10 Free Six Sigma Courses & Certificates in 2025
Several online platforms offer free entry-level training and certification in Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma so students can further their careers in management
Six Sigma is a method for improving business practices. This method works by analyzing business systems, finding problem areas, and working out how to best resolve them. Free Six Sigma training can help you start a career in many industries since many fields use Six Sigma.
Holding a certification in Six Sigma or Lean Six Sigma shows that you have the tools and knowledge to implement strategies for operational efficiency within a company. Some people specialize in working exclusively as Six Sigma professionals, while others are certified to help them further their careers in areas like quality assurance, project management, or supply chain management. Keep reading to discover 10 free Six Sigma courses and certificates.
Free Six Sigma Courses With Certifications
There are a few providers across the U.S. that offer free Six Sigma and free Lean Six Sigma certification or training. Some provide professional certification, while others offer a certificate of completion that you can add to your resume or LinkedIn profile.
Most of these courses are entry-level and self-paced. Below, we've listed some top free online Six Sigma courses and certificates to help you reach your career goals without breaking the bank.
1. Six Sigma White Belt Certification by Council for Six Sigma Certification (CSSC)
The Council for Six Sigma Certification (CSSC) offers the Six Sigma White Belt certification to students who prove they know the basics of this methodology. To receive this free Six Sigma white belt certification, you'll need to pass an exam.
The CSSC offers an alternative route as well, in which students who are using one of the council's free self-study guides can instead sit for several short exams as they progress through the different sections. This option is also free and self-paced, and both paths lead to certification.
The CSSC also offers yellow, green, and black belt Six Sigma certification � as well as Lean Six Sigma certification at all levels. Some of these other certifications have a fee.
2. Six Sigma White Belt Training & Certification by Six Sigma Online
Six Sigma Online is another provider that offers Six Sigma training and certification. It's accredited by the CSSC, and the white belt program is free and completely self-paced.
The site also offers yellow, green, and black belt training plus Lean Six Sigma training. In addition, industry certifications are available for various fields, such as construction, engineering, and supply chain management.
3. Six Sigma White Belt Certification by Management and Strategy Institute (MSI)
The Management Strategy Institute (MSI) is an organization that represents the needs of process improvement professionals. It offers its own Six Sigma training and certification programs.
The self-paced white belt training program is free and covers the basics of Six Sigma, as well as the DMAIC method: define, measure, analyze, improve, and control. Once students finish the 20-minute training program, they can take the 15-question exam and earn the certification.
The institute also offers:
- Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certification
- Six Sigma Green Belt Certification
- Six Sigma Black Belt Certification
- Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt Certification
These all cost a fee, and the green and black belt options come with option industry specializations.
4. Free Six Sigma Training by Master of Project Academy
A free Six Sigma training program is available from the Master of Project Academy for those wanting to learn core Six Sigma principles. The course is free and takes about 30 minutes to finish, although it is self-paced.
When students make their way through the curriculum, they'll receive a course completion certificate. However, they'll still have to take a certification exam through an organization, like the CSSC, to receive their professional certificate.
The online provider also offers a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification training option that prepares students for the certification exam. This option is $87 per month, with other subscription options available.
5. Lean Six Sigma Introduction Specialist by Udemy
Udemy is an online learning platform that offers various courses taught by industry professionals. One of these is the free Lean Six Sigma Introduction Specialist, which is designed to provide an overview and layout of the Lean and Six Sigma methods.
The online training covers topics like the foundations of Lean and Six Sigma, the DMAIC roadmap, and characteristics of successful Six Sigma projects. Upon finishing the course, students can receive two Professional Development Units (PDUs) and order a certificate of completion for a $1.99 processing fee.
6. Introduction to Six Sigma by Simplilearn
Another online learning platform is Simplilearn. It offers an Introduction to Six Sigma course for beginners. The free course is taught by seasoned Six Sigma experts and consists of video lectures, tests, and assignments.
The course includes seven hours of self-paced training videos and students get free access for 90 days. They'll receive a certificate of completion when they finish the lessons.
7. Toolkit for Lean Six Sigma
Alison is an online learning platform that offers numerous educational courses � some are free, and others are worth college credit. Its free Toolkit for Lean Six Sigma course focuses on the principles of the Lean Six Sigma method, as well as topics like cause and effect and process mapping.
