ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE): exam, requirements and study materials
The ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) certification requires eight years of quality engineering experience — three in a decision-making role — with up to five years waived for a degree. The exam has 175 multiple-choice questions (160 scored) in 5 hours 18 minutes, is open book, and you need 550 of 750 points. It costs US$550, US$100 less for ASQ members, and you recertify every three years.
- Certification
- Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), issued by ASQASQ CQE page, checked 10 October 2026
- Exam fee
- US$550; ASQ members save US$100 on the initial exam; retakes US$350ASQ CQE page, checked 10 October 2026
- Questions
- 175 multiple-choice — 160 scored, 15 unscoredASQ CQE page, checked 10 October 2026
- Duration
- 5 hours 18 minutes of exam time; 5.5-hour appointmentASQ CQE page, checked 10 October 2026
- Passing score
- 550 out of 750ASQ Exam results FAQ, checked 10 October 2026
- Format
- Open book — you bring your own references; computer-based at Prometric in testing windowsASQ CQE page, checked 10 October 2026
- Experience
- 8 years, 3 in a decision-making position; one degree waiver of 1–5 yearsASQ CQE page, checked 10 October 2026
- Next exam dates
- December 1–31, 2026 (apply by November 9); February 2027 (apply by January 11, 2027)ASQ CQE page, checked 10 October 2026
- Recertification
- Every 3 years: 18 recertification units or retake the examASQ Recertification page, checked 10 October 2026
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What is the ASQ Certified Quality Engineer certification?
A Certified Quality Engineer, in ASQ’s words, is a professional who specialises in improving processes and systems. The CQE certification is ASQ’s credential for quality engineers: it checks years of documented experience before you may sit the exam, and then tests you on the CQE Body of Knowledge in a long, open-book exam.
The full name you will see is ASQ CQE Certified Quality Engineer, and both orders are in use — CQE Certified Quality Engineer and Certified Quality Engineer CQE mean the same credential. There is one issuing body: the certification is branded ASQ, while its sister organisation ASQE develops the Body of Knowledge behind it.
The current Body of Knowledge is the 2022 CQE BoK, which ASQ’s own study guide describes as organised in seven parts.
Source: ASQ — Certified Quality Engineer (CQE). Checked 10 October 2026.
Certified quality engineer requirements
ASQ asks for eight years of on-the-job experience in one or more areas of the CQE Body of Knowledge. At least three of those years must be in a decision-making position, which ASQ defines as having the authority to define, execute or control projects or processes and being responsible for the outcome.
Education shortens the experience requirement, but only one waiver can be claimed: a diploma from a technical or trade school waives one year, an associate degree two, a bachelor’s degree four, and a master’s or doctorate five. With a master’s degree, three years of decision-making experience is therefore enough.
- 8 years of experience in CQE Body of Knowledge areas
- At least 3 of them in a decision-making position
- Degree waiver (one only): trade school 1 year, associate 2, bachelor’s 4, master’s or doctorate 5
Source: ASQ — Certified Quality Engineer (CQE). Checked 10 October 2026.
How to become a certified quality engineer
The route has four steps: check that your experience meets the requirement, apply for a testing window before its deadline, sit the computer-based exam at Prometric during that window, and score at least 550 of 750. You then hold the certification for three years.
The application deadline matters more than with most exams, because the CQE exam is scheduled in testing windows rather than on demand. Schedule your appointment in the window you chose when you applied.
Source: ASQ — Certified Quality Engineer (CQE). Checked 10 October 2026.
ASQ CQE exam dates
ASQ runs computer-based CQE testing in monthly windows. As of 10 October 2026, the October 2026 window is under way and its application deadline has passed. The next ones listed are:
- December 1–31, 2026 — application deadline November 9, 2026
- February 1–28, 2027 — application deadline January 11, 2027
- April 2027 — application deadline March 8, 2027
Source: ASQ — Certified Quality Engineer (CQE). Checked 10 October 2026.
The ASQ certified quality engineer exam: format, cost and passing score
The CQE exam is a one-part exam of 175 multiple-choice questions, of which 160 are scored and 15 are unscored. Exam time is 5 hours 18 minutes within a five-and-a-half-hour appointment. ASQ delivers it through its testing partner Prometric.
All ASQ exams are open book, and each candidate brings their own reference materials. That changes how you prepare: the certified quality engineer test rewards knowing where to find things fast, not just memorising them.
The exam fee is US$550; ASQ members save US$100 on the initial exam, and a retake costs US$350. Besides English, the exam is offered in bilingual English/German, English/Spanish, English/Mandarin, English/Polish, English/Czech and English/Slovak versions.
To pass you need 550 points out of a possible 750. At the test centre you see a preliminary result on screen immediately, and ASQ emails the official result within 7 days. ASQ’s results FAQ gives no pass rate.
Source: ASQ — Exam results FAQ. Checked 10 October 2026.
