American Society for Quality


The American Society for Quality, formerly the American Society for Quality Control, is a knowledge-based global community of quality professionals, with nearly 80,000 members dedicated to promoting and advancing quality tools, principles, and practices in their workplaces and communities.

History

ASQC was established on February 16, 1946 by 253 members in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with George D. Edwards as its first president. The organization was first created as a way for quality experts and manufacturers to sustain quality-improvement techniques used during World War II.
In 1948, ASQC's Code of Ethics establishes standards for members to conduct their activities and business.
In 1997, the members of the organization voted to change its name from "American Society for Quality Control" to "American Society for Quality".
Today, ASQ is a global organization with members in more than 140 countries. ASQ operates regional centers in North Asia, South Asia, Latin America, the Middle East/Africa and has established strategic alliances with 24 organizations through the World Partners® Program in countries like Brazil, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates to promote ASQ products and training.

Quality

ASQ provides its members with certification, training, publications, conferences, and other services. Internationally, ASQ has formed relationships with nonprofit organizations that have comparable missions and principles, forming collaborative efforts to meet the quality needs of companies, individuals, and organizations. ASQ is a founding partner of the American Customer Satisfaction Index, a quarterly economic indicator.
Since 1989, ASQ has administered the annual Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. The ASQ also gives the Dorian Shainin Medal, which is awarded annually for the "Development and Application of Creative or Unique Statistical Approaches in the Solving of Problems Relative to the Quality of Product or Service".

Certifications

ASQ offers 18 professional certifications relating to various aspects of the quality profession. Professional certification exams are translated into five languages included English, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, and Spanish. Exams are given nationally and, to a limited degree, worldwide several times annually. The body of knowledge for each certification is maintained through peer review every few years on a rotating schedule.
In 1968, the first ASQ certification was offered.
In 2016, ASQ's certification exam delivery method changed from paper to computer based testing at Prometric nationwide testing facilities.
All certifications listed are from this reference unless noted.
Year createdCertificationASQ initialsCoversCommentsOther reference
1968EngineerCQEPrinciple of product and service, quality evaluation, and control.
1970TechnicianCQTQuality problem, analysis, inspection sampling plans and statistical process control applications.
1972Reliability EngineerCREPrinciples of performance evaluation for product and system safety, reliability, and maintainability.
1984InspectorCQIHardware documentation, lab, and calibration procedures, inspection, process performance, data collection, and reports.Initially known as mechanical inspector.
1987AuditorCQAStandards and principles of auditing, questions, evaluations and reports for quality system adequacy.
1995ManagerCMQ/OE Champions process improvement initiatives and supports strategic planning and deployment initiatives.Changed to Certified Manager of Quality/ Organizational Excellence in 2006 to reflect the broader scope of the quality manager's position.
1996Software Quality EngineerCSQEDevelopment of software processes, measurement, verification, and validation, analytical methods, and quality management.
1996CQA-HACCPCHA since 2004Developed to test applicants knowledge of the HACCP standards.Changed to Certified HACCP Auditor in 2004.
2000Improvement AssociateCQIADesigned to test basic knowledge of quality tools and their uses, along with involvement in quality improvement projects.
2001Six Sigma Black BeltCSSBBTo demonstrate competency in Six Sigma methods.
2002CQA-biomedicalCBA since 2005.Understands principles of standards, regulations, directives, and guidance for auditing a biomedical system.Changed to Certified Biomedical Auditor in 2005.
2003Calibration TechnicianCCTTests, maintains, and repairs electrical, mechanical, electromechanical, analytical, and electronic measuring/recording equipment for conformance to established standards.
2005Process AnalystCQPAParaprofessional who analyzes and solves quality problems and is quality improvement projects.
2006Six Sigma Green BeltCSSGBParaprofessional who works with process development and documentation, collects, and summarizes data, and creates, and interprets multivar studies.
2009Pharmaceutical good manufacturing practices professional certificationCPGPTests applicant knowledge of principles as regulated and guided by national and international agencies.
2010Six Sigma Master Black BeltCMBBTo demonstrate master competency in six sigma methodology.
2015Six Sigma Yellow BeltCSSYBParticipates as a project team member. Reviews process improvements that support the project.
2016Supplier Quality ProfessionalCSQPWorks with an organization's supply chain and suppliers to continuously improve the performance of key system components by implementing process controls and developing quality assurance plans.

In a 2008 press release for the 40th anniversary of ASQ's certifications, the three most popular were the engineer, followed closely by the auditor and the Six Sigma Black Belt.

Publications

ASQ publishes a range of magazines and journals:
Quarterly:
Division and Forum Publications:
ASQ hosts a number of quality events and annual conferences worldwide:
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