ASQ certifications are highly regarded in the field of quality management and provide professionals with recognition and validation of their expertise. ASQ regularly updates its certification exams to ensure they remain relevant, aligned with industry standards, and reflect the evolving needs of quality professionals.
In this blog post, we will explore the importance of ASQ certifications, discuss the need for exam updates, and delve into the recent changes made to ASQ certification exams. We will also provide valuable insights and strategies to help you effectively prepare for the updated exams and highlight the resources and support available from ASQ.
Whether you are a quality professional looking to advance your career or an aspiring quality practitioner seeking to establish your credentials, understanding the recent updates to ASQ certification exams is crucial to staying current in the field. So let’s dive in and explore the exciting updates that ASQ has implemented to enhance the certification experience and ensure its continued value in the ever-evolving landscape of quality management.
Recent ASQ Certification – March 2024 Exam Update
ASQ (American Society for Quality) is committed to maintaining the relevance and value of its certification programs. As the field of quality management continues to evolve, ASQ periodically updates its certification exams to ensure they reflect the latest industry practices, methodologies, and technologies. Here are some of the recent updates that have been made to the ASQ certification exams:
1. Updated Body of Knowledge (BoK): Certified Supplier Quality Professional (CSQP)
ASQ has revised the content of its certification exams to align with the updated Body of Knowledge for the Certified Supplier Quality Professional (CSQP) exam. The BoK represents the comprehensive knowledge and skills required for professionals in a specific quality discipline. The updates reflect changes in industry trends, emerging practices, and the evolving role of quality professionals. This update will start effective from September 1, 2023.
Updated Course Outline:
- Supplier Strategy (20 Questions)
- Risk Management (19 Questions)
- Supplier Selection and Part Qualification (27 Questions)
- Supplier Performance Monitoring, and Improvement (29 Questions)
- Supplier Quality Management (26 Questions)
- Relationship Management (16 Questions)
- Business Governance, Ethics, and Compliance (13 Questions)
2. Exam Course Outline Update: Certified Manager of Quality/ Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE)
ASQ has restructured the exam domains to better reflect the key areas of knowledge and competencies required for each certification. This ensures that the exams cover a wide range of topics and accurately assess the candidate’s proficiency in different aspects of quality management.
Previous Course Outline:
- Leadership (25 Questions)
- Strategic Plan Development and Deployment (18 Questions)
- Management Elements and Methods (30 Questions)
- Quality Management Tools (30 Questions)
- Customer-Focused Organizations (17 Questions)
- Supply Chain Management (15 Questions)
- Training and Development (15 Questions)
- Leadership (28 Questions)
- Strategic Plan Development and Deployment (22 Questions)
- Management Elements and Methods (31 Questions)
- Quality Management Tools (30 Questions)
- Customer-Focused Organizations (21 Questions)
- Supply Chain Management (17 Questions)
- Training and Development (16 Questions)
3. Updated Course Outline: Certified Software Quality Engineer (CSQE)
ASQ has issued news for course outline updates for the Certified Software Quality Engineer (CSQE) exam. The outline will update on December 1, 2023.
Updated Course Outline:
- General Knowledge (16 questions)
- Software Quality Management(27 questions)
- System and Software Engineering Processes(32 questions)
- Project Management (16 questions)
- Software Metrics and Analysis(21 questions)
- Software Verification and Validation (32 questions)
- Software Configuration Management (16 questions)
4. Modification in Course Outline for Six Sigma Exams
ASQ has modified the exam domains to better reflect the key areas of knowledge and competencies required for each certification.
Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB):
Previous Course Outline:
1. Organization-wide Planning and Deployment (12 questions)
2. Organizational Process Management
3. Measures (10 questions)
4. Team Management (18 Questions)
5. Define Phase (20 Questions)
6. Measure Phase (25 Questions)
7. Analyze Phase (22 Questions)
8. Improve Phase (21 Questions)
9. Control Phase (15 Questions)
10. Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) Framework and Methodologies (7 Questions)
Updated Course Outline:
- Organization-Wide Planning and Deployment (12 Questions)
- Organizational Process Management and Measures (12 Questions)
- Team Management (15 Questions)
- Define (20 Questions)
- Measure (25 Questions)
- Analyze (22 Questions)
- Improve (21 Questions)
- Control (17 Questions)
- Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) Framework and Methodologies (6 Questions)
Six Sigma Green Belt (CSSGB):
Previous Course Outline:
- Learning about Six Sigma and the Organization (13 Questions)
- Understanding Defining Phase (23 Questions)
- Understanding Measuring Phase (23 Questions)
- Understanding Analyze Phase (15 Questions)
- Understanding Improve Phase (15 Questions)
- Understanding Control Phase (11 Questions)
Updated Course Outline:
- Overview: Six Sigma and the Organization (11 Questions)
- Define Phase (20 Questions)
- Measure Phase (20 Questions)
- Analyze Phase (18 Questions)
- Improve Phase (16 Questions)
- Control Phase (15 Questions)
Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certification (CSSYB):
Previous Course Outline:
- Introduction to concept DMAIC
- Learn about Defining phase
- Learn about Measuring phase
- Learn about Controlling phase
Updated Course Outline:
- Six Sigma Fundamentals (20 Questions)
- Define Phase (14 Questions)
- Measure Phase (15 Questions)
- Analyze Phase (17 Questions)
- Improve and Control Phases (14 Questions)
5. Changes in the domain: Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) Exam
ASQ has domain updates for the Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) Exam.
