Quality Engineer Certification Requirements

To become a Certified Quality Engineer, you meet ASQ's experience requirement of eight years in quality engineering work (three in a decision-making role, with up to five years waived for a degree), apply to ASQ, study the seven areas of the CQE Body of Knowledge, pass the 175-question exam with a score of 550/750, and then recertify every three years. The five steps below walk through each one.

The ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) credential is one of the longest-standing certifications in the quality profession. It is awarded by the American Society for Quality (ASQ) and recognises engineers who can design quality systems, control products and processes, apply statistics to real production data and lead improvement work. Because the exam is demanding and the experience requirement is strict, employers read the letters CQE as proof of both knowledge and practice.

This guide is for quality engineers, quality assurance specialists, manufacturing and process engineers, and supplier quality professionals who want to know exactly what it takes to earn the credential. It covers the requirements, the fees, the exam format, every area of the Body of Knowledge, a preparation plan, the mistakes that cost candidates a pass, and how to keep the certification once you have it.