Frequently Asked Questions

An ASQ Certified Six Sigma Black Belt is a professional who can explain Six Sigma philosophies and principles, including supporting systems and tools. Black Belts demonstrate team leadership, understand team dynamics, and assign team member roles and responsibilities. They have a thorough understanding of all aspects of the DMAIC model and can identify non-value-added elements and activities.

To sit for the CSSBB exam, you must have a minimum of three years of work experience in one or more areas of the Six Sigma Body of Knowledge. Work experience must be in a full-time, paid role. Paid intern, co-op, or any other course work cannot be applied toward the work experience requirement.

The ASQ CSSBB is considered the gold standard in Six Sigma certifications due to its rigorous testing process and comprehensive body of knowledge. Unlike other certifications that may focus only on tools or methodologies, the CSSBB requires demonstrated experience, a thorough understanding of Six Sigma principles, and proficiency in applying advanced statistical techniques.

The ASQ CSSBB certification is valid for three years. To maintain certification, you must either retake the exam or earn the required recertification units (RUs) through professional development activities like continuing education, teaching, publishing articles, or attending conferences.

We offer three main training formats: Virtual Live Training (instructor-led online sessions), In-Person Workshops (traditional classroom learning), and Self-Paced Online (flexible e-learning). Each format covers the complete ASQ Body of Knowledge and includes practice exams and reference materials.

Our instructor-led training programs (both virtual and in-person) typically run for 5 consecutive days (40 hours total). For self-paced learning, students have 6 months of access to complete the materials, though most finish within 2-3 months by studying 5-10 hours per week.

No, a Green Belt certification is not a prerequisite for our Black Belt training or for taking the ASQ CSSBB exam. However, having prior Six Sigma experience is highly beneficial, and ASQ does require three years of professional experience in one or more areas of the Six Sigma Body of Knowledge to be eligible for the CSSBB exam.

Our CSSBB training program has a 92% first-time pass rate, which is significantly higher than the industry average. This success is due to our comprehensive curriculum, experienced instructors, and emphasis on exam preparation strategies.

The ASQ CSSBB exam consists of 165 multiple-choice questions, and you have 4.5 hours to complete it. The exam is offered in both computer-based and paper-and-pencil formats, depending on your location and the testing date you select.

The CSSBB exam uses a scaled scoring method where the minimum passing score is 550 points out of a possible 750 points. This typically correlates to answering approximately 75% of the questions correctly, though the exact conversion can vary slightly between exam versions.

The ASQ CSSBB exam is closed-book, meaning no reference materials are allowed during the test. However, for the computer-based exam, an online calculator is provided. For paper-and-pencil exams, you may bring a silent, handheld, non-programmable calculator without alpha keys or a printing capability.

If you do not pass the exam, you can retake it. ASQ requires a waiting period before retaking the exam, typically 90 days from your last attempt. Our training program includes a certification guarantee - if you complete our program and don't pass on your first attempt, you can repeat the training at no additional cost.

Our training costs vary by format: Virtual Live Training is $2,995, In-Person Workshops are $3,495, and Self-Paced Online is $1,995. These fees include all training materials, practice exams, and instructor support. Please note that the ASQ exam fee is separate and paid directly to ASQ when you register for the exam.

Yes, we offer discounts for organizations registering multiple students. For groups of 3-5, we offer a 10% discount; for groups of 6-10, a 15% discount; and for groups larger than 10, please contact us for custom pricing. We can also develop custom on-site training programs for larger organizations.

Cancellations made more than 14 days before the course start date receive a full refund minus a $150 administrative fee. Cancellations 7-14 days before receive a 50% refund. For cancellations less than 7 days before, no refund is provided, but you may transfer your registration to another person or a future class date.

We offer flexible payment plans that allow you to spread the cost over three monthly installments. Additionally, many employers offer tuition reimbursement for professional certifications like the CSSBB. We can provide documentation to help you apply for such programs. We also accept GI Bill benefits for eligible veterans.