Frequently Asked Questions FAQS : Master Black Belt certification program

Q. How long does the Master Black Belt  application process take?

Pre-qualification takes 5 to 10  business days after we receive all evidence from the applicant.   The MBB Exam can be taken as soon as we have the pre-qualification evidence submitted to us by email.

Q. Is there any pre-study material or do I just simply pay for the exam and complete it to receive the certification?

There is NO pre-study material.  Your Mentor ( assigned to you ) will guide you as to what you need to know.

Q. How much time should I dedicate to preparing for this Master Black Belt exam?

Review your Black Belt materials.   There is no guideline on time.  Some Black Belts are ready without any study. Others may need to study for a few hours on topics assigned by your mentor.

The exam questions are not designed to test ‘book learning’.  They should be completed based on experience working as a Black Belt.

Q. Are there any mock exams that I can take prior to the official exam to make sure that I am sufficiently prepared.

Yes.  We  provide mock exam questions for MBB however your Mentor will guide you with the overall content to the exam.

Q. What support is provided along the way? Is there someone that can guide me through the process?

YES, You will be assigned a MENTOR who is a Master Black Belt or a Black Belt and understands the process and what it takes to pass.

You can email and talk on phone with your mentor.

Q. If I do not pass the Master Black Belt exam, what is the process then? Can I re-take it ?

Your mentor gives feedback and you can retake  the exam for £95 price after 2 weeks have passed.   OR  pay £395 again if you fail the Interview process and need to re-take the interview.

Q. If I can re-take the MBB Exam, how soon after can I re-write and is this another total cost again to re-write?

See previous answer

Q. How long does it take to receive my certification after the exam?

Emailed .pdf within 2 days,  Shipped hard-copy within no more than 7 days

Q. I see there is information about the Master Black Belt MBB Accreditation board interview… when does this happen?

Either by Zoom within 2 weeks after the pre-qualification process is completed or in Cambridge, UK ( dates to be announced ).

Q. How often does this happen If I am not ready for the upcoming interview in January. How will this impact me?

Do it by ZOOM if you cannot attend in person in January.  We hold monthly accreditation board interviews by Zoom.

Q. Does the accreditation interview all happen online?

Yes, we hold monthly accreditation board interviews by Zoom.

Q. How long do I have from date of purchase to write the exam.

You have 1 year from time of purchase.

Q. How long does the certification itself take/Is is self-paced?

The exam is 120 with an allowance for non-English speaking.   Your Mentor will work with you to decide a reasonable time if you have special needs.

Q. What is the benefit of going with ILSSI instead of any other institute offering the same exam / certification?

We have International presence and credibility.    We have annual conferences.  The only true competition we have is ASQ.  You can yourself compare ASQ…you will find ASQ process much more expensive and time consuming.

Q. What is the average pass rate of people who take your exams and receive their certification?

We have approx 80% first time pass rate for the MBB exam .    You need to get 70% score to pass.

Q. What support does ILSSI give us once we receive our MBB? Is there any networking events, groups that we are now a part of, benefits to help us find even better jobs or opportunities?

We have annual conferences.   Vibrant Community on Linkedin   see https://www.linkedin.com/company/ilssi

Q. Do you know how many currently registered Master Black Belts there are? (to show scarcity and that this is an elite club) .

It varies country by country.     In the UK there are approximately 2,000 total with MBB.  In USA approx  10,000 .   In India and Pakistan and South America  much less  ….less than 1000 total.

Q. Earning potential increase? Better career options / head hunting? Anything that is more tangible than simply being in the elite club.

Yes,  strong demand in Market Place for Master Black Belts.  High earning potential US$ 150,000 + per year in multinational companies.

Q. What is the real benefit of me getting my Master Black Belt, instead of just keeping my current Black Belt?

Promotion,   Salary Increase,  Status,   Freedom to change jobs,   Confidence,

Q. How long does the Master Black Belt  application process take?

Pre-qualification takes 5 to 10  business days after we receive all evidence from the student.   The MBB Exam can be taken as soon as we have the pre-qualification evidence submitted to us by email.

