Frequently Asked Questions

The ASQ Certified Quality Process Analyst (CQPA) is a professional certification offered by the American Society for Quality (ASQ). It recognizes professionals who have demonstrated proficiency in quality tools and techniques used to improve products, services, and processes.

The CQPA is designed for individuals who analyze and solve quality problems, are involved in quality improvement projects, or work with product and process improvement. It's an excellent entry-level to mid-level certification for quality professionals.

The ASQ CQPA certification does not have formal education or experience requirements. However, ASQ recommends that candidates have some basic knowledge of quality tools and processes.

While there are no prerequisites to take the exam, having some practical experience with quality improvement activities will help you better understand and apply the concepts covered in the certification.

• Career Advancement: The certification validates your knowledge and skills in quality improvement, enhancing your qualifications for promotions and new job opportunities.
• Higher Earning Potential: Certified quality professionals typically earn higher salaries than their non-certified peers.
• Professional Recognition: The certification demonstrates your commitment to quality and continuous improvement to employers and colleagues.
• Practical Skills: The knowledge gained during preparation for the certification enhances your ability to contribute to quality improvement initiatives.
• Professional Development: The certification process expands your understanding of quality principles and tools, contributing to your professional growth.

The ASQ CQPA certification exam is based on the CQPA Body of Knowledge, which includes the following major topics:

1. Quality Concepts and Tools: Quality systems, team management, quality tools, cost of quality.
2. Statistical Methods: Basic statistics, probability, distributions, statistical process control.
3. Process Management: Process analysis, lean tools, capability studies, continuous improvement.
4. Measurement Systems: Measurement system analysis, calibration, measurement techniques.
5. Problem-Solving Techniques: Root cause analysis, corrective action, preventive action.

Our training program covers all these areas comprehensively to ensure you're well-prepared for the exam.

The CQPA is considered an entry-level to mid-level certification within the ASQ certification framework. Here's how it compares to other common ASQ certifications:

• CQPA vs. CQA (Certified Quality Auditor): The CQPA focuses on process analysis and improvement, while the CQA focuses on auditing principles and practices.
• CQPA vs. CQE (Certified Quality Engineer): The CQPA covers quality tools and basic process improvement, while the CQE is more comprehensive and technical, covering advanced quality methods, design, and product/process control.
• CQPA vs. CSSGB (Certified Six Sigma Green Belt): The CQPA provides a broader overview of quality concepts, while the CSSGB focuses specifically on Six Sigma methodology and tools.

The CQPA is an excellent starting point for professionals beginning their quality career. Many professionals later progress to more specialized or advanced certifications based on their career path.

We offer two primary training formats to accommodate different learning preferences and schedules:

• In-Person Training: Our 4-day intensive program held at our Sandy, Utah facility. This immersive experience provides face-to-face interaction with instructors and peers, hands-on activities, and dedicated learning time.
• Online Training: Our 6-week program with flexible scheduling. This option includes live virtual sessions, self-paced learning modules, interactive assignments, and virtual office hours with instructors.

Both formats cover the same comprehensive curriculum and provide complete preparation for the ASQ CQPA certification exam.

Our $695.00 training fee is all-inclusive and covers:

• Comprehensive training sessions covering the complete ASQ CQPA Body of Knowledge
• Complete course workbook with all presentation materials and reference information
• Practice exercises and case studies for applied learning
• Multiple practice exams with answer keys and explanations
• Electronic resources and templates for workplace application
• 60 days of post-training access to instructors for questions
• Certificate of completion

The fee does not include the ASQ exam application fee, which is paid directly to ASQ when you register for the exam.

Our primary instructor is John Lee, who serves as lead instructor and office manager. John is an ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) and Six Sigma Black Belt with over 15 years of experience in quality management.

John combines deep technical knowledge with practical industry experience and effective teaching skills. His approach focuses on making complex concepts accessible through real-world examples and interactive learning activities.

Our instructors are selected based on:

• Extensive experience in quality management and process improvement
• Proven teaching ability and communication skills
• Current ASQ certifications relevant to the training they provide
• Continuous professional development to stay current with industry practices

You can learn more about our instructors on our Instructors page.

While self-study is an option for ASQ certification preparation, our structured training program offers several advantages:

• Expert Guidance: Our instructors highlight the most important concepts, clarify difficult topics, and help you avoid common misconceptions.
• Comprehensive Coverage: Our curriculum ensures you cover all aspects of the Body of Knowledge, including areas that might be overlooked in self-study.
• Interactive Learning: Discussions, exercises, and case studies reinforce concepts better than reading alone.
• Structured Approach: Our organized curriculum guides you through the material in a logical progression, building your knowledge systematically.
• Peer Learning: Interaction with fellow participants enhances understanding through shared perspectives and experiences.
• Accountability: The structured schedule and deadlines help you maintain consistent progress.
• Confidence Building: Regular feedback and practice exams build your confidence for the actual exam.

