iSAQB® Foundation Level Certification (CPSA-F)

Yes, tectrain is an accredited iSAQB® training provider. That is why all iSAQB® CPSA Foundation Level & Advanced Level training courses we offer are accredited.

The iSAQB prescribes a formal and organizational separation between training and exam providers. Therefore, there are two roles. Training providers offer courses, workshops, and trainings to prepare participants, for example, for the CPSA-F exam or the CPSA-A thesis.

Exam providers administer the CPSA-A and CPSA-F exams - however, they are not allowed to offer any training or courses in this area themselves.

In Germany it is unclear whether one can legally call oneself a software architect. We advise you to research job title laws in your country. The iSAQB® cannot award a professional title. Therefore, we suggest that you call yourself "Certified Professional for Software Architecture" by the iSAQB® after passing the exam.

It is advantageous if you as a participant have the following knowledge or practical experience:

• More than 18 months of practical experience in software development based on the division of labor (i.e. in teams). They can be acquired, for example, by programming various systems.
• An understanding of the basic terms and differences between imperative, object-oriented, declarative and functional programming
• You should master at least one programming language
• You should also have experience in an object-oriented programming language (such as Java or C#);
• Conception and implementation of distributed applications, such as web applications or client/server systems.
• Technical documentation, in particular the documentation of source code, system drafts or technical concepts

Also helpful for understanding some concepts are:

• Knowledge of object orientation.
• A hands-on experience in one or more object-oriented programming languages.
• Practical experience with the design and implementation of distributed applications, such as web applications or client/server systems.
• It is considered useful to prepare for the CPSA-F exam with accredited training - however, in principle you could also take the CPSA-F exam without training.

Yes, we are an accredited iSAQB® training provider.

You should choose a learning path for yourself and must collect at least 70 credit points, in order to get CPSA Advanced Level Certified. You can choose relevant modules here: iSAQB Board

You should become familiar with the concepts and techniques of software architecture taught within the scope of the iSAQB Foundation Level. It is also helpful to carefully read and practice the training materials and exercises to best prepare for the exam. Additionally, it can be helpful to team up with other participants of the training to discuss and deepen the concepts together.

This depends on the training you attend, but typically it takes a few days up to a week to obtain the iSAQB Foundation Level. The trainings include both practical and theoretical elements and prepare you for the exam which you must take at the end.

CPSA certificates are valid for life like a regular college degree. It does not have an expiration date and does not require renewal.

Preparation for a certification can be done through attending trainings, studying learning materials, and preparing for exams.

The Foundation Level working group is committed to the further development and updating of the curriculum in the CPSA Foundation Level. The  experts  jointly contribute their suggestions for improvement and evaluate change notices, which all interested persons can post as "GitHub Issues" in the public repository on GitHub

The release cycle is always two years. As a rule, the changes in the curricula affect existing training courses from the training providers and the currently applicable examination questions. All training providers and recognized certification bodies always receive possible changes in good time before the publication of a new syllabus.

The iSAQB® provides the examination tasks or questions for all certification bodies, as well as the standards for all examination procedures. The tests themselves according to ISO/IEC 17024:2012 are not offered and carried out by iSAQB, but by neutral certification bodies. They carry out the tests on their own responsibility, they evaluate the results and issue the CPSA certificates after successfully passing the tests. You can take the exams at the CPSA Foundation Level and at the CPSA Advanced Level.

• Online/Remote exam: You can take an online/remote exam conveniently from your home computer.
• Exam after classroom training: You can also take an exam directly after classroom training as part of a group exam. Only iSAQB-accredited and Academic Partner institutions may offer this type of exam. The exam is taken on paper or with a tablet PC and is proctored by accredited examiners.
• Public exam: Dates and locations for public CPSA-F exams can be obtained from accredited certification bodies or booked directly on their websites. Exam in test centers: You can also take a CPSA-F exam at PEARSON VUE and PROMETRIC test centers in more than 190 countries worldwide. Additional information is available at the bottom of this page.

At the iSAQB Foundation Level, you will learn the basic concepts and practices of software architecture.

