made generally available on 6 May 2026 and is described by ISTQB as a major release. CTAL-AT v2.0 elevates Agile testing from the Foundation-level qualification that had stood since 2014 into a full Advanced-level certification, reflecting the maturation of Agile testing as a professional discipline.
The new syllabus focuses on how testing professionals apply their expertise in complex, real-world Agile environments, with particular emphasis on test strategy, whole-team collaboration, and continuous improvement.
What is new in v2.0
The v2.0 syllabus introduces a substantial expansion of the techniques expected of Advanced-level Agile testers. ISTQB’s official launch announcement identifies four areas of key update:
- Advanced techniques such as heuristics, mnemonics, test tours, and example mapping.
- Expanded coverage of exploratory and collaborative testing approaches, including mob testing, vibe testing, and tissue testing.
- A stronger focus on cognitive bias and holistic quality thinking.
- Enhanced reporting and improvement practices, including the use of coverage metrics and continuous improvement.
Sunset of CTFL-AT and CT-ATT
The release of CTAL-AT v2.0 begins the sunset of two existing Agile certifications: the Certified Tester Foundation Level Agile Tester (CTFL-AT) and the Certified Tester Agile Technical Tester (CT-ATT). ISTQB has confirmed the following transition timeline:
- English exams and training (including retakes) for CTFL-AT and CT-ATT will remain available until 6 May 2027.
- Non-English exams and training (including retakes) for CTFL-AT and CT-ATT will remain available until 6 November 2027.
After these dates, the two certifications will no longer be available.
Accreditation requirements
As a new Advanced-level certification, CTAL-AT v2.0 carries fresh accreditation requirements. ISTQB has confirmed:
- New accreditation is required for all CTAL-AT v2.0 training courses.
- Trainers must hold the CTAL-AT v2.0 certification themselves.
MSTB will work with Accredited Training Providers in Malaysia on transition planning during the sunset period for CTFL-AT and CT-ATT. Providers offering the existing Foundation-level Agile qualifications should review their accreditation roadmaps in light of the new requirements.
MSTB’s role
As the official ISTQB Member Board for Malaysia, MSTB administers the CTAL-AT v2.0 examination and oversees the accreditation of training providers in the Malaysian market. Practitioners interested in pursuing the certification, and training providers planning to offer accredited courses, should contact MSTB for guidance on the local examination schedule and the accreditation process.
What this means for Malaysian QA professionals
CTAL-AT v2.0 is the first Advanced-level Agile certification ISTQB has released in over a decade, and it arrives at a moment when Agile teams across Southeast Asia are navigating rapid shifts in how software is built, including the increasing prevalence of AI-assisted development. The new syllabus reflects that operating environment directly, with techniques such as vibe testing and an explicit focus on cognitive bias that the previous Foundation-level qualification did not have language for. For senior testers, this is a meaningful credential progression. For organisations, it is a marker that the discipline of Agile testing has been recognised as deserving of Advanced-level standing.
MSTB will be publishing a separate editorial piece exploring what these shifts mean for the QA profession in Malaysia. In the meantime, the resources below provide the authoritative reference for the new syllabus.
Resources
- ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level Agile Tester (CTAL-AT) product page.
- ISTQB press release on the CTAL-AT v2.0 launch.
- CTAL-AT v2.0 Syllabus (PDF, via atsqa.org).
- ISTQB social posts: LinkedIn and Facebook.
For enquiries about Malaysian examination scheduling, training accreditation, or the transition from CTFL-AT and CT-ATT, please contact MSTB directly.