ASQ Certification Preparation Resources

This is a link to the Question Banks and Certification training sessions offered by ASQ.  I am sharing this because with all of the changes to the Certification exams, there have been additional questions about the resources used to prepare for these exams.

http://asq.org/training/topic/certification-asq.html

For comparison purposes, please find below a sample of ASQ Certifications with their associated costs for Question Banks (practice questions) and Training.  This is not an all-inclusive list, but intended as a benchmark against which to compare similar offers you may encounter.  There is no "right price", and costs will vary according to instructor rate and facility rental charges.  Just ensure that your money is going to substance, not elegant lunches or impressive corporate rental space; for example, learning about Design of Experiments is equally effective over cold sandwiches in a modest classroom as it would be over tapas and hors d'oeuvres in leather chairs at the Yacht Club.

 

Certification	Level	Recertification Required	Question Bank (member discount $10 USD)	ASQ HQ Training (member discount $100 USD)
Certified Quality Technician	Practitioner	None	USD 99	USD 399
Certified Six Sigma Green Belt	Practitioner	None	USD 99	USD 599
Certified Lean Bronze	Practitioner	None	USD 99	USD 679
Certified Reliability Engineer	Professional	Every 3 years	USD 99	USD 699
Certified HACCP Auditor	Professional	Every 3 years	USD 99	USD 699
Certified Manager of Quality/ Organizational Excellence	Professional	Every 3 years	USD 99	USD 699

In general, the determining factors should be Cost Recovery and Return on Investment.  For these open-book exams, obviously self-study and a library card would provide the least expensive option.  However to improve the chances of success, a study regimen that includes a training course and practice questions is strongly recommended.

I also want to extend a personal caution of prudence with respect to time and money invested. 

- Only pursue exams and certifications for which you meet the minimum qualifications for work experience and body of knowledge proficiency.  The ASQ certifications are intended to reinforce existing capabilities for peer recognition.

- ASQ is not (USA Presidential candidate who shall not be named) University.  Don't max out your credit cards just to pay for training.  Work within your discretionary budget and where possible, use the buddy system to share notes and references.  Also connect with people who have previously taken the same exam to reuse their study materials.

- Training does not guarantee certification success, nor subsequent career growth and prosperity.  Training should elaborate and amplify the Quality Body of Knowledge with explanations and examples.  At best, it is part of an overall strategic approach to certification and knowledge enhancement.  Don't be oversold; manage your expectations accordingly.

- Support training with frequent and ongoing mentorship.  As a mentor, I have provided protégés with explanations, materials, and study tips without demanding cost for time or travel.  This is also a good reason to frequent ASQ events, in order to reconnect with mentors.

As a long-term ASQ member, I want to be part of a professional society populated with dedicated and thriving members who possess multiple ASQ certifications, at both the practitioner and professional levels.  If someone spends $$$$ just to get their first practitioner level credential, which won't actually lead to a lucrative management position, the promise and potential of ASQ certifications will not be realized.  Overspending leads to dissatisfaction, disengagement, attrition, and the decline of our profession. 

A better approach is to set a maximum ratio of training budget per certification ($1000 per exam) and look for creative ways to work within that allotment.  This will enable a long-term member to create and sustain an impressive portfolio of credentials, spanning practitioner and professional ASQ certifications, and making for a versatile and fully capable Quality resource.