{"id":43977,"date":"2018-08-08T12:59:02","date_gmt":"2018-08-08T12:59:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/?page_id=43977"},"modified":"2026-03-17T10:19:46","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T15:19:46","slug":"quality-auditor-certification-exam","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/quality-auditor-certification-exam\/","title":{"rendered":"Quality Auditor Certification Exam"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The ASQ Quality Auditor Certification exam, also called the CQA exam, is required to become a certified quality auditor in the United States.<\/p>\n<p>Check out our premium-quality Quality Auditor Certification test prep resources by clicking the links below!<\/p>\n<div class=\"buttonlinks\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/studyguides\/cqa\/\" class=\"class_names\" style=\"color:black;\" onclick=\"_paq.push(['trackEvent', 'Guide Button', 'Guide Click', 'CQA Guide Click']);\">Quality Auditor Certification Study Guide<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.flashcardsecrets.com\/cqa\/\" class=\"class_names\" style=\"color:black;\" onclick=\"_paq.push(['trackEvent', 'Flashcard Button', 'Flashcard Button Click', 'CQA Flashcard Click']);\">Quality Auditor Certification Flashcards<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"pt-page\"><span id=\"Exam_Eligibility\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span> Exam Eligibility<\/h2>\n<p>To be eligible for this exam, you must have at least eight years of full-time experience in one or more of the areas of the Certified Quality Auditor Body of Knowledge, three years of which must be in a decision-making position.<\/p>\n<p>Depending on your level of education, you may have one or more years waived from your required experience.<\/p>\n<table class=\"ATable\" style=\"margin: auto; width: 70%; box-shadow: 1.5px 1.5px 3px grey;\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Level of Education<\/th>\n<th>Years Waived<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: left;\">Technical or trade school diploma<\/td>\n<td>1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: left;\">Associate degree<\/td>\n<td>2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: left;\">Bachelor&#8217;s degree<\/td>\n<td>4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: left;\">Master&#8217;s or doctorate degree<\/td>\n<td>5<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2 class=\"pt-page\"><span id=\"Quality_Auditor_Certification_Exam_Outline\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Quality Auditor Certification Exam Outline<\/h2>\n<p>The computer-delivered Quality Auditor Certification exam contains 165 multiple-choice questions, 15 of which are unscored, and you will be given a time limit of 5 hours and 18 minutes. The paper-and-pencil version of the exam contains 150 questions and has a time limit of 5 hours.<\/p>\n<p>The questions are designed using six levels of cognition, based on Bloom&#8217;s taxonomy:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Remember:<\/strong> Recall or recognize information<\/li>\n<li><strong>Understand:<\/strong> Read and understand information<\/li>\n<li><strong>Apply:<\/strong> Know when and how to use information<\/li>\n<li><strong>Analyze:<\/strong> Break down information and identify sublevel factors from a complex scenario<\/li>\n<li><strong>Evaluate:<\/strong> Make judgments by comparing information to specific standards or criteria<\/li>\n<li><strong>Create:<\/strong> Compile elements of information and identify information to examine further<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Roughly 10% to 15% of the questions on the exam pertain to case studies. Each study provides a scenario that outlines a specific audit situation that is supported by related audit documentation.<\/p>\n<p>The exam is split into five sections.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"I_Auditing_Fundamentals_(28_questions)\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>I. Auditing Fundamentals (28 questions)<\/h3>\n<p>The questions in this section focus on the following fundamentals:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Types of quality audits<\/li>\n<li>Purpose and scope of audits<\/li>\n<li>Criteria to audit against<\/li>\n<li>Roles and responsibilities of audit participants<\/li>\n<li>Professional conduct and consequences for auditors<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span id=\"II_Audit_Process_(44_questions)\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>II. Audit Process (44 questions)<\/h3>\n<p>The questions in this section focus on the following audit processes:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Audit preparation and planning<\/li>\n<li>Audit performance<\/li>\n<li>Audit reporting<\/li>\n<li>Audit follow-up and closure<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span id=\"III_Auditor_Competencies_(24_questions)\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>III. Auditor Competencies (24 questions)<\/h3>\n<p>The questions in this section focus on the following audit processes:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Auditor characteristics<\/li>\n<li>On-site audit resource management<\/li>\n<li>Conflict resolution<\/li>\n<li>Communication and presentation techniques<\/li>\n<li>Interviewing techniques<\/li>\n<li>Team dynamics<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span id=\"IV_Audit_Program_Management_and_Business_Applications_(30_questions)\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>IV. Audit Program Management and Business Applications (30 questions)<\/h3>\n<p>The questions in this section focus on the following topics:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Audit program management<\/li>\n<li>Business and financial impact<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span id=\"V_Quality_Tools_and_Techniques_(24_questions)\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>V. Quality Tools and Techniques (24 questions)<\/h3>\n<p>The questions in this section focus on the following topics:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Basic quality and problem-solving tools<\/li>\n<li>Process improvement techniques<\/li>\n<li>Basic statistics<\/li>\n<li>Process variation<\/li>\n<li>Sampling methods<\/li>\n<li>Change control and configuration management<\/li>\n<li>Verification and validation<\/li>\n<li>Risk management tools<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sg-box\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sg-box-text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"sg-box-title\">Check Out Mometrix's CQA Study Guide<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Get practice questions, video tutorials, and detailed study lessons<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"sg-box-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/studyguides\/cqa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Get Your Study Guide<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/studyguides\/cqa\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"184\" height=\"238\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/cqa.jpg\" alt=\" Study Guide\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"pt-page\"><span id=\"Exam_Registration\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Exam Registration<\/h2>\n<p>To register for the ASQ Quality Auditor Certification exam, you must submit an application to ASQ. Your application must include the $533 exam fee, which will be partially refunded if your application is not approved.