Lean Six Sigma Certification Levels

Lean Six Sigma, with its comprehensive tools and analytical techniques, removes waste and inefficiency from organizations. This methodology processes and solves problems with a mindset and culture that relies on data and strategies to reach operational performance goals with continuous improvement. Lean Six Sigma is a process methodology that combines Lean and Six Sigma tools, methods, and principles. Its team-oriented approach improves the organization’s operations, maximizes efficiency, and rapidly improves profitability. Thus many organizations look to employ more professionals with Lean Six Sigma certification belts. Six Sigma’s tools and techniques started in the 1980s as the quality movement as an orientation to error-proofing for the organizations. As a result, organizations save millions of dollars by using the Lean Six Sigma methodology. 
 

Benefits of organizations using Lean Six Sigma
 

Most of the Fortune 500 companies use Lean Six Sigma methodology and approach by employing its certified professionals, and some of it includes 
 

• Improves productivity significantly by reducing the turn-around time for making each product and thus increasing the number of manufacturing products 
   
• Reduces costs by minimizing the waste, which lowers the production cost and increases profits 
   
• Increases product quality by defect reduction as substandard products or services will reduce its cost, which is the actual cost of quality. 
   
• Boosts client confidence in the products and the business by applying CFPM (Cross-Functional Process Mapping) methodology to identify wasteful steps in the process to correct them. 
   
• Increases trust in the organization by having more experts with Lean Six Sigma certified belts. It confirms that quality is their number one priority and instills confidence among all stakeholders. 
   
• Reduces training costs of employees and their turnover by applying the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control) methodology
   
• The strategic benefits include solving complex problems and removing the root cause not to occur again. 
   

Lean six sigma certification levels
 

Six Sigma White Belt:
 

The fundamental Lean Six Sigma White Belt certification provides an overview of the Six Sigma methods, perspectives, and vocabulary. It shows workers of the organization at all levels and how they all contribute to the outcomes. The White belt professionals participate in projects, problem-solving teams, and work on reducing waste but are usually not a part of the main Six Sigma team. 

Exam details – There is no prerequisite for writing the CSSC (Council for Six Sigma Certification) Six Sigma White Belt exam. There are 30 Multiple Choice questions, and the candidate needs to get 56 points or more out of 80 points (70%) for becoming Lean Six Sigma White belt professionals. The exam is in the open-book format, and there is an option for a non-timed examination. There are unlimited exam attempts. The certificate is life-long. The examination is held online only. The Exam assessment is free of cost. 

Career – The certified Lean Six Sigma White Belt professionals can become a technical project manager or solutions architect. The average salary of the White belt certified professional in India is about $63,731.
 

Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certification:
 

The yellow belt is the next stage to the white belt and provides more than the fundamentals in two training sessions. It helps candidates understand the Six Sigma concepts and develop the knowledge to become a fully contributing team member. The candidate can be part of limited-score projects and assist the higher LSS certified professionals. 

Exam details: No prerequisite is required to write the CSSC Six Sigma Yellow Belt exam. Candidates need to appear in 50 MCQs. The exam is open-book with a non-timed option available. Only three exam attempts are there. Candidates need to score 70% or get 140 points out of 200 in one year after paying the exam fees. The certificate never expires. Candidates can appear for the exam online or at a physical testing center. 

Career: After certification, candidates can work as project team members. Some of the job roles include Supply Chain Manager, Business Optimization Specialists, Business Process Analysts, Continuous Improvement Manager, etc. The average salary of an Lean Six Sigma Yellow belt certified professional $67,405 
 

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification:
 

Green belt professionals need to attend the full course (3-day training) to know Six Sigma methods to develop and improve processes, products, and services. By learning to apply problem-solving skills like DMAIC, they understand the problems, set metrics to measure changes, analyze relevant data, implement solutions, and sustain the results. Once certified, the Green Belt professionals can take charge of the projects by connecting LSS concepts with the organization’s goals.

Exam details – No prerequisite is required to write the CSSC Six Sigma Green Belt exam. The exam is an open-book format and the candidates need to score 280 points or higher out of 400 points in a duration of 2 hrs. 

Career – Green Belt certified professionals work as Quality Managers, Project Managers, Operation Managers, Industrial Engineers, Mechanical Engineers, Process Engineers, etc. The average salary of certified LSSGB professionals is about $84,042 annually. 
 

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification:
 

By pursuing Black Belt certification, Green Belt professionals take their skills to the next level. In this course, they gain a rigorous understanding of how to bring in organization-wide changes, analyze statistics, deploy lean principles, and supervise projects managed by Green Belt professionals. They significantly impact the organization by running quality improvement, monitoring results, managing team dynamics, enhancing business productivity, and raising the bar in customer satisfaction. Black belt certified professionals are responsible for the execution of LSS projects. There are three levels in the CSSC Black belt – Black, Black II, and Black III. 
 

1. Black 

Exam – in the standard certification, there is no prerequisite. In the open-book exam, candidates need to appear for 150 questions, all multiple choice types. The option of a non-timed exam is available. There is a maximum of three attempts available in the course fee. Candidates need to score 70% marks (420 points or more out of 600 points). The certificate is valid for life. The exam can be taken online or at a physical assessment centre. Certified candidates are eligible for Level II certification. 
 

2. Black II 
    

Exam – the prerequisite for this certification is the Black Belt Standard certificate. The Level II certification is based on the performance of the project assessment. In a given year and for the assessment fee, there are 3 project revisions permitted. The certificate does not expire. Certified professionals can apply for Level III certification. 
 

3. Black III 
    

Exam – the prerequisite is that the candidate is a certified Black Belt Level II certified. This is also a project assessment-based certificate. Three revisions are allowed in a year and for the assessment fee. The certificate never expires. On completion, candidates are eligible for Master Black Belt certification. 

Career – some of the positions that certified black belt professionals work in are quality managers, LSS Black Belt Project Managers, Process Engineers, Director Operations, Plant Manager Manufacturing, etc. The salary, on average, is about $100,903. 
 

Conclusion:
 

With so much at stake in terms of salary and the top positions for professionals with the Lean Six Sigma certification levels, it is essential to get the training from reputed services. We offer all LSS certification belts the best practice for years to pass the CSSC exams to take their career to the next levels with better salaries.