Certifications
The ASQ offers a variety of professional certifications relating to various aspects of the quality profession. Tests are given nationally and, to a limited degree, worldwide several times per year. The body of knowledge for each certification is maintained through peer review every few years on a rotating schedule. The first ASQ certification was offered in 1968.
All certifications listed are from this reference unless noted.
| Year created | Certification | ASQ initials | Covers | Comments | Other reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Engineer | CQE | Principle of product and service, quality evaluation, and control. | ||
| 1970 | Technician | CQT | Quality problem, analysis, inspection sampling plans and statistical process control applications. | ||
| 1972 | Reliability Engineer | CRE | Principles of performance evaluation for product and system safety, reliability, and maintainability. | ||
| 1984 | Inspector | CQI | Hardware documentation, lab, and calibration procedures, inspection, process performance, data collection, and reports. | Initially known as mechanical inspector. | |
| 1987 | Auditor | CQA | Standards and principles of auditing, questions, evaluations and reports for quality system adequacy. | ||
| 1995 | Manager | CMQ/OE (CQM: 1995-2005) | Champions process improvement initiatives and supports strategic planning and deployment initiatives. | Changed to Certified Manager of Quality/ Organizational Excellence in 2006 to reflect the broader scope of the quality manager's position. | |
| 1996 | Software Quality Engineer | CSQE | Development of software processes, measurement, verification, and validation, analytical methods, and quality management. | ||
| 1996 | CQA-HACCP | CHA since 2004 | Developed to test applicants knowledge of the HACCP standards. | Changed to Certified HACCP Auditor in 2004. | |
| 2000 | Improvement Associate | CQIA | Designed to test basic knowledge of quality tools and their uses, along with involvement in quality improvement projects. | ||
| 2001 | Six Sigma Black Belt | CSSBB | To demonstrate competency in Six Sigma methods. | ||
| 2002 | CQA-biomedical | CBA since 2005. | Understands principles of standards, regulations, directives, and guidance for auditing a biomedical system. | Changed to Certified Biomedical Auditor in 2005. | |
| 2003 | Calibration Technician | CCT | Tests, maintains, and repairs electrical, mechanical, electromechanical, analytical, and electronic measuring/ recording equipment for conformance to established standards. | ||
| 2005 | Process Analyst | CQPA | Paraprofessional who analyzes and solves quality problems and is quality improvement projects. | ||
| 2006 | Six Sigma Green Belt | CSSGB | Paraprofessional who works with process development and documentation, collects, and summarizes data, and creates, and intreprets multivar studies. | ||
| 2009 | Pharmaceutical good manufacturing practices professional certification | CPGP | Tests applicant knowledge of principles as regulated and guided by national and international agencies. | ||
| 2010 | Six Sigma Master Black Belt | CMBB | To demonstrate master competency in six sigma methodology. |
In a 2008 press release for the 40th anniversary of ASQ's certifications, the three most popular were the engineer (CQE), followed closely by the auditor (CQA) and the Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB).
Read more about this topic: American Society For Quality
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