Certifications
QIST Triple-Track Certification System
QIST is developing the world's first integrated certification system for secure automated computation, post-quantum security, and intelligent systems — a lifelong progression from youth learners to professional engineers and scientific fellows.
Non-accredited, research-driven certifications that complement formal education and professional experience. Designed to signal real skills and shared standards, not replace degrees.
QIST certifications are intentionally independent and globally portable, not bound to any national accreditation system.
Fee waivers and scholarships for students and under-resourced regions are planned as programs scale.
Handbook will summarize levels, tracks, and institutional pathways as pilots launch.
Certification Ladder
A simplified view of how many learners move from youth pathways into professional and research roles within QIST certifications.
Junior Explorer
Code: QJE
Ages 10–15 · first contact with QIST.
- →
Youth Apprentice
Code: QYA
Ages 13–25 · students and early researchers.
- →
Certified Associate
Code: QCA
Foundation in PQC, AI safety, and the QIST stack.
- →
Certified Professional
Code: QCP
Engineers and technical leads in secure autonomy.
- →
Certified Specialist
Codes: QCS–PQC / AIS / AUT
Advanced domain tracks for expert practitioners.
- →
Research Fellow & Scientific Member
Code: QCRF
Invitation / application · leads QIST research.
Typical progression: Youth → Junior Explorer → Youth Apprentice → Certified Associate → Certified Professional → Certified Specialist → Research Fellow. Some specialists then advance into invitation-only frontier tracks in Track 3 (QFS series).
QIST Level 1 — QJE (Junior Explorer)
QIST Level 2 — QYA (Youth Apprentice)
QIST Level 3 — QCA (Certified Associate)
QIST Level 4 — QCP (Certified Professional)
QIST Level 5 — QCS series (Specialists in PQC / AIS / AUT)
QIST Level 6 — QCRF (Research Fellow & Scientific Member)
QIST Level 7 — QFS series (Frontier Specialists in Track 3)
Why QIST Certifications Matter
QIST certifications are designed as a single, age-inclusive journey that provides clear, globally recognizable signals of skill in quantum-era security and intelligent systems.
- Clear, globally recognizable signals of skill in secure automated computation, post-quantum security, and intelligent systems.
- Mapped directly to real QIST architectures and programs (QSIG, QNSP, IACC, AIOS, DDIP, and related stacks).
- Designed for institutions evaluating technical, safety, and scientific roles across research, industry, and public sector.
- Intentionally structured so that a young learner can start with early-track certifications and, over time, progress toward professional and research-level credentials.
- Complements academic paths and professional experience without attempting to replace accredited degrees.
Overview
The QIST certification system follows a triple-track model:
Track 1 — General Certifications
Designed for youth, students, and community members. Emphasis on accessibility, curiosity, and safe entry into the QIST ecosystem.
- QIST Junior Explorer Certification (QJE)
- QIST Youth Apprentice Certification (QYA)
- QIST Certified Associate (QCA)
Track 2 — Professional Certifications
Designed for learners who have built strong foundations in Track 1 — often older students, early-career engineers, and working practitioners who want a formal signal of professional readiness.
- QIST Certified Professional (QCP)
- QIST Certified Specialist — PQC (QCS-PQC)
- QIST Certified Specialist — AI Safety & Agent Oversight (QCS-AIS)
- QIST Certified Specialist — Autonomous & Secure Systems (QCS-AUT)
- QIST Certified Research Fellow (QCRF)
Track 3 — Frontier Cognitive & Self-Evolving Systems
Concept-stage certifications (2026+) focused on cognitive data exchange, neural-interface operating systems, and self-evolving compute architectures. These form the upper end of the same journey, intended for learners who progress from youth pathways through professional and specialist levels into frontier research.
- QIST Frontier Specialist — Cognitive Data Exchange Systems (QFS-CDE)
- QIST Frontier Specialist — Neural Interface Operating Systems (QFS-NOS)
- QIST Frontier Specialist — Self-Evolving Compute Architectures (QFS-SEC)
The psychological core of the system is a clear advancement ladder:
- Youth → Junior Explorer
- Student → Youth Apprentice
- New entrant → QIST Certified Associate
- Engineer / practitioner → QIST Certified Professional
- Specialist → QIST Certified Specialist series (Tracks 2 & 3)
- Senior researcher → QIST Certified Research Fellow
This ladder is designed to be legible to universities, employers, and public institutions for HR evaluation and talent development.
