The American Society for Quality (ASQ) is now offering professionals the ASQ Master Black Belt Certification, a new addition joining the society’s 18 certification programs available around the globe.
This newest certification is aimed at individuals who seek a universally recognized professional credential to affirm their experience, expertise and knowledge of current quality industry practices. Across all business sectors and industries, Master Black Belts (MBB) are recognized and serve in key leadership posts focused on improving results through Six Sigma principles, teamwork and innovation.
To become certified as an ASQ Master Black Belt, a candidate must meet requirements that include a portfolio review and approval. To be eligible to apply for the MBB exam, a candidate must hold a current ASQ Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB). ASQ will waive the requirement of holding a "current" ASQ CSSBB through December 31, 2011, for those applicants whose ASQ CSSBB certification has expired. In addition, a candidate must have either of the following experience levels:
- At least five years of experience in the role of a SSBB or MBB; or
- A portfolio of 10 completed Six Sigma Black Belt projects.
After candidates have met these minimum requirements, they are eligible to have their portfolio of Six Sigma Black Belt and MBB work reviewed. After the candidate’s portfolio is reviewed and approved, the candidate may apply and sit for the exam.
"As organizations increasingly look to ASQ to assist them in establishing professional standards, it became essential to add the Master Black Belt," said Paul Borawski, ASQ executive director and chief strategic officer. "Achieving this level of certification enables candidates to gain a level of professionalism that can help to bolster their careers and advance their organizational goals. And lend confidence to organizations in the qualifications of their Six Sigma professionals."
The first administration of the ASQ MBB certification exam is scheduled for August 28, 2010. The portfolio submission deadline is June 8, 2010, with an exam application deadline of August 6, 2010. The next opportunity to take this exam will be in March 2011.
To learn more about ASQ’s Master Black Belt certification as well as ASQ’s other ASQ certifications, visit http://www.asq.org/certification/index.html.
About ASQ
The American Society for Quality (ASQ), www.asq.org, has been the world’s leading authority on quality for more than 60 years. With more than 85,000 individual and organizational members, the professional association advances learning, quality improvement and knowledge exchange to improve business results and to create better workplaces and communities worldwide. As a champion of the quality movement, ASQ offers technologies, concepts, tools and training to quality professionals, quality practitioners and everyday consumers. ASQ has been the sole administrator of the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award since 1991. Headquartered in Milwaukee, ASQ is a founding sponsor of the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), a prominent quarterly economic indicator, and also produces the Quarterly Quality Report.
