Certificates v. Certifications in the Quality Industry
The confusion between certificates and certification still exists.
Back in October 2012, our column was dedicated to clearing up the difference between training certificates and certifications. At the time, ASQ had been offering certifications for the quality professional for nearly 45 years. This year we are celebrating 50 years. Between 2012 and today, changes have been made. Perhaps the most significant change has been transferring a paper exam system to computer-based. However, the confusion between certificates and certification still exists. This article will revisit this topic to help you and your colleagues choose the correct program type for your job and career.
As of September 2012, ASQ offers 18 quality certifications, including the Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Certified Quality Auditor (CQA), and Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE). Over the years we have done our share of explaining the difference between certificate and certification. All manufacturing professionals hear and see the words certificate and certification regularly, but what do they really mean? Are they interchangeable terms?