Finnish Software Testing Board
Finnish Software Testing Board (FiSTB) is a Finnish non-profit association serving as the official national board for ISTQB software testing certifications, administering Foundation/Advanced/Expert exams, accrediting training providers, running the annual Testing Assembly conference, and operating a tiered corporate Partner Program.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersEspoo, Finland
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Finnish Software Testing Board does
Finnish Software Testing Board (FiSTB), legally Finnish Software Testing Qualifications ry, is a non-profit registered association (rekisteröity yhdistys) and the official Finnish national board for the International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB). Operating from Degerby, Finland, FiSTB administers ISTQB certification exams at Foundation, Advanced, and Expert levels — both in Finnish and English — and accredits training providers to deliver course-integrated certification programs. Its core customer base consists of individual software testing professionals seeking internationally recognized credentials, training companies seeking accreditation, and organizations enrolling employees in certification programs or joining the ISTQB Partner Program.
FiSTB's product portfolio centers on ISTQB certifications (Foundation 4.0, Advanced, Expert, Agile Tester Extension), the TMMi (Test Maturity Model integration) professional training and assessment scheme delivered through partner providers, the annual Testing Assembly conference for the Finnish testing community, the Best Thesis Award supporting university engagement, and tiered corporate partnership packages. Distribution runs through in-person exam sessions in Helsinki, Tampere, and Oulu managed jointly with TIVIA (Finnish Information Processing Association), remote proctored English exams delivered via partner iSQI, and three accredited training providers (Gofore, Tieturi, VALA Group) that bundle exams into their courses.
The business model combines one-time certification exam fees (€125-450 depending on level and discounts), three-year training accreditation fees (€600-2,000), recurring ISTQB Partner Program subscriptions (€500-2,000 annually across Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Global tiers), and membership revenue routed through TIVIA. Pricing is publicly disclosed. As a non-profit, FiSTB does not publish financial statements, and the organization operates without venture capital or institutional investment backing.
Finnish Software Testing Board firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Finnish Software Testing Board
- Legal name
- Finnish Software Testing Qualifications ry
- Website
- https://fistb.fi
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Finnish Software Testing Board (FiSTB) is a Finnish non-profit association serving as the official national board for ISTQB software testing certifications, administering Foundation/Advanced/Expert exams, accrediting training providers, running the annual Testing Assembly conference, and operating a tiered corporate Partner Program.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Finnish Software Testing Board industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Professional Certification Services
- NAICS
- Computer Training (611420)
- akta.pro primary industry
- QA, Test Automation & Software Quality (Manual/Automated Testing, Performance) (EDABAFAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- National/State Examination Boards & Testing Agencies (EDADAFAA), Transcript, Score Reporting & Verification/Credential Wallet Platforms (EDAFADAO), Test Item Banks, Question Authoring & Assessment Design Tools (EDAFADAC)
Keywords
Where Finnish Software Testing Board is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Espoo
- HQ country
- Finland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Finnish Software Testing Board business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Certification Exam Fees: FiSTB charges fees for ISTQB certification exams at various levels (Foundation, Advanced, Expert). Standard prices are 250€ + VAT for Foundation, 280€ + VAT for Advanced, and 450€ + VAT for Expert level exams. Member discounts and student pricing are available.
- Accreditation Fees: Training companies pay accreditation fees to have their courses accredited. Initial accreditation for Foundation Level with own materials costs 2000€ (3 years), with leased materials 1000€. Advanced level accreditation costs 1000€ (own materials) or 600€ (leased materials).
- ISTQB Partner Program Fees: Organizations pay annual partner program fees to receive discounts on exams and partner benefits. Silver level costs 500€/year, Gold 1000€/year, and Platinum/Global 2000€/year.
