ORLANDO, Florida, August 13 /PRNewswire/ --

- QAI's Certifications in Areas of Software Testing, Software
Quality and Process Engineering are now Available as Computer-Based
Examinations Through Prometric, to Consistently Assess and Certify
Individuals Internationally

To address the growing demand of consistently assessed talent and to
address the requirements of the customers and the industry, Quality Assurance
Institute (QAI) (http://www.qaiworldwide.com) has made it's certifications
available online. To meet this objective, QAI has partnered with Prometric, a
world leader in assessment testing services. This will provide IT
professionals better access to take the computer-based exams at Prometric
test centers in more than 3000 locations across the globe.

QAI has already certified thousands of professionals in countries like
Australia, Belgium, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, Hong Kong, Israel, Korea,
Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Pakistan, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia,
Singapore, South Africa, United Kingdom, Thailand, Philippines, United Arab
Emirates, and the United States amidst many others.

Since its inception in 1988, the Software Certifications
(http://www.softwarecertifications.org) division of QAI has scheduled
quarterly paper - based examinations at locations around the world. They have
certified over 35,000 IT professionals over the last 20 years in 43 countries
on 6 of the 7 continents in the world. Their certifications' CSQA and CSTE
are the recognized international standard for software quality and software
testing professional certifications. QAI's global chapter network of software
quality professionals has been the primary vehicle for proctoring
examinations at regional locations.

However, with the dearth in employable human resources in the
IT-world, the need for expanding the frequency and locations of the
examinations had grown exponentially. The partnership with Prometric will
ensure round-the year assessment of skilled professionals and also ensure
that professionals can get certified on demand, anytime, anywhere.

This partnership will enable QAI to provide test delivery for its
Software Certifications: Certified Software Tester (CSTE), Certified Software
Quality Analyst (CSQA), Certified Associate in Software Testing (CAST),
Certified Manager of Software Quality (CMSQ), Certified Quantitative Software
Process Engineer (CQSPE) and Certified Software Project Manager (CSPM) among
others. All exams will be available worldwide* through Prometric's Authorized
Test Center network.

"Going with the Prometric Testing Center model will ensure
program enhancements and more consistency in the customer experience," said
Tom Ticknor, Chief Operating Officer for Quality Assurance Institute, "it
will also enable increased speed to market for exam innovations because our
internal processes will be more streamlined. In a time when demand is growing
for IT professional certifications worldwide, it is very important to us to
deliver the best possible certification program and consistent testing
experience for our customers."

Michael Brannick, President and CEO of Prometric went on to say, "We have
recently seen a strong resurgence of the IT certification market in general
and in candidate demand for quality, dependable testing programs. Prometric
is widely recognized and established across the IT industry as the leading
provider of certification exams, with some of the world's largest technology
companies relying on us for their testing needs. The Quality Assurance
Institute and Prometric working together is an excellent solution to this
growing global need."

* Paper-based quarterly exams will continue to be conducted in
the countries of India, China, Sri Lanka and Brazil for now. Check the
Software Certifications website for the sponsored examination schedule and
locations.

About QAI

The Quality Assurance Institute was founded in 1980 by William
Perry. Mr. Perry's objective was to create a professional association whose
mission was to provide leadership in improving quality, productivity, and
effective solutions for process management in the information technology
profession. During the 1980's, QAI grew quickly becoming an industry leader
in software quality assurance and testing. In 1982, QAI established the QAA
(quality assurance association) network of localized professional chapters
with the first group organized in Los Angeles followed shortly by Chicago.
Today, QAI's QAA network links software quality, testing and IT process
professionals across the globe.

In 1985, QAI developed the first professional certification specifically
designed for the software quality assurance analyst. Later, in 1992 QAI
developed the professional certification for software testing practitioners.
QAI's Software Certification division now has professional certifications in
quality assurance, testing, project management, process engineering and
business analysis.

By the early 1990's, QAI had a successful membership based association, a
worldwide chapter network, internationally accepted certification programs,
world-class training courses and two International Software Quality and
Testing conferences. Based entirely from its founding offices in Orlando,
Florida, QAI recognized the need to expand its direct presence into the
rapidly developing economies of India and the Middle East.

About Software Certifications

Software Certifications had its beginning in 1980 as the
Quality Assurance Institute (QAI) was established as a professional
association formed to represent the quality assurance profession. The first
certification began development in 1985 and the first formal examination
process was launched in 1990. Today, Software Certifications, administered by
QAI, is global. Since its inception, Software Certifications has certified
over 35,000 IT professionals in 43 countries on 6 of the 7 continents in the
world.

For further information, please contact:
    Tom Ticknor
    QAI USA
    +1-407-363-1111
    tticknor@qaiworldwide.org
    http://www.qaiworldwide.org
    http://www.softwarecertifications.org