Previous Course Outline:
- Auditing Fundamentals (27 Questions)
- Audit Process (42 Questions)
- Auditor Competencies (25 Questions)
- Audit Program Management and Business Applications (30 Questions)
- Quality Tools and Techniques (26 Questions)
Updated Course Outline:
- Auditing Fundamentals (28 Questions)
- Audit Process (44 Questions)
- Auditor Competencies (24 Questions)
- Audit Program Management and Business Applications (30 Questions)
- Quality Tools and Techniques (24 Questions)
Overview of the ASQ Exam
ASQ (American Society for Quality) offers a comprehensive range of certifications that validate the knowledge, skills, and expertise of professionals in the field of quality management. ASQ certifications are highly regarded worldwide and demonstrate an individual’s commitment to quality excellence. Here is an overview of the different certification programs offered by ASQ:
| Certification Exam | Code | Level | Course Outline |
| Certified Manager of Quality/ Organizational Excellence | CMQ/OE | Management | Leadership (28 Questions) Strategic Plan Development and Deployment (22 Questions) Management Elements and Methods (31 Questions) Quality Management Tools (30 Questions) Customer-Focused Organizations (21 Questions) Supply Chain Management (17 Questions) Training and Development (16 Questions) |
| Certified Supplier Quality Professional | CSQP | Management | Supplier Strategy (20 Questions) Risk Management (19 Questions) Supplier Selection and Part Qualification (27 Questions) Supplier Performance Monitoring, and Improvement (29 Questions) Supplier Quality Management (26 Questions) Relationship Management (16 Questions) Business Governance, Ethics, and Compliance (13 Questions) |
| Certified Quality Improvement Associate | CQIA | Foundational Quality | Quality Basics (30 Questions) Team Basics (16 Questions) Improvement (40 Questions) Customer Relationship (7 Questions) Supplier Relationship (7 Questions) |
| Certified Quality Process Analyst | CQPA | Foundational Quality | Quality Concepts and Team Dynamics (20 Questions) Quality Tools and Process Improvement Techniques (26 Questions) Data Analysis (33 Questions) Customer-Supplier Relations (13 Questions) Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) (8 Questions) |
| Certified Calibration Technician | CCT | Inspector/Technician | General Metrology (30 questions) Measurement Systems (26 questions) Calibration Systems (30 questions) Measurement Uncertainty and Applied Math (24 questions) Quality Systems and Standards (15 questions) |
| Certified Quality Inspector | CQI | Inspector/Technician | Technical Mathematics (19 Questions) Metrology (26 Questions) Inspection and Test (33 Questions) Quality Assurance (22 Questions) |
| Certified Quality Technician | CQT | Inspector/Technician | Quality Concepts and Tools (18 Questions) Statistical Techniques (17 Questions) Metrology and Calibration (18 Questions) Inspection and Test (23 Questions) Quality Audits (12 Questions) Risk Management (12 Questions) |
| Certified Quality Engineer | CQE | Engineering | Management and Leadership (17 Questions) The Quality System (18 Questions) Product, Process, and Service Design (23 Questions) Product and Process Control (25 Questions) Continuous Improvement (27 Questions) Quantitative Methods and Tools (36 Questions) |
| Certified Reliability Engineer | CRE | Engineering | Reliability Fundamentals (25 questions) Risk Management (25 questions) Probability and Statistics for Reliability (35 questions) Reliability Planning, Testing, and Modeling (35 questions) Life-Cycle Reliability (30 questions) |
| Certified Software Quality Engineer | CSQE | Engineering | General Knowledge (16 questions) Software Quality Management(27 questions) System and Software Engineering Processes(32 questions) Project Management (16 questions) Software Metrics and Analysis(21 questions) Software Verification and Validation (32 questions) Software Configuration Management (16 questions) |
| Certified Six Sigma Black Belt | CSSBB | Six Sigma | Organization-Wide Planning and Deployment (12 Questions) Organizational Process Management and Measures (12 Questions) Team Management (15 Questions) Define (20 Questions) Measure (25 Questions) Analyze (22 Questions) Improve (21 Questions) Control (17 Questions) Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) Framework and Methodologies (6 Questions) |
| Six Sigma Green Belt | CSSGB | Six Sigma | Overview: Six Sigma and the Organization (11 Questions) Define Phase (20 Questions) Measure Phase (20 Questions) Analyze Phase (18 Questions) Improve Phase (16 Questions) Control Phase (15 Questions) |
| Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certification | CSSYB | Six Sigma | Six Sigma Fundamentals (20 Questions) Define Phase (14 Questions) Measure Phase (15 Questions) Analyze Phase (17 Questions) Improve and Control Phases (14 Questions) |
| Master Black Belt Certification | CMBB | Six Sigma | Enterprise-wide Planning (20 Questions) Organizational Competencies for Deployment (20 questions) Project Portfolio Management (15 questions) Training Design and Delivery (10 questions) Coaching and Mentoring Responsibilities (10 questions) Advanced Data Management and Analytic Methods (25 questions) |
