Quality Management Certifications are crucial credentials in the professional realm. There are various quality management certifications online that are offered to professionals looking to hone their skills. In this article, I will discuss in depth with you what quality management certifications are, the various types of quality management certifications, and globally recognized institutes that offer Quality Management courses.
Additionally, I will also explain in detail the 20 top-quality management certifications of 2024, the prerequisites to get these certifications, their costs, and the world-renowned organizations that offer these quality management certifications.
What is Quality Management?
Quality management simply means clearly defined ways or processes used by various industries to deliver products or services ensuring high quality consistently leading to the best customer experience. In my experience as a quality management professional, it's not just about following a checklist or protocols. It is about building a culture for customer excellence, where everyone in the team is committed to delivering their best while following well-defined protocols that have been created to always deliver the best of output.
What are Quality Management Certifications?
Quality management certification programs are designed to offer you skills and competencies to effectively manage quality processes in your organization. Based on the quality management certification types you can choose the one which provides you with the required skill sets and expertise to help you in your career progression.
Importance of Quality Management Certifications for Professionals and Companies
Quality management certificates have distinct effects on both organizations and professionals, influencing each group in unique ways. Here, I will outline the key elements of quality management certifications that hold significance for both businesses and professionals:
- Elevates your brand's value and cultivate customer loyalty by showcasing adherence to quality management standards. Quality management standards demonstrate your commitment to delivering consistent, reliable, and high-quality products or services. By obtaining recognized quality certifications such as ISO 9001 (Quality Management Systems) will demonstrate your adherence to rigorous quality standards. Showcasing the organization’s quality certifications prominently on your website, marketing materials, and product packaging will help you highlight your commitment to excellence.
- Drives operational efficiency across processes, personnel, and the entire organization. By developing a comprehensive framework of quality management systems, organizations can create a culture of strict compliance with legal standards, leaving no room for deviation and enhancing their overall integrity and credibility.
- Boosts your credibility by attaining these quality management certifications and provides a distinctive competitive edge. You will have the best career opportunities and greater market value as these certifications help you land jobs like Quality Auditor, Six Sigma quality manager, ISO 9001 Lead Auditor to name a few. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for a quality management professional in the United States is $83,150 per year. This number can vary depending on the industry, the level of experience, and the certification that the professional has.
- Slashes costs by eliminating redundancies and errors across production, materials, and processes. For example, you might be using two different software programs to do the same thing, or you might be storing materials that you no longer need. Looking for areas where you are doing the same thing twice or where you are using resources that are not essential will help you reduce wastage and costs.
- Enhance your visibility and marketability, positioning yourself for growth and new career opportunities. Gaining quality management certifications such as Certified Manager of quality or Six sigma certifications is a great way to demonstrate your skills and knowledge to potential employers. There are many different certifications available from world renowned certifying bodies like ASQ, IASSC, AAPM, etc. You can choose one that is relevant to your career goals.
Top 20 Quality Management Certifications in 2024
1. Certified Manager of Quality / Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE)
a. Overview of the Certified Manager of Quality Certification: Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE) certification is awarded by the American Society for Quality (ASQ) post successfully passing the certification exam. The exam is conducted based on skills such as leadership, organizational excellence, a broad range of quality management concepts and methodologies.
b. Skills and prerequisites required for Certified Manager of Quality certification: You must have a minimum of ten years of work experience, with at least five years of experience in a decision-making quality-related position.
c. Exam Details: The CMQ/OE certification exam is a computer-based test consisting of multiple-choice questions. The exam is timed, and candidates typically have approximately four hours to complete it. To pass the CMQ/OE examination, candidates need to achieve a minimum scaled score of 550 points out of 750.
d. Cost and Time Commitment: The cost of the CMQ/OE certification exam is $568. This includes the application fee of $70 and the exam fee of $508. The exam is held twice a year, in June and December. If you are an ASQ member, you can receive a discount on the exam fee. The discounted exam fee for ASQ members is $498.
Time commitment required for each stage of the CMQ/OE certification process varies for everyone, however you need to commit somewhere between 4-10 months to complete this objective and get certified.
e. Career Opportunities and Salary Impact: The Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE) certification offers great careers in quality management. You can become a quality manager, process improvement manager, business analyst or process improvement change agent in a leadership role.