Tier 0 — Topic-focused general certifications
In addition to the core Track 1 certifications, QIST is developing a series of domain-focused general certificates that provide broad literacy across the pillars of quantum-era infrastructure. These "Tier 0" certifications prepare learners for deeper technical, professional, and research pathways.
QIST General Quantum Foundations
UpcomingCode: QGQ
Prepares for QIST Levels 1–4
Audience: Ages 13+, open to all learners. No prior experience required.
Expected Pricing: USD $19 (region-adjusted; student discounts & fee waivers planned).
Exam: 40–60 multiple-choice questions plus conceptual puzzles.
Topics include:
- Quantum information and qubits
- Noise, error, and basic error intuition
- PQC transition and migration concepts
- Secure computation and crypto-agility impacts
Outcome: Foundational quantum literacy badge aligned with QIST pathways.
QIST General AI & Autonomy
UpcomingCode: QGA
Prepares for QIST Levels 1–4
Audience: Ages 13+, open to all learners. No formal ML or CS background required.
Expected Pricing: USD $19 (region-adjusted; student discounts & fee waivers planned).
Exam: 40–60 multiple-choice questions plus scenario-style items.
Topics include:
- Machine learning and model intuition
- Autonomous agents and basic agent architectures
- Alignment concepts and safety goals
- Risk patterns and failure modes in AI systems
- AI behavior safety and oversight basics
Outcome: General AI & autonomy literacy to support later QIST Levels 3–4 and specialist tracks.
QIST General Blockchain & Distributed Trust
UpcomingCode: QGB
Prepares for QIST Levels 1–4
Audience: Ages 13+, open to all learners. No prior blockchain or cryptography background required.
Expected Pricing: USD $19 (region-adjusted; student discounts & fee waivers planned).
Exam: 40–60 multiple-choice questions plus conceptual design questions.
Topics include:
- Distributed systems and networked state
- Consensus mechanisms and protocol intuition
- Cryptographic primitives for ledgers
- Trust graphs, identity, and permissions
- Autonomy-ready ledger and contract models
Outcome: Foundational literacy in blockchain and distributed trust for QIST security and autonomy pathways.
QIST General Cybersecurity Foundations
UpcomingCode: QGC
Prepares for QIST Levels 1–4
Audience: Ages 13+, open to all learners. Suitable for students, early professionals, and career switchers.
Expected Pricing: USD $19 (region-adjusted; student discounts & fee waivers planned).
Exam: 40–60 multiple-choice questions plus simple threat scenarios.
Topics include:
- Security models and basic threat intuition
- Authentication, identity, and access control
- Zero trust basics and secure-by-default thinking
- Introduction to post-quantum security implications
Outcome: Foundational cybersecurity literacy badge aligned with QIST security and PQC pathways.
QIST General Autonomous Systems & Robotics
UpcomingCode: QGR
Prepares for QIST Levels 1–4
Audience: Ages 13+, open to all learners with an interest in robotics, control, and autonomy.
Expected Pricing: USD $19 (region-adjusted; student discounts & fee waivers planned).
Exam: 40–60 multiple-choice questions plus simple design and reasoning problems.
Topics include:
- Control systems intuition and feedback
- Sensing, perception, and environment modeling
- Safety envelopes for autonomous systems
- Verification basics and testing mindsets
- Secure autonomy principles and failure modes
Outcome: Broad literacy in autonomous systems and robotics to support future QIST Levels 3–7 and frontier pathways.
Track 1 — General Certifications
General certifications are meant to be globally accessible entry points into secure computation, quantum information science, and responsible AI.
QIST Junior Explorer Certification
UpcomingLevel: QIST Level 1 — QJE
Audience: Ages 10–15, first contact with quantum and secure computing ideas.
Expected Pricing: USD $9 (subject to refinement before formal launch). Pricing will be region-adjusted and include student discounts and fee waivers.
Exam: 30–50 fun multiple-choice questions plus interactive puzzles.
Topics include:
- What is quantum information?
