Frequently Asked Questions
Certification is formal recognition by ASQE that an individual has proficiency within, and a comprehension of, a specified body of knowledge (BoK). It is peer recognition, not registration or licensure.
Quality competition is a fact of life, and the need for a work force proficient in the principles and practices of quality control is a central concern of many companies. Certification is a mark of excellence. It demonstrates that the certified individual has the knowledge to assure quality of products and services. Certification is an investment in your career and in the future of your employer.
ASQE Certification Council Value Statement
The ASQE Certification Council provides Leadership and Stewardship, with Integrity and Customer Focus, of the process for certifying Quality Professionals both now and in the future.
Stewardship: We assume the responsibility to organize and manage intellectual property of the Quality movement, including certification exams and related products. Our efforts imply and require a vision of, and dedication to, the Quality profession. The Board is tasked with outreach to internal and external customers, to communicate the value and importance of Certification to both employers and quality professionals.
Integrity: We oversee and uphold professionalism as a primary characteristic of our certification process, product, and application. A firm personal ethic becomes the strong professional ethic of volunteer members which, in turn, becomes personal validation. Broad-based certifications, multilingual, fair and unbiased in content and availability, are our product.
Customer Focus: ASQE, as leader of a diverse, ever-expanding, global quality community, supports quality professionals in academia, industry, and government. We create new certifications defined by the values and requirements of our customers, recognizing them as the future owners of quality knowledge, practice, and dissemination. We network with others across the world to advance innovation and the understanding of the value and importance of quality knowledge, professions, and certifications.
Teamwork, Involvement, Cooperation, and Partnering: We respect the values of others and strive for consensus. Teamwork and partnering encourage opportunities, inside and outside the quality community, for personal and professional development. Employee and corporate application of technology, tools, and processes fosters skill enhancement, employee expertise, and empowerment at all professional levels.
Application of Quality Tools and Techniques: Our dynamic, living strategy focuses on short- and long-term strategic planning and quality management. We create opportunities for the application of knowledge and skills, outreach and sharing of ideas, and on-going improvement in machine and computer technology. We believe that only the best we do today will be carried forward to tomorrow.
When new and updated standards are published, ASQE will still test candidates’ knowledge of that standard, but the correct answer should be provided according to both the new and old standard until:
- The new standard becomes fully implemented (such as ISO 9000: The new standard is now fully implemented, so the old standard is NO LONGER tested).
- The old standard is no longer used by the industry (for example: the Z1.4 and Z1.9 standards have been released, but a deadline for implementation is not required, so both the old and new standard are in use, and answers to test questions should be the same in both years).
Materials:
ASQ MBB course provides:
- The Certified Six Sigma Master Black Belt Handbook – Hard copy
- Course Handouts – Hard Copy
- Participants will get ASQ South Asia MBB Training Certificate on successfully meeting the qualifying criteria – Soft Copy
- Free consulting for ASQ portfolio review for ASQ MBB certification exam.
MBB Training Program – Qualifying Criteria
- 80% score in the Final Exam
- Passing Score in Case Study presentations
- Successful presentation of One Project on the last day of the program
Registration Email
- After course registration, participants will receive an acknowledgement mail.
- 2-3 days prior to start of the training an email with instructions to join and the WebEx/ MS Teams link will be sent.
If you do not receive the email, please check your email junk, spam, or clutter folders. If the email is not there, please send an email to ASQ South Asia. (asqindia@asq.org) .
Individuals with ASQ certification may indicate their certification(s) on their personal business cards. Please refer to your certification in terms which are consistent with the legal requirements found in many states.
We receive many questions regarding a “career track” for certification – which certifications lead to another and help with professional growth. This is purely an individual choice, based on your unique career path and goals.
ASQE seeks to attain the highest degree of public confidence and trust in rendering unbiased services. ASQE fully acknowledges the importance of impartiality in carrying out its certification body activities, which are governed by the requirements of the International Standard ISO/IEC 17024.View the full policy here.
A complaint is a formal request of dissatisfaction other than appeal, by any person or organization regarding an ASQE’s certification staff, services, procedures, policies or any other certification-related activity.
Individuals with concerns are encouraged to discuss these with the individuals involved or the ASQE certification staff to try and resolve the matter informally. If a resolution is not possible, individuals may wish to file a formal complaint. View full details of how to submit a formal complaint.
You may appeal specific certification-related decisions. Please view the full Appeal policy and requirements here.
ASQ members receive a discount on the price of ASQE certification due to the fact that ASQ’s brand and logo are licensed to ASQE in consideration of royalties paid by ASQE to ASQ. Learn more or become a member
The ASQE Testing Agreement is a legal agreement between certification candidates and ASQE. Please click here to view the full ASQE Testing agreement.
To view the work experience requirements for ASQ Certification exams, visit the ASQ Certification catalog and identify your certification of interest.
Download a Six Sigma Black Belt Affidavit (PDF, 45 KB)
What if I do not have a completed a Six Sigma Black Belt Project?