Here are some salary ranges for CMQ/OE-certified professionals in the United States:
- Entry-level: $45,000-$60,000
- Mid-level: $60,000-$80,000
- Senior-level: $80,000-$100,000
2. Master Quality Manager (MQM)
a. Overview of the Certified Master Quality Manager Certification: If you are looking to advance your career in quality management Master Quality Manager certification is one of the ways to achieve it. It demonstrates that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to lead and manage quality improvement initiatives.
The MQM certification is offered by the American Academy of Project Management (AAPM), the Certified Project Manager Accredited Institute (CPMAI), and Informa Connect amongst few others.
b. Skills and prerequisites required for Certified Master Quality Manager certification: Prerequisites for MQM certification vary depending on the organization that offers the certification. However, almost all of the organizations have similar requirements as listed below.
- A bachelor's degree or equivalent
- At least two years of experience in quality management
Along with the above requirements, some may require you to possess a certain level of knowledge or experience in certain areas of quality management, such as statistical process control or Six Sigma.
c. Exam Details: The MQM certification exam is a multiple-choice exam that is administered online. The MQM certification exam duration is 3 hours. The passing score for the MQM exam is 70%.
d. Cost and Time Commitment: The examination cost varies depending on the organization that offers the certification. However, it typically costs between $300 to take the exam.
The time commitment required to prepare for the MQM certification depends on your experience and knowledge of quality management. However, it takes an average of about 6 months to a year for most of the aspirants.
e. Career Opportunities and Salary Impact: There are certainly a good number of opportunities for quality management professionals with Master Quality Manager Certification. Quality Manager, Continuous Improvement Specialist, Quality Assurance Manager, etc. are a few job roles available for Certified Master Quality Managers.
As Quality managers with MQM certifications, you have a good chance of increasing your salary as Quality Managers/Engineers/Consultants. As per Indeed, the average salary for Quality Managers varies from $68,000 to $128,000 per year (Indeed) in the USA.
3. Certified Supplier Quality Professional (CSQP)
a. Overview of the Certified Manager of Quality Certification: Certified Supplier Quality Professional (CSQP) is a certification provided by the American Society of Quality. This certification is designed for individuals who are involved in supplier quality management. Supplier quality managers are responsible for assessing various suppliers, selecting the ones which meet preferences and managing them.
b. Skills and prerequisites required for Certified Manager of Quality certification: You must have a minimum of eight years of on-the-job experience in one or more of the areas of the Certified Supplier Quality Professional Body of Knowledge.
c. Exam details: The CSQP examination consists of 165 multiple-choice questions for a duration of 4 and a half hours. You should score 550 out of 750 to receive the certification.
d. Cost and Time Commitment: The CSQP certification by the American Society of Quality costs $533 USD with a discount of $100 for ASQ members. On average participants spend a few weeks to a month preparing, but it varies from individual to individual.
e. Career opportunities and Salary impact: The certified supplier quality professional works with an Organization's Supply Chain and suppliers to continuously improve the performance of key system components (increase lifecycle, reduce scrap, improve repair processes) by implementing process controls and developing quality assurance plans. The certified supplier quality professional tracks data to identify improvement projects and manages the cross-functional implementation to improve the performance of key components and suppliers.
Foundational Quality Certifications
4. Certified Quality Improvement Associate (CQIA)
a. Overview of the Certified Quality Improvement Associate (CQIA) certification: The Certified Quality Improvement Associate (CQIA) certification accredited by the American Society for Quality (ASQ) is a certification suitable for professionals in the quality domain. The main objective of this certification is to train professionals on the quality improvement principles and techniques which they can apply within their organizations.
b. Skills and prerequisites required for CQIA certification: The prerequisite to taking up the CQIA certification is that you should have a basic understanding of quality improvement principles. The certification requires a minimum of 2 years of experience in a quality improvement role.
c. Exam details: The online ASQ CQIA examination consists of 110 multiple choice questions, a four-and-a-half-hour exam. 100 multiple-choice questions are scored, and 10 are unscored. You will not know whether a question is scored or not scored. It is an open-book exam. You need to score 550 marks out of 750 to get certified.
d. Cost and Time Commitment: The cost of the ASQ CQIA certification program is $422 USD with a $100 discount for ASQ members. The time commitment required to earn the CQIA certification varies depending on experience, knowledge, learning pace and skills. However, you can expect to spend a few weeks to a month.
e. Career opportunities and Salary impact: As a CQIA certificated professional you will get opportunities to work as a Quality Improvement Associate, Six Sigma Green Belt, Six Sigma consultant, etc. You will primarily be involved in process and product improvement projects. The average salary of a Certified Quality Improvement Associate can range from $35,000 to $75,000 USD.
