Certification Exam Descriptions
ASQ offers 14 certifications. Take a look at these brief descriptions and note the education and experience required for each certification. Click on each certification for more detailed information.
| Certification | Description | Education/Experience* |
|---|---|---|
| Biomedical Auditor | Understands the principles of standards, regulations, directives and guidance for auditing a biomedical system | Five years of on-the-job experience in one or more of the areas of the Certified Biomedical Auditor Body of Knowledge. At least one year must be in a decision-making role. |
| Calibration Technician | Tests, calibrates, maintains and repairs electrical, mechanical, electromechanical, analytical and electronic measuring, recording and indicating instruments and equipment for conformance to established standards. | Five years of on-the-job experience in one or more of the areas of the Certified Calibration Technician Body of Knowledge. |
| HACCP Auditor | Uses various tools and techniques to examine, question, evaluate and report on that system's adequacy and deficiencies. | Five years of on-the-job experience in one or more of the areas of the Certified HACCP Auditor Body of Knowledge. At least one year must be in a decision making role. |
| Manager of Quality/ Organizational Excellence | Facilitates and leads team efforts to establish and monitor customer/supplier relations, and supports strategic planning and deployment initiatives. | Ten years of on-the-job experience in one or more of the areas of the Certified Manager of Quality/ Organizational Excellence Body of Knowledge. A minimum of five years of this experience must be in a decision-making position. |
| Mechanical Inspector | Evaluates hardware documentation, performs laboratory procedures, inspects products, measures process performance, records data and prepares formal reports. | Two years of on-the-job experience in mechanical inspection or a related field. A high-school diploma or GED, or an additional three years of related on-the-job experience. |
| Quality Auditor | Analyzes all elements of a quality system and judges its degree of adherence to the criteria of industrial management and quality evaluation and control systems. | Eight years of on-the-job experience in one or more of the areas of the Certified Quality Auditor Body of Knowledge. A minimum of three years of this experience must be in a decision-making position. |
| Quality Engineer | Develops and operates quality control systems. applies and analyzes testing and inspection procedures. Uses metrology and statistical methods to diagnose and correct improper quality control practices. | Eight years of on-the-job experience in one or more of the areas of the Certified Quality Engineer Body of Knowledge. A minimum of three years of this experience must be in a decision-making position. |
| Quality Improvement Associate | Understands quality tools and their uses and participates in quality improvement projects. | Two years of work experience or an associate degree as a minimum. |
| Quality Process Analyst | Analyzes and solves quality problems and participates in quality improvement projects. | Two years of work experience or an associate degree as a minimum. |
| Quality Technician | Prepares inspection plans and instructions, selects sampling plan applications, analyzes and solves problems, prepares procedures, trains inspectors and performs audits. | Four years of higher education and/or work experience in one or more of the areas of the Certified Quality Technician Body of Knowledge. |
| Reliability Engineer | Understands the principles of performance evaluation and prediction to improve product/systems safety, reliability and maintainability. | Eight years of on-the-job experience in one or more of the areas of the Certified Reliability Engineer Body of Knowledge. A minimum of three years of this experience must be in a decision-making position. |
| Six Sigma Black Belt | Understands Six Sigma philosophies and principles, including the supporting systems and tools. Demonstrates team leadership and understands all aspects of the DMAIC model in accordance with Six Sigma principles. | Two completed projects with signed affidavits, or one completed project with signed affidavit and three years of work experience within the Six Sigma Black Belt Body of Knowledge. |
| Six Sigma Green Belt | Supports a Six Sigma Black Belt by analyzing and solving quality problems and is involved in quality-improvement projects. | Three years of work experience within the Six Sigma Green Belt Body of Knowledge. |
| Software Quality Engineer | Understands software quality development and implementation including software inspection, testing, verification, and validation. Implements software development and maintenance processes and methods. | Eight years on-the-job experience in one or more of the areas of the Certified Software Quality Engineer Body of Knowledge. A minimum of three years of this experience must be in a decision-making position. |
*If you have a degree from a college, university, or technical school with accreditation accepted by ASQ, part of the experience requirement may be waived. See each certification for specific requirements.
