📋 Unified Certification Policies
These unified policies govern all certification programs issued by the Quality Progress Certification Board (QPCB) — including Certified Lean Six Sigma (CLSSY, CLSSGB, CLSSBB, CLSSMBB), Certified TQM / CQMSA, Certified Excellence Practitioner (CEP), and Certified Lean (CLP, CLM, CLE, CLS, CLC).
QPCB operates an exam-only certification model. No mandatory training is required. Candidates prepare independently through self-study, work experience, or prior learning. Our Body of Knowledge is aligned with frameworks from ASQ, IASSC, CSSC, CLSSC, ILSSI, and ISSAC.
1. Examination Security & Rules
To maintain fairness and certification rigor across all programs, every candidate must adhere to the following security protocols.
🔒 Examination Rules
- Closed-book environment; no external resources unless explicitly permitted (e.g., standard calculator for CLSSGB and above).
- No mobile phones, smartwatches, secondary screens, or headphones.
- Candidate must be alone in a quiet, well-lit room.
- Communication with others is strictly prohibited.
- Browser lockdown prevents navigation away from the test.
⏰ Time Limits
- CLSSY / CLP / CLM: 2 Hours (120 minutes)
- CLSSGB / CLE / TQM / CQMSA / CEP: 2–3 Hours (varies by level)
- CLSSBB / CLS: 3 Hours (180 minutes)
- CLSSMBB / CLC: 4 Hours (240 minutes)
- Timer visible throughout; auto-submit when time expires.
🎯 Passing Score
- CLSSY: 70% (42/60)
- CLSSGB / CLP / CLM / CLE / TQM / CQMSA / CEP: 70%
- CLSSBB / CLS: 75%
- CLSSMBB / CLC: 80%
- No partial credit for incomplete answers.
🔄 Retake Policy
- ALL levels: UNLIMITED FREE retakes within 6 months.
- Mandatory 14-day cooling-off period between attempts.
- Topic-wise feedback provided after a failed attempt.
- A different exam form is issued for each retake.
- No additional fee for any retake attempt.
🔀 Question Randomization
- Questions drawn from a large, secure item bank.
- Random ordering of questions and answer choices per candidate.
- No two exams are identical, minimizing predictability.
- Ensures equitable difficulty across multiple forms.
👤 Identity Verification
- Government-issued photo ID upload required before exam start.
- Facial recognition scan via webcam (CLSSGB, CLSSBB, CLSSMBB, and higher Lean levels).
- Live proctor review of ID and testing environment.
- ID must match registered candidate name exactly.
2. Certification Requirements — All Programs
QPCB assesses competency through examination. The following requirements apply to each certification family.
→ Scroll table horizontally on mobile devices ←
| Certification | Designation | Prerequisites | Exam | Project / Portfolio | Pass Score | Fee (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt | CLSSY | Open to All | 60 Qs | 2 Hrs | None | 70% | — |
| Lean Six Sigma Green Belt | CLSSGB | 3+ yrs exp. OR CLSSY | 100 Qs | 2 Hrs | 1 DMAIC Project | 70% | — |
| Lean Six Sigma Black Belt | CLSSBB | CLSSGB + 5+ yrs exp. | 150 Qs | 3 Hrs | 2 Major Projects | 75% | — |
| Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt | CLSSMBB | CLSSBB + 7+ yrs exp. | 200 Qs | 4 Hrs | Portfolio + Panel Defense | 80% | — |
| Certified TQM / CQMSA | TQM / CQMSA | Open to All / Direct Entry | Exam-Based | None | 70% | — |
| Certified Excellence Practitioner | CEP | Open to All / Direct Entry | Exam-Based | None | 70% | — |
| Certified Lean Practitioner | CLP | Open to All | Exam-Based | None | 70% | 40 |
| Certified Lean Manager | CLM | Direct Entry Available | Exam-Based | None | 70% | 60 |
| Certified Lean Expert | CLE | Direct Entry Available | Exam-Based | None | 70% | 80 |
| Certified Lean Specialist | CLS | Direct Entry Available | Exam-Based | None | 75% | 100 |
| Certified Lean Coach | CLC | Experienced Professionals | Exam-Based | None | 80% | 120 |
3. Appeals Policy
3.1 Examination Result Appeals
Candidates who believe their examination was scored incorrectly may file an appeal within 14 calendar days of receiving their result.
- Submit a written appeal to admission@qualityprogressbd.com with subject line: "Exam Appeal - [Your Designation] - [Your Full Name]"
- Include specific details about which questions or sections you believe were scored incorrectly
- Pay a non-refundable appeal review fee of $25
- The review will be completed within 10 business days
- If the appeal is upheld, the appeal fee will be refunded and the examination result adjusted
- The decision of the review panel is final
3.2 Project Assessment Appeals (CLSSGB, CLSSBB, CLSSMBB)
Candidates may appeal a project or portfolio assessment decision within 21 calendar days.
- Submit detailed written justification for reconsideration
- A different assessor will review the project independently
- Review completed within 15 business days
- One appeal per project submission is permitted
3.3 Panel Defense Appeals (CLSSMBB Only)
Candidates who fail the CLSSMBB panel defense may appeal within 14 calendar days. A different panel of 2 Master Black Belts will conduct a new defense session. One panel appeal is permitted. Additional panel defense fee: $75.