5. Certified Quality Process Analyst (CQPA)
a. Overview of the Certified Quality Process Analyst (CQPA) certification: The Certified Quality Process Analyst (CQPA) certification is a credential offered by the American Society for Quality (ASQ). The certification is designed for individuals who have a basic understanding of quality improvement principles and who want to apply these principles to improve processes in their organizations.
b. Skills and prerequisites required for CQPA: The prerequisite for the CQPA certification is that you should have a basic understanding of quality improvement principles. The certification requires a minimum of 2 years of experience in any quality process.
c. Exam details: The online ASQ CQPA examination consists of 110 multiple choice questions, a four-and-a-half-hour exam. 100 multiple-choice questions are scored, and 10 are unscored. You will not know whether a question is scored or not scored. It is an open-book exam. You need to score 550 marks out of 750 to get certified.
d. Cost and Time Commitment: The cost of the ASQ CQPA certification program is $422 USD with a discount of $100 for ASQ members. The time commitment required to earn the CQPA certification varies depending on your individual circumstances. However, you can expect to spend a few weeks to a month.
e. Career opportunities and Salary impact: CQPAs work as analysts for quality improvement organizations. They also work as Green Belts for Six Sigma organizations. They can help to improve processes and products using the Six Sigma methodology. CQPAs can also work as consultants for businesses and help businesses to improve their processes using the Six Sigma methodology. Salaries for a CQPA can range from $35,000 to $75,000 depending on experience, industry and location.
6. Certified Calibration Technician (CCT)
a. Overview of the Certified Calibration Technician Certification: The Certified 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.
b. Skills and prerequisites required for Certified Calibration Technician Certification: You should have at least 5 years of on-the-job experience in one or more areas of the Certified Calibration Technician Body of Knowledge like the calibration procedures, verification of accuracy, compliance, etc.
c. Exam details: The CCT examination is a one-part, 135- multiple choice question exam which is conducted online for a duration of four and a half hours. The pass score is 70% minimum to get the CCT certification.
d. Cost and Time Commitment: The Certified Calibration Technician Certification exam cost is $447 USD and ASQ members can avail themselves of a discount of $100. The cost includes exam fees and training materials.
e. Career opportunities and Salary impact: As a CCT you could work across industries as an Instrument Calibration Technician, Test Equipment Calibration Technician, Electronics Calibration Technician, and Laboratory Calibration Technician to name a few. The average salary of a Certified Calibration Technician can be anywhere between $55,000 USD to $70,000 USD.
7. Certified Quality Inspector (CQI)
a. Overview of the Certified Quality Inspector (CQI): The Certified Quality Inspector is an inspector who, in support of and under the direction of quality engineers, supervisors, or technicians, can use the proven techniques included in the body of knowledge. Under professional direction, the quality inspector evaluates hardware documentation, performs laboratory procedures, inspects products, measures process performance, records data and prepares formal reports.
b. Skills and prerequisites required for Certified Quality Inspector certification: Two years of work experience in mechanical inspection or a related field, or successful completion of an ASQ-approved accredited technical/apprenticeship training course.
c. Exam details: The CQI certification is an online exam that consists of 110 multiple-choice questions. The exam must be completed within four and a half hours. The passing score for the Quality Inspector exam is 550/750 marks. After passing the exam, candidates must complete the practical application which involves submitting samples of their work to ASQ for review.
d. Cost and Time Commitment: For non-members, the cost is $447 USD with a $100 discount for ASQ members. The cost includes both the online exam and the practical application fee. The time required to complete the certification varies depending on your learning pace, work experience, and skill sets.
e. Career opportunities and Salary impact: Quality Control Inspector, Quality Inspector, Quality Test Specialist, and Quality Auditor are a few of the job roles available for professionals with quality Inspector certification.
f. Salary: Salaries range from $35,000 USD to $94,000 USD depending on the job role, industry experience, skill set, and location.
