Code of Ethics and Policies Regarding Violations, Complaints and Appeals

Those certified by AT*SQA must abide by the AT*SQA Code of Ethics and related policies regarding Violations, Complaints and Appeals as agreed to in the AT*SQA Terms of Use. In addition, those receiving ISTQB certifications must follow the ISTQB Code of Ethics.

See below for the AT*SQA:

• Code of Ethics for AT*SQA Exam Takers
• Code of Ethics for AT*SQA Certified and Credentialed Individuals
• Ethics Violation Policy
• Complaint Policy
• Appeal Policy

Code of Ethics for AT*SQA Exam Takers

Including ISTQB and AT*SQA certification exams and AT*SQA micro-credential exams

• I acknowledge that the exams are the intellectual property of the Association for Testing and Software Quality Assurance Global Certification Body (AT*SQA) and/or the American Software Testing Qualifications Board (ASTQB).
• I agree not to share, disseminate, or divulge the contents of any exam, recreate exam questions from memory, create replica exam questions, or distribute exam questions or replica exam questions.
• I will not share, disseminate, or otherwise distribute confidential or proprietary information pertaining to the AT*SQA certification process.
• I agree to comply with the procedures of the certification and credential exam processes and to avoid actions that could bring disrespect to AT*SQA or its affiliated organizations.
• I will not misrepresent my previous certifications or work experience to AT*SQA.
• I will only make claims regarding my certification status with respect to the scope of specific certifications I have earned.
• I will not use the certification or their certification status in such a manner as to mislead others, misrepresent unauthorized information, or bring AT*SQA into disrepute.
• I will act in a professional, courteous manner to the representatives of AT*SQA, ASTQB, their exam service providers, and their agents.

Code of Ethics for AT*SQA Certified and Credentialed Individuals

• I will make decisions that positively reflect on the testing community.
• I will not engage in or be a party to unethical or unlawful acts that negatively affect the testing discipline.
• I will not share, disseminate, or otherwise distribute confidential or proprietary information pertaining to the AT*SQA certification process.
• I will not use my certification, or objects or information associated with my certification (such as certificates or logos) to represent any individual or entity other than myself as being certified by AT*SQA.
• I will not misrepresent my abilities or my work to the community, my employer, or my peers.
• I will only make claims regarding my certification status with respect to the scope of specific certifications I have earned.
• I will not use the certification or their certification status in such a manner as to mislead others, misrepresent unauthorized information, or bring AT*SQA into disrepute.

Ethics Violations: Policy

If AT*SQA detects any exam anomalies before, during, or after an exam attempt, AT*SQA reserves the right to investigate, apply disciplinary action, and void certifications and credentials. AT*SQA may also require the candidate to retake an exam at the exam taker's own expense.

In the event that an individual's AT*SQA certified or credentialed status is withdrawn for any reason, the person must refrain from the use of all references to a certified or credentialed status.

Those who violate the AT*SQA Code of Ethics may be subject to disciplinary measures including, but not limited to:

• Revocation of certifications and/or credentials
• Forfeiture of exam attempts without refund

Complaints Regarding the Code of Ethics: Policy and Process

Anyone who suspects a violation of this code of ethics may submit a complaint to AT*SQA. It must be presented in writing using the AT*SQA contact form or email. At a minimum, the following must be submitted:

• A detailed description
• The source(s) of information
• All supporting information

Timing: AT*SQA will acknowledge receipt of the complaint within 8 calendar days. AT*SQA will provide the complainant with progress reports within 31 calendar days. AT*SQA will provide the complainant with the outcome within 90 days, or within 8 calendar days of the outcome decision, whichever comes last.

Process:

Each complaint of an ethics violation will be reviewed by the AT*SQA Board of Directors. If not enough information is present to initiate a review, further information will be requested.

Any substantiated complaint about a certified person shall also be referred by AT*SQA to the certified person in question at an appropriate time.

The Board of Directors will solicit details in writing from the individual being investigated as well as any others who may be able to provide relevant information.