- Safe computing basics
- Cryptography intuition and secret-keeping
- Simple logic and pattern puzzles
- AI ethics and autonomy basics for kids
Outcome: Digital certificate and badge; opens a path toward Student and Youth Membership.
QIST Youth Apprentice Certification
UpcomingLevel: QIST Level 2 — QYA
Audience: Ages 13–25, students and early researchers.
Expected Pricing: USD $29 (subject to refinement before formal launch). Pricing will be region-adjusted and include student discounts and fee waivers.
Exam: 50–75 multiple-choice questions.
Topics include:
- Introductory post-quantum cryptography (PQC)
- Introductory AI safety and alignment concepts
- Basic trust systems and identity
- Understanding autonomous systems
- Beginner-level engineering logic and reasoning
Outcome: Recognized youth credential for universities, student competitions, and early internships.
QIST Certified Associate
UpcomingLevel: QIST Level 3 — QCA
Audience: Anyone entering the field of secure computation, PQC, or AI safety.
Expected Pricing: USD $49 (subject to refinement before formal launch). Pricing will be region-adjusted and include student discounts and fee waivers.
Exam: Approximately 100 multiple-choice questions.
Topics include:
- Foundations of post-quantum cryptography
- Basics of QIST technology programs: QSIG, QNSP, IACC, DDIP, AIOS
- Trust graph intuition and capability-based security
- Secure agent and autonomous system basics
- Digital autonomy and governance fundamentals
Outcome: First professional-adjacent credential. Planned prerequisite for Contributor Membership pathways.
Track 2 — Professional Certifications
Professional certifications are designed for engineers, researchers, and institutional teams who are responsible for designing, deploying, and governing quantum-aware, autonomous, and secure systems.
QIST Certified Professional
Pilot (PLANNED)Level: QIST Level 4 — QCP
Audience: Practicing engineers, security professionals, and technical leads.
Expected Pricing: USD $149 (subject to refinement before formal launch). Pricing will be region-adjusted and include student discounts and fee waivers.
Exam: Approximately 200 multiple-choice questions.
Topics include:
- PQC families, migration strategies, and hybrid modes
- Autonomous system security and failure modes
- Trust graph formalization and verification
- Distributed intelligence and AIOS architecture
- Secure compute infrastructure and zero-trust patterns
- Governance, risk, and compliance for the quantum era
Outcome: Core professional credential intended to sit alongside certifications such as CISSP, CKA, and cloud security programs.
QIST Certified Specialist — PQC
Pilot (PLANNED)Level: QIST Level 5 — QCS-PQC
Audience: Cryptography teams, financial institutions, and public sector security programs.
Expected Pricing: USD $199 (subject to refinement before formal launch). Pricing will be region-adjusted and include student discounts and fee waivers.
Exam: Approximately 200 multiple-choice questions.
Topics include:
- NIST PQC standards (Kyber, Dilithium, SPHINCS+)
- Crypto-agility and key management
- Hybrid KEM and signature deployments
- Real-world PQC deployment architectures
- Failure modes, migration risk, and mitigation strategies
Outcome: Specialist signal for PQC and cryptography teams across finance, government, and critical infrastructure.
QIST Certified Specialist —
AI Safety & Agent Oversight
Pilot (PLANNED)Level: QIST Level 5 — QCS-AIS
Audience: AI labs, autonomy engineers, and risk and safety teams.
Expected Pricing: USD $199 (subject to refinement before formal launch). Pricing will be region-adjusted and include student discounts and fee waivers.
Exam: Approximately 200 multiple-choice questions.
Topics include:
- Agentic compute and safety patterns
- Deterministic governance and guardrails
- Trust graphs for autonomous systems
- AIOS agent containment and observability
- Verification methods for autonomous behavior
Outcome: Specialist signal for AI safety and oversight roles.
QIST Certified Specialist —
Autonomous & Secure Systems
Pilot (PLANNED)Level: QIST Level 5 — QCS-AUT
Audience: Autonomy, infrastructure, and operations engineers.
Expected Pricing: USD $199 (subject to refinement before formal launch). Pricing will be region-adjusted and include student discounts and fee waivers.
Exam: Approximately 200 multiple-choice questions.