| Certified Food Safety and Quality Auditor | CFSQA | Auditing | Food Safety and HACCP System (27 Questions) Food Safety and HACCP Management (9 Questions) HACCP Principles (22 Questions) Implementation and Maintenance of Food Safety and HACCP System (21 Questions) Auditing Fundamentals (23 Questions) Auditing Process and Auditor Competencies (23 Questions) Quality Tools and Techniques (10 Questions) |
| Certified Medical Device Auditor | CMDA | Auditing | Auditing Fundamentals (12 Questions) Auditing and Inspection Processes (28 Questions) Medical Device Quality Management System Requirements (38 Questions) Technical Medical Device Knowledge (42 Questions) Quality Tools and Techniques (15 Questions) |
| Certified Pharmaceutical GMP Professional | CPGP | Auditing | Regulatory Agency Governance (17 Questions) Quality Systems (26 Questions) Laboratory Systems (20 Questions) Infrastructure: Facilities, Utilities, and Equipment (17 Questions) Materials and Supply Chain Management (17 Questions) Sterile and Nonsterile Manufacturing Systems (22 Questions) Filling, Packaging, and Labeling (18 Questions) Product Development and Technology Transfer (13 Questions) |
| Certified Quality Auditor | CQA | Auditing | Auditing Fundamentals (28 Questions) Audit Process (44 Questions) Auditor Competencies (24 Questions) Audit Program Management and Business Applications (30 Questions) Quality Tools and Techniques (24 Questions) |
Need for Exam Updates
The need for exam updates in certification programs, including those offered by ASQ (American Society for Quality), arises from several factors. These updates ensure that certification exams remain relevant, aligned with industry standards, and reflect the evolving needs of professionals in the field. Here are some key reasons why exam updates are necessary:
- Evolving Industry Practices: Industries and sectors are constantly evolving, driven by advancements in technology, changes in regulations, and emerging best practices. Certification exams need to reflect these changes to ensure that certified professionals possess the knowledge and skills required to address the latest industry challenges and requirements.
- Emerging Trends and Technologies: New trends and technologies impact the way professionals work and perform their roles. Certification exams must be updated to incorporate emerging areas such as data analytics, digital transformation, automation, artificial intelligence, and other relevant technologies. By addressing these trends, the exams validate professionals’ ability to leverage new tools and methodologies to drive quality improvements.
- Updated Standards and Regulations: Standards and regulations governing industries are regularly revised and updated to ensure quality, safety, and compliance. Certification exams must align with these updated standards and regulations to ensure that certified professionals are well-versed in the latest requirements and can effectively implement them within their organizations.
- Industry Feedback and Input: Certification programs often rely on input from industry experts, practitioners, and stakeholders. This feedback helps identify areas that require emphasis or adjustments in the certification exams. Regular updates ensure that the exams address the current needs and expectations of the industry, employers, and the professionals themselves.
- Continuous Improvement: Certification programs, including the exams, should embody the principles of continuous improvement. By periodically reviewing and updating the exam content, ASQ ensures that the certification remains a reliable indicator of a professional’s competence. This fosters a culture of ongoing learning, development, and improvement within the quality profession.
- Competitiveness and Differentiation: Exam updates enable ASQ certifications to remain competitive in the market. By incorporating the latest industry knowledge and skills, the certifications continue to differentiate certified professionals as leaders in their field, enhancing their career prospects and professional growth.
Final Words
ASQ certifications hold immense significance in the field of quality management, providing professionals with recognition, credibility, and career advancement opportunities. In this blog post, we have explored the recent updates to ASQ certification exams and highlighted the need for these updates.
By periodically updating the certification exams, ASQ ensures that they remain relevant, aligned with industry standards, and reflective of the evolving needs of quality professionals. These updates incorporate emerging trends, new methodologies, and advancements in technology, enabling certified professionals to stay at the forefront of their field.
We discussed the importance of preparing for the updated exams and provided strategies to help candidates effectively navigate the changes. ASQ offers valuable resources, study materials, and support to assist candidates in their exam preparation journey.
Remember, the journey to an ASQ certification is not just about passing an exam; it is a commitment to continuous improvement, lifelong learning, and the pursuit of excellence. So, embrace the updates, prepare diligently, and embark on your path to ASQ certification success.