A Six Sigma Black Belt project is required. If you have not completed a project you are not eligible to sit for the exam.
Can I submit a project I completed more than two years ago?
Yes, as long as the project utilized the Six Sigma tools and methodologies, it is acceptable.
I am in the process of completing a Six Sigma Black Belt project, can I still apply for the exam?
Yes you can apply, but your completed project affidavit(s) must be received at ASQE headquarters within one week of our receipt of your application and fees. Your application will be placed on HOLD status until we receive your affidavit(s). The affidavit(s) must be completed by your project champion. As the applicant, it is your responsibility to send the completed affidavit(s) to ASQE. If we do not receive your affidavit(s) within the required timeframe, your application will be cancelled and a partial refund will be sent to you (less the application fee).
Can I submit my affidavit for review prior to applying for the exam?
No, affidavits received without an application form and fees will not be reviewed prior to your applying for the exam.
I am unable to contact my project champion or he/she is no longer employed at the company. What should I do?
It is your responsibility to have your project champion complete and sign the project affidavit. Affidavits will not be accepted if they are not signed by a project champion.
If you are unable to locate your project champion, a member of upper management at the company may sign the affidavit in your project champion’s place, provided the individual is able to verify the contents of the affidavit are correct.
I did a Six Sigma Black Belt project at a company that I am no longer employed or the champion is at a different location. What should I do?
You may fax or e-mail a copy of the affidavit form to the champion. Please then have the champion send the signed form directly to ASQE by mail, fax or e-mail.
Body of Knowledge
Each certification has a Body of Knowledge (BoK) that describes in detail each subject and subtopic related to that certification. This information provides useful guidance for candidates preparing to take the exam. The subtext is not intended to limit the subject matter or be all-inclusive of what might be covered in an exam. It is intended to clarify the type of content to be included in the exam. The BoK also details the number of questions contained in each subject. The descriptor in parentheses at the end of each entry refers to the highest cognitive level at which the topic will be tested. A more comprehensive description of cognitive levels will be listed at the end of each BoK. Please visit the ASQ certification webpage to view the BoK specific to your certification.
References
Each certification exam program has books and materials listed under “references” that are used to create the exam questions on the preparation page for each exam. There is no one resource. The subjects you need to know are listed in the BoK. A thorough understanding of the BoK and the subjects it covers are the basic requirements for passing the exam. ASQE offers several certification preparation resources, available on each certification page. The ASQE Certification Council does not endorse any one reference source and is impartial.
Content Being Updated
All computer-based exams feature a basic scientific calculator on-screen in the exam. Prometric Test Center Administrators can provide you with a hand-held basic calculator upon request.
With the introduction of tablets and palmtop computers and the increasing sophistication of scientific calculators, ASQE has become increasingly aware of the need to limit the types of calculators permitted for use during the examinations. Any silent, hand-held, battery-operated calculator with no programmable memory will be permitted. Programmable calculators tend to have graphing capabilities, the ability to store text/alphanumeric data by the input of the user, and a function (fn, F1, F2, etc.) button.
Calculators such as the Texas Instruments TI-89 or similar are absolutely not allowed because they are programmable. The examination is written so that a simple calculator will be sufficient to perform all calculations. Examinees are allowed to have a backup calculator if necessary.
All ASQ exams are open-book.
All reference materials (e.g., including all forms of notes) must be bound and remain bound during the exam. Bound refers to material permanently bound by stitching or glue and materials fastened securely in its cover by fasteners, which penetrate all papers (e.g., ring binders, spiral binders, plastic snap binders, brads, or screw posts). Manually or hand stapled documents that are not securely fastened in their covers are not allowed. The size of workspace area at Prometric test centers is limited. The approximate desk dimensions are 48″ in length and 24″ in width.
Before you enter the exam room, the Test Center Administrator (TCA) will inspect all references. “Post-Its” will be permitted as book tabs only (must be attached prior to entering the test center). Items strictly prohibited in the exam area: hand stapled or paper-clipped materials, blank writing tablets or tablets containing blank pages, unbound tablets, unbound notes, slide charts and/or wheel charts (hand-held cardboard or plastic calculating devices with rotating or sliding pieces).
Absolutely no collections of questions and answers or weekly refresher-course quizzes are permitted. Reference sources that contain such copy are not allowed unless the questions are removed.
Examinees are responsible for abiding by applicable copyright laws.
Please click here for full details on what your experience will be like at a Prometric test site including arrival time, check-in procedures, and more.
Please click here for more details about the live remote-proctored exam experience.
Yes, you will receive an email notification from ASQ letting you know that your application has been approved and to expect more information regarding exam location and scheduling as it becomes available.
ASQ recognizes that prompt notification of exam results is important. We make every effort to provide results as soon as possible. Your exam results are confidential. We will not give results over the phone. We do not give information about certification to third-parties except at the written request of the person who took the exam. Individuals who pass ASQ exams will be included in a voluntary Certification Registry. For additional information on the Certification Registry, click here.