8. Certified Quality Technician (CQT)
a. Overview of the Certified Quality Technician Certification: The Certified Quality Technician (CQT) Certification offered by ASQ caters to professionals from the Quality Control domain. As Certified Quality Technicians, you will be responsible for performing various quality-related tasks, including inspection, testing, calibration, data collection, data analysis, and documentation.
b. Skills and prerequisites required for Certified Quality Technician Certification: You need to have a minimum of 4 years of on-the-job experience in one or more of the areas of the Certified Quality Technician Body of Knowledge.
c. Exam details: The ASQ Certified Quality Technician examination consists of 110 multiple-choice questions. The exam duration is four-and-a-half hours. You need to score 550 marks out of 750 to get certified. The questions will be asked from the ASQ Certified Calibration Technician Certification Body of Knowledge.
d. Cost and Time Commitment: The ASQ CQT Exam cost is $447 with a $100 discount for ASQ members. The time to complete the certification could vary from a few weeks to months depending on your skills, learning pace, and experience.
e. Career opportunities and Salary impact: As a Certified Quality Technician, you have the possibilities of working as a Quality Technician, Quality Inspector, Quality Assurance Technician etc. Average salary could range from $35,000 USD to $75,000 USD based on the experience, job role, industry and location.
9. Certified Quality Engineer (CQE)
a. Overview of the Certified Quality Engineer Certification: Quality engineers are professionals from the quality control domain who use multiple methods to identify and correct ineffective quality control procedures. This can involve developing quality control systems, testing products and analyzing the results to maximize product quality. The ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) exam is a professional certification examination offered by the American Society for Quality (ASQ) specifically to quality engineers. This certification assesses the candidate's knowledge and understanding of quality engineering principles and practices.
b. Skills and prerequisites required for Certified Quality Engineer Certification: To be eligible for the ASQ CQE exam, you must have eight years of on-the-job experience in at least one area of the Certified Quality Engineer Handbook, Third Edition. Also, you must have at least three years of decision-making position experience.
c. Exam Details: The Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) examination consists of 175 multiple-choice questions, and it is a five-and-a-half-hour exam. You need 550 marks out of 750 to get certified. ASQ offers the CQE exam in two formats: computer-based testing (CBT) at designated testing centers and remotely proctored online exams that can be taken from home or another suitable location.
d. Cost and Time Commitment: The ASQ CQE exam fee is $533 USD with a discount of $ 100 USD ASQ members. This included exam costs and training materials.
The time required to prepare for the ASQ CQE exam varies depending on your background, experience, and familiarity with the CQE Body of Knowledge. Most candidates spend several months studying and preparing for the exam, with a minimum of 100 to 150 hours of dedicated study time recommended.
e. Career opportunities and Salary impact: As a certified Quality Engineer, you will be able to get exciting job opportunities in various industries like manufacturing, Pharma, Aviation, and Energy industry. Typical job roles of a CQT are Quality Assurance Engineer, Quality Manager, Quality Inspector, Process Improvement Engineer, etc.
f. Salary: Salaries can vary from $37,000 to $ 75,000 USD based on your experience, role, industry and location.
Six Sigma Quality Certifications
Six Sigma certifications are professional credentials that validate your knowledge and expertise in the Six Sigma principles and methodologies. A few of the top Six Sigma certification providers are Council for Six Sigma Certification (CSSC), the American Society for Quality (ASQ), and International Association for Six Sigma Certification (IASSC). There are various certification training providers which offer top-rated Six Sigma certification programs. One such online training platform is KnowledgeHut which provides Green Belt Six Sigma Certification.
10. Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB)
a. Overview of the Black Belt Certification/Why we choose it: The Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB) certification is a prestigious designation that signifies a high level of expertise in the Six Sigma methodology. It is aimed at professionals who are experienced in process improvement and possess the skills to lead and execute complex Six Sigma projects. As a Black Belt, you will be equipped with the tools and knowledge to drive significant improvements and deliver measurable results within your organization.
b. Skills and Prerequisites Required for CSSBB certification: To pursue the Six Sigma Black Belt Certification, you should have a solid understanding of the Six Sigma principles and methodologies, as well as practical experience in leading process improvement projects. While there are no specific prerequisites, having prior experience as a Green Belt or relevant work experience can be beneficial.
c. Exam Details: The CSSBB certification exam evaluates your proficiency in Six Sigma tools, methodologies, and statistical analysis. It typically consists of 150 to 200 multiple-choice questions and is designed to assess your ability to apply Six Sigma concepts to real-world scenarios.
d. Cost and Time Commitment: The cost for the Certified Six Sigma Black Belt is $438 for its members and $538 for non–members. The retake fee is $338. The Council for Six Sigma Certification (CSSC) offers three different levels of Black Belt certification. The basic level costs $229, while Black Belt Level 2 and Black Belt Level 3 cost an additional $300 each. The IASSC offers the Six Sigma Black Belt certification for $395, with no prerequisites required to take the exam.