The ASQ Certified Quality Engineer Handbook
The ASQ Certified Quality Engineer Handbook, Fifth Edition is ASQ Quality Press’s reference for the exam. Published in 2022, it has 714 pages and is organised to align with the 2022 CQE Body of Knowledge. The hardcover lists at US$150, or US$105 for members.
Because the exam is open book, the certified quality engineer handbook is more than background reading: it can be one of the reference materials you bring into the exam. ASQ also publishes a list of references that support the Body of Knowledge, and says it endorses no single source.
The handbook also exists as an eBook — The ASQ Certified Quality Engineer Handbook, Fifth Edition (eBook), sold by ASQ as a digital document at the same price.
Source: ASQ Quality Press — The ASQ Certified Quality Engineer Handbook, Fifth Edition. Checked 10 October 2026.
The ASQ CQE study guide and question bank
For practice, ASQ Quality Press publishes the ASQ CQE study guide: The ASQ Certified Quality Engineer Study Guide, Second Edition (2023). It contains 399 practice questions organised by the seven parts of the Body of Knowledge, plus 216 more in randomised order, and was developed for the 2022 CQE BoK. The eBook costs US$60, or US$42 for members.
ASQ also sells the ASQ CQE question bank — listed on the CQE page as the CQE Question Bank, at US$119 or US$109 for members. An ASQ CQE practice exam built from these sources is the closest you get to the real format: certified quality engineer exam questions from ASQ itself are confidential and not released.
Source: ASQ Quality Press — The ASQ Certified Quality Engineer Study Guide, Second Edition. Checked 10 October 2026.
ASQ CQE training
ASQ’s own certified quality engineer training is an e-learning course, Certified Quality Engineer Certification Preparation. It is self-paced, 69 hours long, with 365 days of access, and costs US$824, or US$724 for members. It includes exam-style practice questions, which ASQ notes are not actual exam questions.
The course covers the Body of Knowledge but does not register you for the exam — that is a separate application with its own deadline.
Source: ASQ — Certified Quality Engineer Certification Preparation. Checked 10 October 2026.
Certified quality engineer salary
ASQ runs an annual Quality Progress Salary Survey; the 2025 edition was its 39th. Its public page gives no salary figure for certified quality engineers specifically, the full issue requires a login, and its salary calculator is a member benefit. So there is no ASQ-published CQE salary that can be quoted here.
Source: ASQ — Quality Progress Salary Survey. Checked 10 October 2026.
Recertification and exam rules
The CQE must be recertified every three years, either by earning 18 recertification units within the three-year period or by retaking the exam at the end of it.
ASQ’s testing agreement treats all exam questions and answers as confidential. Before the exam you may not access or use unauthorised study materials containing exam content, and afterwards you may not share questions online or with third parties. Sanctions include cancelled scores, revoked certifications and temporary or permanent bans.
Source: ASQ — Recertification. Checked 10 October 2026.
CQE vs Six Sigma Black Belt
Both are ASQ certifications with open-book, computer-based exams, but they differ in size and gate. The CQE exam has 175 questions in 5 hours 18 minutes for US$550; the Certified Six Sigma Black Belt exam has 165 questions in 4 hours 18 minutes for US$585. The Black Belt also requires at least one completed Six Sigma project with a signed affidavit.
Source: ASQ — Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB). Checked 10 October 2026.
CQE practice questions on Certsqill
Certsqill’s CQE practice questions are expert-developed: every question explains each answer option, and you see a readiness score for each part of the Body of Knowledge — useful for prep when you need 550 of 750 points.
CQE questions people ask
What is a certified quality engineer?
In ASQ’s words, a professional who specialises in improving processes and systems, certified by ASQ after meeting its experience requirement and passing the CQE exam. Checked 10 October 2026.
How much does the ASQ CQE exam cost?
US$550; ASQ members save US$100 on the initial exam, and retakes cost US$350. Source: ASQ CQE page, checked 10 October 2026.
How many questions are on the ASQ certified quality engineer exam?
175 multiple-choice questions, 160 scored and 15 unscored, in 5 hours 18 minutes. Source: ASQ, checked 10 October 2026.
What score do I need to pass the CQE?
550 out of 750. Source: ASQ Exam results FAQ, checked 10 October 2026.
Is the CQE exam open book?
Yes. ASQ states that all its exams are open book and you bring your own reference materials. Checked 10 October 2026.
What are the certified quality engineer requirements?
Eight years of experience in CQE Body of Knowledge areas, three in a decision-making position; one degree waiver of one to five years applies. Source: ASQ, checked 10 October 2026.
When are the ASQ CQE exam dates?
Computer-based windows include December 1–31, 2026 (apply by November 9) and February 2027 (apply by January 11, 2027). Source: ASQ, checked 10 October 2026.
Is there an ASQ certified quality engineer handbook PDF?
ASQ sells the Fifth Edition as a hardcover and as an eBook (digital document), both US$150 list or US$105 for members. Checked 10 October 2026.
Is the certified quality engineer handbook PDF free download offered by ASQ?
No. ASQ Quality Press sells the handbook; its product pages list prices and no free download, and the eBook’s access terms restrict printing and sharing.
