Automotive Safety Analyst - 'Functional Safety Expert' Examination

This examination is intended for experienced professionals who are actively involved in automotive functional safety and safety analyses, including:

• Functional Safety Engineers
• Functional Safety Managers
• Safety Managers
• Safety Analysts
• System Engineers
• Hardware Engineers
• Software Engineers
• Reliability Engineers
• Product Safety Specialists
• System Architects
• Technical Project Managers
• Quality Engineers
• Functional Safety Assessors
• Auditors
• Technical Leads

The Automotive Safety Analyst - Functional Safety Expert examination may include questions covering:

ISO 26262 Functional Safety Foundations

• Functional safety lifecycle
• Safety goals and safety requirements
• Hardware and software safety considerations
• Safety analysis work products

Qualitative Safety Analyses

• DFMEA
• Safety FMEA
• FMEA-MSR
• Failure identification and evaluation
• Safety mechanisms
• Diagnostic monitoring concepts

Dependent Failure Analysis (DFA)

• ISO 26262 DFA requirements
• Common Cause Failures (CCF)
• Cascading failures
• Coupling factors
• Shared resources
• Independence assessment

Fault Tree Analysis (FTA)

• Fault tree construction
• Boolean logic
• Minimal cut sets
• Fault propagation
• Qualitative FTA
• Quantitative FTA

Quantitative Safety Analyses

• FMEDA methodology
• Failure-rate estimation
• Diagnostic coverage
• FIT rate concepts
• Reliability fundamentals

Hardware Safety Metrics

• SPFM
• LFM
• PMHF
• Hardware architectural evaluation

Integration of Safety Analyses

• Traceability
• Result consistency
• Safety verification
• Compliance evidence
• Safety analysis reporting

The increasing complexity of modern automotive systems requires safety professionals who are capable of performing and evaluating advanced safety analyses across the full functional safety lifecycle. Organizations developing safety-critical electronic systems need qualified experts who can independently assess safety architectures and support compliance with ISO 26262 requirements.

The Automotive Safety Analyst – Functional Safety Expert Examination is designed to validate advanced competence in both qualitative and quantitative safety analysis methods as applied within automotive functional safety projects. The certification verifies that successful candidates possess the knowledge and practical understanding necessary to perform, interpret, and review safety analyses used to support safety concepts, architectural decisions, and compliance activities.

The examination covers a broad range of analysis techniques including Dependent Failure Analysis (DFA), Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA), Safety FMEA, Monitoring and System Response Analysis (FMEA-MSR), Failure Modes, Effects and Diagnostic Analysis (FMEDA), qualitative Fault Tree Analysis (FTA), and quantitative Fault Tree Analysis. Candidates are expected to understand how these methods interact and contribute to achieving functional safety objectives under ISO 26262.

Special emphasis is placed on the identification of common cause failures, cascading failures, architectural dependencies, diagnostic coverage, hardware architectural metrics, probabilistic evaluations, and the interpretation of safety analysis work products. Candidates must demonstrate their ability to integrate analysis results and make technically sound judgments in support of functional safety activities.

Achieving the Functional Safety Expert certification provides independent recognition of advanced safety analysis competence and demonstrates the ability to contribute effectively to safety-critical automotive development projects.

Achieving the Automotive Safety Analyst – Functional Safety Expert certification demonstrates that you can:

• Independently perform and evaluate ISO 26262 safety analyses.
• Apply both qualitative and quantitative safety assessment methodologies.
• Conduct Dependent Failure Analysis (DFA) in accordance with ISO 26262 requirements.
• Interpret and integrate the results of DFMEA, Safety FMEA, FMEA-MSR, FMEDA, and FTA.
• Assess common cause failures, cascading failures, and architectural dependencies.
• Evaluate hardware safety architectures using FMEDA results and hardware metrics.
• Understand quantitative reliability concepts and PMHF evaluations.
• Review and validate safety analysis work products.
• Support functional safety assessments and compliance activities.
• Demonstrate expert-level competence to employers, customers, and stakeholders.
• Differentiate yourself through an internationally recognized TÜV SÜD certification.

