Top 11 Quality Assurance Certifications

Certifications in quality assurance are important for job seekers as they demonstrate a commitment to the profession and a high level of competency within an organization. Quality assurance certifications provide employers with evidence that a candidate is well-versed in the principles and techniques of quality assurance and can help ensure that products are meeting the required standards. They also give potential employers confidence that a candidate has the knowledge and skills necessary to perform their job duties effectively. Additionally, certifications can increase an individual's salary potential as many organizations offer higher wages to employees with relevant certifications.

This article reviews the top certifications for Quality Assurances and explains how they can contribute to a quality assurance's career growth.

What are Quality Assurance Certifications?

Quality assurance certification is a formal recognition that a product or service meets certain standards of quality and performance. Quality assurance certifications are issued by third-party organizations such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI). These certifications help ensure that products meet certain minimum requirements for safety, durability, and performance.

The benefits of having quality assurance certification are numerous. For consumers, it provides peace of mind that the product they are purchasing meets certain standards for quality and safety. It also helps businesses build trust with their customers by demonstrating their commitment to providing quality products and services. Additionally, having a quality assurance certification may increase the value of the product or service in the eyes of potential buyers. This can be particularly beneficial to businesses looking to expand into new markets or increase their market share in existing markets. Finally, having a quality assurance certification can also help businesses differentiate themselves from competitors who may not have similar certifications.

Pro Tip: Make sure that any quality assurance certification you pursue is tailored to the specific industry or organization that you are working in. Different industries and organizations may have different standards and requirements for quality assurance, so make sure your certification is relevant and up-to-date.

Related: What does a Quality Assurance do?

Top 11 Quality Assurance Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Quality Assurances today.

1. ISTQB Certified Tester

ISTQB Certified Tester is an internationally recognized certification program for software testers. It is designed to provide a common basis of understanding and knowledge about software testing, which can be used by any organization or individual in the IT industry. The ISTQB certification program consists of three levels: Foundation, Advanced and Expert.

It typically takes around 3-4 months to complete the Foundation level certification. To get the ISTQB Certified Tester certification, you must pass an exam administered by one of the accredited examination providers. The exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions that must be answered within 60 minutes.

The cost of taking the ISTQB Certified Tester exam varies depending on your location and chosen examination provider. In general, the cost ranges from $150-$250 USD per exam attempt.

2. ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE)

ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) is a professional certification offered by the American Society for Quality (ASQ). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated a comprehensive understanding of quality engineering principles and practices. The CQE certification is intended to demonstrate that an individual has the knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary to effectively practice quality engineering in any industry.

It typically takes between 6-12 months to prepare for the CQE exam. During this time, individuals should review the topics covered on the exam, such as statistics, design of experiments, reliability engineering, process improvement tools and techniques, management principles and systems development life cycle. Additionally, they should become familiar with ASQ’s Body of Knowledge (BoK), which outlines all of the topics that will be tested on the exam.

To get certified as a CQE, individuals must pass an examination administered by ASQ. This exam consists of 175 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within four hours. To register for the exam, individuals must submit an application form and fee to ASQ. The fee for taking the CQE exam is $395 for members of ASQ and $495 for non-members.

3. Six Sigma Green Belt Certification

Six Sigma Green Belt Certification is an industry-recognized certification program designed to equip professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to lead successful Six Sigma projects. It provides a comprehensive understanding of the tools and techniques used in Lean Six Sigma to improve processes, reduce costs, and increase customer satisfaction.

The Six Sigma Green Belt Certification typically takes around four weeks of study and practice to complete. During this time, participants will learn about the DMAIC (Define-Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control) process, how to use data analysis tools such as SPC (Statistical Process Control), how to create process maps, how to identify root causes of problems, and how to develop solutions. Participants also learn about team dynamics, project management principles, and communication strategies.

In order to get certified as a Six Sigma Green Belt professional, individuals must pass an exam administered by a certified training provider or organization. The exam typically consists of multiple choice questions that cover topics such as Lean Six Sigma methodology, problem solving techniques, data analysis methods, project management principles, and more.

The cost for obtaining a Six Sigma Green Belt Certification varies depending on the training provider or organization offering it. Generally speaking, it can range from $500-$2,000 USD depending on the length of the program and other factors.

4. American Society for Quality (ASQ) Certified Software Quality Engineer (CSQE)

The American Society for Quality (ASQ) Certified Software Quality Engineer (CSQE) is a professional certification for software quality engineers. It is designed to recognize the knowledge, skills, and abilities of individuals who have demonstrated a comprehensive understanding of software quality engineering principles and practices.

To become an ASQ CSQE, you must pass an exam that tests your knowledge in software quality engineering topics such as software process improvement, risk management, and testing. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete.

