What is Six Sigma?
Six Sigma is a process that equips businesses with tools to increase the efficiency of their business processes. This improvement in performance and decrease in process variance contributes to defect reduction and improvements in profitability, staff morale, and product or service quality. It is also the process of reducing defects and errors by using statistics and data analytics.
What is Lean Six Sigma?
Lean Six Sigma is a data-driven, fact-based improvement methodology that prioritizes defect prevention above defect identification. It improves customer satisfaction and bottom-line outcomes by lowering variance, waste, and cycle time while encouraging the use of work standardization and flow, resulting in a competitive advantage. It is applicable everywhere there is variance and waste, and every employee should be involved.
Lean Six Sigma Certification
The lean six sigma certification validates your skills to apply the lean six sigma methodology to solve business problems and to reduce business defects and errors. The certification comes in hierarchal levels including yellow, green, and black belt- the top certification or master level.
Benefits of Six Sigma Certification
There are many companies and areas in which six sigma techniques and methodologies have been applied like HR, marketing, finance, telecom, banking, and aerospace. Earning such certification validates advanced skills to streamline business processes, reduce errors & costs and increase revenue. Moreover, these certifications will help you earn managerial positions with advanced and modern six sigma techniques. Many international companies hired candidates having sigma certification frequently. 3M, Abbott Laboratories, General Electric, The Hershey Company, IBM, Honeywell, Newell Rubbermaid, Siemens, and Wells Fargo are among the companies that consistently hire candidates for Sigma Six roles. The salary of candidates for six sigma roles is also promising. The salary range falls between $68k to $110k depending upon the belt you have and your country. Six sigma is the leading career pathway and there are many job roles offered by companies for candidates. Certifications play an important role in growing a career. In this blog, you have been given a complete guide on lean six sigma certifications. By giving it a read, you will know about the lean six sigma certification level and which is best for you.
Top Lean Six Sigma Certification
1. IASSC- Certified Lean Sigma Yellow Belt
The IASSC Certified Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt (ICYBTM) is a practitioner who is familiar with the foundational elements of the Lean Six Sigma Methodology and who leads limited improvement projects and/or serves as a team member in more complex improvement projects led by a Certified Green Belt or Certified Black Belt, typically in a part-time role.
Examination Details:
- Exam Duration & Format: The exam will consist of 60 multiple-choice and true/false questions and you have 2 hours to complete it.
- Passing Criteria: Minimum 70% score
- Validity Period: 3 years
- Requirement: No Prerequisites
- Cost: The exam voucher is for $195
Exam Domains: Go through the IASSC lean sigma yellow belt body of knowledge
2. IASSC- Certified Lean Sigma Green Belt
The IASSC Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (ICGBTM) is a practitioner who is proficient in the core to advanced elements of the Lean Six Sigma Methodology. Six Sigma Lean Green Belts are highly skilled at implementing, performing, interpreting, and applying Lean Six Sigma.
Examination Details:
- Exam Duration & Format: The exam will consist of 100 questions with 20 multiple-choice and true/false questions from the lean sigma green belt body of knowledge and you have 3 hours to complete it.
- Passing Criteria: Minimum 70% score
- Validity Period: 3 years
- Requirement: No Prerequisites but recommend to have lean six sigma training.
- Cost: The exam voucher is for $295
Exam Domains: Go through the IASSC lean sigma green belt body of knowledge
3. IASSC- Certified Lean Sigma Black Belt
The IASSC Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (ICBBTM) is a full-time professional who is skilled in the Lean Six Sigma Methodology and manages difficult improvement initiatives. A Lean Six Sigma Black Belt understands how to implement, perform, interpret, and apply Lean Six Sigma at an advanced degree of competency.
Examination Details:
- Exam Duration & Format: The exam will consist of 150 questions with 30 multiple-choice and true/false questions from the lean sigma black belt body of knowledge and you have 4 hours to complete it.
- Passing Criteria: Minimum 70% score
- Validity Period: 3 years
- Requirement: No Prerequisites
- Cost: The exam voucher is for $395
Exam Domains: Go through the IASSC lean sigma black belt body of knowledge
4. ASQ- Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certification
The Six Sigma Yellow Belt certification is intended for persons who are new to the Six Sigma world and have little role, interest, or desire to build core knowledge. Yellow belts might be entry-level employees looking to better their environment or executive champions who need a crash course in Six Sigma and the define, measure, analyze, improve, and control approach (DMAIC).
Examination Details:
Exam Duration & Format:
- Computer-based: The exam will consist of 90 questions with 10 unscored. The time allows for completing the exam is 2 hours and 18 minutes.
- Paper & Pencil – The CSSYB test is a one-part, 80-question, two-hour exam that is only available in English.
- Passing Criteria: Minimum 70% score
- Validity Period: Lifetime
- Requirement: No Prerequisites
- Cost: The exam voucher is for $394 and members can save $100
Exam Domains: Go through the CSSYB body of knowledge
5. ASQ- Six Sigma Green Belt Certification
Six Sigma Green Belts examine and solve quality problems and participate in quality improvement initiatives in support of or under the supervision of a Six Sigma Black Belt. A Green Belt is a person with at least three years of work experience who want to demonstrate the expertise of Six Sigma tools and procedures.
Examination Details:
Exam Duration & Format:
- Computer-based: The exam will consist of 110 questions with 10 unscored. The time allows for completing the exam is 4 hours and 18 minutes.
- Paper & Pencil – The CSSGB test is a one-part, 100-question, two-hour exam that is only available in English.