4. Complaints Policy
4.1 Filing a Complaint
Quality Progress Certification Board takes all complaints seriously. Complaints may relate to examination administration, technical issues, proctoring concerns, or customer service matters.
- Step 1: Submit complaint in writing to admission@qualityprogressbd.com
- Step 2: We will acknowledge receipt within 48 hours
- Step 3: Investigation begins within 5 business days
- Step 4: Written resolution provided within 15 business days
5. Code of Ethics
5.1 Professional Conduct Standards
All certified professionals (CLSSY, CLSSGB, CLSSBB, CLSSMBB, TQM/CQMSA, CEP, CLP, CLM, CLE, CLS, CLC) must adhere to this Code of Ethics. Violation may result in certification suspension or permanent revocation by the Quality Progress Certification Board.
- Integrity: Maintain honesty and transparency in all professional activities. Never falsify data, project results, or certification claims.
- Confidentiality: Protect confidential information of employers, clients, and project stakeholders.
- Competence: Perform only those services for which you are qualified by training, experience, and certification level.
- Objectivity: Base decisions on data and facts; disclose and avoid conflicts of interest.
- Professional Development: Maintain and enhance professional knowledge and skills throughout your career.
- Credential Representation: Accurately represent your certification level and its scope.
- Prohibited Conduct: Cheating on examinations, sharing exam content, falsifying project data, misrepresenting credentials, or engaging in any fraudulent activity.
6. Examination Retake Policy (Detailed)
All QPCB certifications include UNLIMITED FREE retakes ($0) within the 6-month enrollment period. A mandatory 14-day cooling-off period applies between attempts. There is no additional fee for any retake attempt at any level.
→ Scroll table horizontally on mobile devices ←
| Certification | Designation | Max Attempts | Waiting Period | First Retake Fee | Second Retake Fee | Third Retake Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt | CLSSY | Unlimited | 14 days | $0 FREE | $0 FREE | $0 FREE |
| Lean Six Sigma Green Belt | CLSSGB | Unlimited | 14 days | $0 FREE | $0 FREE | $0 FREE |
| Lean Six Sigma Black Belt | CLSSBB | Unlimited | 14 days | $0 FREE | $0 FREE | $0 FREE |
| Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt | CLSSMBB | Unlimited | 14 days | $0 FREE | $0 FREE | $0 FREE |
| Certified TQM / CQMSA | TQM / CQMSA | Unlimited | 14 days | $0 FREE | $0 FREE | $0 FREE |
| Certified Excellence Practitioner | CEP | Unlimited | 14 days | $0 FREE | $0 FREE | $0 FREE |
| Certified Lean Practitioner | CLP | Unlimited | 14 days | $0 FREE | $0 FREE | $0 FREE |
| Certified Lean Manager | CLM | Unlimited | 14 days | $0 FREE | $0 FREE | $0 FREE |
| Certified Lean Expert | CLE | Unlimited | 14 days | $0 FREE | $0 FREE | $0 FREE |
| Certified Lean Specialist | CLS | Unlimited | 14 days | $0 FREE | $0 FREE | $0 FREE |
| Certified Lean Coach | CLC | Unlimited | 14 days | $0 FREE | $0 FREE | $0 FREE |
6.1 After Maximum Attempts
There is no maximum attempt limit. Candidates may retake the exam unlimited times within the 6-month enrollment period, subject only to the 14-day cooling-off period between attempts. If the 6-month enrollment period expires, candidates may re-enroll with a new registration at the standard certification fee.
7. Certificate Validity & Renewal
- All QPCB certifications are valid for lifetime.
- Certificate holders must maintain ethical standards as outlined in Section 5.
- The Quality Progress Certification Board reserves the right to revoke certification in cases of ethical violations or credential misrepresentation.
- Digital certificates can be verified online anytime through the Certificate Verification Portal.
- Digital certificates can be re-downloaded anytime; physical certificate reissue costs $30.
8. Refund Policy
8.1 Exam Fee Refunds
- Before exam access is granted: Full refund minus $10 processing fee.
- After exam access is granted but before exam start: 50% refund.
- After exam has started or been attempted: No refund.
8.2 Retake Fee Refunds
All retake fees are $0 (FREE). No retake fee refunds are applicable as no fees are charged for retakes under the current policy.
8.3 Project Review Fee Refunds
Project review fees (included in CLSSGB, CLSSBB, and CLSSMBB certification fees) are non-refundable once the review process has begun. Lean and TQM/CEP programs do not require project submissions.
9. Contact for Policy Matters
📧 Email: admission@qualityprogressbd.com
📨 Support: support@qualityprogressbd.com
🌐 Website: www.qualityprogressbd.com
📱 WhatsApp: +880 1954-577058
⏱ Response time: Within 2 business days
Quality Progress Certification Board — Unified Certification Policies v5.0 | Aligned with ASQ, IASSC, CSSC, CLSSC, ILSSI & ISSAC Standards