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Last verified: September 3, 2026. Prices, exam formats, and policies are taken from each organization’s official website and linked in the Sources section. Always confirm with the certifying body before you register.
“Six Sigma Black Belt” sounds like a single credential, but there is no central authority that defines it. Each certifying body sets its own prerequisites, decides whether you must complete a real project, writes its own exam, and chooses whether the credential ever expires. Two people with “Black Belt” on their résumés may have met very different bars.
This page puts the requirements side by side for seven organizations: three independent or society-based certifiers (ASQ, IASSC, and CSSC), two university programs (Villanova and Purdue), one online training company (Six Sigma Global Institute), and Corporate Education Group’s own instructor-led program.
How to read these charts
Each table lists one belt level. The columns are the certifying bodies; the rows are the requirements that matter most when you are choosing a path. “Not published” means the organization does not state that detail on its official site — it is not a judgment about the program. CEG’s column is shaded so you can see where our program sits relative to the others.
Green Belt Requirements
| Requirement | ASQCSSGB | IASSC / PeopleCertICGB | CSSCStandard Green Belt | VillanovaLean Six Sigma Green Belt | Purdue OnlineLean Six Sigma Green Belt | SSGILean Six Sigma Green Belt | CEGLean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type of organization | Professional society; certifies and sells prep materials | Independent exam-only certifier (owned by PeopleCert since 2020) | Exam-only certifier; free self-study manuals; accredits training providers | University training provider; issues own credential | University training provider; issues own credential | Private training provider; issues own credential | Training provider; instructor-led; issues own credential |
| Prerequisites | 3 years full-time work experience in a BoK areaNo education waivers | NoneExperience recommended, not required | None | NoneDesigned for little or no prior experience | None | NoneYellow Belt not required | None |
| Training required? | No | NoSelf-study exam voucher available | No | Yes — complete the course before the exam | Yes — exam is built into the course | Yes — exam is built into the course | Yes — attend all sessions and complete assignments |
| Project requirement | None | None | NoneLevel II adds one reviewed project ($300) | Simulated project in courseNo real project | Case-study assignmentsNo real project | Simulated project in courseNo real project | Real team project within 12 months of class end |
| Course length | n/a (exam only) | n/a (exam only) | n/a (exam only) | 6 weeks (12.5 hrs/wk) or 12 weeks (6.25 hrs/wk)Asynchronous + weekly live sessions | 10 weeks, ~45 hoursOnline, instructor-led cohort | ~60 hours, self-pacedLifetime access | 8 days classroom, or sixteen 3.5-hour virtual sessionsLive instructor-led |
| Exam format | 110 questions, 4 h 18 min (computer-based)Open book; Prometric center or remote proctored | 100 questions, 3 hoursClosed book; online proctored or Pearson VUE | 100 questions, 2 hoursOpen book; online; 3 attempts included | 100 questions, 4 hoursOnline; 2 retakes allowed | Final exam in last week of courseQuestion count not published | 100 questions, 2 hoursOnline; unlimited retakes | Final exam on last day of classContact CEG for exam details |
| Passing score | Not published | 70% | 70% | 70 | 80% of course points | 70% | Contact CEG |
| Cost (USD) | $483 non-member / $383 memberRetake $283 | $402 exam voucherRetake = new voucher, 2-week wait | $195 single examOr $399 self-paced series (White through Black) | $2,495 course + $300 examExam retake $150 | $2,195Exam included | $399Exam included | Contact CEG for public and group pricing |
| Recertification | Never expires | Every 3 yearsRecert exam: 50 questions, 90 min, $268 | Never expires | Every 3 years, $100Re-exam, 2 Villanova courses, or 18 CEUs | Not published | Never expires | No expiration published |
| Accreditation / credits | Not ANAB-accredited (Black Belt is) | Not publishedIASSC accredits training orgs | None stated | Villanova digital badge and CEUs | 4.5 Purdue CEUs | PMI ATP (60 PDUs), SHRM (45 PDCs) | Contact CEG |
← Swipe sideways to see all seven columns →
ASQ computer-based exam counts include unscored pilot questions (100 scored + 10 unscored). IASSC pricing is from peoplecert.org; older figures still shown on iassc.org ($350) are out of date. Villanova pricing is from villanova.edu; the legacy villanovau.com site lists different figures.