- Membership Fees: Individual membership is managed through TIVIA, with FiSTB as a member association. Members receive benefits including exam discounts and free entry to Testing Assembly.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Foundation Level Certification Exam |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Advanced and Specialist Level Exams |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Expert Level Certification Exams |
| Subscription | Annual | ISTQB Partner Program - Silver Level |
| Subscription | Annual | ISTQB Partner Program - Gold Level |
| Subscription | Annual | ISTQB Partner Program - Platinum Level |
| Subscription | Annual | ISTQB Partner Program - Global Level |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Foundation Level Training Accreditation |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Advanced Level Training Accreditation |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Finnish Software Testing Board product offering
Product offeringCore offering
FiSTB is the official Finnish national board for ISTQB and administers internationally recognized software testing certification exams at Foundation, Advanced, and Expert levels. It accredits training providers to deliver ISTQB-aligned courses, runs the annual Testing Assembly conference, and operates the tiered ISTQB Partner Program for organizations alongside TMMi maturity assessments. The organization is a certification and accreditation body, not a software product company.
Product overview
Finnish Software Testing Board (FiSTB) operates a portfolio of certification and professional development services for software testing professionals. The core offerings center on ISTQB (International Software Testing Qualifications Board) certification exams at Foundation, Advanced, and Expert levels, with the Foundation Level 4.0 being the current standard. Adjacent offerings include TMMi (Test Maturity Model integration) professional trainings and organizational assessments, the annual Testing Assembly conference, training provider accreditation services, and the ISTQB Partner Program for corporate members. The organization also promotes software testing education through university outreach and a Best Thesis Award program. FiSTB functions as a certification and examination body rather than a software product company.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Testing Assembly: Annual conference bringing together software testing professionals, featuring tutorials and presentations from industry experts.
Products and services
- ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL)
Companies that use Finnish Software Testing Board
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Finnish Software Testing Board technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Finnish Software Testing Board partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- iSQIcoreiSQI provides remote proctored English-language ISTQB exams globally. Starting from spring 2020, FiSTB expanded offerings to include remote exams that can be taken from any location. Registration and payment (PayPal) handled through iSQI website. Only Flex (Remote Proctor) exam type available in Finland.
- TIVIA rycoreFiSTB operates in cooperation with TIVIA (Finnish Information Processing Association, formerly Tietotekniikan liitto ry). TIVIA manages exam registrations through their calendar system and handles FiSTB membership enrollment. Joint exam sessions organized in Helsinki, Tampere, and Oulu.
- GoforecoreGofore is an accredited training provider for FiSTB/ISTQB courses in Finland. Also a Platinum-level ISTQB Partner. Offers expertise development services including software testing training.
- TieturicoreTieturi is an accredited training provider for FiSTB/ISTQB courses in Finland, offering software testing training programs.
- VALA GroupminorVALA Group is an accredited training provider for FiSTB/ISTQB courses in Finland.
- KnowitcoreKnowit is a TMMi service provider in Finland, offering TMMi assessments and training. Also a Platinum-level ISTQB Partner. Board member Kari Kakkonen leads quality and competence development at Knowit.
- ExperimentusminorExperimentus is a TMMi service provider in Finland, offering TMMi assessments for organizations.
- PlanitminorPlanit (trading as TiP) is a TMMi service provider offering TMMi assessments and training, with presence in Finland.
- ISTQB (International Software Testing Qualifications Board)coreISTQB is the international certification body responsible for the globally recognized Certified Tester certification scheme. FiSTB is the official Finnish national board, authorized to administer ISTQB exams and accredit training providers in Finland. The certification system operates in over 130 countries.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Finnish Software Testing Board competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- ASTQB (American Software Testing Qualifications Board): ASTQB is the US national board for ISTQB certifications, serving as the direct counterpart to FiSTB in a different geography. Both organizations hold exclusive national mandates to administer ISTQB exams and accredit training providers within their respective countries.
Others
- TIVIA ry (Finnish Information Processing Association): TIVIA is FiSTB's core operational partner that manages exam registrations, membership enrollment, and joint exam sessions. While not a direct competitor, TIVIA occupies an adjacent role in Finnish ICT professional development and could theoretically expand into certification administration.
