Top 11 Quality Manager Certifications

Certifications for a quality manager are important in the job market because they demonstrate to employers that the individual has the knowledge and experience necessary to be successful in the role. They also serve as proof that a quality manager has taken the initiative to learn about industry standards and best practices, which is an important skill for any aspiring professional. Certification shows potential employers that an individual is both knowledgeable and motivated, making them more attractive candidates for job openings. Additionally, certifications can provide credibility and recognition in the field of quality management, helping individuals stand out from other applicants.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Quality Managers and explains how they can help to advance a quality manager's career.

What are Quality Manager Certifications?

Quality manager certification is a formal recognition of an individual’s knowledge, skills, and abilities in the area of quality management. Quality managers are responsible for ensuring that all products and services meet customer requirements and industry standards. Quality manager certification demonstrates that an individual has the necessary skills to effectively manage quality control procedures and processes in their organization.

The certification process includes an assessment of a candidate’s understanding of quality assurance principles, methods, tools, systems, and processes. This assessment tests a candidate's ability to identify problems and develop solutions regarding product or service quality. After successful completion of this assessment, the individual earns a certificate as a Quality Manager from an accredited organization.

The benefits of having a quality manager certification include gaining credibility among employers, customers, and peers; demonstrating knowledge in the field; improving job opportunities; being eligible for higher salaries; and increasing visibility in the professional industry. Furthermore, certified quality managers are better equipped to handle complex organizational issues related to product or service quality by applying best practices according to established industry standards. As such, obtaining this certification can help individuals achieve success in their careers by providing them with the necessary skills needed for effective quality management.

Pro Tip: Make sure to research the different types of quality manager certifications available before deciding which one is right for you. Each certification program offers different levels of recognition and has its own set of requirements, so it's important to make sure that you understand the details before committing to a program. Also, look into any prerequisites or continuing education requirements that may be necessary in order to maintain your certification.

Related: What does a Quality Manager do?

Top 11 Quality Manager Certifications

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

1. Certified Quality Manager (CQM)

Certified Quality Manager (CQM) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate mastery of the principles and practices of quality management. The CQM designation is granted by the American Society for Quality (ASQ), a leading professional organization dedicated to advancing the quality profession.

The CQM certification requires candidates to pass an exam that tests their knowledge of quality management principles, processes, and tools. The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as quality planning, control, and improvement; customer satisfaction; and organizational performance metrics. Candidates must also have at least three years of work experience in a quality-related field.

It typically takes between six months to one year to prepare for the CQM exam. During this time, candidates should review relevant materials, attend training courses or workshops, and practice using sample questions.

To get certified as a Certified Quality Manager (CQM), you need to register with ASQ and pay the applicable fees. The fee structure varies depending on your membership status with ASQ but typically ranges from $300-$400 USD for non-members and $200-$250 USD for members.

Once you’ve passed the exam and paid the fees, you will receive your official CQM certificate from ASQ. This certificate is valid for three years before it needs to be renewed by taking additional courses or passing another exam.

2. Certified Quality Engineer (CQE)

Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) is a professional certification offered by the American Society for Quality (ASQ). It is designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of quality engineering principles and practices. The CQE certification is aimed at professionals who are involved in the design, development, production, installation, and/or servicing of products or services.

The CQE exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as quality assurance and control, statistical process control, inspection techniques, management principles and practices, problem solving methods, and system design. To qualify for the exam, applicants must have at least three years of full-time work experience in a quality-related field.

It typically takes about six months to prepare for the CQE exam. Candidates should plan on studying for at least 10 hours per week during this time period. Preparation materials can be purchased from ASQ or other sources such as books or online courses.

The cost of taking the exam varies depending on where you take it. In most cases it will cost around $400-$500 USD to take the exam.

In order to become certified as a Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), you must pass the CQE exam with a score of 70% or higher. Once you have passed the exam, you will be officially certified as a CQE and will receive a certificate from ASQ verifying your status as a Certified Quality Engineer.

3. Certified Quality Inspector (CQI)

Certified Quality Inspector (CQI) is a certification program offered by the American Society for Quality (ASQ). It is designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate expertise in quality inspection, testing, and auditing. The CQI certification validates an individual’s knowledge of quality principles and practices.

It typically takes about four months to complete the requirements for the CQI certification. To become certified, you must pass an exam that covers topics such as quality control, inspection techniques, metrology, sampling plans, statistical process control, calibration systems, and root cause analysis. You must also have at least three years of experience in quality-related activities or have completed a related college degree program.

You can apply for the CQI certification through ASQ's website. The cost of the application fee is $249 USD for ASQ members and $349 USD for non-members. Additionally, you will need to pay a fee of $299 USD for the exam itself.

