Lean Six Sigma Certification Levels : Yellow, Green & Black Belt

The Complete Guide to Lean Six Sigma Certification Levels : Yellow, Green, and Black Belt

Lean Six Sigma Certification Levels : is a globally recognised methodology for business process improvement. If done correctly, it can significantly reduce waste and deliver transformative outcomes.

This framework combines the strengths of Lean thinking (flow and efficiency) with the statistical aspects of Six Sigma (minimising defects and variation). One of the key things to note about Lean Six Sigma training is its certification levels.

Each Lean Six Sigma Certification Levels , namely Yellow, Green, Black, or Master Black Belt, caters to a different stage of learning and leadership. These levels are built for professionals to develop their skills incrementally at various stages of their careers.

If you’re new to this training or want to start but aren't sure which level is right for you, we've got you covered. OE Partners is Australia’s leading training company in Lean manufacturing, offering accredited Lean Six Sigma certification nationwide. No matter which stage you are in your career, we can provide the right Lean training support that’s tailored to you.

In this article, we’ll look at the different certification levels, known as ‘belts’ in Lean Six Sigma training programs.

Why Does Lean Six Sigma Use a Belt System?

If you assume that the Lean Six Sigma belt system sounds like the one used in martial arts, you wouldn’t be wrong. Lean Six Sigma training uses a belt hierarchy that originates from the influence of martial arts, where coloured belts signify the level of one’s skill and knowledge.

The belt levels also help ensure that knowledge and skills are built logically, from basic awareness of Lean tools to advanced Lean leadership. It allows organisations to assign the right employee to a process improvement task. Team members with Yellow Belt certification are there to provide support or tackle simple projects, while Green Belts can lead department-level projects. Black Belts are primarily engaged to lead Green Belts and to manage a program of different improvements. They may also get involved in particularly complex problems that haven’t been solved despite previous efforts. Overall, the belts system allows senior managers and owners to better resource their change program and drive more significant outcomes.

Now that we’ve understood the necessity for each certification level, let’s look at the types of certification available in Lean Six Sigma training.

Yellow Belt Certification

The Yellow Belt is the starting point in the Lean Six Sigma journey. This training level gives participants an overview of the methodology, tools, and principles, including the fundamental principles of Lean thinking and Six Sigma.

Yellow Belts typically do not lead major projects in process improvement. Instead, they support these initiatives as knowledgeable team members. Employees with Yellow Belt Lean Six Sigma certification are often responsible for collecting data, helping with identifying root cause analysis, and implementing small-scale changes within a team or department.

OE Partners’ Yellow Belt training is done in a convenient 2-day LIVE virtual or in-person workshop. This classroom-based style gives participants a practical understanding of core tools, including process mapping and basic problem-solving frameworks.

There is also pre-course work that should be completed before the training, which takes approximately 1 to 2 hours to complete. Upon completing the training, participants can get certified with a Yellow Belt Theory Certification, through a multiple-choice, 40-minute exam.

Who is it for?

This certification is ideal for key operational staff, process operators, customer service staff, and administration professionals who are directly involved with the organisation’s day-to-day experience.

Green Belt Certification

A level up from Yellow is the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt. This certification level trains professionals to take more ownership in process improvement initiatives within their company.

This program level includes an in-depth exploration of the DMAIC methodology (Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, Control) in Six Sigma and how it applies to real business challenges. This level of training also introduces tools such as Pareto analysis, control charts, fishbone diagrams, and basic statistical testing.

More importantly, it helps learners think critically about processes and measure performance accurately. Green Belt individuals can implement significant change in their organisation by understanding how to manage people through change, lead an improvement project team, and engage with leadership.

OE Partners’ Green Belt certification is a 4-day virtual or in-person workshop, with a pre-course work that takes 4 to 6 hours to complete. To get certified, participants can pursue a Green Belt Theory Certification exam and a Green Belt Project Certification. Both certifications are different from each other, and the project route requires participants to complete a workplace-based project to achieve full Green Belt certification.

