Discover Certifications

As a Level 1 Certified Software Professional, you show that you are ready for an entry-level position as a software engineer who can contribute to a multi-person team to deliver professional software under guidance. The exam tests your understanding of software engineering principles across the entire software lifecycle. Upon passing and attaining the certification, you now have a way of showing you understand procedural skills and, under supervision, can deliver sustainable, high-quality software, independent of technology stack or methodology. 

Getting this certification means you have demonstrated professional expertise and competency in software engineering practices such that you are able to independently execute projects or guide a team to develop a software product through its entire lifecycle. Built on a trusted professional framework, it validates your experience applying software engineering principles at a higher level and confirms your readiness to lead complex projects, take on greater responsibility, and advance in your professional path.

You can prepare by independently studying the Knowledge Areas (KAs) covered by the exam. Check the “Knowledge Areas” tab on the purchase pages for Level 1 and Level 2 (when available) and read the corresponding material referenced in the SWEBOK Guide according to those KAs. Furthermore, you can choose to the bundle with the preparatory courses when purchasing. Please be advised that these preparatory courses are only available as part of the initial bundle and cannot be purchased separately at a later date.

No, you do not need a college or university degree to take the certification exams. In fact, there are no prerequisites to take the IEEE CS Software Professional Certification – Level 1 or 2 exams, nor do you need to have the Level 1 certification in order to take the Level 2. 

If you developed your software skills through on-the-job training or non-traditional paths, this certification provides an objective way to prove your competence to employers. It verifies that your knowledge aligns with the professional standards of software engineering and meets employer expectations.

This certification shows that you understand how to effectively apply engineering principles in real-world environments. It serves as an independent validation of your skills based on established industry standards for sustainable software construction and professional integrity.

Knowledge is hard to demonstrate when summarized on a résumé because role titles may not accurately reflect all duties performed; and during an interview process, only a narrow scope of technical skills may be tested. Having the Software Professional Certification (Level 1 or Level 2) allows you to show potential employers that you understand core concepts necessary for a role in Software, whether you are finding new employment or seeking a promotion. IEEE Computer Society, the industry’s most trusted professional organization in computing, guarantees that those with this certification have demonstrated a given standard of knowledge and ability on the software lifecycle.

The IEEE CS Software Professional Certification evaluates fundamental software engineering principles that are applicable to all systems and teams, regardless of programming language or tech stack; Other certifications may show that you understand how to perform within a proprietary system or for a specific product or your knowledge of a specific programming language.

 The IEEE Computer Society built this certification on a globally recognized framework of software engineering principles. It tests Knowledge Areas required to build, secure, and manage professional-grade software, to provide a clear, objective benchmark for the entire industry. 

When you are first starting out, you are competing against peers who may have similar on-paper qualifications. Attaining this certification demonstrates that you possess a practical understanding of current best practices for software engineering. This includes requirements analysis, design, testing, and additional knowledge areas in the software lifecycle. This assures potential employers that you have the tools to function in professional production environments.

View all knowledge areas covered here.

IEEE Computer Society Certified Software Professionals have proven they have a solid foundational understanding of software engineering best practices and know how to apply them. When an entire team has a coherent understanding of the principles of software engineering, it reduces inefficiency, costs, and rework, and means teams deliver software products of higher quality from the start because they can communicate and operate around the same principles.

Yes! For institutional purchases, please contact our sales manager, Gillian Howcroft (g.howcroft@computer.org).

No. These certifications are not affiliated or sponsored by academic or industry entities, and are entirely independent and applicable to any software environment. The program was developed, and will be continually updated, by a coalition of industry and technical leaders volunteering under the IEEE Computer Society. Therefore, the examination contents are based on an independent consensus of knowledge areas necessary for success and skill for any professional working on software.

The exam and course fees are non-refundable, but rest-assured, you have 12 months from the date of purchase to complete the exam. If you need help rescheduling your exam date, contact us at certification@computer.org. 

As of February 2026, the Associate Software Developer Certification (ASD) and Professional Software Developer Certification (PSD) have been discontinued. These certifications are still valid, recognized, and here to support your career advancement. You can still login to your profile to access your previously purchased materials.

Candidates actively preparing for ASD or PSD will receive clear guidance and sufficient time to complete their certification path. If you have registered for an exam within the past 12 months, please contact certification@computer.org for guidance.

The scope of the Professional Software Engineering Master (PSEM) certification exceeds the Software Professional Certification, and PSEM is still fully supported by the IEEE Computer Society.

Level 2 is set to launch in Spring 2026. Sign up for more information and to get notified when it is available.