CQI Certification - Duties and Preparation of ASQ Certified Quality Inspector

Meghna Arora
5 min readOct 2, 2019

--

Quality Inspection

An inspection is an activity such as examining, measuring, testing or assessing one or more components of a product and comparing the effects with specified conditions to establish whether conformity is achieved for each element.

https://www.processexam.com/asq/asq-cqi-certification-exam-syllabus

The term inspection points to the activity of monitoring products, whereas an audit refers to investigate manufacturing processes and systems. The quality inspector typically follows a pre-established checklist that is based on the product specifications. Inspected products can be the elements used for production, semi-finished goods, or most often finished goods before shipment to a customer.

Quality Inspectors

Quality Inspectors examine products and materials for mistakes or deviations from the manufacturer or industry specifications. They assure that your food will not make you sick, that your car will run well, and that your pants will not cut the first time you wear them.

https://www.processexam.com/asq/asq-cqi-certification-exam-syllabus

These workers monitor quality measures for nearly all manufactured products, including foods, textiles, clothing, glassware, motor vehicles, electronic components, computers, and structural steel. Specific job duties vary across the full range of industries in which these inspectors work.

ASQ CQI Exam Summary:

  • Exam Name: ASQ Certified Quality Inspector
  • Exam Code: CQI
  • ASQ Members Fees: USD $318
  • Non-Members Fees: USD $418
  • Retakes: USD $208
  • Application Fee: USD $70
  • Exam Duration: 270 Minutes
  • Number of Questions: 110
  • Passing Score: 550/750
  • Format: Multiple Choice Questions

ASQ Quality Inspector Syllabus Topics:

I. TECHNICAL MATHEMATICS (19 Questions)

II. METROLOGY (26 Questions)

III. INSPECTION AND TEST (33 Questions)

IV. QUALITY ASSURANCE (22 Questions)

General Tips for ASQ CQI Certification

  • Always keep yourself informed with the CQI syllabus as soon as it is declared. Be careful about the syllabus and do not drop out any topic.
  • Have a strategy as to how to answer the maximum number of questions in the specified time. While preparing, resolve the problems by timing yourself.
  • This way, you can rest guaranteed that you will manage time very efficiently in the examination hall.
  • Solve as many CQI question papers, mock tests, and online practice tests as you can. The more you work, the surer you get.
  • Learn tricks, maths short-cuts, memory methods, to solve the test papers quickly and efficiently on the day of the exam.
  • Take the aid of a coaching institute if necessary be.
  • Last but not least, be confident of yourself that you are going to clear the exam. Once you are sure, then no exam will be too difficult for you to make.

Become a Quality Inspectors

Prospective Quality Inspectors increase their chances of finding work by studying industrial trades, including computer-aided design (CAD), in high school or a postsecondary vocational program.

Laboratory work in the physical or biological sciences also may enhance analytical skills and increase the possibilities of finding work in medical or pharmaceutical labs, where many of these workers are employed.

Education and training conditions vary with the responsibilities of the quality-control worker.

For inspectors who do simple pass or fail tests of products, a high school diploma and some in-house training are generally adequate.

Training for new inspectors may include the use of individual meters, gauges, computers, and other instruments; quality-control techniques; blueprint reading; safety; and reporting obligations. Some postsecondary training programs are, but many employers prefer to train inspectors on the job.

As manufacturers use more mechanical inspection techniques that need less inspection by hand, workers in this occupation will have to learn to work and program more advanced tools and software applications.

Because these operations need additional skills, higher education may be required. To address this requirement, some colleges are offering associate’s degrees in areas such as quality control management.

Duties of Quality Inspectors

Quality Inspectors typically do the following:

  • Read blueprints and specifications.
  • Monitor operations to ensure that they reach production standards.
  • Value adjustments to the assembly or production process.
  • Inspect, test, or measure stuff or products being produced.
  • Approved products with rulers, calipers, gauges, or micrometers.
  • Operate electronic inspection tools and software.
  • Accept or reject finished items.
  • Remove all products and materials that leave to satisfy specifications.
  • Report inspection and test data such as weights, temperatures, forms, moisture content, and quantities examined.
  • Quality Inspectors monitor quality standards for almost all manufactured products, including foods, textiles, clothing, glassware, motor vehicles, electronic parts, computers, and structural steel.
  • Specific job duties vary across the full scope of industries in which these inspectors work.
  • Quality control workers depend on many tools to do their jobs. Although some but use hand-held measurement devices, such as calipers and order gauges, workers more commonly operate electronic inspection tools, such as coordinate-measuring machines (CMMs) and 3D scanners.
  • Inspectors testing electrical devices may work voltmeters, ammeters, and ohmmeters to check the potential variation, current flow, and resistance, respectively.
  • Quality control workers show the results of their inspections through test reports. When they find mistakes, inspectors notify supervisors and help to analyze and suitable production problems.
  • In some firms, the inspection process is fully automated, with advanced vision inspection systems placed at one or many points in the production process.
  • Inspectors in these firms monitor the equipment, review output, and carry random product checks.

The Workplace of Quality Inspectors

Work environments differ by industry and establishment size. As a result, some inspectors examine related products for a whole shift. Others examine a variety of items. In manufacturing, it is normal for most inspectors to stay at one workstation.

Inspectors in any industry may be on their feet all day and may have to lift hefty objects. In other industries, workers may sit during their shift and see electronic printouts of data. Workers in heavy-manufacturing plants may be presented to the sound and grime of machinery.

In different plants, inspectors work in clean, air-conditioned environments proper for testing products. Although the work is generally not serious, some workers may be exposed to airborne bits, which may hurt the eyes and skin. As a result, workers typically wear protecting eyewear, earplugs, and proper clothing.

Although most Quality Inspectors work full time throughout regular business hours, some inspectors work evenings or weekends. The most acceptable shifts are usually given to workers who have seniority. Overtime may be needed to meet production deadlines.

Final Takeaway:

ASQ CQI has a globally recognized certification for quality control professionals. With some strategies and proper preparation, it’s not so challenging to crack the examination.

I hope these tips and recommendations would help you to be an ASQ certified quality inspector.

I wish you fabulous success in the journey to excellence…!!!

--

--

Meghna Arora

I am aspiring for Senior Program & Project, Customer/Client, Operations Management assignments as I am a seasoned PRINCE2 Certified Professional.