Under the Green Belt Project Certification, each project must achieve savings or cost avoidance of at least $30,000 annually for the company. This ensures they have a full grasp of applying what they have learned into tangible results.

Who is it for?

The Green Belt certification is tailored for mid- to senior-level professionals involved in reviewing and improving business processes and performance. We recommend this training for individuals with at least three years of professional experience and a solid understanding of maths and basic statistics.

Black Belt Certification

The Black Belt Six Sigma Certification level is for experienced professionals who are responsible for leading and delivering business improvement projects. Black Belt professionals are critical in incorporating Lean Six Sigma principles throughout the organisation, guiding teams, influencing leadership, and delivering step change business outcomes that can be measured.

The training content covers advanced statistical techniques such as hypothesis testing, Statistical Process Control (SPC) and Design of Experiments (DOE). Learners also build skills in leadership, change management, project portfolio planning, stakeholder engagement, and coaching others.

Unlike Yellow and Green Belts, Black Belts are expected to work across multiple departments. Training duration is typically spread out over 3 months, with a 12-day in-person or virtual training.

Like the Green Belt program, participants can also choose to complete an optional Black Belt Theory Certification and a Black Belt Project Certification. Black Belt projects must demonstrate an achievement of saving or cost avoidance of at least $75,000 per year.

Who is it for?

Professionals in this category often work in a senior role in the company, i.e. operations manager, chief operating officer, and business improvement leaders. We recommended that individuals have at least 5 years of working experience in a professional role and a firm grasp of applied mathematics and basic statistics.

Master Black Belt Certification

At the top of the Lean Six Sigma certification levels is the Master Black Belt. This program is reserved for senior professionals who lead improvement strategy across entire organisations. These individuals are responsible for mentoring other Black Belts, overseeing project portfolios, and ensuring alignment with business goals.

While not every organisation or individual needs a Master Black Belt, those with large-scale continuous improvement goals can benefit from having one or more of these experts in-house. OE Partners offers this certification by arrangement, with a focus on coaching, leadership, and enterprise-wide transformation.

Who is it for?

Master Black Belts suit individuals who work closely with executive teams to strategically and sustainably implement Lean Six Sigma. They may be involved in designing training programs, standardising process methods, and leading cultural change in an organisation. Their role is less about executing individual projects and more about governance, capability development, and long-term performance improvement.

Choosing the Right Certification Level for Your Career

Selecting the right certification level depends on your role, experience, and what you hope to achieve. If you’re just starting out or want to understand the basics, a Yellow Belt is recommended.

If you’re already in a leadership, analytical, or technical role and want to lead improvement projects, the Green Belt certification is a great next step. It gives you the confidence, skills, and structure to make changes that matter in your organisation.

For those leading business transformation and who want to mentor Green and Yellow belts in their company, the Black Belt certification teaches advanced tools and strategic thinking needed to lead and coach others. And if you’re responsible for Lean Six Sigma governance or large-scale employee development, the Master Black Belt may be the right fit.

It’s important to know that progression through each certification level is the typical route, and can be done in years. Many professionals begin with a Yellow or Green Belt and return to study Black Belt once they’ve applied their skills and built experience.

OE Partners can help you determine the best pathway based on your goals, industry, and organisation size. If you’re unsure which certification is right for you, our team can help you understand the different certifications and determine which ones suit your needs and career path.

Get Certified with OE Partners

At OE Partners, we’re committed to helping professionals and organisations across Australia build lasting capability through high-quality Lean Six Sigma training. We offer flexible training in person and online, and conduct project certifications that create a lasting impact in your organisations.

Additionally, we tailor our training materials according to your workplace, using real-world examples from your industry. We also adopt practical and current examples from your business in our training program. The resulting solution and Intellectual Property will be owned by you, allowing your teams to use it independently.

Explore our Lean Six Sigma Training programs today, or speak to our team about your certification options.

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