Topics include:
- Deterministic compute and control loops
- Industrial autonomous command clouds (IACC)
- DDIP workflows and change governance
- Tunnel secure communications and routing
- Runtime integrity, telemetry, and zero-trust automation
Outcome: Specialist signal for teams deploying autonomous and secure systems in production.
QIST Certified Research Fellow & Scientific Member
InvitationLevel: QIST Level 6 — QCRF
Audience: Senior researchers, postdoctoral scholars, faculty, senior engineers, and principal investigators.
Expected Pricing: USD $499 plus panel review (subject to refinement before formal launch). Pricing will be region-adjusted and include fee waivers for qualifying research fellows.
Evaluation combines a written exam, research submission, and panel review.
- 20 deep technical questions
- Short research paper or technical submission
- Interview with a QIST oversight or review panel
Outcome: Highest honor in the QIST certification hierarchy, aligned with QIST Research Fellow membership and scientific leadership roles.
Track 3 — Frontier Cognitive & Self-Evolving Systems
Frontier certifications sit at the top of the same kid-to-research- fellow journey. They are invitation-only, concept-stage programs for advanced learners and practitioners working on cognitive data flows, neural interfaces, and self-evolving compute in high-assurance environments.
All Track 3 certifications are by invitation only. Details below are prospective and may change as research, ethics, and governance structures mature.
QIST Frontier Specialist — Cognitive Data Exchange Systems
InvitationLevel: QIST Level 7 — QFS-CDE
Audience: Researchers and engineers working on cognitive data flows, cross-domain trust fabrics, and high-assurance data exchange between intelligent systems.
Expected Pricing: USD $299 (subject to refinement before formal launch). Pricing will be region-adjusted, with participation typically organized through institutional or program-level sponsorships.
Exam: Advanced technical questions, design scenarios, and case-based analysis.
Topics include:
- Cognitive data exchange and semantic routing
- Quantum-safe trust fabrics and cross-domain invariants
- Telemetry, provenance, and cognitive safety constraints
- Interaction between PQC, privacy, and large-scale data sharing
Outcome: Frontier credential signaling expertise in high-assurance cognitive data systems.
QIST Frontier Specialist — Neural Interface Operating Systems
InvitationLevel: QIST Level 7 — QFS-NOS
Audience: Teams exploring neural interfaces, human-in-the-loop autonomy, and safety-critical interaction between biological and digital systems.
Expected Pricing: USD $299 (subject to refinement before formal launch). Likely limited to pilots with research, clinical, and public-interest institutions.
Exam: Mixture of technical theory, safety scenarios, and governance design questions.
Topics include:
- Neural-interface operating system concepts
- Safety and consent architectures for neural data
- Runtime supervision and intervention mechanisms
- Ethical and governance frameworks for neural interfaces
Outcome: Frontier credential for practitioners at the intersection of neural systems, autonomy, and safety.
QIST Frontier Specialist — Self-Evolving Compute
InvitationLevel: QIST Level 7 — QFS-SEC
Audience: Researchers working on self-modifying systems, meta-learning architectures, and adaptive, autonomous compute in high-assurance environments.
Expected Pricing: USD $299 (subject to refinement before formal launch). Expected to be tightly scoped and invitation-only.
Exam: Conceptual and design-heavy, focused on safety envelopes and verifiable evolution.
Topics include:
- Self-evolving compute and meta-learning frameworks
- Deterministic safety envelopes for adaptive systems
- Change provenance, rollback, and auditability
- Integration with QIST trust graphs and governance layers
Outcome: Frontier credential for self-evolving, safety-critical compute architectures.
Exam Portal (Upcoming)
During early rollout, QIST expects to deliver exams via a trusted third-party exam engine, with plans to migrate to a dedicated exam and verification system as participation grows.
No certification exams are live yet. Timelines, delivery partners, and operational details will be announced through the public QIST newsletter and this page.
All exam delivery will follow clear privacy, accessibility, and security guidelines appropriate for youth and professional participants.
Certificate (Preview)
This preview shows how an issued QIST certificate may appear once exams and verification are live.