In order to be eligible to take the ASQ CSQE exam, you must have at least five years of experience working in a software quality engineering role or related field. You must also have either a bachelor’s degree in computer science or engineering from an accredited college or university, or equivalent work experience.

The cost of the ASQ CSQE exam varies depending on where you take it. In the United States, the cost is $400 USD for members of ASQ and $450 USD for non-members. The fee includes registration, study materials, and access to online practice exams.

Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your official ASQ CSQE certificate within 4-6 weeks.

5. International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) Advanced Level Test Manager

The International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) Advanced Level Test Manager is an internationally recognized certification that demonstrates a professional’s expertise in software testing. It is designed to help professionals who manage and lead software testing teams, as well as those who are responsible for the planning, design, execution, and monitoring of software tests.

In order to obtain the ISTQB Advanced Level Test Manager certification, candidates must first pass the Foundation Level exam. This exam covers topics such as test management principles, risk-based testing techniques, test process improvement methods, and more. After passing the Foundation Level exam, candidates can then proceed to take the Advanced Level Test Manager exam. This exam focuses on topics such as advanced test management skills and techniques, managing risks associated with software testing projects, and developing effective strategies for improving software quality.

The ISTQB Advanced Level Test Manager certification typically takes between six months to one year to complete. Candidates must pass both the Foundation Level and Advanced Level exams in order to be certified. The cost of taking both exams varies depending on location but typically ranges from $500-$1000 USD.

6. Project Management Institute’s (PMI) Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP)

The Project Management Institute’s (PMI) Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP) is a certification that shows an individual has the knowledge and skills to effectively apply agile principles, practices, tools, and techniques to projects. The ACP credential is designed for project management professionals who have experience with agile methodology and want to demonstrate their understanding of agile principles.

To get the ACP certification, individuals must meet certain prerequisites: they must have either a current PMI-certified Project Management Professional (PMP) or Program Management Professional (PgMP) credential, or they must have 2,000 hours of general project experience in the last five years and 1,500 hours of agile project experience in the last three years.

In addition to meeting the prerequisites, applicants must also pass a 3-hour exam consisting of 120 multiple-choice questions. The exam covers topics such as agile values and principles; planning, monitoring, and adapting; stakeholder engagement; team performance; and product delivery.

The cost for taking the exam is $435 for PMI members and $495 for non-members. It typically takes about two weeks to receive your results after taking the exam.

7. American Society for Quality (ASQ) Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE)

The American Society for Quality (ASQ) Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE) is an internationally recognized certification program that validates a manager’s knowledge and skills in the principles and practices of quality management. It is designed to help managers lead their organizations toward improved performance, customer satisfaction, and organizational excellence.

To become certified, individuals must have at least eight years of experience in quality management, including three years in a decision-making position. They must also pass a comprehensive exam covering topics such as quality management systems, process improvement, customer focus, leadership and communication. The exam consists of 175 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately four hours to complete.

The cost to take the CMQ/OE exam is $519 for ASQ members or $719 for non-members. Once certified, individuals must recertify every three years by earning 90 professional development units (PDUs). PDUs can be earned through activities such as attending seminars or workshops, publishing articles or books on quality topics, teaching courses related to quality management or participating in volunteer activities related to quality.

Overall, the ASQ Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence certification is an excellent way for managers to demonstrate their commitment to excellence and gain recognition in the field of quality management.

8. International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) Foundation Level Test Analyst

The International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) Foundation Level Test Analyst is a globally recognized certification for software testers. It is designed to provide professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform basic software testing activities. The ISTQB Foundation Level Test Analyst certification is suitable for those who are new to software testing and want to gain an understanding of the fundamentals of software testing, as well as those who have experience in the field but need a formal qualification.

The ISTQB Foundation Level Test Analyst exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within 90 minutes. To pass the exam, candidates must achieve a score of at least 65%. The exam fee is typically around €200 (approx. $230 USD).

To get the ISTQB Foundation Level Test Analyst certification, you must first complete an accredited training course. These courses typically take two days and cost between €400-600 (approx. $460-690 USD). After completing the course, you will be able to register for the ISTQB Foundation Level Test Analyst exam and take it at an authorized examination center.

9. Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification is a professional certification program designed to teach individuals the principles and practices of Lean Six Sigma. It is an internationally recognized certification that demonstrates the holder’s knowledge and skills in the areas of process improvement, problem-solving, and data analysis.

The Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification typically takes between four to six months to complete depending on the individual's experience and dedication. The program consists of two parts: a classroom portion and a project portion. During the classroom portion, participants learn about the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) methodology for process improvement as well as how to use various tools such as SIPOC diagrams and Pareto charts. During the project portion, participants apply their knowledge by working on a real-world process improvement project from start to finish.

