Checked 29 September 2026. From ISTQB's CT-AI and CT-GenAI pages, the CT-AI v2.0 FAQ, ISTQB's CT-GenAI v1.1 announcement (27 Apr 2026), the Exam Structures & Rules Tables v1.19 and ITB's CT-GenAI page and tickets, checked 29 September 2026 (ticket data early that day; by the evening Townscript showed ITB's tickets as closed).
ISTQB now has two AI certifications that answer opposite questions. CT-AI (AI Testing) is about testing AI-based systems — the ML model, its data, and GenAI products such as chatbots. CT-GenAI (Testing with Generative AI) is about using LLMs and other generative AI to do your testing work. Until 2026 CT-AI covered a bit of both, but version 2.0 "removed content related to using AI for testing", and ISTQB's CT-AI page now says candidates interested in using generative AI to support testing "should consider" CT-GenAI. Both need CTFL, both are 40 questions in 60 minutes, and the Indian Testing Board charges ₹7,000 + GST for each. CT-GenAI's current syllabus is v1.1, a minor update ISTQB announced on 27 April 2026 that, in its words, "does not change the structure, learning objectives, or overall scope" of the certification.
ISTQB Exam Structures & Rules Tables v1.19; ITB Townscript tickets (29 Sep 2026; GST total is our arithmetic).
The two exams side by side
| Item | CT-AI v2.0 | CT-GenAI v1.1 |
|---|---|---|
| What it certifies | Testing AI-based systems (ML systems and GenAI systems such as LLMs) | Using GenAI and LLMs across the test process |
| Questions / points | 40 / 44 | 40 / 46 |
| Pass mark | 29 (at least 65%) | 30 (at least 65%) |
| Time | 60 min (75 with +25%) | 60 min (75 with +25%) |
| Questions by K-level | K1 0 · K2 36 · K3 4 | K1 8 · K2 26 · K3 6 |
| ISTQB's approximate answering time | 48 min | 52 min |
| Prerequisite | CTFL | CTFL ("extends the Foundation Level") |
| In ISTQB's exam tables since | 15 Apr 2026 (v1.16 "Added CT-AI v2.0") | 25 Jul 2025 (v1.14 "Added CT-GenAI") |
| ITB fee (from home) | ₹7,000 + 18% GST | ₹7,000 + 18% GST |
| ITB retake | "AI Testing Reappearing" ₹4,000 + GST | CT-GenAI reappearing ₹4,000 + GST |
| ITB Townscript ticket | Listed to 31 Mar 2027; bookings closed 29 Sep 2026 | Listed to 31 May 2027; bookings closed 29 Sep 2026 |
| US price (AT*SQA) | US$199 | US$199 |
| Validity | For life | For life |
ISTQB CT-AI page, Exam Structures & Rules Tables v1.19, ITB CT-GenAI page, ITB Townscript tickets, AT*SQA pricing FAQ, ISTQB certificates FAQ; 29 September 2026. ISTQB's CT-GenAI page (syllabus v1.1) gives the same 40 questions, 46 points, pass 30 and 60 minutes. The 46 points are our reading of its K-mix: 34 one-point questions plus 6 K3 questions at two points.
ISTQB Exam Structures & Rules Tables v1.19. CT-GenAI has more recall questions and more apply questions; CT-AI is almost all understanding.
What each syllabus covers
| CT-AI v2.0 chapters | CT-GenAI chapters (ITB listing) |
|---|---|
| 1. Introduction to Artificial Intelligence | 1. Introduction to GenAI for Software Testing |
| 2. Quality Characteristics for AI-Based Systems | 2. Prompt Engineering for Effective Software Testing |
| 3. Machine Learning | 3. Managing Risks of GenAI in Software Testing |
| 4. Testing AI-Based Systems (incl. GenAI, LLMs, red teaming) | 4. LLM-Powered Solutions for Software Testing (architectures, fine-tuning, LLMOps) |
| 5. Input Data Testing | 5. Deploying and Integrating GenAI in Test Organizations |
| 6. Model Testing for ML Systems | — |
| 7. ML Development Testing | — |
ISTQB CT-AI page and syllabus v2.0; ITB CT-GenAI page. ITB describes CT-GenAI risks as hallucinations, bias, security, privacy and environmental impact.
