At Hudson we’re often asked by people, including businesses, how to get a Six Sigma certification. With Six Sigma being widely adopted across most industries, it’s no wonder there are questions around the route to certification.
Six Sigma Certification Bodies
The first thing we need to explain is that there are several different certification bodies. Each of these bodies has slightly different certification requirements. As an example, there’s the American Society for Quality (ASQ), the International Association for Six Sigma Certification (IASSC), and the Council for Six Sigma Certification (CSSC). To complicate matters further, some businesses even create their own certification schemes. The issue with this is that the certification you gain may not be recognised outside of that company.
Let’s talk about the certification body requirements. The ASQ requires learners to submit project work (which must be sponsored), plus sit a final closed book certification exam. The IASSC on the other hand has the same requirement, but does not require learners to submit project work. The same also applies for the CSSC, with the exception being the exam is open book.
Which Six Sigma Certification is Best?
So the question is, which certification body is right for me? The answer really depends on where you intend to live and work. What we’ve typically found is that the preferred choice among employers and learners in the US is the ASQ.
In the UK and Europe, the preferred choice is the IASSC. The CSSC is not as widely known in the US, UK and Europe when we compare it to the former certification bodies.
Which Six Sigma Belt Level Should I Get?
Another common question we get asked is whether or not a learner needs to have a Six Sigma Yellow or Green belt certification, before they can enrol on a Black Belt certification course. The simple answer is no! Contrary to what many people think, the belt colours are not an indication of progress. Rather, the belt level is an indication of the type of job role a person has.
For instance, a Yellow Belt is a good fit if the learner is part of a Six Sigma team working to improve a business. A Green Belt is for those who are part of a Six Sigma management team working to improve a business, assisting with data collection and analysis. And finally a Black Belt is for project leaders and consultants who lead problem-solving projects and train and coach project teams.
The two key questions to bear in mind when choosing your Six Sigma certification body and belt level are:
- Where do I intend to live and work?
- What type of job role will I be doing?
You can jump into any belt level at any time. To learn more about the differences in belt levels, see our article on Lean Six Sigma Career and Salary Benefits.
How to Get Lean Six Sigma Certified Online
Once you’ve decided on which certification body to choose, it’s then a case of finding a reputable, and most importantly… accredited training provider. We would encourage prospective learners to do their research by reading reviews and verifying the accredited status of any training provider they are considering.
Hudson Courses are accredited by the IASSC and CSSC. We offer a range of Lean Six Sigma Certifications, all available as online courses. All of our courses feature detailed videos with an accredited instructor and a monthly live Q&A with your trainer. Our online certifications allow you to study at your own pace, while still enjoying the benefits of a live instructor!
Three of our best selling Six Sigma courses are:
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IASSC Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification With Exam Fees Included Includes training videos, monthly live instructor Q&A, 12 months access to course materials, and official certification exam fees.
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IASSC Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification With Exam Fees Included Includes training videos, monthly live instructor Q&A, 12 months access to course materials, and official certification exam fees.
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IASSC Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification – 8 Day Live Online Evening Class (Exam Included) Receive live online training with our IASSC accredited trainer, Dr. Dan Green. Includes the cost of the official certification exam.
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What’s the difference between Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma?
This is another common question we’re asked. We thought it might be useful to provide an answer to this question if you’re unsure whether to gain a Six Sigma or Lean Six Sigma certification.
Although Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma have the same fundamental objective to eliminate defects and reduce waste, Lean Six Sigma goes beyond this and analyses ways of streamlining manufacturing and production processes. Unlike Six Sigma, the main focus of Lean Six Sigma is on eradicating unnecessary and wasteful steps in the creation of a product, service, or process, so that only steps that directly add value are taken. In essence, it works to reduce variation.
A closing note
We hope you found this article helpful in demystifying the world of Six Sigma certification. If you’re looking for further advice, please feel free to reach out to the Hudson support team. We are here to help you succeed!
About Hudson Courses
We are a global provider of online professional training courses. Based in London, U.K., we train individuals and businesses around the world. With first-class customer service, proven online training programs and globally recognized accreditations, we put your needs above anything else. Contact us to speak with a Course Advisor today!