4. ASQ Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB)

ASQ Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB) is a professional certification offered by the American Society for Quality (ASQ). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated an extensive knowledge of Six Sigma principles and practices. The CSSBB certification is the highest level of Six Sigma certification available.

It usually takes about two years of study and practice to become certified as a CSSBB. To get certified, you must pass an exam administered by ASQ. The exam covers topics such as project management, process improvement, data analysis, and quality management systems.

The cost of the exam varies depending on where you take it, but typically ranges from $400-$500 USD. You may also need to pay for additional training or materials in order to prepare for the exam.

Once you have passed the exam and have been certified as a CSSBB, you will be able to demonstrate your understanding of Six Sigma principles and practices in any organization that uses them. This can help you advance your career in quality assurance or related fields.

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

American Society for Quality (ASQ) Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE) is a certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and experience in quality management and organizational excellence. This certification is aimed at professionals who are responsible for the development, implementation, and maintenance of quality systems within an organization.

To become certified as a CMQ/OE, applicants must pass an exam administered by ASQ. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as quality management systems, process improvement, customer satisfaction, leadership, and organizational performance. Applicants must also have at least five years of work experience in a related field or three years of work experience plus a bachelor's degree in a related field.

The cost to take the exam is $450 for ASQ members and $550 for non-members. The exam can be taken at any authorized testing center around the world. It typically takes about four hours to complete the exam. Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your official certification from ASQ and will be able to use the CMQ/OE designation on your resume and business cards.

6. International Register of Certificated Auditors (IRCA) Lead Auditor Certification

The International Register of Certificated Auditors (IRCA) is a certification program for auditors who wish to demonstrate their competence in the field of auditing. The IRCA Lead Auditor Certification provides assurance that an auditor has the necessary skills and knowledge to conduct audits in accordance with international standards.

The IRCA Lead Auditor Certification consists of three stages:

1. Foundation Course: This is a two-day course designed to provide an understanding of the principles, processes, and techniques used in auditing management systems.

2. Practical Application Course: This is a two-day course designed to provide practical experience in conducting audits.

3. Examination: This is a one-day examination that assesses an auditor's knowledge and understanding of auditing principles and practices.

To obtain the IRCA Lead Auditor Certification, an individual must successfully complete all three stages within 18 months. The cost for the entire program varies depending on the provider, but typically ranges from $2,500 - $4,000 USD.

7. ISO 9001:2015 Lead Auditor Certification

ISO 9001:2015 Lead Auditor Certification is a professional certification program that provides individuals with the knowledge and skills to audit an organization’s Quality Management System (QMS) against the requirements of ISO 9001:2015. This certification demonstrates that the individual has the necessary skills to assess an organization’s compliance with the international standard.

The certification process typically takes around 8-10 weeks, depending on the provider and their specific program requirements. To get certified, you need to complete a training course and pass a written exam. The cost of this certification varies depending on the provider, but generally ranges from $1,500 - $2,000 USD.

In order to become certified as an ISO 9001:2015 Lead Auditor, you must have prior experience in auditing or managing quality systems; knowledge of ISO 9001:2015; and experience in conducting management system audits. You should also be familiar with relevant national or international standards related to quality management systems and processes.

8. ASQ Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE)

ASQ Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE) is a professional certification program developed by the American Society for Quality (ASQ). It is designed to recognize professionals who demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of reliability engineering principles and practices. The CRE designation is an important credential for engineers, managers and other professionals involved in product design, manufacture, testing and maintenance.

The CRE exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as reliability modeling, failure analysis, system safety and quality assurance. The exam takes approximately four hours to complete. Candidates must have a minimum of three years of experience in the field of reliability engineering to be eligible to take the exam.

To get the CRE certification, candidates must first register with ASQ and pay the required fee. After registering, they will receive an authorization letter that allows them to schedule their exam at one of ASQ's testing centers. Once they have passed the exam, they will receive their official certificate from ASQ within six weeks.

The cost for taking the CRE exam is $400 USD for members of ASQ or $500 USD for non-members.

9. Project Management Professional (PMP®) Certification

Project Management Professional (PMP®) Certification is a globally recognized certification that demonstrates an individual's expertise in project management. It is the most sought-after certification for project managers and is administered by the Project Management Institute (PMI).

The PMP® Certification requires applicants to have at least three years of professional project management experience and 35 hours of formal education in project management. Additionally, applicants must pass a four-hour, 200 multiple-choice question exam that tests their knowledge of the five process groups and 10 knowledge areas of project management.

The PMP® Certification process typically takes between two to six months to complete. The first step is to create an account with PMI and submit an application for the PMP® Exam. Once approved, applicants can register for the exam and pay the fee. After registering, they must study for the exam using resources provided by PMI or other third-party providers. Finally, they must take and pass the exam within one year of registering.

