CT-GenAI vs CT-AI: which ISTQB® certification for which tester?

Editorial note (draft, remove before publishing). The CT-AI information is limited to the exam structure published by ISTQB® (Exam Structure Tables v1.19). Before publishing, complete it with the CT-AI v2.0 syllabus: prerequisite, chapter titles, target audience. Do not state anything about its content without that check.

The names look alike and the question comes up often: should you take CT-GenAI or CT-AI? Both are ISTQB® specialist modules, but they answer different questions.

Two different angles

• CT-GenAI — "Testing with Generative AI": how to use generative AI in your testing activities. The syllabus covers LLM basics, prompt engineering applied to test analysis, test design, regression testing and test monitoring and control, the risks (hallucinations, biases, privacy, security), LLM-powered test infrastructure and adoption in a test organization.
• CT-AI — "AI Testing": a separate module with its own syllabus and exam. Read its syllabus on the ISTQB® website to know its exact program.

In other words, if your question is "how do I test better with generative AI?", CT-GenAI answers it directly.

The exams side by side

	CT-GenAI	CT-AI v2.0
Questions	40	40
Points	46	44
Pass mark	30 points	29 points
Duration	60 min (75 min with +25%)	60 min (75 min with +25%)
Chapters	5	7

Source: ISTQB®, Exam Structure Tables v1.19.

Both exams have the same number of questions and the same duration; in both cases the pass mark is 65% of the points.

How to choose

• You already use ChatGPT, Copilot or another AI assistant to write test cases, analyze requirements or review reports? CT-GenAI validates and structures exactly that practice.
• You need to test a product that includes AI? Look at the CT-AI program on the ISTQB® website: that is the angle its name suggests.
• You are aiming for both? Nothing prevents it: they are two independent certifications.

For CT-GenAI, the prerequisite is the CTFL certification. All the details are in our CT-GenAI certification guide and CT-GenAI exam guide.

Sources

• ISTQB®, Certified Tester Specialist Level Syllabus – Testing with Generative AI, v1.1, 2026.
• ISTQB®, Exam Structure Tables, v1.19, 2026-08-19.
• istqb.org for both modules' syllabi.