How much does the ASQ CMQ/OE® cost? Training, membership, exam fees, retakes and recertification
A plain breakdown of what you pay to earn the credential, and what it costs to keep it every 3 years.
ASQ exam preparation · Licensed by KHDA, Dubai
Planning to earn the Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE®) from the American Society for Quality (ASQ) means budgeting for more than one exam fee. You may also pay for training, membership, a retake or renewal later. This guide lays out each cost so you can plan the full 3-year picture.
The ASQ Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE) exam costs $585, or $485 for ASQ members, plus the cost of training, which varies by provider. ASQ individual membership is $185 per year, a retake costs $385, and recertification every 3 years costs $160 by journal ($120 for members) or $585 by exam ($485 for members). Prices are in US dollars and subject to change, so confirm them on the official ASQ pages before you apply.
| Awarding body | American Society for Quality (ASQ) |
| Credential | Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE®) |
| Exam fee | $585, or $485 for ASQ members |
| Retake fee | $385, within 2 years of the previous attempt |
| Individual membership | $185 per year, non-refundable |
| Recertification by journal | $160, or $120 for members, with 18 recertification units |
| Recertification by exam | $585, or $485 for members |
| Cycle | Recertify every 3 years |
All fees are in US dollars as published by ASQ and are subject to change without notice. CMQ/OE is a registered mark of the American Society for Quality. 3FOLD Training prepares learners; ASQ examines and certifies. Confirm every fee on the official ASQ pages for the exam application and recertification.
What does it cost to earn the CMQ/OE®?
Your costs are the ASQ exam fee, optional ASQ membership, your training fee, and possible retake, rescheduling and renewal fees.
| Cost item | Non-member | ASQ member |
|---|---|---|
| ASQ individual membership (per year) | None | $185 |
| Initial exam | $585 | $485 |
| Retake (within 2 years of the previous attempt) | $385 | $385 |
| Reschedule (at least 5 days before) | $130 | $130 |
| Recertification by journal | $160 | $120 |
| Recertification by exam | $585 | $485 |
Training is the one item ASQ does not set. It is optional, so its price depends on the provider you choose, as the next section explains. Remember to budget for the cost of renewal, because the credential runs on a 3-year cycle.
What does CMQ/OE® training cost?
It varies by provider, because ASQ neither sets nor sells the training price.
Two courses with the same name can differ in hours, format and what is included, so compare the offer rather than the headline fee. Ask each provider about:
- Contact hours and format, for example Virtual Instructor Led Training (VILT) or self-paced.
- Coverage of the current 2026 Body of Knowledge (BoK) and all 7 domains.
- Mock exams and domain-by-domain practice questions.
- Learning Management System (LMS) access and how long it lasts.
- Retraining terms if you need another attempt.
- Whether the schedule fits your working week.
A lower fee is not a saving if it leaves out mock exams or Body of Knowledge coverage you need. See our guide to the CMQ/OE 2026 exam changes to check that any course matches the current syllabus.
Comparing training options? Our CMQ/OE® program is 25 contact hours of VILT covering all 7 domains.
Is ASQ membership worth it?
Membership does not pay for itself on the exam fee alone, so join for the benefits, not the discount.
Individual membership is $185 per year and the exam discount is $100. ASQ states that certification is separate from membership, so you do not need to join to apply. Members also receive a digital subscription to Quality Progress magazine, access to the Career Center and online communities, and up to $200 off registration fees for certification exams, recertifications, training and conferences, according to ASQ. See ASQ individual membership for current details.
Here is how the ASQ fees compare over a full 3-year cycle, assuming one exam attempt and journal recertification, before training:
| Route | ASQ fees | 3-year total |
|---|---|---|
| No membership | $585 exam + $160 journal | $745 |
| Join for 1 year, exam year only | $185 membership + $485 exam + $160 journal | $830 |
| Member for all 3 years | $555 membership + $485 exam + $120 journal | $1,160 |
Logging 18 recertification units costs far less than sitting the exam again.
What are the exam, retake and rescheduling terms?
The exam costs $585 ($485 for members), a retake costs $385, and rescheduling costs $130 if you change at least 5 days ahead.
What does a retake cost?
ASQ charges $385 for a retake and allows that reduced rate for 2 years from your previous attempt. After a failed attempt you receive a performance summary within 3 to 5 business days. The member discount applies to the initial exam only.
What conditions apply to the application and exam day?
- Experience of 10 years, full-time and paid, including 5 years in a decision-making position, less one education waiver.
- Review takes 1 to 2 business days online and 3 to 5 for hardcopy, and ASQ may place a hold to request more information.
- Arrive 30 minutes early. Arriving late means you cannot test and you forfeit the exam fee.
- A no-show forfeits all application fees.
- If ASQ finds your application ineligible, the refund is reduced by a $130 processing fee.
