Lean Six Sigma Certification: Your 2024 Guide

Lean Six Sigma is an approach to business operations that combines principles from the methodologies Six Sigma and Lean. By focusing on customers' needs, Lean Six Sigma aims to reduce waste across the production process and continually improve the process itself. Getting certified in Lean Six Sigma can be a way to show potential or current employers the steps you've taken to gain foundational knowledge while improving your problem-solving skills.

In this article, we'll go over what Lean Six Sigma certification entails and how you can go about finding the right organizations that will grant it. Afterward, if you're interested in learning more about Lean Six Sigma principles and tools, you can get started with the Six Sigma Yellow Belt Specialization, which can help you prepare to take your certification exam.

What is Lean Six Sigma certification? 

Lean Six Sigma certifications are credentials that show your proficiency in the Lean Six Sigma methodology as well as the corresponding skills you've developed. They tend to be called "Six Sigma certification," though many certification exams cover Lean principles as well.

Lean Six Sigma certifications are broken out into levels, called “belts.” There are five belts you can pursue:

• Six Sigma White Belt certification

• Six Sigma Yellow Belt certification

• Six Sigma Green Belt certification

• Six Sigma Black Belt certification

• Six Sigma Master Black Belt certification

Lean Six Sigma by certification level  

In the table below, we outline what each belt entails, the Lean Six Sigma certification cost, and who it’s for, using information from the Council for Six Sigma Certification, the official industry standard for this accreditation.

*A self-paced exam option is also available and includes the White, Yellow, Green, and Black belts. For $349, you’ll be able to access the self-paced study guide and take the certification exams for each belt as you progress. 

Lean Six Sigma vs. Six Sigma

Lean Six Sigma and Six Sigma methods take slightly different approaches to quality assurance. Lean Six Sigma optimizes the production process by eliminating unnecessary steps, while Six Sigma maintains steps, including advanced statistical metrics, to eliminate defects. You can get certified in either methodology.

4 benefits of Lean Six Sigma certification 

Getting Lean Six Sigma certified offers you several benefits in today’s competitive business landscape. If you’re considering getting certified, knowing these benefits can help you make an empowered decision. 

1. Build skills.

Going through a certification program for Lean Six Sigma can be a great opportunity to build skills to enhance your job performance in a variety of roles, including: 

• Project management 

• Agile

• Process improvement 

• Change management 

• Strategic planning

• Using software such as Tableau and Minitab

• Using programming languages such as Python, R, and SQL

• Quality assurance and quality control

• Continuous improvement 

2. Qualify for jobs.

The Lean Six Sigma methodology can boost your performance in a variety of roles. When researching career opportunities, read job descriptions carefully for mentions of Lean Six Sigma skills and certifications. 

Here’s a list of job titles you might come across in your search:

• Quality control technician

• Quality manager/engineer

• Production supervisor

• Director of quality improvement and organizational excellence

• Manufacturing engineer

• Mechanical engineer

• Director of engineering and new product development 

• Process engineer

3. Attract employers’ attention.

With this credential, you can improve your resume and become a more attractive job candidate. Lean Six Sigma certification signals your understanding of process improvement methodologies and leadership potential, which may catch the attention of employers. 

4. Increase your earning potential.

According to PayScale, the average annual base pay for Lean Six Sigma-certified professionals in the US is $92,000 [1]. Keep in mind that several factors may determine your earning potential, including location, experience, and industry demand. Getting certified at different belt levels can also affect your earning potential. 

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How to get Lean Six Sigma certification

Here are some actions to take to get the most out of your Lean Six Sigma certification journey: 

Choose a certifying organization.

Using the section above as a guide, decide which certifying organization will best serve you in your Lean Six Sigma career. Some factors to consider include the cost of getting certified by the different organizations, their reputation and accreditation, and how they format the training and exams. 

Choose a belt level. 

Using the table above, choose the belt level best suited to your goals. You might find it helpful to review job descriptions for roles you’re interested in to see which belt level employers list as a required or preferred qualification. In addition, consider which of the belt levels best aligns with your overall career goals.

Enroll in a training program. 

To prepare for a certification exam, it’s a good idea to enroll in a Lean Six Sigma training program. You can train through the certifying organizations explored above or find a separate training program. 

While you can build Lean Six Sigma skills on your own, enrolling in a formal Lean Six Sigma training program may offer some advantages, such as learning in a logical, structured way and gaining access to material you are likely to be tested on in a certification exam. 

Pass the certification exam. 

To obtain your Lean Six Sigma credential, you’ll need to pass the exam administered by the certification organization. Exams typically test your knowledge of the concepts, tools, and methodologies that pertain to the belt level. Before sitting for the exam, be sure to familiarize yourself with the exam format, duration, passing score, retake policies, and requirements for maintaining your certification over time. 

Where to get Lean Six Sigma certification

Several certifying organizations offer Lean Six Sigma certification by different levels. Below, we’ve listed several industry-recognized options.

The Council for Six Sigma Certification

The Council for Six Sigma Certification is considered the industry standard for Six Sigma. In addition to certifying people at the belt levels—White Belt through Master Black Belt—the Council for Six Sigma Certification offers project-based certifications with no exam component. These are designed to evaluate your proficiency in executing the Lean Six Sigma method in a real-world scenario. These include: 

• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification - Level II

• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification - Level II

• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification - Level III

6Sigma.us

Lean Six Sigma certification through this organization starts with the basics of Six Sigma at the different belt levels. The Lean-specific training programs that 6Sigma.us offers include:

• Lean Introduction

• Lean Fundamentals

• Lean Master 

These programs are conducted in person, online, and onsite to meet your needs. 

International Association for Six Sigma (IASSC)

The International Association for Six Sigma (IASSC) offers Yellow Belt, Green Belt, and Black Belt certifications in Lean Six Sigma, as well as advanced Lean credentials: 

• Certified Lean Expert™

• Certified Lean Leader™

• Certified Lean Practitioner™

You can take an IASSC certification exam online or at a professional testing center. 

Six Sigma Global Institute

In addition to the Yellow, Green, Black, and Master Black belts, the Six Sigma Global Institute offers “Professional Career Track Certification Bundles” that exhibit your expert status in Agile, health care, project management, Scrum, corporate training, and consulting.

ASQ

ASQ offers Yellow Belt certification designed for entry-level professionals and those looking to gain key knowledge of Six Sigma and its five components: define, measure, analyze, improve and control model (DMAIC). The computer-delivered exam entails answering 90 questions in two hours and 18 minutes exam. It is only offered in English.

Interested in earning your Lean Six Yellow Belt Certification? Prepare for the exam with the ASQ-Certified Six Sigma Yellow Belt Exam Prep Specialization Specialization. Over three courses, you'll become prepared to take the prepare you to take the ASQ-certified Six Sigma Yellow Belt (CSSYB) examination.

Explore Lean Six Sigma with Coursera

To prepare for Lean Six Sigma certification, learn about the fundamentals on Coursera. If you're new to Lean Six Sigma, consider enrolling in Kennesaw State University's Six Sigma Yellow Belt Specialization. Over four courses, you'll come to understand the principles and tools needed to be successful in applying Lean Six Sigma. While you will not earn Yellow Belt certification, the coursework prepares you to take the Yellow Belt certification exam through one of the organizations noted above.