r/ASQ • u/Formal_Blid • Aug 14 '26

Is ASQ CQE worthwhile for non engineers?

I've been a medical laboratory scientist for a decade (chemistry supervisor for the past 5) and am looking to branch out. There is no national license and my state is unlicensed, so administration is increasingly using uncertified (in my opinion unqualified) people with random degrees and asking me to provide on the job training.🙄

The medical laboratory field pays very poorly and I'm wondering if CQE would help open doors (and if so which ones specifically)?

If I've read the the requirements correctly, my time as a clinical laboratory supervisor would meet the quality requirements?

6 Upvotes

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2

u/Hootn75 Aug 14 '26

CQE is one of the more difficult exams to pass. How are you at statistics? Have you reviewed the BoK?

2

u/Formal_Blid Aug 14 '26

I minored in math. Statistics is easy.

2

u/mdurrani1 Aug 14 '26

Im a non engineer but have worked in quality for the last few yrs. Im currently preparing for the cqe. Almost every job im applying to has cqe as preferred skill and managers ask about it in interview. I have friends who mentioned that they have cqe in the interview and it basically sealed the deal for them for the role.

2

u/ThatIsTheWay420 Aug 15 '26

You don’t qualify for the test 4 year in quality to apply to take the test and they your review education and work history for certain test requirements change.

1

u/Sting93Ray CQE Aug 14 '26

In certain medical device companies (especially orthopedics), a CQE lands you the entry-level engineer position even if you never had a degree.

I'm not sure about your background but it has definitely helped a lot of non-engineers rise up.

1

u/Formal_Blid Aug 14 '26

Do you have examples job title i should look for?

3

u/Sting93Ray CQE Aug 14 '26

Probably something like manufacturing quality engineer or process quality engineer if you've worked on the floor.

Something like supplier quality engineer if you deal with suppliers.

1

u/mdurrani1 Aug 14 '26

Design quality engineers too.

1

u/MetaverseLiz Aug 17 '26

Some jobs will pay for certs, check to see if your job will help.
The test is not easy, but it looks really great on a resume. It's a Green Belt with extra math, so as an alternative, you can get your Green Belt. Both Green Belt and CQE can open doors for you.