Some of the key principles of the iSAQB Foundation include:

• Modeling: The iSAQB Foundation places a strong emphasis on using models to describe and understand the architecture of software solutions.
• Quality: iSAQB expertise supports the application of best practices and approaches to quality assurance to ensure that the architecture of software solutions is of high quality and robust.
• Interdisciplinary: The iSAQB Foundation emphasizes the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to the architecture of software solutions and the need for closer collaboration between software architects, developers, and other professionals.
• Evolutionary: Software solution architecture can change over time and supports an evolutionary approach to the architecture of software solutions.
• Knowledge transfer: The iSAQB Foundation values the transfer of knowledge and competencies in the field of software architecture and promotes the further education of software architects.

The iSAQB (International Software Architecture Qualification Board) Foundation offers several benefits, including:

• Standardization: The iSAQB Foundation sets a standard for knowledge about software architecture and provides a common understanding of software architecture concepts and principles.
• Professionalization: The iSAQB Foundation supports the professionalization of software architects and helps them stay up-to-date and knowledgeable about the best practices in the field.
• Career opportunities: The iSAQB Foundation can enhance career opportunities for software architects by providing a recognized qualification that demonstrates their knowledge and competence.
• Improved quality: The iSAQB Foundation promotes the use of best practices and encourages the application of a systematic approach to software architecture, resulting in improved software quality.
• Improved communication: The iSAQB Foundation can improve communication between software architects, stakeholders, and other team members by providing a common language and understanding of software architecture concepts.

The iSAQB Foundation Level is a certification program offered by the iSAQB (International Software Architecture Qualification Board) aimed at individuals who wish to engage in the field of software architecture. It provides the foundations for a career in software architecture and covers topics such as software quality attributes, architecture patterns, processes and methods, stakeholder management, and communication. The iSAQB Foundation Level is an important first step towards certification as a software architect and can help improve career prospects in this field.

• Online/remote exam: You can take an online/remote exam conveniently from home on your home PC.
• Exam after the face-to-face training: An exam can also be carried out directly after the face-to-face training as part of a group exam. This type of exam may only be offered by iSAQB-accredited and academic partners. The exam is carried out in paper form or with a tablet PC by recognized examiners.
• A public exam: Dates and locations for the public CPSA‑F exams can be requested from recognized certification bodies or booked directly on the websites.
• Exam in test centers: You can also take a CPSA‑F® exam in PEARSON VUE and PROMETRIC test centers in more than 190 countries worldwide. Additional information is available at the bottom of this page.

The iSAQB® stipulates the formal and organizational separation between training and examination providers. That's why there are two roles. The training providers offer courses, workshops and training courses to prepare the participants, for example, for the CPSA-F exam or for the CPSA-A thesis.

The exam providers take the CPSA-A and CPSA-F exams - but they are not allowed to offer any training courses in this area themselves.

You can submit your iSAQB Foundation Level certification to companies that are looking for architects with a solid education in the basics of software architecture. It can also be helpful if you are looking to qualify for advanced certifications in the field of software architecture.

The exam questions for the iSAQB Foundation Level are not publicly available and are kept by iSAQB. To take the exam, you must attend a training course recognized by iSAQB.

You can obtain the iSAQB Foundation Level through a variety of recognized training institutes and courses. A list of these institutions can be found on the iSAQB website.

iSAQB knowledge can be applied in a variety of organizations and industries that develop or use software solutions, including:

Software development: iSAQB knowledge is particularly useful for organizations involved in the development of software solutions. IT management: iSAQB is helpful for IT managers who need a better understanding of software solution architecture and development. Government and public sector: iSAQB can also be applied in government and public organizations that develop or use software solutions. Finance and insurance: The knowledge you acquire in iSAQB Foundation Level can also be applied in finance and insurance companies that use software solutions for their business processes. Healthcare: The knowledge you acquire in iSAQB Foundation Level can also be applied in healthcare to improve the quality of software solutions for medical applications.

It is important to note that the iSAQB Foundation is suitable for organizations of any size and industry that are committed to improving their software architecture.

Anyone with sufficient experience and expertise in software architecture can apply for certification.

The iSAQB Foundation certification is suitable for software architects, IT managers, software developers, and other professionals who are involved in software solution architecture or wish to take a leading role in this area. The certification by the iSAQB Foundation provides an internationally recognized standard for the knowledge and competencies of software architects and supports them in their professional development. It can also be used by organizations that strive for a better understanding and systematic approach to software architecture.