Computer-Based Tests
You will be presented with your test results at the Prometric testing center on your screen as well as a follow-up email with your test results (from Prometric), with the exception of the MBB and any exams piloting a new BoK. In approximately seven days, you will receive your official ASQ results email notification as well as a short survey about your exam experience.
ASQ emails exam results for the MBB, pilot exams, and exams with updated BoK within four weeks.
Paper-Based Tests
Your exam proctor will mail your completed paper-exam documents back to ASQ to be graded. In approximately two weeks, you will receive your official ASQ exam results email as well as a short survey about your exam experience.
ASQ emails exam results for the MBB, pilot exams, and exams with updated BoK within four weeks.
ASQE uses procedures that meet the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing, which were developed jointly by the American Educational Research Association (AERA), the American Psychological Association (APA) and the National Council on Measurement in Education (NCME).
Click here to view full details of our exam grading process.
After passing an ASQ certification exam you will receive an email from our issuing partner, Accredible, with a link to claim your badge.
To learn more about how to share your digital badge on social media sites, embed your badge in an email signature, and view additional helpful resources, please visit our Digital Badges FAQ page.
The ASQ Certification Registry is an up-to-date record of individuals who have earned an ASQ Certification and (where applicable) have maintained it through recertification. The Certification Registry has replaced the previous practice of publishing static certification pass lists online. ASQ’s Certification Registry makes it easy for potential employers and others to verify an individual’s certification and helps to protect the integrity of your hard-earned credential(s). Click here to use the ASQ Certification Registry.
Please click here to view additional information regarding the Certification Verification Registry.
If you did not pass the exam..
You can review a detailed analysis of your exam results by logging into your ASQ account after receiving your official ASQ results email notification. A detailed analysis breaks down the number of correct and incorrect answers in each subtopic of the BoK related to your certification exam. You may retake the exam at the retake rate. There is no limit to the number of times you may retake an exam. You will, however, be charged a retake fee each time. You must retake the exam within two years of your last attempt. If you do not retake within this period, you will have to submit a new application with full certification fees. You may NOT retake your exam within the same window that you took your initial exam.
- Calibration Technician (CCT)
- Food Safety and Quality Auditor (CFSQA)
- Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE)
- Master Black Belt (MBB)
- Medical Device Auditor (CMDA)/Biomedical Auditor (CBA)
- Pharmaceutical GMP Professional (CPGP)
- Quality Auditor (CQA)
- Quality Engineer (CQE)
- Reliability Engineer (CRE)
- Software Quality Engineer (CSQE)
- Six Sigma Black Belt (SSBB)
- Supplier Quality Professional (CSQP)
- The Quality Inspector (CQI), Quality Improvement Associate (CQIA), Quality Process Analyst (CQPA), Quality Technician (CQT), Six Sigma Green Belt (CSSGB), and Six Sigma Yellow Belt (SSYB) are lifetime certifications. They have no recertification requirements.
For your current certification information, please log in. Then visit certification overview. Your certifications will display there. The information will include expiration dates, status of pending certifications, and exam result information for retakes.
- Professional development means any type of conference, seminar, workshop, symposium or forum you attend. This should not be confused with the Student Courses section of the journal.
- Student courses are those either sponsored by your company or by an accredited, outsourced training facility that teaches career-related techniques. Such courses include, but are not limited to, computer classes, at-work people skills, other association training classes and job function training. Also, classes offered by an accredited college qualify.
- Home study and online courses may be used toward recertification, but not the homework portion. Assigned CEUs or contact hours must be included with the course certificate to be accepted.
- Any “course instructor” credit claimed must be above and beyond your regular required job duties and responsibilities if you are claiming credit in addition to employment credit, and must be specified as such on your documentation.
- The recertification program does not grant recertification units for auditing functions. This is part of your employment credit.
- Exam refresher courses taken before your initial certification cannot be counted toward recertification. You may, however, count those courses toward another certification’s recertification requirements, as long as the refresher course covers at least one area of that Body of Knowledge or is job-enhancing.
To receive employment recertification units, at least one area of your job duties, responsibilities, or functions must fall in at least one area of the Body of Knowledge (BOK) for your certification(s).
Being an author or co-author of a published book should be recorded under the “Publishing” category, in the “Book” sub-category. The sole author of a book receives 4 recertification units per published book. A co-author receives 2 recertification units per published book. Include a copy of the book cover showing the title and author name(s), a copy of the copyright page showing date of publication, and a copy of the table of contents.
Presentations should be entered under the “publishing” category, under the “presentation” sub-category. Presenters earn 1 recertification unit per presentation regardless of the amount of time put into preparation and the duration of the presentation.
If you pass the exam you will be issued a new certificate with the same certification number as before. If you don’t pass the recertification by exam, you will be decertified and will need to certify by exam as a new applicant. If you choose to certify as a new applicant and pass, you will receive an entirely new certification number, along with a new certificate and new three-year recertification start date.