Quality Management

Six Sigma Certification Cost: Here’s A Comprehensive Guide

Written byContributing Writer
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Updated onJuly 15, 2024

Six Sigma certifications have several different types, each with prerequisites and costs. To earn your certification, you must do the necessary Lean Six Sigma coursework, learn the required skills, and pass a certification exam.

The Six Sigma certification cost will vary depending on which type of certification you are pursuing. In this article, we will break down the following Six Sigma fees for certification:

Six Sigma White Belt Certification Cost
Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certification Cost
Six Sigma Green Belt Certification Cost
Six Sigma Black Belt Certification Cost

Types of Six Sigma Certification

Earning a Six Sigma certification requires passing an exam from one of three professional associations:

American Society for Quality (ASQ)
Council for Six Sigma Certification (CSSC)
International Association for Six Sigma Certification (IASSC)

Those earning certifications work their way through the belt process, starting with a white or yellow belt and moving to a black belt as they progress with career goals.

Also Read: Understanding Six Sigma Belt Levels: A Comprehensive Guide

Six Sigma White Belt

The Six Sigma White Belt certification demonstrates a basic understanding of the fundamental of Six Sigma. Earning this certification does not require enrolling in a formal certification program, although a firm grasp of Six Sigma principles is required. The Council for Six Sigma Certification (CSSC) recommends prior training and knowledge about the definition and structure of Six Sigma.

Prerequisites

None required. However, the CSSC recommends applicants obtain Six Sigma training through a qualified training provider.

Exam

The standard exam offered through CSSC includes 30 questions in an open-book format. Candidates must earn 56 points or higher out of a possible 80 possible points.

Six Sigma White Belt Certification Cost

CSSC: $0
ASQ: N/A
IAASC: N/A

White Belts can participate in projects and problem-solving tasks related to quality management and waste reduction.

Six Sigma Yellow Belt

The Six Sigma Yellow Belt certification demonstrates that individuals have gone beyond the fundamentals included in the White Belt training. Yellow Belts have undergone more formal training, developing the skills and expertise needed to be fully contributing team members.

The Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt certification cost varies depending on which third-party certification you pursue.

Prerequisites

Although there are no prerequisites to take the Six Sigma certification exam, it is recommended that candidates have formal training through a qualified institution or corporate program.

Exam

ASQ: Open-book exam of 110 questions. Candidates need a score of 550 or higher out of 750 possible points.
CSSC: Open-book exam of 50 questions, Candidates must score 140 points or higher out of 200 possible points.
IAASC: Closed-book exam of 60 questions. Candidates must achieve a minimum score of 70%.

Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certification Cost

ASQ: $422 ($100 discount for ASQ members)
CSSC: $99
IAASC: $250

Six Sigma Yellow Belts can assist project managers at higher belt levels and guide certain projects with limited scopes.

Six Sigma Green Belt

Earning a Six Sigma Green Belt requires more extensive knowledge of Six Sigma principles, including the DMAIC framework: Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control. With the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification, costs will vary, as will requirements.

Prerequisites

ASQ: 3 years of on-the-job experience in a full-time paid role.
CSSC: None required.
IAASC: None required.

Exam

ASQ: Open-book exam of 110 questions. Candidates need a score of 550 or higher out of 750 possible points.
CSSC: Open-book exam of 100 questions, Candidates must score 280 points or higher out of 400 possible points.
IAASC: Closed-book exam of 100 questions. Candidates must achieve a minimum score of 70%.

Six Sigma Green Belt Certification Cost

ASQ: $469 ($100 discount for ASQ members)
CSSC: $159
IAASC: $350

Six Sigma Green Belt certificate holders often serve as project leads, managing Six Sigma teams and performing data analysis for black belt projects.

Also Read: Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Exam Questions and Answers

Six Sigma Black Belt

The Six Sigma black belt requires advanced training to master Six Sigma. Black Belt training courses provide a robust understanding of driving organizational change, advanced statistical analysis, Lean principles, and management of Green Belts.