The decision to be communicated to the complainant shall be made by, or reviewed and approved by, personnel not previously involved in the subject of the complaint.

On completion of its investigation, the Board of Directors will make a written report to the chief staff person recommending whether the complaint should be upheld, along with the recommended course of discipline, if any.

Whenever possible, AT*SQA will acknowledge receipt of the complaint and shall provide the complainant with progress reports and the outcome. The Board of Directors or chief staff person will give formal notice to the complainant of the end of the process.

Confidentiality: Confidentiality will be maintained when possible, but AT*SQA cannot guarantee the identity of the person submitting the information will not be revealed.

Complaints Regarding General Issues: Policy and Process

Users of AT*SQA services may submit a complaint to AT*SQA. It must be presented in writing using the AT*SQA contact form or email. At a minimum, the following must be submitted:

• A detailed description
• The source(s) of information
• All supporting information

Timing: AT*SQA will acknowledge receipt of the complaint within 8 calendar days. AT*SQA will provide the complainant with progress reports within 31 calendar days. AT*SQA will provide the complainant with the outcome within 90 days, or within 8 calendar days of the outcome decision, whichever comes last.

Process:

Each complaint will be reviewed by the AT*SQA staff. If not enough information is present to initiate a review, further information will be requested.

Complaints of a major nature may be referred by the staff to the AT*SQA Board of Directors. In that case, the Board of Directors may solicit details in writing from the individual being investigated as well as any others who may be able to provide relevant information.

Whenever possible, AT*SQA will acknowledge receipt of the complaint and shall provide the complainant with progress reports and the outcome. The staff will give notice to the complainant of the end of the process.

Confidentiality: Confidentiality will be maintained when possible, but AT*SQA cannot guarantee the identity of the person submitting the information will not be revealed.

Appeals Against Decisions on Ethics Violations: Policy and Process

Individuals may appeal the decision on an ethics violation with 30 days of the notice of the decision, stating the specific grounds for appeal. Appeals must be presented in writing using the AT*SQA contact form or email.

Timing: AT*SQA will acknowledge receipt of the appeal within 8 calendar days. AT*SQA will provide the appellant with progress reports within 31 calendar days. AT*SQA will provide the appellant with the outcome within 90 days, or within 8 calendar days of the outcome decision, whichever comes first.

Personnel: The decision-making personnel engaged in the appeals-handling process will be different from those who were involved in the decision being appealed.

Process: The AT*SQA Board of Directors will solicit further details as needed. On completion of its investigation, the Board of Directors will make a written report to the chief staff person recommending whether the appeal is successful and whether subsequent action is warranted. The Board of Directors or chief staff person will give formal notice to the appellant of the end of the appeals-handling process based on the timing described in this policy.

Non-discrimination: Submission, investigation, and decision on appeals shall not result in any discriminatory actions against the appellant.

Appeals Against Decisions on Certification: Policy and Process

Individuals may appeal the decision on certification with 30 days of the notice of the decision, stating the specific grounds for appeal. Appeals must be presented in writing using the AT*SQA contact form or email.

Timing: AT*SQA will acknowledge receipt of the appeal within 8 calendar days. AT*SQA will provide the appellant with progress reports within 31 calendar days. AT*SQA will provide the appellant with the outcome within 90 days, or within 8 calendar days of the outcome decision, whichever comes last.

Personnel: The decision-making personnel engaged in the appeals-handling process will be different from those who were involved in the decision being appealed.

Process: The AT*SQA Board of Directors will solicit further details as needed. On completion of its investigation, the Board of Directors will make a written report to the chief staff person recommending whether the appeal is successful and whether subsequent action is warranted. The Board of Directors or chief staff person will give formal notice to the appellant of the end of the appeals-handling process based on the timing described in this policy.

Non-discrimination: Submission, investigation, and decision on appeals shall not result in any discriminatory actions against the appellant.

Questions

If you have questions, please contact the AT*SQA support team.