Black Belt Requirements
| Requirement | ASQCSSBB | IASSC / PeopleCertICBB | CSSCStandard Black Belt | VillanovaLean Six Sigma Black Belt | Purdue OnlineLean Six Sigma Black Belt | SSGILean Six Sigma Black Belt | CEGLean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green Belt required? | No | No | NoLevel II requires a standard Black Belt first | Yes | Yes — Purdue Green Belt + Lean Principles courseOutside Green Belts take a $395 refresher | NoStrongly recommended | Yes — Green Belt training is a prerequisite |
| Experience required | 3 years + 1 project, or 2 projects with no experience requirement | NoneRecommended only | None | None beyond Green Belt | None beyond Green Belt | None | Intended for full-time practitioners who lead projects |
| Project requirement | 1–2 real projects with signed affidavit from project champion | None“IASSC does not mandate projects” | NoneLevel II and III each add one reviewed project ($325 / $345) | Simulated project in courseNo real project | Real project for your employer or a nonprofit, during the course | Simulated project in courseNo employer-verified project | Real project you lead, within 12 months of class end |
| Course length | n/a (exam only) | n/a (exam only) | n/a (exam only) | 6 weeks (12.5 hrs/wk) or 12 weeks (6.25 hrs/wk)Asynchronous + weekly live sessions | 16 weeks, ~95 hoursOnline, instructor-led; optional live coaching | 4–8 weeks typical, self-pacedLifetime access | 8 days classroom, or sixteen 3.5-hour virtual sessionsLive instructor-led |
| Exam format | 165 questions, 4 h 18 min (computer-based)Open book; Prometric center or remote proctored | 150 questions, 4 hoursClosed book; online proctored or Pearson VUE | 150 questions, 3 hoursOpen book; online; 3 attempts included | 50 questions, 2 hoursOnline; 2 retakes allowed | Final exam in last week of courseQuestion count not published | 150 questions, 3 hoursOnline; unlimited retakes | 75 questions, online, last day of class |
| Passing score | Not published | 70% | 70% | 70 | 80% of course points | 70% | 70% |
| Cost (USD) | $585 non-member / $485 memberRetake $385 | $516 exam voucherRetake = new voucher, 2-week wait | $295 single examOr $399 self-paced series | $4,190 course + $400 examExam retake $150 | $3,750Exam included | $499Exam included | $4,295 public virtual sessionExam included; group pricing available |
| Recertification | Every 3 years18 RUs ($120–$160) or re-exam | Every 3 yearsRecert exam: 75 questions, 120 min, $335 | Never expires | Every 3 years, $100Re-exam, 2 Villanova courses, or 18 CEUs | Not published | Never expires | No expiration published |
| Accreditation / credits | ANAB-accredited (ISO/IEC 17024) | Not publishedIASSC accredits training orgs | None stated | Villanova digital badge and CEUs | 9.0 Purdue CEUs | PMI ATP (91 PDUs), SHRM | Contact CEG |
← Swipe sideways to see all seven columns →
ASQ computer-based exam counts include unscored pilot questions (150 scored + 15 unscored). Villanova’s current site lists a 50-question Black Belt exam; its legacy site lists 100 questions. CEG’s public session price is for the scheduled virtual program; onsite group delivery is quoted separately.
What the differences mean for you
If you need a credential that is portable across employers, the independent certifiers carry the most weight because they are not tied to any one training company. ASQ’s Black Belt is the only one in this chart with ANAB accreditation under ISO/IEC 17024, and it is also the only one that demands both documented experience and a champion-signed project affidavit. That rigor is why hiring managers recognize it — and why it takes the longest to earn.
If you want to prove you can actually run a project, look at the project column. A Black Belt earned without a real project (IASSC, CSSC standard level, Villanova, SSGI) certifies that you know the tools. A Black Belt that requires a real project with measurable results (ASQ, Purdue, CEG) certifies that you have used them. Both have their place, but they are not the same claim.
If cost is the deciding factor, notice that the cheapest paths (CSSC at $195–$295, SSGI at $399–$499) are self-study or self-paced, and the exam-only bodies assume you will find training elsewhere. The university and instructor-led programs cost more because you are paying for live instruction, coaching, and in CEG’s case a cohort you work alongside for eight days.
