First, if you want to get certified in Six Sigma, you need to complete at least one year of training. Six Sigma training online is an option, but not always the most appropriate one. Online training typically doesn’t take into consideration all the requirements of a standardized Six Sigma curriculum, so if you choose to take online Six Sigma certification courses, make sure you understand which topics are part of the curriculum and take those. Some training providers also recommend and sometimes require, that potential candidates take a practice exam first. This way, you can get a feel for the types of questions that you’ll face on the actual certification exam.
Second, once you get certified in Six Sigma, you can then work towards earning your Six Sigma Black Belt certification. Once you have that certification, you will be able to apply for higher level positions within your company or in other organizations that require Six Sigma employees. Black Belts earn a Master’s degree and Black Belts earn a Ph.D. In addition, some Six Sigma training courses will also require that you take a certification exam in order to become a Black Belt, which means you will need to take that exam as well in order to get certified.
The next step is to get certified as a Green Belt, which is an intermediate level of Six Sigma. Green Belts is responsible for implementing concepts into the process of Six Sigma projects, so they will work closely with Black Belts and Master Planters to get projects started and to keep them on track. While Black Belts and Master Planters do all the conceptualizing and implementation of Six Sigma, Green Belts supervises their employees and make sure they are doing it properly. While Black Belts just execute the projects, Green Belts oversees the entire process and help ensure that everyone is doing it properly.
In order to be certified as a green belt, you must complete the six sigma training and pass your Six Sigma exam. Once you do, you will be able to apply for black belt status. Black Belts and Master Planters must be trained for two years in a certified school and must pass an exam prior to applying for a six sigma job. After you get black belt certification, you can apply to become a Six Sigma Green Belt or take the exam to become a black belt.
How long does it take to get certified? Six Sigma Green Belt training typically takes from nine to twelve months to complete. During this time, you will learn about Six Sigma concepts and how to implement them into your company. The Six Sigma Black Belt certification takes about a year and a half to complete. Black Belts usually have a little more training time than Green Belts, but both certifications will also give you plenty of Six Sigma experience.
Can I go back and take the Six Sigma exam if I decide I no longer want to be a Six Sigma Green Belt? It depends on your circumstances. If you are unsure whether or not you want to be a Six Sigma Black Belt, you can take the certification test multiple times. After each Six Sigma certification you take, you will get a re-test. This gives you the option of testing yourself again before you decide whether or not you want to become a six Sigma Black Belt.
When do I find out if I am a Six Sigma Green Belt? You will receive an official Six Sigma Green Belt certification after you take the final certification test. There is no other process by which you can determine this level of certification. When you get certified, you will become an official member of your company’s Six Sigma Team. You will also receive an official recognition as a Six Sigma professional.