Our training program is designed to maximize your chances of passing the exam on your first attempt, potentially saving you time and the cost of retaking the exam.

Yes, we offer customized corporate training programs for organizations with multiple employees pursuing CQPA certification. Our corporate training can be conducted at your facility or virtually, and we can tailor the content to emphasize aspects most relevant to your industry and operations.

Corporate training benefits include:

• Cost savings for group training
• Customized scheduling to minimize disruption to operations
• Industry-specific examples and applications
• Team-building experience among quality professionals
• Consistent quality knowledge across the organization

Please contact us to discuss your organization's specific training needs and to request a corporate training proposal.

The ASQ CQPA exam consists of multiple-choice questions that test your knowledge of the CQPA Body of Knowledge. Here are the key details about the exam format:

• Number of Questions: The exam typically contains 100-110 multiple-choice questions.
• Time Limit: You have 4 hours to complete the exam.
• Question Types: Questions include standard multiple-choice, scenario-based questions, and calculations requiring statistical analysis.
• Exam Delivery: The exam is offered in computer-based format at testing centers worldwide and occasionally in paper-and-pencil format at specific locations.
• Reference Materials: The exam is closed-book, but for the computer-based exam, an online calculator is provided.

Our training program includes practice with questions in the same format as the actual exam to help you become comfortable with the testing environment.

Effective preparation for the ASQ CQPA exam includes several components:

1. Structured Learning: Complete our comprehensive training program, which covers all aspects of the Body of Knowledge.
2. Review Materials: Study the course workbook and reference materials provided during training.
3. Practice Questions: Complete multiple practice exams to become familiar with the question format and timing constraints.
4. Focus on Weak Areas: Identify topics where you need additional study and concentrate on strengthening those areas.
5. Consistent Study Schedule: Establish a regular study routine in the weeks leading up to the exam.
6. Review Formulas: Ensure you're comfortable with the statistical formulas and calculations that may appear on the exam.
7. Rest Before the Exam: Get adequate rest the night before to ensure peak mental performance.

Our training program includes a personalized study plan to help you prepare effectively based on your current knowledge level and available study time.

ASQ does not publish a fixed passing score for its certification exams. The passing score is determined using a process called "scaled scoring" and can vary slightly from one exam administration to another.

Generally, you need to answer approximately 70-75% of the questions correctly to pass, but this can vary based on the difficulty of the specific exam version.

Our training program prepares you to aim for a high score rather than just meeting the minimum passing threshold, giving you a comfortable margin for success.

Our students consistently achieve excellent results on the ASQ CQPA certification exam. Our current pass rate for students who complete our training program is over 90% on the first attempt, compared to the general pass rate of approximately 60-70%.

We attribute this success to our comprehensive curriculum, experienced instructors, effective teaching methods, and extensive practice with exam-style questions.

We continuously monitor our students' exam results and refine our training program to address any areas where students experience challenges.

Our comprehensive exam preparation resources include:

• Course Workbook: Detailed materials covering all aspects of the CQPA Body of Knowledge.
• Practice Exams: Multiple full-length practice exams that simulate the actual test experience.
• Question Bank: Hundreds of additional practice questions with detailed explanations.
• Formula Sheets: Comprehensive reference sheets for statistical formulas and calculations.
• Study Guides: Focused review materials for each major topic area.
• Online Resources: Access to our learning portal with additional resources and practice tools.
• Instructor Support: Access to instructors for questions and clarification on exam topics.

These resources are designed to support different learning styles and provide comprehensive preparation for the certification exam.

Registering for our ASQ CQPA training program is a simple process:

1. Select Your Format: Choose either our in-person or online training option based on your preferences and schedule.
2. Enroll Online: Click the "Enroll Now" button on our website, which will take you to our secure registration portal.
3. Complete Registration Form: Fill out the registration form with your personal and professional information.
4. Select Training Date: Choose your preferred training date from the available options.
5. Payment: Submit your payment using our secure payment system (credit card, corporate check, or purchase order).
6. Confirmation: You'll receive a confirmation email with details about your training, including schedule, location (for in-person training), or login information (for online training).

If you need assistance with the registration process, please contact our office at 801-599-1579 or email [email protected].