<\/p>\n<p>Once your application is approved, you will be sent confirmation of your approval and information on how to schedule your computer-based or paper-and-pencil exam appointment.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pt-page\"><span id=\"Test_Day\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Test Day<\/h2>\n<p>You should arrive at the Prometric testing center at least 30 minutes before the scheduled start time to leave enough time for the check-in process. You will be greeted by a Test Center Administrator (TCA), who will ask you to present two forms of valid identification, one of which must contain your photo and signature.<\/p>\n<p>Once your ID is checked, your picture will be taken, and a digital image of your fingerprint will be taken. You will then be asked to put any personal items in a locker. The only things you are permitted to bring to the check-in station are your ID papers, your locker key, and a pair of foam earplugs in an unopened container.<\/p>\n<p>You will be asked to stop testing and leave the room immediately if you violate any security regulations, and no scores will be given for your test.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pt-page\"><span id=\"How_the_Exam_is_Scored\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>How the Exam is Scored<\/h2>\n<p>Your CQA exam score is calculated using a scaled scoring system. This system takes your raw score, which is how many questions you answered correctly, and converts it to a numerical scaled score. You will need a final scaled score of at least 550 to pass the exam.<\/p>\n<p>If you take the computerized version of the exam, you will receive your results immediately, and you should receive an email within 3 to 5 days with further confirmation. If you do not pass the exam, you will receive a summary report within 3 to 5 days.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pt-page\"><span id=\"Retaking_the_Exam\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Retaking the Exam<\/h2>\n<p>If you do not pass the exam, you may retake it after submitting a new application and a retesting fee of $333.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sg-box\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sg-box-text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"sg-box-title\">Check Out Mometrix's CQA Flashcards<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Get complex  subjects broken down into easily understandable concepts<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"sg-box-button blue-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flashcardsecrets.com\/cqa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Get Your Flashcards<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.flashcardsecrets.com\/cqa\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"238\" height=\"184\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/cqaflash.jpg\" alt=\" Flashcards\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"pt-page\"><span id=\"FAQs\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>FAQs<\/h2>\n<div class=\"faq-list\">\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">How many questions are on the Quality Auditor Certification exam?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>There are 165 multiple-choice questions on the computerized exam.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">How long is the Quality Auditor Certification exam?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>The time limit for the computerized exam is 5 hours and 18 minutes.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">What is the passing score for the Quality Auditor Certification exam?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>To pass the exam, you must achieve a scaled score of at least 550.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">How much does the Quality Auditor Certification exam cost?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>The examination fee is $533.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p><div itemscope=\"\" itemprop=\"author\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/Person\" class=\"author-bio\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" itemprop=\"image\" class=\"author-image\" height=\"127\" width=\"127\" alt=\"Headshot of Mometrix associate Peter Rench.\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Peter-Rench-scaled.webp\"><div class=\"author-text\"><p class=\"author-name\">By <span itemprop=\"name\">Peter Rench<\/span><\/p><div class=\"author-desc\"><p>Peter Rench joined Mometrix in 2009 and serves as Vice President of Product Development, responsible for overseeing all new product development and quality improvements. Mr. Rench, a National Merit Scholar, graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in mathematics from Texas A&amp;M University.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div itemscope=\"\" itemprop=\"editor\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/Person\" class=\"author-bio\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" itemprop=\"image\" class=\"author-image\" height=\"127\" width=\"127\" alt=\"Aaron Lanni profile pic\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image_2024-12-11_124906662.png\"><div class=\"author-text\"><p class=\"author-name\">Edited by <span itemprop=\"name\">Aaron Lanni<\/span><\/p><div class=\"author-desc\"><p>Aaron is the content manager and lead editor for Mometrix Academy. He regularly produces, updates, proofreads, and edits content to ensure it meets Mometrix\u2019s quality and accessibility standards.<\/p>\n<\/div><p class=\"alignright author-desc author-link\"><a class=\"ylist\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/editorial-guidelines\/\">Learn more about our editorial guidelines<\/a> \u2192<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n<div class=\"home-buttons\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/\">Mometrix Academy &#8211; Home<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"disclaimer\">Mometrix Test Preparation is not affiliated with or endorsed by any official testing organization. All organizational and test names are trademarks of their respective owners.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The ASQ Quality Auditor Certification exam, also called the CQA exam, is required to become a certified quality auditor in the United States. Check out our premium-quality Quality Auditor Certification test prep resources by clicking the links below! Exam Eligibility To be eligible for this exam, you must have at least eight years of full-time &#8230; <a title=\"Quality Auditor Certification Exam\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/quality-auditor-certification-exam\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Quality Auditor Certification Exam\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":205604,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":{"0":"post-43977","1":"page","2":"type-page","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"page_category-business","7":"page_type-exam-overview","8":"page_domain-asq-quality-auditor"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/43977","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=43977"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/43977\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":284221,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/43977\/revisions\/284221"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/205604"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=43977"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}