How to Recertify Your ASQ CQE: RUs, Timeline & Requirements
Your CQE is valid for three years. Here is how to earn the 18 recertification units—or recertify by exam—and keep documentation that survives an audit.
Earning the CQE is a milestone; keeping it active is an ongoing responsibility. ASQ certifications expire, and the CQE is valid for three years. The maintenance process is straightforward once you understand it, and the biggest mistake engineers make is simply not planning for it.
I am John Lee of Alpha Training and Consulting. The advice I give every newly certified engineer is the same: start your recertification file the week you pass. A little bookkeeping over three years beats a panicked rush at the end.
Two paths to recertification
Every three years you must recertify by one of two routes. The first is earning 18 recertification units (RUs) through qualifying activities. The second is retaking and passing the current version of the CQE exam. The overwhelming majority choose the RU path because it is far less effort than re-sitting a rigorous 5.5-hour exam.
The RU categories
RUs come from several categories, each recognizing a different way of staying current in the profession.
| Category | Examples | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Professional development | Courses, training, conferences, webinars, additional certifications | Flexible and uncapped—often the primary source of RUs |
| Employment | Working in a quality-related role aligned with the Body of Knowledge | Accrues at a set annual rate, subject to a cycle cap |
| Giving back | Teaching, mentoring, publishing, presenting, volunteering with ASQ | Rewards contribution to the profession, subject to a cap |
Employment typically contributes a meaningful but capped share of the 18 RUs. Because employment alone rarely reaches the full requirement, most engineers combine it with professional development—courses, conferences, webinars—which is the most flexible category.
The timeline and grace period
Your three-year clock starts when you certify. ASQ offers a grace period after the expiration date, but relying on it is risky. Set calendar reminders at the one-year-out and six-months-out marks so you can close any RU gap comfortably.
Documentation that survives an audit
ASQ audits a portion of recertification submissions, so keep clean records as you go.
- 1Create a single folder—digital is fine—the week you certify.
- 2For each activity, save proof: certificates, agendas, registration receipts, or letters confirming your role.
- 3Log the date, category, and RU value of each activity as it happens.
- 4Review your running RU total at least twice a year and fill gaps early.
- 5Submit before your expiration date, keeping copies of everything you send.
Recertification as a growth habit
See recertification not as a hurdle but as a nudge to keep growing—exactly what makes the credential worth holding. If you are considering adding another certification, our comparison of the CQE, CRE, and Six Sigma is a good place to start, and the complete CQE guide ties the whole journey together.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if I miss my recertification deadline?+
ASQ provides a grace period after your expiration date during which you can still submit RUs. If you miss that window, your certification lapses and you generally must recertify by examination. Set reminders well before your three-year mark.
Does my job count toward recertification?+
Yes. Working in a role related to the Body of Knowledge earns RUs at a defined annual rate, subject to a cap. Employment alone usually does not reach 18 RUs, so combine it with professional development activities.
Can I just retake the exam instead of tracking RUs?+
Yes. Recertification by examination is an option. Some engineers prefer this if they have not tracked activities, but for most, earning 18 RUs over three years is far less effort than re-sitting the exam.
Written by
John Lee
President, Alpha Training and Consulting
John Lee has more than 25 years of experience in quality engineering and has personally earned every ASQ certification, including the Certified Quality Engineer (CQE). A Shingo Award–winning author, he has helped thousands of engineers pass their ASQ exams on the first attempt with a 94% first-time pass rate.
Certifications: BSME, MBA, CMQ/OE, CQE, CRE, CQA, CQIA, CQI, CCT, CQPA, CQT, CHA, CBA, CSQE, CSQP, CCQM, CSSYB, CSSGB, CSSBB, CPGP, CMBB
Alpha Training and Consulting is an independent training provider and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by ASQ. "ASQ" and "Certified Quality Engineer (CQE)" are trademarks of the American Society for Quality. Exam policies, fees, and Body of Knowledge weightings are set by ASQ and can change—always confirm current details at asq.org.