The overlap is smaller than the names suggest. Both mention LLMs, but from opposite sides: CT-AI chapter 4 asks how you would test an LLM product (exploratory testing, red teaming, prompt injection), while CT-GenAI asks how you would use an LLM to write test cases, analyse requirements or automate. CT-GenAI takes over part of the territory of CT-AI v1.0 chapter 11, "Using AI for Testing" (195 training minutes, 4 exam points), which v2.0 removed. It is not a like-for-like move: v1.0 chapter 11 covered AI in general for tasks such as defect analysis, test-case generation, regression-suite optimisation, defect prediction and GUI testing, while CT-GenAI narrows to GenAI and LLMs and adds prompt engineering, GenAI risks, LLM-powered test solutions and organisational adoption.
Which one fits your job
| Your role | Our reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Tester on a product that contains an ML model or chatbot | CT-AI | You test the AI itself: data, model metrics, drift, red teaming |
| Test automation engineer adopting Copilot-style tools | CT-GenAI | Prompt patterns for test design and automation; managing hallucination risk |
| Test lead or manager rolling out GenAI in a QA team | CT-GenAI | Its chapter 5 is about deploying GenAI in test organisations |
| Data scientist or ML engineer | CT-AI | ISTQB lists data analysts and data scientists in CT-AI's audience |
| QA in a regulated domain shipping AI (health, finance) | CT-AI first | Quality characteristics, documentation, statistical and adversarial testing |
| Tester who wants both | Both | Same prerequisite and price; they barely overlap |
| No CTFL yet | CTFL first | Both require it |
Our reading of ISTQB's and ITB's audience lists. CT-AI's audience includes testers, test managers, test consultants, data analysts and data scientists, developers of AI-based systems and user acceptance testers; CT-GenAI's includes testers, test analysts, test automation engineers, test managers and developers using GenAI for testing.
Which ISTQB AI certification fits you?
Our scoring method, not an ISTQB recommendation. Weights: what your team ships 3, next task 2, CV preference 1; ties go to both.
| Checker answer pattern | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| No CTFL | CTFL first (overrides everything else) |
| Mostly "test the AI" answers | CT-AI v2.0 |
| Mostly "use AI to test" answers | CT-GenAI |
| Ship both kinds, or the two totals tie | Both, one at a time |
How the checker scores: our method. It weights what your team ships most (3), then your next task (2), then CV preference (1). "Both" answers add to a separate total; when that total is at least as high as either side, or the two sides tie, the result is both.
If you want both: order and cost
Nothing in ISTQB's rules makes one a prerequisite for the other, so the order is yours. Our suggestion is to sit the one your current project needs first, while the material is in daily use, and the other within a few months. If you plan to sit either through ITB, note that on the evening of 29 September 2026 ITB's Townscript tickets for both (listed until 31 March and 31 May 2027) said "Bookings are closed. Townscript services have been discontinued."; ask ITB (rpexams@indiantestingboard.com) how to pay. Budgets below are ITB's fees with 18% GST, first attempts only, no training.
| Plan (ITB, from home) | Exams | Total with GST (ours) |
|---|---|---|
| CT-AI v2.0 only | 1 | ₹8,260 |
| CT-GenAI only | 1 | ₹8,260 |
| Both | 2 | ₹16,520 |
| Both, plus CTFL at a Pearson VUE centre | 3 | ₹22,184 |
| One retake of either | +1 | +₹4,720 |
Our arithmetic on ITB's Townscript tickets and its Pearson VUE page (CTFL ₹4,800 + GST = ₹5,664), 29 September 2026. ITB's Specialist fee table prints a lower ₹6,300 first-attempt fee; the fees guide in this series sets out that conflict.
A look-alike to know about: AiU-CTAI
Not the same certificate
- AiU-CTAI ("Certified Tester in Artificial Intelligence") is a certification from Artificial Intelligence United (AiU), listed by ITB under "New certifications". It is not ISTQB CT-AI.
- ITB describes it as a 3-day practical course on ML concepts and algorithms.
- The names are close because of history: AiU is credited among the organisations that provided material for the ISTQB CT-AI syllabus.
- "ISTQB AI Testing" refers to ISTQB CT-AI. A bare "CT-AI" in a job ad is worth checking for the issuer. To verify an ISTQB certificate, use ISTQB's Successful Candidate Register where the holder is listed, or contact the member board or exam provider that issued it.
ITB AiU-CTAI page; CT-AI Syllabus v2.0 acknowledgements; ISTQB certificates FAQ.
| Name you may see | Issued by | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| ISTQB CT-AI (AI Testing) | ISTQB via member boards (ITB in India) | Testing AI-based systems |
| ISTQB CT-GenAI (Testing with Generative AI) | ISTQB via member boards | Using GenAI for testing |
| AiU-CTAI (Certified Tester in AI) | Artificial Intelligence United | AI and ML for testers, 3-day course |
ISTQB CT-AI page; ITB CT-GenAI and AiU-CTAI pages, 29 September 2026.
