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Exam Information
Official specifications published by ASQ
Exam Format
Paraprofessional
Registration
$434 USD
Prometric or online proctoring
Validity
Lifetime certification (no recertification required)
CQPA Exam Topics and Domains
CQPA is organized into 5 weighted domains.
1
Quality Concepts and Team Dynamics
20%
Professional Conduct and Ethics
ASQ Code of Ethics
Identify and apply behaviors that are aligned with the ASQ Code of Ethics
Quality Concepts
QualityQuality PlanningQuality Standards, Requirements, and SpecificationsQuality DocumentationCost of Quality (COQ)
- Describe how quality techniques benefit all parts of an organization
- Define a quality plan, its purpose, and development responsibilities
- Distinguish between standards, requirements, and specifications
- Identify elements of document control systems including configuration management
- Define and describe the four cost of quality categories
Quality Audits
Audit TypesAudit ComponentsAudit Roles and Responsibilities
- Define and distinguish between internal/external, product/process/systems, and first/second/third-party audits
- Identify elements of the audit process from planning through corrective action verification
- Describe the roles and responsibilities of lead auditor, team member, client, and auditee
Team Dynamics
Types of TeamsTeam DevelopmentTeam StagesTeam Roles and ResponsibilitiesTeam Conflict
- Distinguish between process improvement teams, workgroups, self-managed teams, temporary teams, and cross-functional teams
- Identify team building elements and apply team development strategies
- Describe the forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning stages
- Describe the roles of sponsor, champion, facilitator, leader, and team member
- Identify team challenges (groupthink, hidden agendas) and describe resolution strategies
Training and Evaluation
Training ElementsTraining Effectiveness Measurement
- Describe training elements including organizational alignment, needs identification, and adult learning styles
- Describe tools to measure training effectiveness
2
Quality Tools and Process Improvement Techniques
26%
Process Improvement Concepts and Approaches
PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act)Kaizen ActivitiesIncremental and Breakthrough ImprovementDMAIC Phases
Define and explain PDCA, kaizen, incremental/breakthrough improvement, and DMAIC phases
Basic Quality Tools
Seven Basic Quality Tools
Select, construct, apply, and interpret all seven basic quality tools
Process Improvement Techniques
LeanSix SigmaBenchmarkingRisk ManagementBusiness Process Management (BPM)
- Identify and apply lean tools to reduce waste
- Identify key Six Sigma concepts and belt-level roles
- Define benchmarking and its role in supporting best practices
- Recognize organizational risks and describe control/mitigation methods
- Define BPM and describe its lifecycle phases
Management and Planning Tools
Quality Management ToolsProject Management Tools
- Select and apply the seven management and planning tools
- Select and interpret Gantt charts, PERT, and CPM
3
Data Analysis
33%
Basic Concepts
Basic StatisticsBasic DistributionsProbability ConceptsReliability Concepts
- Calculate and interpret measures of central tendency and dispersion
- Define and explain normal, binomial, Poisson, and Weibull distributions
- Apply probability concepts and perform basic calculations
- Define reliability concepts including MTTF, MTBF, MTBM, MTTR and the bathtub curve
Data Types, Collection, and Integrity
Measurement ScalesData TypesData Collection and AnalysisData IntegrityData Plotting
- Define and use nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio measurement scales
- Classify data as continuous or discrete and determine conversion applicability
- Describe advantages of real-time data collection
- Recognize data integrity verification methods
- Identify advantages and limitations of data plotting
Sampling
Sampling MethodsAcceptance Sampling
- Define and distinguish between random, sequential, stratified, systematic, and rational subgroup sampling
- Identify acceptance sampling characteristics and the OC curve
Measurement System Analysis
Measurement System Analysis Components
Define and distinguish between accuracy, precision, repeatability, reproducibility (gage R&R), bias, and linearity
Statistical Process Control (SPC)
Fundamental ConceptsRational SubgroupsControl Charts for Attributes DataControl Charts for Variables DataCommon and Special Cause VariationProcess Capability Measures
- Distinguish control limits from specification limits, stability from capability
- Explain and apply rational subgroup principles
- Identify, select, and interpret p, np, c, u, X-R, X-s, and XmR control charts
- Interpret control chart patterns and distinguish common from special cause variation
- Calculate and interpret Cp, Cpk, Pp, and Ppk
Advanced Statistical Analysis
Regression and Correlation ModelsHypothesis TestingDesign of Experiments (DOE)Taguchi Concepts and MethodsAnalysis of Variance (ANOVA)
- Describe use of regression and correlation for estimation and prediction
- Calculate confidence intervals and determine statistical significance
- Define basic DOE terms
- Identify Taguchi concepts including quality loss function and robustness
- Define key ANOVA elements and their application
4
Customer-Supplier Relations
13%
Internal and External Customers and Suppliers
Customer and Supplier Definitions
Define and distinguish between internal and external customers and suppliers and describe their impact on quality
Customer Satisfaction Methods
Customer Feedback ToolsQuality Function Deployment (QFD)
- Describe customer feedback tools including surveys, focus groups, complaint forms, and warranty analysis
- Explain key elements of QFD
Product and Process Approval Systems
Validation and Qualification Methods
Describe how beta testing, first-article, in-process, and final inspection are used for approval
Supplier Management
Supplier SelectionSupplier Performance
- Describe criteria for supplier selection including environmental/social responsibility
- Describe supplier performance metrics
Material Identification, Status, and Traceability
Material Identification and Traceability
- Describe the importance of material identification by lot, batch, source, and conformance status
- Use various methods to segregate and process nonconforming material
5
Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA)
8%
Corrective Action
Corrective Action Process
Demonstrate all key elements of corrective action: identify, contain, determine root cause, propose solutions, verify implementation, confirm effectiveness
Preventive Action
Preventive Action Process
Demonstrate key elements of preventive action: track trends, use FMEA, review monitoring reports, identify potential failures, develop error-proofing, verify changes, confirm effectiveness
How do I earn this certification?
Passing CQPA earns the Certified Quality Process Analyst (CQPA) certification. It sits in the Quality Management track.
Next Level Options
- CQE - Certified Quality EngineerNatural progression for CQPA holders wanting to advance in quality engineering; requires additional experience
- CQA - Certified Quality AuditorFor those wanting to specialize in quality auditing; builds on audit knowledge from CQPA Domain I
- CSSGB - Certified Six Sigma Green BeltDeepens statistical and process improvement skills from CQPA Domains II and III
- CMQ/OE - Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational ExcellenceAdvanced management-level certification for experienced quality professionals
Alternative Paths
- CSSGB - Certified Six Sigma Green BeltFor those who want to deepen Six Sigma and statistical analysis skills
- CRE - Certified Reliability EngineerFor those interested in reliability engineering; builds on reliability concepts from CQPA Domain III
- CSQP - Certified Supplier Quality ProfessionalFor those interested in supplier quality management; builds on CQPA Domain IV
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 CQPA 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: 2020 (current BoK)
Updates
- Statistical Process Control (SPC) Software Core competency - control charts, capability indices, and pattern recognition
- Lean Manufacturing Tools Applied knowledge of lean concepts for process improvement
- FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) Understanding of FMEA methodology for identifying potential failures
Who should take this exam?
Must have worked in a full-time, paid role
- Knowledge of quality tools and processes
- Familiarity with basic statistics