- Knowit Oy: Knowit is a Platinum-level ISTQB Partner and TMMi service provider in Finland, with board member Kari Kakkonen leading quality and competence development. Knowit operates as both a partner and a potential indirect competitor in software testing training and assessment services.
- TMMi Foundation: TMMi Foundation owns the Test Maturity Model integration framework that FiSTB offers through partners like Knowit and Experimentus. It represents an ecosystem-level relationship where FiSTB extends its service portfolio beyond ISTQB certifications into organizational process improvement.
- Tieturi Oy: Tieturi is an accredited ISTQB training provider in Finland, serving as both a partner and indirect competitor in software testing course delivery. Its accreditation by FiSTB demonstrates the ecosystem relationship between certification bodies and training providers.
- Gofore Oyj: Gofore is an accredited training provider and Platinum-level ISTQB Partner that delivers ISTQB courses in Finland. As an accredited provider, Gofore represents both a distribution partner for FiSTB exams and a potential competitor in software testing education.
Broad incumbents
- BCS (British Computer Society): BCS is a UK-based professional body that offers its own software testing certifications (ISTQB-aligned) and operates as a broader IT professional membership organization. It represents a larger-scale version of FiSTB's model, with international reach and diversified certification offerings.
- International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB): ISTQB is the international parent body that defines the global Certified Tester certification scheme and grants FiSTB its mandate as the Finnish national board. ISTQB sets syllabi, examination standards, and accreditation frameworks that FiSTB implements at the national level.
Emerging players
- QAI Global: QAI Global offers ISTQB-aligned certifications and software quality training programs across multiple countries. It competes with national boards like FiSTB by providing certification pathways and training to testing professionals, though without the exclusive national mandate that FiSTB holds in Finland.
Direct peers
- iSQI (now part of SQS): iSQI is a global ISTQB exam administration partner that provides remote proctored English-language exams—a channel FiSTB explicitly relies on for its remote exam offering. Both organizations administer ISTQB certifications and compete for the same pool of certification candidates, though iSQI operates internationally while FiSTB is Finland-specific.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks1 record
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Finnish Software Testing Board social profiles
Digital presenceFinnish Software Testing Board financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Finnish Software Testing Board leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Finnish Software Testing Board funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Finnish Software Testing Board M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Finnish Software Testing Board
What does Finnish Software Testing Board do?
FiSTB is the official Finnish national board for ISTQB and administers internationally recognized software testing certification exams at Foundation, Advanced, and Expert levels. It accredits training providers to deliver ISTQB-aligned courses, runs the annual Testing Assembly conference, and operates the tiered ISTQB Partner Program for organizations alongside TMMi maturity assessments. The organization is a certification and accreditation body, not a software product company.
Is Finnish Software Testing Board a public or private company?
Finnish Software Testing Board is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Finnish Software Testing Board founded?
Finnish Software Testing Board was founded in 2002. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Finnish Software Testing Board based?
Finnish Software Testing Board is headquartered in Espoo, Finland, in the Europe region.
How does Finnish Software Testing Board make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Certification Exam Fees are the primary driver. The others are accreditation Fees, ISTQB Partner Program Fees and membership Fees.
Who are Finnish Software Testing Board's main competitors?
ASTQB (American Software Testing Qualifications Board) is listed as a regional player. Others are TIVIA ry (Finnish Information Processing Association), Knowit Oy, TMMi Foundation, Tieturi Oy and Gofore Oyj. Broad incumbents are BCS (British Computer Society) and International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB). QAI Global is listed as an emerging player. iSQI (now part of SQS) is listed as a direct peer.
Does Finnish Software Testing Board have an API?
No public API is recorded for Finnish Software Testing Board.
What industry is Finnish Software Testing Board in?
Finnish Software Testing Board's product category is Professional Certification Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDABAFAL, QA, Test Automation & Software Quality (Manual/Automated Testing, Performance), with a secondary code of EDADAFAA, National/State Examination Boards & Testing Agencies. Its NAICS code is 611420.