Eligibility & Challenge

Grade Eligibility & Challenge Pathway

Learn about our experience requirements and how you can leverage your professional background to directly challenge higher-level certifications.

Experience Requirements by Level

Level 1: Foundations

White / Yellow Belt Equivalent

No prerequisites

Open to all candidates. No prior operational experience or course completions are required to register for the Foundations exam.

Level 2: Practitioner

Green Belt Equivalent

1-2 years of verified experience

Requires either completing the Foundations level or submitting proof of 1-2 years of verified operational experience in continuous improvement, process engineering, or operations.

Level 3: Leader

Black Belt Equivalent

3+ years of verified experience

Requires either completing the Practitioner level or submitting proof of 3+ years of verified leadership experience in Operational Excellence or Lean transformations, along with a project portfolio.

Direct Entry / Challenge Pathway

Bypass lower-level course requirements

We recognize that experienced continuous improvement professionals may already possess the knowledge covered in our lower-level courses. Our **Challenge Pathway** allows you to bypass course prerequisites and jump straight to the exam:

Experience Substitution: If you have 3+ years of documented operational experience, you can apply to bypass both Level 1 (Foundations) and Level 2 (Practitioner) course requirements.
Portfolio Review: For Practitioner and Leader levels, you will submit a professional portfolio detailing your continuous improvement projects, which will be evaluated by our expert committee.
Verification Disclaimer: Please note that eligibility approval does not guarantee certification. All candidates must still pass the rigorous, proctored exam to be awarded the designation.

Important Disclaimer: Admission ≠ Job Title

Admission to the exam or approval of your eligibility challenge represents a validation of your theoretical and practical skills under our Body of Knowledge. It does not constitute a guarantee of employment, specific job titles, or organizational authority.