Professional Development Using

Certifications from the American

Society for Quality (ASQ)

Quality Minds, Inc. 3/30/09

 Overview: My Story
• I was certified as a quality engineer in 1991. I
can honestly say that going through the
certification process made me a better engineer
and sparked interests in me that became my
path for professional development:
– A career path in quality engineering and quality
management (1991-2009)
– A Masters of Industrial Statistics (2003)
– Certification as a Six Sigma Black Belt (2005)
– President of Quality Minds, Inc., a six sigma
consulting firm (2006-Present)

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 Professional Development Paths
Using ASQ Certifications

CQA CQM

CCT CMI CQT CQE SSGB SSBB

CRE
CQIA

Typical Starting Points:

1. CQT
CQPA
2. CQE
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3. CQA
 Which Path(s) to Take
• To become certified takes much work, time, and
sweat. The number of certifications you pursue
depends on several factors:
– Your ambition and drive
– Who is paying for it? You or your company?
– Your personal life-do you have a family? How much
time can you apply to this effort?
– Your educational and experience levels
– Your career goals

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 The Exams
Exam Price for Price for Eligibility
• Exams are given every ASQ Nonmembers
Members
March, June, October,
CQT $155 $335 4 years higher education
and December in most and/or work experience
within CQT body of
metropolitan areas. You knowledge

can register on line at CQA $230 $390 8 years work experience

within the CQA body of
knowledge. Part of the 8
http://www.asq.org years can be a degree

CQE $230 $390 8 years work experience

• You do not need to be a within the CQA body of
knowledge. Part of the 8
member of ASQ but it years can be a degree

CSSGB $175 $335 3 years work experience

helps your wallet to be a within the CSSGB body of
knowledge
member
CSSBB $260 $420 Two completed projects
with signed affidavits or one
completed project with
three years experience
within the CSSBB body of
knowledge
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 Preparing for an Exam
• I have been teaching exam preparation courses for almost twenty years. Here are
the factors, in my opinion, that separate those that pass from those that do not pass:
• Key Factors for Passing an Exam:
– Have a Good Textbook
• Quality Council of Indiana has great books for exam preparation
– Support
• I recommend taking a preparation course on site or online. A great online resource is
www.cpionlinecourses.com
• It is important to have someone you can go to for questions especially with the advanced subjects
– Study time
• Decide when to study and how often you will study
• You must establish a routine for studying. Don’t get behind.
– Working problems
• Practice makes perfect
• Work all the problems in the textbook
• Seek extra problems to work. If you take a course, a good instructor will give you extra problems to
work.
– Equipment
• Get one other reference material such as Juran Handbook, calculator, # 2 pencils

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 Calculator
• You will need a statistical calculator for
most exams. You can get a good one for
less than $50 at most retailers.
• Here are the critical keys you may need to
use on the exam:

∑+ X σ x σ x nPr nCr n!
n−1
o r
x
e s x
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 Subjects Covered on Exam by
Approximate Number of Questions
Certified Quality Technician (CQT)
Approximate Number of Questions on the

25

20

15
Exam

10

0
Quality Statistical Metrology and Inspection and Quality Audits Preventive and
Concepts and Techniques Calibration Testing Corrective
Tools Action
Sections of Exam

8
 Subjects Covered on Exam by
Approximate Number of Questions
Certified Quality Auditor (CQA)
Approximate Number of Questions on the

70

60

50

40
Exam

30

20

10

0
Auditing Audit Process Auditor Audit Program and Quality Tools and
Fundamentals Competencies Business Techniques
Applications
Sections of Exam

9
 Subjects Covered on Exam by
Approximate Number of Questions
Certified Quality Engineer (CQE)
Approximate Number of Questions on

50
45
40
35
30
Exam

25
20
15
10
5
0
Quantitative Process and Continuous Process and Management Quality System
Methods and Product Improvement Product and
Tools Control Design Leadership
Sections of Exam

10
 Subjects Covered on Exam by
Approximate Number of Questions
Certified Six Sigma Green Belt (CSSGB)

35
Approximate Number of Questions on the

30

25

20
Exam

15

10

0
Six Sigm a and Define Measure Analyze Im prove and Control
Organization

Sections of the Exam

11
 Approximate Number of Questions on the
Exam

0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
Measure

Analyze

Improve

Control

Project
Management

Enterprise
Wide
Deployment

Sections of the Exam

Business
Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB)

Process
Management

Define

Lean
Enterprise
Subjects Covered on Exam by

Design for Six

Sigm a
Approximate Number of Questions

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 Questions and Support
• Exam preparation courses are offered online by
The Center for Process Improvement
www.cpionlinecourses.com
– CQA
– CQE
– CSSGB
– CSSBB
– Others
• If you have questions, please contact Stephen
Deas 843 814 3864 or sd@qualitymindsinc.com
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