Applying for Candidacy

QuickPath...

If you are completely new to this certification, start with Checking Prerequisites.
If you are ready to submit your first application, see Filing the Initial Application.
If you need to retake the examination after an unsuccessful attempt, see Filing a Retake Application.
If you are already a candidate for certification but have not yet taken the examination, see On-going Candidacy.
If you're ready to schedule your examination, move on to Scheduling & Taking the Examination.

Checking Prerequisites

To qualify for candidacy, each applicant must meet one of four prerequisites:

A 4 year degree from an accredited college-level institution and 2 years experience in the Information Technology field
A 3 year degree from an accredited college-level institution and 3 years experience in the Information Technology field
A 2 year degree from an accredited college-level institution and 4 years experience in the Information Technology field
Six years experience in the Information Technology field

AND

Have worked in the information services field within the prior 18 months

No formal proof of education or employment are required at the time of application; however the candidate may later be required to provide detailed documentation supporting the option selected depending upon a compliance sample selected according to program criteria. If selected for verification, such verification must be supplied to the program prior to sitting for any necessary examinations.

Filing the Initial Application

A completed Certification Candidacy Application must be submitted through the Customer Portal for entrance to Software Certifications as a candidate for any particular certification. This application is intended to be used by working professionals who feel they are prepared to sit for, and pass, the required examination for the certification designation for which they are requesting candidacy.

The initial application fee is as follows:

$350.00 (includes PDF version of CBOK), or
$420.00 (includes PDF version of CBOK, plus hard copy and CD)

All fee paid in USD (see Payment Policy) Fees in this program are non refundable and nontransferable

Candidates for certification who rely only on limited experience or too few/specific study materials typically do not successfully obtain certification. Do not apply unless you feel confident that your work activities and past experience have prepared you for the examination.

It should be submitted by individuals who:

Are working in the field covered by the certification designation,
Have significant experience and breadth to have mastered the basics of the entire Common Body of Knowledge,
Have reviewed the appropriate Common Body of Knowledge, and
Are prepared to take the required examination and, therefore, desire to establish candidacy.

Do not submit the application if you:

Are not yet working in the field but have an interest in obtaining employment in the field,
Are working in limited areas of the field but would like to expand your work roles to include broader responsibilities,
Are working in information technology but have only marginal involvement or duties related to the certification, or
Are only interested in determining if this certification program will be of interest to you.

Applicants already holding a certification from Software Certifications must submit a new application when deciding to pursue an additional certification. For example, an applicant already holding a CSQA certification must complete the application process again if pursuing the CSTE certification.

Examination

Exams are now being offered either through a Prometric Testing Center (online exam) or a Sponsored Site (paper-based exam). The location where you plan to take your exam will determine whether you take it at a Prometric Testing Center or Sponsored Site. See below for more information.

Prometric Testing Center
Prometric Testing Center's are available worldwide* (Find a Prometric Testing Center locations near you). Dates / locations will not be listed on the Schedule page as exams are offered daily at each location based on availability so plan accordingly. To schedule a candidate must go to the My Examination page in the Customer Portal and click on the Schedule this Examination link to start the process. By selecting Prometric as your exam option you will be assigned an Edibility ID which is extremely important as it is needed to schedule your exam with Prometric.

* Warning: This option is NOT available to candidates wanting to take their exam in one of the following locations - India, Brazil, China, or Sri Lanka (see Sponsored Sites).

Since a candidate schedules their exam directly with Prometric, the only dates / locations on the Examination Schedule will be Sponsored Sites.

Sponsored Sites
Sponsored Exams are ONLY offered in India, Brazil, China, and Sri Lanka. To schedule a candidate must go to the My Examination page in the Customer Portal and click on the Schedule this Examination link to start the process. By selecting Sponsored as your exam option you will be directed to a new page where you would select the location / exam date you wish to attend.You must schedule your examination at least 60 days before the selected examination date in order to reserve a seat which are limited based on availability. To view the list of currently scheduled Sponsored Exams, Click Here

Filing a Retake Application

Candidates who have taken their initial examination within 12 months of their acceptance, but did not pass, are eligible to retake the examination up to two more times, as long as your application has not expired. This can be done through the Customer Portal by going to the My Examination page. Each exam retake requires a $100.00 (USD) sitting fee. (see Payment Policy)

On-going Candidacy

It is critical that candidates keep their Program records up to date. Many candidates change their residence or job situations during their certification candidacy. If any such changes occur, it is the candidate's responsibility to change their Certification Candidacy Application information using the pages on the Software Certifications Customer Portal.

Once a new application is accepted and approved, the Candidacy begins the date the application fee was processed. The candidate then has 12 months from the date the application fee was processed to take their initial exam. If after the 12-month period the candidate has yet to take the initial exam their candidacy will expire. The candidate must then reapply for candidacy and pay the current application fee to begin the process again.

If the initial exam is taken inside that 12-month period, a second or third sitting, if required, must be completed within 24 months from the date the original application fee was processed. After the 24-month period has elapsed their candidacy will expire. The candidate must then reapply for candidacy and pay the current application fee to begin the process again.

For more information on scheduling an examination, go to Scheduling & Taking the Examination.