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification costs also vary depending on your desired association certificates.

Prerequisites

ASQ: 3 years of on-the-job experience in a full-time paid role plus documented completion of the project(s).
CSSC: None required.
IAASC: None required.

Exam

ASQ: Open-book exam of 165 questions. Candidates need a score of 550 or higher out of 750 possible points.
CSSC: Open-book exam of 150 questions, Candidates must score 420 points or higher out of 600 possible points.
IAASC: Closed-book exam of 150 questions. Candidates must achieve a minimum score of 70%.

Six Sigma Black Belt Certification Cost

ASQ: $568 ($100 discount for ASQ members)
CSSC: $229
IAASC: $450

Six Sigma Certification Cost Breakdown

In addition to the cost of the tests, the Lean Six Sigma certification cost will depend on the amount of training you need, how you get your training, and the study materials required. There are also fees for recertification and retakes.

Six Sigma Training

The certification exams for Six Sigma are extremely challenging and precise. While you may find online resources to learn some things on your own, finding a training course specifically designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to pass the exam will be crucial to your success.

Training courses can run from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars depending on several factors:

Length and depth of training
Belt-level focus
Whether classes are online or classroom-based
Whether courses are recognized or accredited
Who is teaching the course

Besides preparing you for certification, related training will help you succeed in your career. Taking and earning a certification from a Six Sigma training course will only reflect positively on you.

Study Materials

There are additional Six Sigma certification costs for any materials you need to pursue your certification, such as laptops, textbooks, study materials, and software. Some courses will provide the study materials you need, while others will not.

Retake Fees

If you fail to pass the exam the first time, each organization offers a discount on the initial fee for the retake.

Certification Renewal Fees

Six Sigma certifications from CSSC do not expire, meaning you do not need to renew them. ASQ requires recertification every two years to stay current, while IAASC requires recertification every three years to maintain a credential. Renewal costs also vary by belt and association.

Also Read: Six Sigma vs. Lean Six Sigma: Which Methodology Is Right for Your Business?

Ways to Reduce Six Sigma Certification Costs

There are several ways you can reduce the Six Sigma course fees.

Research and compare different training providers and certification options. However, don’t sacrifice quality for low cost. The skills you learn will advance your career. It’s about more than just getting a certificate.
Look for training programs that offer discounts or payment plans. This can help you afford the initial fees or spread payments over time.
Augment your training using free or low-cost online resources, such as study materials or practice exams.
Ask your employer about tuition reimbursement, scholarships, or employer-sponsored training programs.

The ROI of Getting Six Sigma Certification

Certification in Six Sigma or Lean Six Sigma provides a significant return on investment regarding career opportunities, advancement, and earning potential. As you progress through different belt levels, salaries increase significantly.

According to Payscale.com, salaries for different belt categories average:

Six Sigma White Belt Average Salary: $67,000 per year
Six Sigma Yellow Belt Average Salary: $69,000 per year
Six Sigma Green Belt Average Salary: $90,000 per year
Six Sigma Black Belt Average Salary: $109,000 per year

Several certification programs provide advanced classes in different belt categories, offering additional opportunities to grow skills and advance careers. For example, the average salary for a Six Sigma Master Black Belt averages $130,000 per year.

Six Sigma certification also provides the foundation to significantly contribute to your company’s bottom line by improving performance, eliminating waste, and optimizing processes.

Learn About an Online Lean Six Sigma Program

An online bootcamp, such as the Post Graduate Lean Six Sigma certification course delivered by Simplilearn in collaboration with the University of Massachusetts, can jumpstart your career in quality management. This 24-week online course will provide an overview of Lean Six Sigma and in-depth training on Lean management, Minitab, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, and more.

Learn the skills you need in this IASSC-accredited training to prepare you for the certification exam and pay the required Six Sigma certification cost. Talk to a learning consultant today about the Lean Six Sigma certification training course.