If you dislike renewal paperwork, the certifications that never expire are ASQ Green Belt, CSSC, and SSGI. ASQ Black Belt, IASSC, and Villanova all require recertification every three years, either by earning units or by sitting another exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Green Belt before I can get a Black Belt?
It depends on the certifying body. ASQ, IASSC, CSSC, and SSGI do not require a Green Belt before the Black Belt exam. Villanova, Purdue, and CEG do require a Green Belt (or equivalent) as a prerequisite for their Black Belt programs.
Which Black Belt certifications require a real project?
ASQ requires one completed project with a signed affidavit plus three years of experience, or two projects. Purdue and CEG require a real improvement project completed during or after the course. IASSC, CSSC (standard level), Villanova, and SSGI do not require a real project; Villanova and SSGI use simulated projects.
Which Six Sigma certifications expire?
ASQ Black Belt (every 3 years via 18 recertification units or re-exam), IASSC Green and Black Belt (every 3 years via a recertification exam), and Villanova (every 3 years) expire. ASQ Green Belt, CSSC, and SSGI certifications do not expire. Purdue and CEG do not publish an expiration policy.
Is the Six Sigma exam open book?
ASQ and CSSC exams are open book. IASSC exams are closed book. Villanova, Purdue, SSGI, and CEG do not publish an open-book policy.
What is the difference between an exam-only certifier and a training provider?
Exam-only certifiers such as IASSC and CSSC test your knowledge but do not teach it, so you must find training elsewhere or self-study. Training providers such as Villanova, Purdue, SSGI, and CEG deliver the course and issue their own credential. ASQ sits in between: it certifies independently but also sells preparation materials.
Sources
All facts were verified against the following official pages on September 3, 2026. If you represent one of these organizations and a detail has changed, please let us know and we will update the chart.
- ASQ, Certified Six Sigma Green Belt: asq.org/cert/six-sigma-green-belt
- ASQ, Certified Six Sigma Black Belt: asq.org/cert/six-sigma-black-belt
- ASQ, Recertification: asq.org/cert/recertification
- ASQ, Certification requirements FAQ: asq.org/cert/faq/faq-cert-req
- IASSC, Green Belt Certification: iassc.org/six-sigma-certification/green-belt-certification
- IASSC, Black Belt Certification: iassc.org/six-sigma-certification/black-belt-certification
- IASSC, Frequently Asked Questions: iassc.org/questions
- PeopleCert, IASSC Lean Six Sigma certifications and pricing: peoplecert.org/browse-certifications/Lean-Six-Sigma
- CSSC, Green Belt Certification: sixsigmacouncil.org/six-sigma-green-belt-certification
- CSSC, Black Belt Certification: sixsigmacouncil.org/six-sigma-black-belt-certification
- CSSC, Help Me Choose: sixsigmacouncil.org/six-sigma-belts-help-me-choose
- Villanova University, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt: villanova.edu … /lean-six-sigma-green-belt.html
- Villanova University, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt: villanova.edu … /lean-six-sigma-black-belt.html
- Villanova University, Certification Requirements: villanova.edu … /certification-requirements.html
- Purdue University Online, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt: purdue.edu/leansixsigmaonline/lean-six-sigma-green-belt-certification
- Purdue University Online, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt: purdue.edu/leansixsigmaonline/lean-six-sigma-black-belt-certification
- Purdue University Online, Payment and FAQs: purdue.edu/leansixsigmaonline/payment
- Six Sigma Global Institute, Green Belt: 6sigmacertificationonline.com/lean-six-sigma-green-belt-certification
- Six Sigma Global Institute, Black Belt: 6sigmacertificationonline.com/lean-six-sigma-black-belt-certification
- Corporate Education Group, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification: corpedgroup.com/lean/ls-MDP1546.asp
- Corporate Education Group, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification: corpedgroup.com/lean/ls-MDI895a.asp
ASQ, IASSC, PeopleCert, CSSC, Villanova, Purdue, and Six Sigma Global Institute are trademarks of their respective owners. Corporate Education Group is not affiliated with them. This comparison is provided for informational purposes; it is not an endorsement or a ranking.
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