- Passing Criteria: 550 points out of 750
- Validity Period: Lifetime
- Requirement: Candidate must have worked in a full-time and paid role
- Cost: The exam voucher is for $438 and members can save $100
Exam Domains: Go through the CSSGB body of knowledge
6. ASQ- Six Sigma Black Belt Certification
A Certified Six Sigma Black Belt is an expert who can explain Six Sigma philosophies and principles, as well as support systems and technologies. A Black Belt should display team leadership, comprehend team dynamics, and assign roles and tasks to team members.
Examination Details:
Exam Duration & Format:
- Computer-based: The exam will consist of 165 questions with 15 unscored. The time allows for completing the exam is 4 hours and 18 minutes.
- Paper & Pencil – The CSSBB test is a one-part, 150-question, two-hour exam that is only available in English.
- Passing Criteria: 550 points out of 750
- Validity Period: 3 years
Requirement:
- Candidate must have worked in a full-time and paid role
- Completed one six sigma project and submit project affidavit
Cost: The exam voucher is for $538 and members can save $100
Exam Domains: Go through the CSSBB body of knowledge
7. Villanova- Six Sigma Green Belt
The Six Sigma Green Belt credential assists you in strengthening your business by learning, interpreting, and applying Six Sigma key concepts. This course is intended for professionals who have little or no prior expertise with Six Sigma methodology.
Examination Details:
- Exam Duration & Format: The exam will consist of 100 questions and you have 4 hours to complete it.
- Passing Criteria: Passing score of 70
- Validity Period: 3 years
- Requirement: Complete course materials and a unit exam.
- Cost: The exam cost is $220
Exam Domains: Refer to the Six Sigma green belt course curriculum
8. Villanova- Lean Sensei
This course is designed for managers and professionals in any industry who are seeking to transform their company into a leaner, more efficient operation. Those with no prior expertise with Lean Six Sigma will learn to comprehend, interpret, and apply the key ideas of Lean techniques to make better business decisions.
Examination Details:
- Exam Duration & Format: The exam will consist of 100 questions and you have 4 hours to complete it.
- Passing Criteria: Passing score of 70
- Validity Period: 3 years
- Requirement: Complete course materials and a unit exam.
- Cost: The exam cost is $220
Exam Domain: Go through the exam course curriculum
9. Villanova- Lean Six Sigma Black Belt
This course is part of the three-course Certificate in Lean Six Sigma curriculum and is intended for experienced practitioners who have completed Villanova’s Lean Six Sigma and Six Sigma Green Belt courses. This course will teach you how to discover and implement breakthrough changes for improved bottom-line outcomes.
Examination Details:
- Exam Duration & Format: The exam will consist of 100 questions and you have 4 hours to complete it.
- Passing Criteria: Passing score of 70
- Validity Period: 3 years
- Requirement: Complete course materials and a unit exam and required stimulated course project
- Cost: The exam cost is $370
Exam Domain: Go through the course curriculum
10. Villanova- Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt
The Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt course is intended to teach candidates the interpersonal and professional skills required to mentor Black Belt leaders and manage enterprise-wide projects.
Examination Details:
- Exam Duration & Format: The exam will consist of 50 questions and you have 2 hours to complete it.
- Passing Criteria: Passing score of 70
- Validity Period: 3 years
- Requirement: Complete course materials and a unit exam and the required course project
- Cost: Students who finish the Master Black Belt course and class project satisfactorily are entitled to take the Master Black Belt certification at no extra cost.
Exam Domain: Go through the course curriculum
How can you ace Six Sigma Certification?
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Conclusion
Earning a certification in lean six sigma can support you in many terms. It can profit you by becoming the career ladder or may advance your career. The six sigma certification comes in yellow, black, or green belts with yellow meaning the foundational and black meaning the expert level. As the level increases, the perks and benefits attached also increase. Concluding, the above explained six sigma certification is a way to go if you want to progress in fields that implement six sigma methodologies.
FAQ's
The Lean Six Sigma training assists in validating professionals who are capable of recognizing and removing risks, errors, or flaws in a business process. Obtaining Six Sigma training and certification typically necessitates a specific amount of expertise and the demonstration of competency.
Lean Six Sigma certification is excellent for increasing your pay and advancing your career. And it is worthwhile for your organization, which will profit from the cost reductions and increase revenue. There is a lot of organization department which need six sigma candidates like HR, marketing, Finance, and banking. So, it is a way to go in 2023.
If you want to earn a certification, you can earn one from the following institutes i.e. IASSC, AQS, or Villanova. But overall, the American Society for Quality (ASQ) is the finest overall Six Sigma Certification provider because of its worldwide standing.
The Lean Six Sigma Black Belt exam is quite difficult to pass on the first try than other six sigma exams. Many students prepare for months and then fail. Good study materials and dedicated study are required to pass the exam. You can get the best study material for the lean sigma exam from Certspilot.
A six sigma certified expert makes more than Rs. 20 lakhs per year in India.
You can choose one of both for certification but Master black belt credentials should only be obtained through ASQ, as IASSC does not grant this certification.
There are six levels:
- White Belt
- Yellow Belt
- Green Belt
- Black Belt
- Master Black Belt
- Champion
No. The Yellow Belt course is not required before taking the Green Belt course but lean six sigma training is recommended but not compulsory.
A Green Belt is skilled in Six Sigma and has begun its journey toward the expert. Those who get a Black Belt are prepared to take on leadership responsibilities, positioning themselves as specialists in process improvement and change management.
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