Q. Do you have customer service?

Of course! Our friendly and knowledgeable customer services reps are available to answer your questions.  Call +44 191 375 5711 between 9am and 5pm UK London Time ( GMT )

Q What evidence do I need to submit as part of the Master Black Belt pre-qualification process?

Applicants are normally required to provide evidence of their existing Black Belt certification, a detailed CV or professional profile, and documentation relating to completed Lean Six Sigma projects. Additional evidence may be requested by the MBB Assessment Board where necessary.

Q Must my previous Black Belt certification have been issued by ILSSI in order to apply for Master Black Belt?

No. Candidates holding Black Belt certifications from other recognised certification bodies or training organisations are welcome to apply. The MBB Assessment Board will review your qualifications and experience during the pre-qualification process.

Q Is the ILSSI Master Black Belt certification focused solely on manufacturing industries?

No. The ILSSI Master Black Belt certification is industry-independent. Candidates from manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, logistics, government, IT, telecommunications, energy and other sectors are encouraged to apply.

Q Will I be required to present my Lean Six Sigma projects during the accreditation interview?

Possibly. The Accreditation Board may ask candidates to discuss, explain or defend projects that they have led. Candidates should therefore be prepared to explain the methodology, tools used, results achieved and lessons learned from their projects.

Q What qualities does the MBB Accreditation Board look for during the interview?

The Board evaluates not only technical competence but also leadership, coaching ability, change management experience, strategic thinking, communication skills and the candidate’s ability to mentor and develop future Lean Six Sigma practitioners.

Q Can I apply for Master Black Belt if I have extensive improvement experience but have completed fewer than three DMAIC projects?

Generally, candidates are expected to demonstrate significant practical experience leading major improvement initiatives. Exceptional cases may be reviewed individually by the MBB Assessment Board based upon the overall strength of the applicant’s experience and portfolio.

Q Is the ILSSI Master Black Belt certification recognised internationally?

Yes. The ILSSI Master Black Belt certification is internationally recognised and valued by employers, universities, government organisations and multinational companies worldwide.

Q Can consultants and independent trainers apply for ILSSI Master Black Belt certification?

Yes. Independent consultants, trainers and coaches who can demonstrate the required level of practical experience and leadership in Lean Six Sigma are welcome to apply.

Q Will becoming an ILSSI Master Black Belt allow me to mentor or coach other Lean Six Sigma practitioners?

Yes. One of the principal responsibilities of a Master Black Belt is the coaching and development of Yellow Belts, Green Belts and Black Belts within organisations. The certification demonstrates your capability to mentor others effectively.

Q Is there an age limit for applying for the Master Black Belt certification?

No. There are no minimum or maximum age restrictions. Certification decisions are based entirely on competence, experience and demonstrated professional achievement.

Q What happens if I need to postpone my accreditation interview?

Candidates who are unable to attend a scheduled Accreditation Board interview may request to be rescheduled for a future interview date without affecting their application status, provided the request is made in advance.

Q Are Master Black Belt candidates expected to demonstrate knowledge beyond DMAIC?

Yes. Master Black Belts are expected to possess a broad understanding of organisational transformation, leadership, strategy deployment, Lean systems, change management, coaching and advanced statistical and problem-solving methodologies.

Q Can I include Lean projects as evidence or must all projects be Six Sigma DMAIC projects?

Yes. Lean projects may be considered as part of your portfolio, particularly where they demonstrate significant business impact, leadership, coaching and measurable organisational improvement.

Q Does ILSSI maintain a directory of certified Master Black Belts?

Yes. Certified Master Black Belts may be listed in the ILSSI professional directories, helping employers and organisations identify highly qualified improvement leaders.  See: https://ilssi.org/ilssi-certification/

Q What distinguishes a Master Black Belt from a Black Belt?

A Black Belt is typically responsible for leading improvement projects, whereas a Master Black Belt operates at a more strategic level, mentoring others, shaping organisational deployment strategy, developing training programmes and providing expert guidance on complex improvement initiatives.