Do I have the required experience for CQE? Previously a mechanical engineer with BA

[holly21]

I've worked as a Quality Analyst for a little over a month. Prior to working in quality, I have 12 years of experience working as a mechanical engineer (I have a BS, which takes care of 4 years of the requirement), trainer, system analyst, tester (quality for musical instrument manufacturer - only 5 months).

A large aspect of the engineering job was completing projects for quality reasons, and when I was a trainer and system analyst, the point of my projects were to study the system, write operational instructions, and train the operator, which has a direct impact on product quality. So while both of these jobs provided quality-related experience, the official job description for each probably cannot be tied directly to the CQE BOK. I probably can tie it in if I say that these jobs were completed to improve product quality on my resume.

I submitted this experience when I applied for the CQT exam (I'm taking in March - !ack! 51 days! ) and it was accepted. Do you think this will fill the requirements for the CQE if I take it in December? By then I should have a little over a year of experience as a quality analyst.

I've asked ASQ this question and they say that they cannot confirm for me until they have the application and fee in hand, however I won't apply for the CQE until much later in the year.

What do you think?

[ralphsulser]

Holly,
I think the ASQ will recognize your mechanical engineering experience as counting toward the CQE. When I took the CQE exam in 1986, a fellow student in my refresher course had 12 years teaching experience, and current quality experience accepted, and became certified as a CQE.
So, I think you should go for it, but take a refresher course prior to the exam.

[Donald Duck]

ASQ says:"on-the-job experience in one or more of the areas of the Certified Quality Engineer Body of Knowledge". Not must be a quality titled job. You will be ok!

GOOD LUCK!!!

[Govind]

Thanks to both Marc & Wes for their kind words in the other post.

Wes mentioned"Frequently ASQ staffers post there with exact rulings on prerequisite qualifications to sit for the various certification exams ..."

This is an important point. Thread posting with Exam eligibility questions are better answered by the Certification offering Manager Ms.Sally Harthun. Also please keep in mind, even Sally's reply post is based on the information furnished in the discussion by the poster. This should not be in any way taken as a guaranteed application approval.
Upon receipt of your application, ASQ has to still do their due diligence to verify, review and approve the application.
Regards,
Govind.

[holly21]

Thanks for your comments. I'll look forward to receiving "official" word from ASQ upon receipt of my application later in the year.