The ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) credential validates a professional’s expertise in the principles of product and process quality evaluation and control. It is designed for engineers, quality professionals, process improvement specialists, manufacturing managers, and others who plan, design, implement, or manage quality systems. This certification focuses on advanced knowledge of quality engineering principles, statistical techniques, and quality management practices applied across industries.

Key knowledge areas include:
– Management and leadership in quality: quality philosophies, cost of quality, and quality planning
– Quality systems: standards, audits, registration, documentation, and quality assurance practices
– Product, process, and service design: reliability, maintainability, risk management, and design reviews
– Process control and improvement: statistical process control, lean and Six Sigma tools, problem-solving, and corrective actions
– Quantitative methods and tools: descriptive statistics, probability, sampling, hypothesis testing, and statistical decision making
– Reliability and risk management: reliability modeling, failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA), and risk assessment
– Supplier quality management: supplier selection, evaluation, performance measurement, and partnerships
– Customer-focused quality: customer satisfaction metrics, feedback analysis, and continuous improvement initiatives

The CQE practice tests replicate scenarios such as selecting appropriate statistical tools to analyze process variation, auditing quality systems for compliance, evaluating supplier quality performance, conducting root cause analysis on product failures, or recommending design improvements to increase reliability. These tests challenge candidates to apply quantitative and qualitative quality engineering concepts to realistic workplace situations.

By earning the ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) certification, professionals demonstrate their ability to apply engineering, statistical, and managerial principles to improve product and process quality. This credential enhances credibility with employers and peers and prepares holders for roles such as Quality Engineer, Reliability Engineer, Manufacturing Quality Manager, Supplier Quality Engineer, or Process Improvement Specialist. It also serves as a stepping stone to advanced certifications or leadership positions in quality management and continuous improvement initiatives.