We accept the following payment methods:

• Credit Cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover
• Corporate Checks: Made payable to "Alpha Training & Consulting"
• Purchase Orders: For companies with established accounts or government agencies
• Wire Transfers: For international students or organizations (contact us for details)

Payment must be received to confirm your registration. For corporate or group registrations, please contact us directly to discuss payment arrangements.

Our cancellation and refund policy is as follows:

• Full Refund: Cancellations made 14 or more days before the training start date receive a full refund of the registration fee.
• Partial Refund: Cancellations made 7-13 days before the training start date receive a 50% refund of the registration fee.
• No Refund: Cancellations made less than 7 days before the training start date are not eligible for a refund.
• Transfers: If you cannot attend your scheduled training, you may transfer your registration to a future training date at no additional cost if requested at least 7 days before the original training date.
• Substitutions: You may substitute another person from your organization to attend in your place at any time before the training begins at no additional cost.

In the event that we need to cancel or reschedule a training session due to unforeseen circumstances, you will be offered the option of a full refund or transfer to a future training date.

Our in-person training sessions are conducted at our training facility in Sandy, Utah:

Alpha Training & Consulting
8634 Acorn Lane
Sandy, Utah

The facility features:

• Modern, comfortable classroom environment
• Convenient location with ample parking
• Refreshments provided throughout the training
• High-speed internet access
• Close proximity to hotels, restaurants, and amenities

Detailed directions and facility information will be provided in your registration confirmation email.

Our online training program is designed to provide a flexible yet comprehensive learning experience:

• Format: The 6-week program combines live virtual sessions, self-paced learning modules, and interactive assignments.
• Live Sessions: Weekly scheduled live sessions with instructors (typically 2-3 hours) for instruction, discussion, and Q&A. These sessions are recorded for later review if you can't attend live.
• Learning Platform: Access to our online learning platform with course materials, videos, practice questions, and discussion forums.
• Weekly Modules: Structured weekly modules that build your knowledge progressively through the Body of Knowledge.
• Assignments: Practice exercises and assessments to reinforce learning and provide feedback on your progress.
• Instructor Access: Regular virtual office hours and email support for questions and clarification.
• Technical Requirements: Computer with reliable internet connection, webcam, and microphone for participation in live sessions.

While the online format offers flexibility, it does require self-discipline and commitment to complete the assigned work and participate in the learning activities.

The ASQ CQPA certification is valid for three years from the date you successfully pass the exam. To maintain your certification beyond this period, you must recertify before your certification expiration date.

ASQ will send you reminders about your recertification requirements as your expiration date approaches, but it's advisable to keep track of your certification period and plan your recertification activities accordingly.

ASQ offers two primary methods for recertification:

1. Recertification by Exam:
   You can retake and pass the CQPA exam within your certification period. This option demonstrates that your knowledge remains current with any updates to the Body of Knowledge.
2. Recertification by Professional Development Units (RUs):
   You can earn the required number of recertification units (typically 18 RUs for the CQPA) through qualifying professional development activities, including:
   • Employment in the quality field
   • Membership in professional organizations
   • Courses, workshops, and seminars
   • Meetings and conferences
   • Certifications from other professional bodies
   • Publishing articles or papers
   • Instructing courses or making presentations
   • Volunteer leadership positions

Most professionals choose the RU method as it allows them to maintain their certification through ongoing professional development activities they may already be engaged in.

Yes, we offer refresher courses specifically designed for professionals seeking recertification. These courses provide:

• Updates on any changes to the CQPA Body of Knowledge
• Review of key concepts and techniques
• Introduction to new tools and methodologies
• Practice with current exam-style questions
• Recertification units (RUs) that can be applied toward your recertification requirements

Our refresher courses are available in both in-person and online formats, and are typically shorter and more focused than our full certification preparation courses.

Please contact us for information about upcoming refresher course dates and registration details.

Effective tracking of your recertification units is important for a smooth recertification process. We recommend:

• Create a Recertification Journal: Maintain a detailed record of all professional development activities, including dates, descriptions, and documentation.
• Use ASQ's Online System: ASQ provides an online portal where you can log your activities throughout your certification period.
• Collect Documentation: Keep certificates of attendance, receipts, agendas, and other evidence of your participation in professional development activities.
• Regular Updates: Update your records regularly rather than waiting until your recertification deadline approaches.
• Understand RU Values: Familiarize yourself with how different activities translate into recertification units.

We provide guidance on recertification requirements and RU tracking as part of our certification training program, and we're available to answer questions about recertification throughout your certification period.