(ASQ: Milwaukee) -- When someone petitioned the American Society for Quality (ASQ) to grant him certification even though he hadn’t passed the required exam, Scott Laman knew an effort was needed to increase understanding of what ASQ certification means.

Laman, chair of ASQ’s certification board, says some people believe course certificates and professional certifications are the same thing. Nothing could be further from the truth.

“Confusion may exist because when people go to a training course, they want closure. So the instructor gives out certificates of completion—often without there being a test or confirmation of knowledge,” says Laman. “All a certificate means is that they’ve taken a course.”

Because ASQ’s exams are developed by subject-matter experts and require achievement of the cut score on an exam, certifications demonstrate mastery of a body of knowledge, according to Laman.

Kathi Harris, vice chair of the certification board, adds that to even apply for an ASQ certification, an applicant must meet employment, education, or experience requirements. For Six Sigma certifications, proof of having completed projects is necessary.

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