Preparing for the CSSBB certification requires a significant time commitment, typically ranging from 3 to 6 months. It involves comprehensive study, hands-on project work, and practical application of Six Sigma principles.
e. Career Opportunities and Salary Impact: The CSSBB certification can open doors to a wide range of career opportunities, including Process Improvement Manager, Quality Control Manager, and Business Process Improvement Consultant. With this certification, you can often expect higher salary potential due to your expertise in driving process excellence. The average salary of Six Sigma Black Belt varies from $80,000 to $95,000 USD depending on the industry and job role.
11. Certified Six Sigma Green Belt (CSSGB)
a. Overview of the Green Belt Certification/Why We Choose It: The Certified Six Sigma Green Belt certification is the intermediate level of the Six Sigma certifications offered by the Six Sigma Institute. In the Green Belt certification, your knowledge of the DMAIC methodology is tested. Your knowledge of the various data analysis skills used for six sigma projects will also be gauged.
b. Skills and prerequisites required for CSSGB certification: The CSSGB certification requires.
- A minimum of 2 years of experience in a quality-related role.
- Basic knowledge of Six Sigma principles is essential before you take the Green Belt certification. Having a White Belt or Yellow Belt certification will be an added advantage.
- A Green Belt mainly analyses data and works on finding solutions to problems. Having strong analytical skills and the ability to approach challenges systematically will be invaluable in your role.
c. Exam Details: The CSSGB certification exam typically consists of 50 multiple-choice questions to be completed in a duration of 2 hours. It is an online test that can be taken from anywhere. The exam assesses candidates' knowledge of Six Sigma tools, the DMAIC process, statistical analysis, and their ability to apply these concepts to real-world scenarios. The passing score for the CSSGB certification is 60%.
d. Cost and Time Commitment: The cost of the Certified Six Sigma Green Belt certification varies depending on the organization that offers the certification. The Six Sigma Green Belt certification cost by ASQ is $438 for non-members and $338 for members, with a retake fee of $238. The certification cost through the IASSC is $295. The cost of the certification also includes access to the training materials, such as the ASQ's Six Sigma Green Belt Body of Knowledge.
The time commitment required to prepare for the CSSGB certification exam depends on the individual's prior knowledge and experience. Generally, candidates spend two to seven weeks studying and completing training programs to be adequately prepared for the exam.
e. Career Opportunities and Salary Impact: Organizations that value quality are always on the lookout for Six Sigma-certified professionals. You could be a Process Improvement Specialist or a Quality Analyst with a Green Belt certification. Having a Green Belt certification puts you at an advantage in terms of job prospects. The average salary of Six Sigma Green Belt varies from $60,000 to $85,000 USD depending on the industry, your experience, and the job role.
12. Certified Six Sigma Yellow Belt (CSSYB)
a. Overview of the Yellow Belt Certification/Why We Choose It: The Certified Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certification is the second level in the Six Sigma certifications. As per my knowledge, it is an added advantage if you complete the white belt certification or have a foundational understanding of Six Sigma principles if you are considering the yellow belt certification. This helps you in the next step of your Six Sigma journey. As a Six Sigma Yellow Belt professional, you actively participate in process improvement projects, impacting optimization and efficiency.
b. Skills and prerequisites required for CSSYB certification: I highly recommend that you complete the CSSWB certification or have a foundational understanding of Six Sigma principles if you're considering pursuing the Certified Six Sigma Yellow Belt (CSSYB) certification. This helps you in the next step of your Six Sigma journey.
c. Exam details: The CSSYB certification exam typically consists of multiple-choice questions, evaluating candidates' knowledge of Six Sigma fundamentals and their ability to apply them in practical scenarios.
d. Cost and Time Commitment: The Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certification cost through ASQ is $394 for non-members and $294 for members. Applicants can retake the exam through the ASQ for $184. Taking the Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certification through the IASSC will cost $195 and $99 through the CSSC.
Preparing for the CSSYB certification will require dedication and effort, usually involving around three weeks of study and preparation.
e. Career opportunities and Salary impact: Earning the CSSYB certification will boost your resume and demonstrate your commitment to continuous improvement and process optimization. It opens doors to various career opportunities, such as process improvement analyst, quality assurance specialist, among others. Yellow Belt Certification may not directly impact your salary but is definitely a plus point to your career.