Online Proctored Examination

The examination is conducted as a live online proctored assessment.

Candidates are supervised in real time by an authorized examination proctor to ensure examination integrity and compliance with certification requirements.

The examination is completed remotely through TÜV SÜD's designated examination platform.

Live Proctoring Requirements

Participants must:

• Have a reliable internet connection.
• Use a webcam and microphone throughout the examination.
• Take the examination from a private room or office.
• Present a valid government-issued identification document when requested.
• Allow verification of the examination environment by the proctor.
• Maintain compliance with all examination regulations and proctor instructions.

The following are prohibited:

• Use of unauthorized materials or notes.
• Receiving assistance from another person.
• Accessing online resources during the examination.
• Recording, copying, or distributing examination content.
• Using multiple devices unless explicitly permitted.

Failure to comply with examination requirements may result in disqualification or invalidation of examination results.

Certification is achieved through successful completion of the:

Automotive Safety Analyst – Functional Safety Expert Examination

The examination assesses the participant's ability to apply advanced safety analysis concepts and methodologies across realistic functional safety scenarios.

Successful candidates will receive the:

TÜV SÜD Functional Safety Expert Certificate – Automotive Safety Analyst

To apply for the Functional Safety Expert certification level, candidates must demonstrate substantial professional experience in functional safety engineering and safety-related development activities.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must provide evidence of:

• A minimum of 10 years of industry experience in functional safety engineering or related safety-critical technology fields with relevance to ISO 26262.
• Participation in at least two ISO 26262 functional safety projects in a responsible technical role.

The following academic qualifications may be credited toward the experience requirement:

Recommended Preparation

Candidates are strongly encouraged to complete:

• 
  
• ISO 26262 Automotive Functional Safety Training Program (Modules 1-4)
• ISO 26262 Module 5: Safety Analyst – DFA with Qualitative FMEA, FMEA-MSR and FTA Safety Analyses
• ISO 26262 Module 6: Safety Analyst – DFA with Quantitative FMEDA and FTA Hardware Safety Analyses

Prior completion of these courses provides the recommended preparation for the examination.

To learn about our complete ISO 26262 certification program learning path, see Modular training program: ISO 26262 Training – Modules & Exams.

Application Process

Candidates must submit the required registration and eligibility documentation for review and approval prior to examination enrollment.Applicants must complete the Functional Safety Certification Program application package and provide supporting documentation for eligibility verification.

For application forms and eligibility review, please contact:

[email protected]

What is the Functional Safety Expert certification?

It is the highest-level Automotive Safety Analyst certification within the TÜV SÜD Functional Safety Certification Program, validating advanced competence in ISO 26262 safety analyses.

What knowledge areas are assessed?

The examination covers DFA, DFMEA, Safety FMEA, FMEA-MSR, FMEDA, qualitative and quantitative FTA, hardware safety metrics, reliability concepts, and ISO 26262 compliance activities.

Is this examination focused on automotive functional safety?

Yes. The certification is specifically aligned with ISO 26262 and automotive safety-related development.

Do I need to complete Modules 5 and 6 before taking the exam?

While not mandatory, completion of Modules 5 and 6 is strongly recommended because the examination is based on the competencies developed in those courses.

Does the examination include quantitative safety analysis concepts?

Yes. FMEDA, hardware architectural metrics, quantitative FTA, reliability concepts, and PMHF-related topics may be covered.

What is being validated by the certification?

The certification validates the ability to independently perform, review, and interpret automotive safety analyses according to ISO 26262.

How is the examination delivered?

The examination is conducted online under live proctoring supervision.

What happens if technical issues occur during the examination?

Candidates should immediately notify the proctor and contact TÜV SÜD Academy according to the examination procedures provided before the examination.

What certificate will I receive after passing?

Successful candidates receive the TÜV SÜD Functional Safety Expert Certificate – Automotive Safety Analyst.