- Bring one valid government-issued photo ID with a signature that matches the name on your application.
For application steps and exam windows, see our guide to CMQ/OE exam dates and scheduling, and read our CMQ/OE exam result verification explainer for what follows the exam.
How does CMQ/OE® recertification work, and what does it cost?
You recertify every 3 years, either by journal with 18 recertification units (RUs) or by retaking the exam.
| By journal | By exam | |
|---|---|---|
| Fee | $160 (non-member) or $120 (member) | $585 (non-member) or $485 (member) |
| What you do | Log 18 recertification units (RUs) in your ASQ account | Sit the exam again |
| When | Up to 6 months before or 60 days after the recertification date | Required if you lack 18 RUs, or by choice |
| Risk | Past the 60-day grace period, journal is closed and exam is the only route | Failing means decertification and reapplying as a new applicant |
How do you earn recertification units?
Activities must relate to at least one area of the Body of Knowledge or be job-enhancing, and they must fall within your recertification period. Credits earned after the recertification date count toward the next cycle. ASQ lists these sources:
- Presentations: 1 RU per presentation.
- Books: 4 RUs as sole author, 2 RUs as co-author.
- Committees and volunteer roles: 1.5 RUs per year per committee.
- Courses and programs tied to the BoK or job-enhancing, including home study and online courses.
- Employment related to at least one BoK area also earns RUs.
What are the deadlines and conditions?
Recertification dates fall on 30 June or 31 December. You can submit a journal packet up to 6 months before or 60 days after your date. After the 60-day grace period, recertification is by exam only. Passing the recertification exam reissues your certificate with the same number, while failing it means you must apply again as a new applicant. Holders whose certification lapses must stop using the acronym. Contact ASQ early about your exact deadline, and see the official ASQ CMQ/OE recertification page for current rules.
Planning beyond the first exam? Check the next available batch and the full course outline.
Plan your 3-year cost
CMQ/OE® 3-year cost planner
For planning only. This is not an ASQ tool. It uses ASQ’s published fees, which can change, and excludes study materials, travel and taxes.
The example joins ASQ for the exam year only, sits the exam once and recertifies by journal: ASQ fees come to $830, against $745 with no membership. Membership earns its place through the other benefits, not through fee savings alone.
CMQ/OE cost: frequently asked questions
How much does the ASQ CMQ/OE exam cost?
The American Society for Quality (ASQ) charges $585 for the Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE) exam, or $485 for ASQ members. Prices are in US dollars and subject to change without notice, so confirm the current fee on the official ASQ page before you apply.
Do I need ASQ membership to take the CMQ/OE exam?
No. ASQ states that certification is separate from membership, so you can apply for the Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE) exam as a non-member. Individual membership costs $185 per year and lowers the exam fee by $100, which does not cover the cost of joining on the exam alone.
How much is the ASQ CMQ/OE retake fee?
The retake fee for the ASQ Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE) exam is $385. ASQ allows the reduced retake rate for 2 years from your previous attempt.
What happens if I fail the ASQ CMQ/OE exam?
ASQ sends a performance summary within 3 to 5 business days after a failed Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE) attempt. You can then apply to retake the exam at the $385 retake rate within 2 years of the previous attempt.
How much does it cost to recertify the ASQ CMQ/OE?
Recertifying the ASQ Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE) by journal costs $160 for non-members and $120 for members. Recertifying by exam costs $585 for non-members and $485 for members. Prices are subject to change, so confirm them on the official ASQ recertification page.
How do I recertify the ASQ CMQ/OE by journal?
You log at least 18 recertification units (RUs) in your ASQ account within each 3-year period and pay the journal fee. Activities must relate to the Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE) Body of Knowledge or be job-enhancing, and they include presentations, books, committee work and relevant courses.
What happens if I miss the ASQ CMQ/OE recertification deadline?
ASQ allows a 60-day grace period after the recertification date to submit a journal packet and payment for the Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE). If you do not have 18 recertification units by then, you must recertify by exam. Failing that exam means decertification and reapplying as a new applicant, so contact ASQ early about your exact deadline.
How much does CMQ/OE training cost?
It varies by provider, because ASQ does not set or sell the training price for the Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE) exam. Compare contact hours, delivery format, what the Body of Knowledge coverage includes, mock exams, learning platform access and retraining terms, and ask each provider for its current fee.
Where 3FOLD fits
3FOLD Training is licensed by KHDA (Knowledge and Human Development Authority), Dubai, and prepares learners for the ASQ CMQ/OE® exam with a 25-contact-hour Virtual Instructor Led Training (VILT) program covering all 7 domains of the 2026 BoK, with one-year access to the Learning Management System (LMS) and full-length mock exams. ASQ sets all exam and renewal fees and certifies candidates. See the CMQ/OE® course page for current batch dates.
Ready to budget with confidence? Check the next available batch and the full course outline.
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