iSAQB® Foundation Level Certification (CPSA-F)
iSAQB® Foundation Level Certification (CPSA-F) training covers the core tasks of software architecture according to curriculum version 2025. 1: clarifying stakeholder requirements and constraints, designing the system, communicating architecture, and evaluating or analyzing results.
Upcoming CPSA-F Sessions
49 sessionsDescription
iSAQB® Foundation Level Certification (CPSA-F) training covers the core tasks of software architecture according to curriculum version 2025.1: clarifying stakeholder requirements and constraints, designing the system, communicating architecture, and evaluating or analyzing results.
Participants learn how to derive architecture decisions from requirements, document views and decisions, discuss architecture with stakeholders, and assess quality.
Teaching combines theory, examples, and practical exercises for small and medium-sized systems. The course supports preparation for the official CPSA-F exam and practical work in architecture roles.
What You Will Learn
The iSAQB® Certified Professional for Software Architecture, Foundation Level (CPSA-F) training covers the official Foundation Level curriculum for software architecture. Provider delivery may be classroom-based, online, or blended, with lectures supported by exercises, architecture examples, discussions, and case-based design tasks.
Core course topics
Software architecture basics: architecture definitions, the role and tasks of software architects, system context, requirements, constraints, and architectural decisions.
Description and communication: documenting architectures for different stakeholders, using views, diagrams, technical concepts, and architecture documentation structures such as arc42.
Design and development: decomposition, modularization, interfaces, dependency management, architecture patterns, design principles, and approaches for small to medium-sized systems.
Architecture and quality: working with quality requirements such as performance, security, reliability, maintainability, and testability; assessing architectural decisions against stated quality goals.
Tools and methods: practical use of modeling, documentation, analysis, and communication techniques, including UML concepts such as class, package, component, and sequence diagrams where relevant.
Examples and practice: applying the concepts to sample architectures, discussing alternatives, and explaining design decisions in a clear, reviewable form.
After completing the course, participants should be able to contribute to architecture design, document technical decisions, communicate architecture concerns with development, testing, requirements, and project roles, and prepare for the CPSA-F certification exam.
Certification & Exam
The iSAQB® Foundation Level Certification, CPSA-F®, is an entry-level software architecture certification. It confirms knowledge of core software architecture concepts, including architecture documentation, design decisions, quality requirements, analysis, assessment, and common tools used by software architects.
Eligibility and prerequisites: There are no mandatory prior certifications for CPSA-F, and candidates may take the exam without attending a training course. However, iSAQB recommends preparation through an accredited Foundation Level training course. Participants should ideally have practical software development experience before taking the course and exam.
At least 18 months of practical software development experience, gained by programming projects or systems outside formal education.
Knowledge of, and practical experience with, at least one higher programming language.
Basic knowledge of modelling and abstraction.
Basic knowledge of UML, including class, package, component, and sequence diagrams, and how they relate to source code.
Practical experience with technical documentation, such as source code documentation, system designs, or technical concepts.
The following background is not mandatory, but it can help participants understand the course content more easily:
Knowledge of object-oriented concepts.
Practical experience with at least one object-oriented programming language.
Experience designing or building distributed applications, such as client/server systems or web applications.
Certification process:
You first attend an iSAQB-accredited training course offered by a recognised training provider. Accredited CPSA-F training usually lasts three to four days and covers the topics relevant to the exam.
Training is strongly recommended, but it is not a formal requirement. Candidates who already have the required knowledge may prepare independently and register directly for the exam.
After preparation, you take the CPSA-F certification exam. The exam is conducted by an independent certification body, not by the training provider.
The exam may be available as a remote online exam, an exam after classroom training, a public exam, or a test centre exam, depending on the certification body and location.
Some training providers may help with exam registration or offer the exam directly after classroom training. Check the course details with the provider before booking.
If you pass the exam, you receive the official CPSA-F certificate.
Exam format:
The CPSA-F exam is a multiple-choice exam.
The exam duration is approximately 75 minutes.
Candidates answer approximately 40 questions. The exact number may vary because questions are selected from the exam question pool and may carry different point values.
A passing score requires at least 60 percent of the maximum possible points.
If the exam language is not your native language, the exam duration may be extended to 90 minutes. This should be requested during registration with the certification body.
Certification bodies usually provide the result within one to two weeks after the exam.
Renewal requirements: The CPSA-F certificate is valid for life. No renewal, recertification, or continuing education credits are required to keep the Foundation Level certificate valid.
Preparation recommendations: Participants should review the official iSAQB Foundation Level curriculum, practise with mock exam questions, and use the course to connect the theory to software design and documentation tasks. Independent candidates should study the official curriculum and recommended literature carefully before registering for the exam.
What You Will Achieve
The abilities you will gain are:
You will be coordinated with project participants in the areas like project management, requirements management, testing, and development
You will understand documentation and communication of software architectures based on views, architecture patterns and technical concepts.
You get a deep understanding of the exact implementation of all steps for the design of the software architectures.
Training Providers
1 providerFAQs
CPSA-F is the Foundation Level in the “Certified Professional for Software Architecture” program. It covers the basics you need to make key architecture decisions, document and communicate architectures, and design architectures for small to medium systems.
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