13. Certified Master Black Belt (CMBB)
a. Overview of the Master Black Belt Certification/Why we choose it: The Certified Six Sigma Master Black Belt (CSSMBB) certification is the highest level of expertise in the Six Sigma methodology. It is designed for experienced professionals who have a deep understanding of advanced Six Sigma tools, methodologies, and statistical analysis. As a Master Black Belt, you will be the go-to person for driving continuous improvement, mentoring Black Belts and Green Belts, and implementing strategic initiatives.
b. Skills and Prerequisites Required: To pursue the CSSMBB certification, you must typically hold a Black Belt or equivalent certification, have a minimum of 5 years of experience in Six Sigma and a minimum of 2 years of experience in a leadership role and demonstrate a strong track record of successful project implementations.
c. Exam Details: The ASQ Master Black Belt exam covers 110 multiple-choice questions. The duration of the exam is 5 hours. To receive the certification, you should score 550 points out of a possible 750. The Exam consists of multiple-choice and true/false questions from the major sections of ASQ Six Sigma Black Belt Body of Knowledge.
The CSSC Six Sigma Master Black Belt Certification exam consists of 150 questions. It is an open-book format examination, and you will have 4 hours to complete. The Exam consists of multiple-choice and true/false questions from the major sections of CSSC Six Sigma Black Belt Body of Knowledge. You will have to achieve a 90% score to get the certification.
d. Cost and Time Commitment: The cost of the CSSMBB certification also varies depending on the organization offering the certification. ASQ offers the certification at a cost of $2,124 for members and $2,229 for non-members. The cost of taking the certification from CSSC is $665 USD. The cost also includes the project review fee.
Preparing for the CSSMBB certification requires a significant time commitment. You should be prepared to invest six to nine months to study and master the practical application of advanced concepts.
f. Career Opportunities and Salary Impact: The CSSMBB certification opens exceptional career opportunities. As a Master Black Belt, you will take on senior leadership roles, like Director of Six Sigma, Senior Business Improvement Specialist, or lead large-scale organizational transformations. With this certification, you can command higher salaries due to your specialized skills and expertise. A Master Black Belt usually gets a salary of S100,000 to $120,000 USD based on the job role, experience, and industry.
Auditing Quality Certifications
14. Certified Food Safety and Quality Auditor (CFSQA)
a. Overview of the Certified Food Safety and Quality Auditor Certification: The Certified Food Safety and Quality Auditor (CFSQA) offered by the ASQ provides this certification to food industry professionals responsible for checking the quality of the food products against defined quality standards set by the Food Safety and HACCP. The CFSQA certification equips you with tools and techniques to check the system’s adequacy and screen out shortcomings.
b. Skills and prerequisites required for the Certified Food Safety and Quality Auditor: Candidate must have at least 5-year job experience in any one or more than one area of certified food safety and quality auditor Body of Knowledge like Food Safety Management Systems, Food Quality Auditing, etc. Also, a minimum of 1-year of a decision-making role in the job.
c. Exam Details: The exam is an online multiple-choice proctored exam consisting of 145 questions. The duration to complete the exam is four and a half hours. You should get a score of 70% mandatory to receive the CFSQA certification.
d. Cost and Time Commitment: To take the certification, it will cost you $533 USD with a discount of $100 if you an ASQ member. You could take a minimum of a few weeks to months to complete the certification based on your learning pace, knowledge, and skills.
e. Career opportunities and Salary impact: Food Safety Auditor, Food Safety Manager, Quality Auditor, and Quality Manager are a few job roles that are designated to Certified Food and Safety Quality Auditors. The average salary could be anywhere between $50,00 USD to $120,000 USD based on designation level, experience, location, etc.
15. Certified Medical Device Auditor (CMDA)
a. Overview of the Certified Medical Device Auditor Certification: The Certified Medical Device Auditor is a professional who understands the principles of standards, regulations, directives, and guidance for auditing a medical device system by using various tools and techniques to examine, question, evaluate, and report on that system's adequacies and deficiencies. A medical device auditor analyzes all elements of the medical device and reports on how well it adheres to the criteria for management and control of process safety.
b. Skills and prerequisites required for Certified Medical Device Auditor Certification: It is mandatory for you to have 5 Years of on-the-job experience in one or more areas of the Certified Medical Device Auditor Body of Knowledge like conducting audits, conducting technical reviews, testing devices to meet compliances, etc.
c. Exam Details: The exam is an online multiple-choice proctored exam consisting of 145 questions. The duration to complete the exam is four and a half hours. You should get a score of 70% mandatory to receive the CMDA certification.
d. Cost and Time Commitment: This certification will cost you $533 USD with a discount of $100 if you are an ASQ member. You could take a minimum of a few weeks to months to complete the certification based on your learning pace, knowledge, and skills.
e. Career opportunities and Salary impact: Certified Medical Device Auditor has huge demand in medical device manufacturing. Medical Device Quality Auditor, Medical Device Compliance Auditor, Medical Device Supply Auditor etc. are a few job roles designated for CMDA. You could earn anywhere between $39,000 USD to $120,000 USD.
