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Exam Information
Official specifications published by ASQ
Exam Format
Professional
Registration
$533 USD
Pearson VUE, Prometric, or online proctoring
English
Validity
3 years
Recertify by exam - take the current CQA exam; Recertify by journal - earn 18 Recertification Units (RUs) within 3-year period; Professional activities contributing to RUs include: continuing education, employment, teaching, presentations, publications, exam development, leadership
CQA Exam Topics and Domains
CQA is organized into 5 weighted domains.
1
Auditing Fundamentals
18%
Types of quality audits
MethodAuditor-auditee relationshipPurposeCommon elements with other audits
Purpose and scope of audits
Elements of purpose and scopeBenefits of audits
Criteria to audit against
- industry standards
- national standards
- international standards
- contracts
- specifications
- quality awards
- policies
- internal QMS
- sustainability
- social responsibility
- Define and distinguish audit criteria
- When to use different criteria
Roles and responsibilities of audit participants
- audit team members
- lead auditor
- client
- auditee
- functions and responsibilities
- Define participant roles
- Describe responsibilities
Professional conduct and consequences for auditors
Professional conduct and responsibilitiesLegal consequencesAudit credibility
2
Audit Process
28%
Audit preparation and planning
Elements of the audit planning processAuditor selectionAudit-related documentationLogisticsAuditing tools and working papersAuditing strategies
Audit performance
On-site audit managementOpening meetingAudit data collection and analysisEstablishment of objective evidenceOrganization of objective evidenceExit and closing meetings
Audit reporting
Report development and contentEffective reportsFinal audit report steps
Audit follow-up and closure
Elements of the corrective action processReview of corrective action planVerification of corrective actionFollow-up on ineffective corrective actionAudit closure
3
Auditor Competencies
17%
Auditor characteristics
- interpersonal skills
- problem-solving skills
- attention to detail
- cultural awareness
- cultural sensitivity
- independent work
- teamwork
- Identifying effective characteristics
- Applying in situations
On-site audit resource management
- managing audit teams
- scheduling audit meetings
- scheduling activities
- logistical adjustments
- Management techniques
- Resource allocation
Conflict resolution
- mild disagreements
- vehement disagreements
- auditee delaying tactics
- interruptions
- clarifying questions
- reiterating ground rules
- intervention by authority
- cool-down periods
- Identifying conflict situations
- Determining resolution techniques
Communication and presentation techniques
- written communication
- oral communication
- electronic communication
- opening meetings
- closing meetings
- ad hoc meetings
- technical reporting
- managerial reporting
- graphs
- charts
- diagrams
- multimedia aids
- domestic audits
- global audits
- in-person audits
- virtual audits
- e-audits
- multiple sites
- Selecting appropriate techniques
- Using in various situations
Interviewing techniques
Interview methodsPrompting responses
Team dynamics
Team-buildingTeam facilitationStages of team development
4
Audit Program Management and Business Applications
20%
Audit program management
Senior management supportStaffing and resource managementAuditor training and developmentAudit program evaluationInternal audit program managementExternal audit program managementBest practicesOrganizational risk managementManagement review input
Business and financial impact
Auditing as a management toolInterrelationships of business processesCost of quality (COQ) principlesEmerging roles of the auditor
5
Quality Tools and Techniques
17%
Basic quality and problem-solving tools
- Pareto charts
- cause and effect diagrams
- flowcharts
- statistical process control (SPC) charts
- check sheets
- scatter diagrams
- histograms
- root cause analysis
- plan-do-check-act (PDCA)
- Identifying tools
- Interpreting results
- Analyzing applications
Process improvement techniques
Six sigmaLean
Basic statistics
Measures of central tendencyMeasures of dispersionQualitative and quantitative analysis
Process variation
Common and special causeProcess performance metricsOutliers
Sampling methods
Acceptance sampling plansTypes of samplingSampling terms
Change control and configuration management
- change control principles
- configuration management systems
- hardware applications
- software applications
- security considerations
- product applications
- process applications
- service applications
- Identifying principles
- Understanding applications
Verification and validation
- verification methods
- validation methods
- process verification
- process validation
- Defining concepts
- Distinguishing between methods
- Using various methods
Risk management tools
- risk avoidance
- risk mitigation
- risk tradeoffs
- failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA)
- hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP)
- critical to quality (CTQ) analysis
- health hazard analysis (HHA)
- Identifying methods
- Describing tools
- Understanding applications
How do I earn this certification?
Passing CQA earns the ASQ Certified Quality Auditor certification. It sits in the Quality Auditing track.
Current Level Exams
Next Level Options
- CMQ/OE - Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational ExcellenceManagement-level certification for quality leaders
- CSSBB - Certified Six Sigma Black BeltAdvanced process improvement certification
- CBA - Certified Biomedical Auditor Specialized auditing for medical devices
Alternative Paths
- CSQP - Certified Supplier Quality ProfessionalFocus on supplier auditing and management
- CSQE - Certified Software Quality EngineerSoftware auditing and quality assurance
- HACCP - Certified HACCP Auditor Specialized food safety auditing
- CSSGB - Certified Six Sigma Green BeltComplementary process improvement skills
Practice with Precision
The PlanetCert Simulator mirrors the real exam environment with authentic questions and timed pressure.
How to study for this exam?
The most effective way to prepare for CQA is by using the PlanetCert Simulator to practice questions and review detailed explanations.
What's changed on this exam?
Current Status
- ACTIVE
- Last content update: 2019 Body of Knowledge
Updates
- Audit Management Software Changing how audits are planned, executed, and documented
- Data Analytics Tools Enhanced sampling and trend analysis capabilities
- ISO 19011:2018 2018 Core standard aligned with CQA Body of Knowledge • Release date: 2018-07-01
Who should take this exam?
Eight years of on-the-job experience in one or more areas of the CQA Body of Knowledge
At least three years must be in a decision-making position
- Understanding of auditing principles and practices
- Knowledge of quality tools and techniques
- Experience with quality management systems
- Familiarity with ISO 19011:2018 guidelines