The self-paced course includes two modules plus an assessment and takes an average of three or four hours to complete. Passing the course gets you a certificate of completion.
8. Diploma in Six Sigma by Alison
The Diploma in Six Sigma is a free online course on Alison. Students will learn Six Sigma tools and techniques to minimize variability and defects in their manufacturing processes. Course topics include process control, control charts, benchmarking, and the role of Six Sigma in supply chain management.
The course consists of nine total modules of training and quizzes. The self-paced program takes an average of 10 to 15 hours to complete.
9. Learning Lean Six Sigma: Yellow Belt by Alison
Alison also hosts the Learning Lean Six Sigma: Yellow Belt. This is an advanced, free course that reviews the basics of Lean and Six Sigma and helps students sharpen their skills in quality management, waste reduction, and continuous improvement.
Learners exit the course with a certificate of completion and preparation for the Yellow Belt certification exam. The program is self-paced, and most students take five to six hours to finish.
10. Fundamentals Of Using Six Sigma in Supply Chains
Another free option from Alison is the Fundamentals of Using Six Sigma in Supply Chains training course. This intermediate-level course covers the basics of supply chain management and how Six Sigma processes are essential in the creation of robust, high-performance supply chains.
This course can help you prepare for Six Sigma certification focused on supply chains, like the certifications offered by Six Sigma Online. Most students take five to six hours to proceed through this self-paced course, and they'll receive a certificate of completion when finished.
Lean Six Sigma Methodology vs. Six Sigma Certification
Certifications are available for Lean Six Sigma and Six Sigma, but the two are slightly different. Both are process improvement methods, and they're often used together, but they have different core focuses.
Six Sigma focuses on finding areas of waste or inefficiency in a process and figuring out how to solve or eliminate them. It uses the DMAIC method to approach problem-solving, promote operational excellence, and increase customer satisfaction by delivering what the customer expects.
Lean Six Sigma builds on these ideas, but it's more focused on the removal of any unnecessary waste from the production process. It teaches a multitude of methods for this and creates a cohesive approach to customer-driven operations.
Six Sigma can be used in a wider range of industries, while Lean Six Sigma is only applicable to some, like manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare. Additionally, it's best to have foundational knowledge of Six Sigma before learning Lean Six Sigma. White, yellow, green, and black belts are available for both types of certifications.
Can You Earn Free Six Sigma Certification Online?
It is possible to find free Six Sigma certification online, at least at the White Belt level. The CSSC, Six Sigma Online, and MSI all offer White Belt Six Sigma professional certification for free online. These free Six Sigma white belt certifications include the certification courses and the certification exam.
However, there is a certification cost associated with the more advanced level Six Sigma certifications. These can vary by provider. For example, the standard Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification from the CSSC is $229 for just the exam and $349 for the self-study guides and exams.
FAQs About Six Sigma Training
To help you better understand free Six Sigma courses and Six Sigma certification, we've answered a few frequently asked questions about Six Sigma training below.
Is Six Sigma Certification Worth It?
For many professionals, getting a Six Sigma certification is worth it. According to the CSSC, the average salary for a professional with White Belt Certification is $42,000 � and it only goes up from there, with those with Black Belt Certifications making over $100,000 a year.
There are roles for Six Sigma Specialists available to those with certification, but certification can also boost your career if you're in roles like project management or quality management. Holding a certification shows that you have the knowledge and experience to streamline systems and instill values of operational excellence.
Which Six Sigma Certification Is Most Recognized?
Two of the most recognized certification agencies for Six Sigma certification are the American Society for Quality (ASQ) and the International Association for Six Sigma Certification (IASSC). However, these agencies do not offer White Belt certification; they only offer certification for Yellow, Green, and Black Belt levels.
For those just starting out in the field, you can become White Belt Six Sigma certified through another agency, like the CSSC, and then earn your upper-level certification through the ASY or the IASSC.
How Difficult Are Free Six Sigma Courses?
Free Six Sigma courses are usually not too difficult, especially at the White Belt level. Typically, they include training material, like videos or reading material, then test students on what they've learned.
Upper-level courses can be a little harder. If you're earning your Six Sigma Green Belt certification online, for example, you'll need some experience in Six Sigma and will need to study harder for the advanced exam.
Explore Accredited Certification Programs
Find the perfect Six Sigma course or certificate for your career path by exploring the programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual training providers for more information on their Six Sigma programs.