Education & Training

Production, Quality, and Manufacturing (PQM) Career Field Overview

The following overview provides highlights of the PQM career field certification standards (education, experience, and required/desired courses) for DAWIA Levels I-III.

EDUCATION:  Formal education not required for certification. *
Desired:  Baccalaureate degree in engineering, chemistry, physical science, mathematics, statistics, manufacturing or production management, industrial technology or management, business, quality assurance, or a related field.

LEVEL I CERTIFICATION
1 YEAR OF ACQUISITION EXPERIENCE IN PQM**

ACQ 101 Fundamentals of Systems Acquisition Management
(Self-paced, online)

PQM 101 Production, Quality, and Manufacturing Fundamentals
(Self-paced, online)

CLC 024 Basic Math Tutorial
(Continuous Learning Module)

CLM 017 Risk Management
(8-hour Continuous Learning Module)

Electives: None

LEVEL II CERTIFICATION
2 YEARS OF ACQUISITION EXPERIENCE IN PQM**

ACQ 201A Intermediate Systems Acquisition Management (Part A)
(Self-paced, online)

ACQ 201B Intermediate Systems Acquisition Management (Part B)
(Classroom, 5 days)

PQM 201A Intermediate Production, Quality, and Manufacturing (Part A)
(Self-paced, online)

PQM 201B Intermediate Production, Quality, and Manufacturing (Part B)
(Classroom, 5 days)

CLE 003 Technical Reviews
(4-hour Continuous Learning Module)

Electives:  None

LEVEL III CERTIFICATION
4 YEARS OF ACQUISITION EXPERIENCE IN PQM**

PQM 301 Advanced Production, Quality, and Manufacturing
(Classroom, 10 days)

Electives:  None

* Level II and III Desired Education – Master’s degree in business, production management, engineering, or a related field.
**Level I Desired Experience – At least 4 weeks of rotational assignments at a contractor and/or governmental industrial facility that includes experience in quality, manufacturing, engineering, and contracting. 
Level II Desired Experience – Two additional years of experience and at least one 30-day rotational assignment at a contractor and /or government industrial facility that includes experience in quality, manufacturing, engineering, and contracting.  
Level III Desired Experience – Four additional years of experience and at least one 90-day rotational assignment at a contractor and/or government industrial facility that includes experience in quality, manufacturing, engineering, and contracting.