16. Certified Pharmaceutical GMP Professional (CPGP)
a. Overview of the Certified Pharmaceutical GMP Professional Certification: The Certified Pharmaceutical GMP Professional understands good manufacturing practices (GMP) as regulated and guided by national and international agencies for the pharmaceutical industry. It covers finished human and veterinary drugs and biologics, ectoparasitic ides, and dietary supplements (alternatively called nutraceuticals) where regulated as drug products, as well as their component raw materials (including active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and excipients), and packaging, and labeling operations.
b. Skills and prerequisites required for Pharmaceutical GMP Professional Certification: 5 Years of on-the-job experience in one or more areas of the Certified Pharmaceutical GMP Body of Knowledge.
c. Exam Details: The exam is an online multiple-choice proctored exam consisting of 165 questions. The duration to complete the exam is four and a half hours. You should get a score of 70% mandatory to receive the CMDA certification.
d. Cost and Time Commitment: To take the certification, it will cost you $533 USD with a discount of $100 if you an ASQ member. You could take a minimum of a few weeks to months to complete the certification based on your learning pace, knowledge, and skills.
e. Career opportunities and Salary impact: To give you examples you could work as a Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Specialist, Pharmaceutical Validation Specialist, or Pharmaceutical Documentation Specialist to name a few. You could earn anywhere between $75,000 USD to $200,000 USD depending on your role, work experience, and organization.
17. Certified Quality Auditor (CQA)
a. Overview of the Certified Quality Auditor: The Certified Quality Auditor is a professional who understands the standards and principles of auditing and the auditing techniques of examining, questioning, evaluating and reporting to determine a quality system's adequacy and deficiencies. The Certified 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.
b. Skills and prerequisites required for Certified Quality Auditor certification: 8 Years of on-the-job experience in one or more of the areas of the Certified Quality Auditor Body of Knowledge.
c. Exam Details: The exam is an online multiple-choice proctored exam consisting of 165 questions. The duration to complete the exam is four and a half hours. You should get a score of 70% mandatory to receive the CMDA certification.
d. Cost and Time Commitment: To take the certification, it will cost you $533 USD with a discount of $100 if you are an ASQ member. You could take a minimum of a few weeks to months to complete the certification based on your learning pace, knowledge, and skills.
e. Career opportunities and Salary impact: As a certified Quality Auditor, you have the vast opportunity to work across industries as Lead Quality Auditor, Quality Assurance Auditor, Internal Auditor, Supplier Quality, etc. Auditor. You could be paid anywhere between $70,000 to $120,000 USD as your yearly salary.
18. ISO 9001:2015 Lead Auditor
a. Overview of the ISO 9001:2015 Lead Auditor Certification: ISO 9001 Lead Auditor Certification is a certification program that provides professionals with the knowledge and skills to audit an organization’s Quality Management System (QMS) in based on the ISO 9001:2015 standard. The certification is designed for individuals who are responsible for conducting internal or external audits of QMSs, as well as those who wish to pursue a career in auditing.
b. Skills and prerequisites required for ISO 9001:2015 Lead Auditor certification: When considering ISO 9001:2015 Lead Auditor certification, be sure to research the specific qualifications required for your desired certification. Different certifications may require different qualifications, such as experience in a particular industry or knowledge of certain audit standards.
c. Exam details: There will be a multiple-choice questions exam of 100 marks. You need to score a minimum of 60 marks to receive the certification. In case the participant does not score the passing percentage, then they will be granted a second attempt at no additional cost. Re-examination can be taken up to 30 days from the date of the first exam attempt.
d. Cost and Time Commitment: The certification process typically takes between four and six weeks depending on the individual's availability and commitment. It involves completing an online course, taking an online exam, attending a two-day classroom training session, and passing a written exam. The cost of ISO 9001 Lead Auditor Certification varies depending on the provider but typically ranges from $1,500 - $2,500 USD.
e. Career opportunities and Salary impact: A few of the job roles designated to Certified ISO 9001:2015 Lead Auditors are Quality Management System (QMS) Auditor, Compliance Manager, Regulatory Affairs Specialist, etc. These professionals are responsible for implementing a Quality Management System that complies with the requirements of ISO 9001:2015. They are also involved in planning and performing QMS audits.
