It can be confusing for professionals trying to determine which Six Sigma certification is most recognized.
For many other certifications, the path is straightforward: a single accreditation framework exists, certification bodies are accredited by the same authority, and as a result, curricula, training duration, and costs fall within a relatively narrow and predictable range.
Six Sigma is different.
There is no single governing body or universal accreditation framework for Six Sigma. Instead, the market is fragmented, with multiple providers, methodologies, and certification standards coexisting. This makes the landscape feel like a maze for professionals who are trying to choose the “right” certification.
I’ve successfully navigated this complexity, and in this guide, I’ll help you understand which Six Sigma certifications are most recognized—and, more importantly, what you need to know before selecting a certification provider.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
The three types of Six Sigma certification providers
Three main types of providers offer Six Sigma certification:
1. Accredited Six Sigma certifications
Accredited certification providers, usually recognized by one of these bodies:
- ASQ (American Society for Quality)
- IASSC (International Association for Six Sigma Certification)
- CSSC (Council for Six Sigma Certification)
An accreditation body is an organization responsible for evaluating and approving certification providers to ensure that they comply with defined quality and governance standards. It is important to distinguish accreditation bodies from certification providers, even though some accreditation bodies also issue certifications directly.
Still confused about accreditation? Read our clear explanation and make sense of it.
Accredited Six Sigma certifications are built on a clearly defined body of knowledge, which provides transparency regarding the concepts, tools, and methods assessed during the examination.
Organizations such as ASQ, CSSC, and IASSC publish formal bodies of knowledge that define exam scope and expectations.
While ASQ and CSSC also provide official study materials, including exam guides and reference books, IASSC does not publish an official handbook, requiring candidates who choose self-study to rely on third-party resources aligned with its body of knowledge.
For candidates planning to prepare independently, a curated overview of official ASQ and CSSC publications, along with recommended books aligned with IASSC requirements, can be found in this Six Sigma self-study book guide.
2. Independent Six Sigma certifications
Independent Six Sigma providers consistently emphasize that there is no single official authority governing Six Sigma. Neither Motorola, which developed the methodology, nor General Electric (GE), which played a major role in popularizing it, ever claimed such a position. From its origins, Six Sigma has functioned as an open framework shaped and shared by practitioners, rather than a system owned or controlled by a single organization.
As a consequence, certifications issued by independent providers are not aligned with a standardized body of knowledge. Their curricula, assessment methods, and levels of recognition therefore vary significantly. Most independent providers require candidates to complete their training and examinations, as self-study is difficult in the absence of a clearly defined BoK. The practical value of these certifications depends largely on the provider’s institutional background and the professional credibility of the Master Black Belts responsible for their design and delivery.
Explore the role of every Six Sigma belt.
For additional historical perspective, the video below features Steve Jobs discussing Dr. Joseph M. Juran, one of the pioneers of modern quality management who influenced Toyota’s approach to quality. Dr. Juran later founded the Juran Institute, a respected organization that offers Six Sigma certification programs, despite not operating under a formal accreditation framework.
3. University Six Sigma certification
Because Six Sigma operates as an open framework, many universities have developed and offer their own certification programs, often delivered in an online format.
University-based Six Sigma certifications are generally more academic in nature and are typically structured as comprehensive programs that require a longer time commitment to complete. Recognition is largely derived from the reputation and academic standing of the university itself. In some cases, these programs are also aligned with, or accredited by, one or more Six Sigma accrediting bodies, which can further strengthen their recognition in professional and academic contexts.
What are Six Sigma certification requirements?
| Provider / Accreditation | Yellow Belt | Green Belt | Black Belt | Master Black Belt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASQ-accredited providers | Pass exam. No experience or education required. | Pass exam + 3 years’ experience or 1 project with signed affidavit. | Pass exam, 3 years’ experience, and 1–2 projects with signed affidavits. | Hold ASQ Black Belt and pass portfolio review (5+ years experience or 10 Black Belt projects). |
| IASSC-accredited providers | Pass knowledge-based exam (closed-book, proctored). No prerequisites. | Pass knowledge-based exam (closed-book, proctored). No project required. | Pass knowledge-based exam (closed-book, proctored). No project required. | Not offered by IASSC. |
| CSSC-accredited providers | Pass exam (often open-book). No prerequisites or projects. | Pass exam (often open-book). No project for initial certification. | Pass exam (often open-book). No project for initial certification. | Exam and project required. Prior Black Belt Level III certification required. |
| Independent certification providers | Training + exam; project optional (e.g., GLSS). | Training + exam; project optional (e.g., GLSS). | Training + comprehensive exam; project optional (e.g., GLSS). | Certified Black Belt, 10 led/mentored projects, 40+ training hours, leadership training (e.g., 6sigma.us). |
| Universities (online) | E.g. TUM: Complete Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt: Quantitative Tools for Quality and Productivity program, containing three courses: | E.g. TUM: Prerequisites include completing the three online courses from the Yellow Belt program + completing: | Advanced coursework + exam and major real-world project (e.g., Villanova, UNC Charlotte). | Advanced coursework, exam, coaching Black Belts, and strategic deployment project (e.g., Villanova, UNC Charlotte). |
How long does it take to get six sigma certification?