To get certified as a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, you must complete both parts of the program and pass an exam administered by an accredited organization such as ASQ or IASSC. You may also need to have at least three years of work experience in a related field before taking the exam.

The cost of obtaining a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification varies depending on where you take the course and which organization administers your exam. Generally speaking, you can expect to pay anywhere from $2,000-$5,000 for tuition and exam fees combined.

10. ISO 9001 Lead Auditor Certification

ISO 9001 Lead Auditor Certification is a certification program that provides individuals with the knowledge and skills to audit organizations for compliance with the ISO 9001 Quality Management System Standard. The certification program is designed to ensure that auditors have the necessary skills to conduct effective audits of an organization’s quality management system, in accordance with ISO 9001 requirements.

The duration of the certification program depends on the individual's prior experience and knowledge. Generally, it takes between two and five days to complete the training, depending on whether or not a refresher course is required. The cost of the certification program varies depending on the provider and location, but typically ranges from $1,500 to $2,500 USD.

In order to become certified as an ISO 9001 Lead Auditor, individuals must first attend an accredited training course that covers all aspects of auditing against ISO 9001 requirements. After completing the training course, candidates must then pass an examination in order to demonstrate their understanding of auditing principles and practices. Once certified, lead auditors are required to maintain their certification by participating in continuing education activities every three years.

11. American Society for Quality (ASQ) Biomedical Auditor Certification

The American Society for Quality (ASQ) Biomedical Auditor Certification is a comprehensive certification program that provides biomedical auditors with the knowledge and skills to perform effective audits of medical device companies. The certification requires applicants to have a minimum of three years of experience in biomedical auditing, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

The ASQ Biomedical Auditor Certification consists of two parts: a written exam and an on-site audit. The written exam covers topics such as quality systems, design control, risk management, supplier management, manufacturing processes, and regulatory compliance. The on-site audit involves assessing the company’s quality system and its ability to meet customer requirements.

The entire process takes approximately six months from start to finish. To get started, applicants must submit an application form and pay the applicable fee. Once approved, they will receive instructions on how to register for the written exam and schedule their on-site audit.

The cost of the ASQ Biomedical Auditor Certification varies depending on the applicant’s country of residence; however, it typically ranges from $1,000-$2,000 USD.

Do You Really Need a Quality Assurance Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the purpose of the certificate. If it is for a job or educational program, then yes, you would need a quality assurance certificate. Quality assurance certificates are proof that an organization has met certain standards and requirements in order to be certified as meeting those standards. It is important for employers and educators to know that you have taken the necessary steps to ensure the quality of your work and have met the requirements of their particular industry.

Quality assurance certificates can also be helpful when applying for grants or other funding opportunities. Many organizations offering grants or other funds require proof that an applicant has met certain quality standards in order to qualify for those funds. Without a quality assurance certificate, applicants may not be able to prove they have met these standards and therefore may not receive any funding.

Finally, having a quality assurance certificate can also help build confidence in customers or clients who are considering working with your organization or buying your products or services. Quality assurance certificates show potential customers that you take pride in your work and strive for excellence, which can make them more likely to trust your organization’s offerings and choose to do business with you over another company without such certification.

In short, whether or not you need a quality assurance certificate depends on the purpose of the certificate, but it is generally beneficial both professionally and personally if you do obtain one.

Related: Quality Assurance Resume Examples

FAQs About Quality Assurance Certifications

1. What is a Quality Assurance Certification?

Answer: A Quality Assurance Certification is an industry-recognized credential that demonstrates a professional’s knowledge and understanding of quality assurance processes, tools, and techniques. It typically requires passing an exam to demonstrate proficiency in the field.

2. What are the benefits of earning a Quality Assurance Certification?

Answer: Earning a Quality Assurance Certification can help professionals advance their careers by demonstrating their expertise in the field. It may also increase job opportunities, improve salary potential, and provide access to additional training and resources.

3. How long does it take to earn a Quality Assurance Certification?

Answer: The amount of time required to earn a Quality Assurance Certification depends on the type of certification and how much preparation is needed prior to taking the exam. Generally speaking, most certifications can be earned within 6 months or less with adequate preparation and study time.

4. Is there any continuing education requirement for maintaining my Quality Assurance Certification?

Answer: Yes, many certifying bodies have requirements for continuing education hours or points in order to maintain your certification status. These requirements vary depending on the organization, so it’s important to check with your certifying body for details about their specific requirements.

5. Are there any prerequisites or eligibility requirements for taking the Quality Assurance Certification Exam?

Answer: Yes, most certifying bodies have some type of prerequisite or eligibility criteria for taking the exam such as minimum work experience or educational background in quality assurance topics. Additionally, some organizations may require you to submit proof of work experience prior to taking the exam.