As a Certified ISO 9001:2015 Lead Auditor, you have the potential of earning anywhere between $50,000 USD to $98,000 USD.
Engineering Quality Certifications
19. Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE)
a. Overview of the Certified Reliability Engineer Certification: A Certified Reliability Engineer is a professional who understands the principles of performance evaluation and prediction to improve product/systems safety, reliability and maintainability.
b. Skills and prerequisites required for Certified Reliability Engineer certification: 8 Years of on-the-job experience in one or more of the areas of the Certified Reliability Body of Knowledge like design review and control, prediction, estimation, apportionment methodology, failure mode effects, and analysis, etc.
c. Exam details: The exam for the certification is a 4-and-a-half-hour duration online test. You will have to answer multiple-choice 165 questions. The passing score is 550 out of 750 questions.
d. Cost and Time Commitment: The cost of the CSQE certification is $533 USD with a discount of $100 for ASQ members. You could take anywhere between a few weeks to months to complete the certification based on your learning pace, experience and skill set.
e. Career opportunities and Salary impact: As a Certified Reliability Engineer, you could work in various industries like Automotive, Electronics, manufacturing, etc. as Senior Reliability Engineer, Quality and Reliability Engineer, Product Reliability Engineer, or System Reliability Engineer to name a few. Your salary could range anywhere from $95,000 to $1,65,000 USD.
20. Certified Software Quality Engineer (CSSQE)
a. Overview of the Certified Manager of Quality Certification: The Certified Software Quality Engineer (CSQE) offered by ASQ is an advanced level certification in the software development and quality assurance field. CSQE-certified professionals play a critical role in the software development lifecycle. Their responsibilities include evaluating and implementing quality assurance practices, conducting inspections, identifying defects, and ensuring that software products meet the required standards.
b. Skills and prerequisites required for Certified Manager of Quality certification: To enroll in the certification, you must have a minimum of 8 years of 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.
c. Exam details: The exam for the certification is a 4-and-a-half-hour duration online test. You will have to answer multiple-choice 175 questions. The passing score is 550 out of 750 questions.
d. Cost and Time Commitment: The cost of the CSQE certification is $533 USD with a discount of $100 for ASQ members. You could take anywhere between a few weeks to months to complete the certification based on your learning pace, experience and skill set.
e. Career opportunities and Salary impact: Software Quality Engineer, Software Quality Assurance Engineer, Software Configuration Management Specialist, etc. are a few job roles available for the Certified Software Quality Engineer. The salary of a Software Quality Engineer can be anywhere between $75,00 USD to $90,000 USD based on various factors.
How to Choose the Right Quality Management Certification for You
Choosing the best quality management certification online that aligns with your career goals and industry requirements is highly crucial. Here are some steps to help you make the right choice:
- Explore various quality management certifications list available. Understand their scope, content, and relevance to your field.
- Choose a certification that complements your career path.
- Review the prerequisites for each certification, including education, work experience, and training, to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria.
- Choose online quality management certifications from reputable organizations with accreditation and global recognition.
- Evaluate the availability of study materials, training programs, and resources provided by certification bodies. Also, look for certification programs like KnowledgeHut’s Quality Management Courses which offer a variety of quality management certification courses online.
- Consider the cost of QM certificates, including training fees, study materials, and exam fees.
- Ensure the certification is relevant to your industry and recognized by employers in your field.
- Research how the certification can enhance your career prospects and open up opportunities for growth and advancement.
Maintaining Quality Management Certifications
To maintain your quality management certification, it is very important that you keep yourself updated with the latest developments. Attending workshops, conferences and short training programs keeps you updated and relevant. I recommend you join quality management forums to build a strong network and exchange knowledge with peers.
By applying the knowledge and skills you gained in your certification on your job, you will be able to use your certification for the benefit of the company.
Institutes like AS, AISSC, Six Sigma Institute, etc. offer recertification after a period to professionals to upgrade their knowledge and skills in their specific domain. These recertifications will help you stay in the competition.
Conclusion
Choosing the best available certification for quality management that is aligned with your career goals will help you stay competent and relevant in the quality management domain. My concluding thoughts are that any quality management certification you choose will always offer you opportunities to grow in your career and gain knowledge and industry recognition. Certifications will not only give you new and better career opportunities but also make you an invaluable asset to organizations.
