Frequently Asked Questions

The Certified Quality Improvement Associate (CQIA) is an entry-level certification offered by the American Society for Quality (ASQ). It validates your fundamental knowledge of quality concepts, tools, and improvement methodologies, demonstrating your ability to participate effectively in quality improvement projects across various industries.

The CQIA certification is ideal for: (1) Entry-level quality professionals looking to establish their credentials, (2) Non-quality professionals who want to expand their knowledge and skills, (3) Team leaders and supervisors who manage improvement initiatives, (4) Recent graduates entering quality-related fields, and (5) Anyone interested in building a foundation for further quality certifications.

The CQIA has no formal prerequisites, making it accessible to professionals at any stage of their career. You don't need specific education, experience, or prior certifications to take the exam, which makes it an excellent entry point into quality certifications.

Our comprehensive CQIA training program is self-paced and typically takes 4-6 weeks to complete, depending on your schedule and prior knowledge of quality concepts. Since the program is entirely online, you can study at your own pace and adjust your schedule as needed.

The CQIA exam covers five main areas from the ASQ Body of Knowledge: (1) Quality Concepts (25%), (2) Team Formation and Process (25%), (3) Customer-Supplier Relations (20%), (4) Management Concepts (15%), and (5) Continuous Improvement (15%). Our training program covers all these areas comprehensively.

The CQIA exam is a multiple-choice test consisting of 85 questions (75 scored and 10 unscored for research). You'll have 3 hours to complete the exam. The exam can be taken either in a computer-based format at an approved testing center or in a paper-based format at specific locations. Our training program includes practice tests that simulate the actual exam format.

After completing our training program, you'll need to register for the exam directly through ASQ's website. There are two registration paths: ASQ members receive discounted exam fees, while non-members pay a higher rate. Our team can provide guidance on the registration process as you near completion of the training program.

ASQ uses a scaled scoring system for certification exams. While the exact passing score can vary slightly by exam form, it typically corresponds to answering approximately 70% of the questions correctly. Our comprehensive training and practice exams are designed to prepare you to exceed this threshold comfortably.

The CQIA certification is valid for three years from the date you pass the exam. To maintain your certification after this period, you'll need to either retake the exam or earn recertification units (RUs) through professional development activities such as continuing education, conferences, courses, or publishing articles.

Our CQIA training program includes: (1) Comprehensive video lectures covering all exam topics, (2) Downloadable study guides and reference materials, (3) Interactive exercises and case studies, (4) Module quizzes and assessments, (5) Over 500 practice questions with explanations, (6) Two full-length practice exams, (7) Exam strategy guide, and (8) Access to instructor support through discussion forums and email.

We accept all major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover), PayPal, and corporate purchase orders. For corporate training for multiple employees, we also offer invoice payment options. Please contact our customer service team for information about group discounts.

Yes, we stand behind the quality of our training program. If you're not satisfied with the course content within the first 14 days of enrollment, we offer a full refund. Additionally, if you complete our program, follow our study recommendations, and don't pass the exam on your first attempt, we'll extend your access to the course materials for an additional 6 months at no extra charge.

After enrollment, you'll receive login credentials to access our learning management system. All course materials are available online 24/7 and can be accessed from any device with an internet connection, including desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Your progress is automatically saved, allowing you to resume your studies from where you left off.

Yes, our training program includes comprehensive instructor support. You can ask questions through discussion forums, receive email support for specific inquiries, and schedule one-on-one consultation sessions with our certified instructors for more complex topics or personalized guidance.

While we don't offer formal job placement services, we provide career resources including resume tips for highlighting your certification, job search strategies for quality positions, and networking opportunities through our alumni community. Many employers directly contact us seeking CQIA-certified professionals, and we share these opportunities with our graduates.

The CQIA is an entry-level certification that provides a broad foundation in quality principles. Other ASQ certifications like CQA (Quality Auditor), CQE (Quality Engineer), and CSSBB (Six Sigma Black Belt) are more specialized and typically require experience and deeper expertise in specific quality areas. Many professionals start with CQIA and then progress to these more advanced certifications as their careers develop.

Yes, we offer customized corporate training solutions for organizations looking to certify multiple employees. Our corporate programs can be tailored to your industry and specific needs, with options for dedicated instructors, custom scheduling, and group progress tracking. Contact our corporate training team for more information and volume pricing.

ASQ periodically updates the Body of Knowledge and exam content to reflect current industry practices. As a student in our program, you'll automatically receive updates when the exam changes. We continuously monitor ASQ announcements and promptly update our training materials to ensure they remain aligned with the current exam requirements.