Practise it, don't just read it
Going for CT-AI? The quizzes cover all seven v2.0 chapters, including GenAI testing and red teaming in chapter 4.
The ProSyllabus CT-AI library has 10 quizzes of 10 questions written on the v2.0 syllabus and covering all seven chapters: Introduction to AI (two quizzes), quality characteristics, machine learning (two: forms and workflow; metrics, neural networks and coverage), testing AI-based systems (two: test oracles and test levels; generative AI and red teaming), input data testing, and model testing plus ML development testing (two). They are our own questions, not ISTQB exam items, and they are single-answer only, while ISTQB's official Sample Exam A v2.2 also includes two select-two questions, so practise that format there.
What is the difference between ISTQB CT-AI and CT-GenAI?
CT-AI certifies testing AI-based systems, including ML models and LLM products. CT-GenAI certifies using generative AI and LLMs to support testing.
Does CT-AI v2.0 cover using AI tools for testing?
No. ISTQB says v2.0 removed content related to using AI for testing, and its CT-AI page points those candidates to CT-GenAI.
What is the CT-GenAI exam pattern?
40 questions, 46 points, pass mark 30, 60 minutes (75 with the 25% extension), per ISTQB's Exam Structures & Rules Tables v1.19.
Which is harder, CT-AI or CT-GenAI?
ISTQB publishes no difficulty or pass-rate figures. By structure, CT-GenAI has 6 apply-level questions against CT-AI's 4, and 8 recall questions against CT-AI's none.
Do I need CTFL for CT-GenAI?
Yes. ITB says CT-GenAI extends the Foundation Level, and CTFL is the prerequisite for CT-AI too.
How much does CT-GenAI cost in India?
ITB's CT-GenAI ticket charged Rs 7,000 plus 18% GST (Rs 8,260), the same as its CT-AI v2.0 ticket, and the retake Rs 4,000 plus GST, when we read them early on 29 September 2026. By that evening the Townscript tickets showed bookings closed, so confirm the fee and how to pay with ITB.
Can I take both CT-AI and CT-GenAI?
Yes. They are separate Specialist certifications with the same prerequisite and little overlap.
Is AiU-CTAI the same as ISTQB CT-AI?
No. AiU-CTAI is Artificial Intelligence United's own certification, listed by ITB under new certifications. ISTQB CT-AI is a different certificate.
Did CT-AI v1.0 cover using AI for testing?
Yes, in chapter 11, worth 4 of v1.0's 47 points. ISTQB says candidates interested in that area may prefer to complete v1.0 before it closes or explore CT-GenAI.
Sources
- official — ISTQB — Certified Tester AI Testing (CT-AI) certification page (v2.0)
- official — ISTQB — Help: CT-AI Version 2.0 (FAQ)
- official — ISTQB — Exam Structures & Rules Tables v1.19 (19 Aug 2026, PDF)
- official — ISTQB — Certified Tester Testing with Generative AI (CT-GenAI) certification page (syllabus v1.1)
- official — ISTQB — News: Minor Update to CT-GenAI (v1.1, 27 Apr 2026)
- official — Indian Testing Board — Specialist: Testing with Generative AI (CT-GenAI)
- official — Townscript — ITB ticket pages, evening of 29 Sep 2026: "Bookings are closed. Townscript services have been discontinued."
- official — Indian Testing Board fee ticket on Townscript — CT-GenAI Exam Fees (read early 29 Sep 2026; bookings closed by that evening)
- official — Indian Testing Board fee ticket on Townscript — "ISTQB AI 2.0 Testing Exam Fees" (read early 29 Sep 2026; bookings closed by that evening)
- official — Indian Testing Board fee ticket on Townscript — "ISTQB AI Testing Reappearing Exam Fees" (read early 29 Sep 2026; bookings closed by that evening)
- official — AT*SQA (USA) — Pricing FAQ
- official — Indian Testing Board — New certifications: AiU-CTAI (Artificial Intelligence United)
- official — ISTQB — CT-AI Syllabus v2.0 (GA 17 Apr 2026, PDF)
- official — ISTQB CT-AI Syllabus v1.0 (GA 1 Oct 2021) — Indian Testing Board copy (PDF)
- official — ISTQB — Help: ISTQB Certificates (validity, Successful Candidate Register)
- official — Indian Testing Board — Foundation: Pearson VUE exams (public)
official = a document published by the conducting body. reported = a news or coaching site we could not check against an original. Where sources disagree this page says so rather than picking one.