Number of hours (including training time):
| Provider / Accreditation | Yellow Belt | Green Belt | Black Belt | Master Black Belt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certification providers accredited by ASQ (ASQ self-paced option) | 10.5 hours | 23.5 hours | 49.5 hours | Varies (no training option) |
| Certification providers accredited by IASSC | 18 hours | 83 hours | 124 hours | Not available |
| Certification providers accredited by the CSSC | 20 hours | 35 hours | 35 + 95 hours | Varies |
|
Independent certification providers e.g., GLSS | 2 hours | 4 hours | 8 hours | Not available |
|
Universities (online) e.g., Villanova (micro-course option) | Not available | 37.5 hours | 37.5 + 37.5 hours | 37.5 + 37.5 + 37.5 hours |
|
Universities (online) e.g., Technical University of Munich (TUM) | 88 hours | 88 + 80 hours | Not available | Not available |
|
Universities (online) e.g., UNC Charlotte | 7 hours | 5–8 weeks | 11–17 weeks | 5–8 weeks |
How long does lean Six Sigma certification last?
The validity of a Lean Six Sigma certification depends on the certification provider. Some certifications are valid for life, while others require periodic recertification or continuing education.
| Provider / Accreditation | Yellow Belt | Green Belt | Black Belt | Master Black Belt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certification providers accredited by ASQ | Does not expire | Does not expire | Recertification every 3 years | Recertification every 3 years |
| Certification providers accredited by IASSC | Recertification every 3 years | Recertification every 3 years | Recertification every 3 years | Not available |
| Certification providers accredited by the CSSC | Does not expire | Does not expire | Does not expire | Does not expire |
|
Independent certification providers e.g., GLSS | Recertification every 2 years | Recertification every 2 years | Recertification every 2 years | Not available |
|
Universities (online) e.g., Technical University of Munich (TUM) | Does not expire | Does not expire | Not available | Not available |
Accredited vs Non-accredited
When reviewing job postings, it is uncommon to see recruiters explicitly requesting a specific Six Sigma provider or accreditation body. Most listings simply mention “Six Sigma certification” without further qualification.
To better understand how this is perceived in practice, I conducted polls across seven LinkedIn groups focused on quality engineering and continuous improvement. The question was straightforward:
Do recruiters care about the accreditation of a candidate’s Six Sigma certification, and if so, which Six Sigma certification is most recognized?
The results were revealing (figures are not rounded):
- ASQ: 200 votes
- IASSC: 40 votes
- CSSC: 10 votes
- They don’t care: 200 votes
It is notable that the number of respondents who believe recruiters do not care at all matches the number who consider ASQ to be the most trusted accreditation.
Several Six Sigma professionals engaged in the discussion by emphasizing the rigor of the ASQ certification process, particularly the difficulty of its examinations and the depth of preparation required. They contrasted this with some independent certifications that can be obtained with only a few hours of preparation, arguing that the two are not comparable in terms of rigor.
At the same time, many quality professionals expressed the view that recruiters generally do not evaluate the accreditation behind a Six Sigma certification—and I tend to agree with this assessment. With the exception of certain top-tier manufacturing organizations that employ highly specialized recruiters, most recruiters are generalists. In practice, the same recruiter may be hiring a sales executive, a warehouse manager, and a quality engineer within the same period.
This leads to a more relevant question: if recruiters often do not differentiate between certifications, do hiring managers—particularly those with quality or engineering backgrounds—take a different view?
In most cases, the answer is yes, unless both the hiring manager and the organization have limited understanding of Six Sigma. The discussion during the job interview is unlikely to focus on how long you prepared for a Green Belt exam, as such a question would immediately raise concerns. Instead, hiring managers tend to probe your Six Sigma capabilities: for entry-level candidates, this means assessing the knowledge you have acquired, while for experienced professionals, the focus is on hands-on, practical experience—the projects you have completed, the problems you have solved, and the tools you have applied in real situations.
If you are both certified and experienced, the recognition level of your certification is unlikely to work against you. However, if you lack practical experience and rely solely on a certification obtained through minimal study, this gap becomes immediately apparent—and potentially critical.
This does not mean that shorter or less demanding certifications are inherently useless. They can be appropriate and effective in different situations, for example:
- If you are a disciplined self-learner, certification can support your knowledge acquisition through deeper study, such as reading foundational and advanced Six Sigma literature (for example, the recommended Six Sigma self-study books).
- If you have practical experience applying Six Sigma principles in real projects, certification can serve as a complement that validates your hands-on skills.
- If the role you are applying for is not heavily focused on Six Sigma, certification can enhance your credibility or set you apart, as your Six Sigma work may be limited or part-time within a team led by experienced practitioners.
In these contexts, certification serves as a complement to either knowledge or practical experience, rather than a substitute for them.
Which Six Sigma certification is most recognized? the conclusion
Six Sigma certification requirements and training durations vary widely across different types of providers—accredited bodies, independent organizations, and universities. It is possible to obtain a Black Belt certification in as little as eight hours, while some programs may require 80+ hours of study for a Yellow Belt, yet still present significant challenges in passing the exam.
For entry-level candidates, the focus should be on the knowledge acquired through training and study.
For experienced professionals, hands-on, practical experience with real Six Sigma projects is far more important. In both cases, certification can help open doors and secure interviews, but it is your knowledge or experience that will ultimately determine your effectiveness and credibility in the role.
Want to get Six Sigma certified? Read our 5-step guide to learn how to earn your Six Sigma certification.
FAQ
Which Six Sigma belt is best?
There is no single best belt; it depends on the role. For part-time Six Sigma responsibilities, the Green Belt is usually sufficient, while full-time Six Sigma roles typically require a Black Belt. A detailed breakdown of responsibilities by belt level is available in this overview of Six Sigma team roles.
Which is better, PMP or Six Sigma?
PMP focuses on project management, while Six Sigma focuses on quality and process improvement. They serve different purposes. PMP is often valuable for Six Sigma professionals because improvement work is project-based, but Six Sigma certification is not required for most PMP roles.