QIST Certification
Quantum Information Science & Technology Foundation (QIST)
Independent nonprofit research initiative · qist.foundation
This Certifies That
Alex Example
has successfully completed the requirements for the
QIST Level 4 · Certified Professional (QCP)
demonstrating professional competency in post-quantum security, secure autonomous systems, and the QIST trust stack.
Issued
2025 · Version 1.0
QIST Level
Level 4 · QCP
Certificate ID
QIST-CERT-0001
QIST
Level Credential
LEVEL 4 · QCP
Certified Professional
Certified
Scan code to verify this certificate at
qist.foundation/verify
Verify a Certificate (Upcoming)
Each issued certificate will include a unique QIST ID, verification URL, and QR code. Institutions will be able to confirm authenticity by visiting the verification page and checking exam metadata.
Verification will be hosted under a dedicated path such as qist.foundation/verify/<certificate-id>, with clear guidance for employers, universities, and public sector partners.
Institutional Prep Track
QIST certifications are designed to be useful not just for individuals, but for universities, laboratories, and public-sector programs that need clear, portable skill signals for their students and staff.
Universities & Colleges
- Run QIST-aligned prep courses that map to QIST Levels 1–4 (QJE, QYA, QCA, QCP).
- Offer QIST certifications as optional modules alongside degree programs.
- Use QIST results as a consistent skills signal across cohorts and partner institutions.
Research Labs & Industry Teams
- Certify interns and early-career staff using QIST Levels 3–5 (QCA, QCP, QCS series).
- Align internal training with specialist certifications in PQC, AI safety, and autonomous systems.
- Use QIST exams as part of structured onboarding for security-critical roles.
Government & Public Programs
- Use QIST Specialist certifications (Level 5) as part of PQC, AI safety, and critical infrastructure workforce programs.
- Incorporate youth certifications into national STEM and digital safety initiatives.
- Pilot QIST Levels 6–7 with oversight boards for high-assurance research and policy roles.
Institutional pathways are optional and will be developed in partnership with universities, labs, and ministries of education to respect local regulations while keeping certifications globally portable.
Digital Badges & Membership Cards
QIST certifications will issue digital badges designed for use on professional profiles, CVs, and membership dashboards. Badges will be visually aligned with the QIST Membership Card system so that roles and certifications feel like part of the same progression.
Over time, QIST plans to provide programmatic ways for partners to validate badges in HR systems and internal talent platforms, without exposing sensitive personal data.
Level Badges
QIST
General Track
General Track Badges
Certified
QIST
Level Credential
LEVEL 1 · QJE
Junior Explorer Certification
Certified
QIST
Level Credential
LEVEL 2 · QYA
Youth Apprentice Certification
Certified
QIST
Level Credential
LEVEL 3 · QCA
Certified Associate
Certified
QIST
Level Credential
LEVEL 4 · QCP
Certified Professional
Certified
QIST
Level Credential
LEVEL 5 · QCS
Applied Quantum Cryptography Specialist
Certified
QIST
Level Credential
LEVEL 6 · QCRF
Research Fellow & Scientific Member
Certified
QIST
Level Credential
LEVEL 7 · QFS
Frontier Specialist · Track 3
Certified
These badges represent the same ladder described above, from youth certifications at Levels 1–2 through professional and specialist credentials at Levels 3–5, up to research and frontier roles at Levels 6–7.
FAQ
Are QIST certifications degrees or accredited qualifications?
No. QIST certifications are non-accredited, research-driven credentials. They are designed to complement, not replace, formal education and accredited professional programs. QIST certifications are intentionally independent and globally portable, not bound to any national accreditation system.
When will exams be available?
Timelines for pilots and public availability will be published after governance, exam security, and operational partners are in place. Early pilots are expected to start with a small group of institutions and contributors.
Will there be fee waivers or regional pricing?
Yes. Pricing is expressed as expected ranges and will be region-adjusted, with student discounts and fee waivers planned for under-resourced regions and public-interest participants.
How do certifications relate to QIST Membership?
Certifications are designed to reinforce, not replace, membership pathways. For example, QCA is planned as a prerequisite for certain contributor roles, QCP is aligned with Professional Membership, and QCRF is aligned with Research Fellow membership.
Stay Updated
To receive updates when pilot programs, public exams, and verification tools become available, you can follow the QIST public newsletter or contact the foundation directly.