The cost of obtaining a PMP® Certification varies depending on whether you are a member or non-member of PMI. For members, it costs $405 USD to register for the exam while non-members pay $555 USD. Additionally, there are fees associated with studying materials such as books or online courses which can range from $50 - $500 USD depending on what you choose to use.

10. Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and skills in the Lean Six Sigma methodology. It is designed to help organizations improve their processes and reduce waste. The certification is awarded by the International Association for Six Sigma Certification (IASSC) and requires completion of an approved course, passing of a comprehensive exam, and demonstration of successful project completion.

The duration of the certification process can vary depending on the type of course taken, but typically takes around 4-6 months to complete. To get certified, individuals must first take an approved Lean Six Sigma Green Belt course from an accredited provider. After completing the course, they must pass a comprehensive exam administered by IASSC. Finally, they must demonstrate successful project completion through documentation or presentation to an IASSC-approved assessor.

The cost of getting certified varies depending on the type of program chosen and any additional materials needed for the exam or project completion requirements. Generally speaking, most courses range from $1,500 - $3,000 USD with additional costs for exam fees and other materials required for certification.

11. American Society for Quality (ASQ) Certified Quality Improvement Associate (CQIA).

The American Society for Quality (ASQ) Certified Quality Improvement Associate (CQIA) is a professional certification program that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and understanding of quality improvement principles, practices, and tools. It is designed to help organizations improve their processes and products by providing the skills needed to identify areas for improvement, develop solutions, and implement changes.

To obtain the CQIA certification, applicants must pass an exam administered by ASQ. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as quality management systems, process improvement techniques, data analysis methods, project management principles, and customer satisfaction measurement. The exam is offered in both English and Spanish.

The cost of the CQIA certification depends on the type of examination taken. For the online version of the exam, it costs $295 USD; for the paper version of the exam, it costs $395 USD. The fee covers all materials necessary to take the exam including study guides and practice tests.

It usually takes around four months to complete the CQIA certification process from start to finish. During this time period, applicants should study for the examination using resources provided by ASQ or other sources such as books or online courses. After passing the examination, applicants will receive their official certificate from ASQ within two weeks after submitting their application form and payment information.

Do You Really Need a Quality Manager Certificate?

When it comes to the question of whether or not you need a Quality Manager Certificate, the answer is that it depends on your individual situation. If you are already working in a quality management role and feel confident in your abilities, then there may be no need for a certificate. However, if you are looking to break into this field, or want to demonstrate your commitment to quality management, then a Quality Manager Certificate can be beneficial.

A Quality Manager Certificate can provide recognition of your knowledge and expertise in this area. It can also help open doors to new opportunities or promotions within the field. Additionally, many employers look favorably upon candidates who have obtained certifications as evidence of their dedication to their profession.

In addition to demonstrating your commitment and knowledge, having a Quality Manager Certificate can also give you an edge over other job applicants with similar qualifications but without the certification. This is because employers often view certified individuals as more reliable and knowledgeable than those who lack certification.

Finally, obtaining a Quality Manager Certificate can also help you develop professionally by allowing you access to continuing education opportunities related to quality management. This will allow you stay up-to-date on industry trends and best practices so that you can continue to grow as a professional in this field.

Overall, while having a Quality Manager Certificate is not always necessary for every individual situation, it can provide numerous benefits both personally and professionally depending on what it is that you are hoping to achieve with it.

Related: Quality Manager Resume Examples

FAQs About Quality Manager Certifications

1. What is a Quality Manager Certification?

Answer: A Quality Manager Certification is an accreditation that recognizes the individual’s knowledge and experience in quality management systems and processes. It is typically awarded by professional organizations, such as the American Society for Quality (ASQ).

2. What are the benefits of having a Quality Manager Certification?

Answer: Having a Quality Manager Certification demonstrates to employers that you have a strong understanding of quality management principles and practices, which can give you an edge when it comes to job opportunities. Additionally, having this certification can help you stand out among other candidates with similar qualifications and experience.

3. How do I obtain a Quality Manager Certification?

Answer: To obtain a Quality Manager Certification, you will need to successfully complete an approved course or program in quality management, usually offered by accredited universities or training providers. You may also need to pass an exam to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in this area.

4. Are there any prerequisites for becoming certified?

Answer: Yes, depending on the certifying body, there may be prerequisites such as related work experience or educational qualifications that must be met before applying for certification.

5. How long does a Quality Manager Certification last?

Answer: The length of time your certification remains valid may depend on the certifying body but typically ranges from one to three years before requiring renewal through continuing education or re-examination.