Earning your Lean Bronze Certification demonstrates your solid understanding of basic lean principles and tools, and your ability in tactical implementation that drives improvement and shows measurable results.

You'll study and learn Lean from a tactical viewpoint within these key modules as identified in the Lean Body of Knowledge.

• Cultural Enablers (15%)
• Continuous Process Improvements (60%)
• Consistent Lean Enterprise Culture (10%)
• Business Results (15%)

Steps to Lean Bronze Certification   

1. Assess your knowledge

To earn this certification, you should demonstrate your understanding of the Lean Certification Body of Knowledge (PDF).

You should also understand the basics of lean, including:

2. Read the Core Reference Material

Exam questions are based on specific core reference material (PDF) selected by knowledgeable and experienced individuals:

• Gemba Kaizen, Masaaki Imai
• Lean Production Simplified, Pascal Dennis
• Lean Thinking, James P. Womack and Daniel T. Jones
• Learning to See: Value Stream Mapping to Create Value and Eliminate Muda, Mike Rother and John Shook
• Lean Bronze Certification Package: Purchase the 4 titles listed above for a bundled cost savings!

3. Apply

After you apply for the Lean Bronze Certification Program, you will receive a e-notification that will provide you details on your next steps. If you do not receive this email please contact certification@sme.org.

4. Attend a classroom review course or register for LORP (Lean Online Review Program) (Optional)

Review courses are not meant to be training, but a way to understand the exam, organize your reference material and refresh your memory. You must bring the recommended reading material to the course or have available for online.

5. Take the exam

The open-book 170-question exam takes three hours. It is strongly recommended that you bring your recommended reading material to the exam. All exam questions are taken from those sources. You can find exam taking tips here. (PDF)

6. Receive the LEAN KNOWLEDGE CERTIFICATE

When you pass the exam, you receive a certificate (not a certification) that serves as a base for pursuit of the Lean Bronze, Silver and Gold Certifications. It is valid for three years and is not renewable.

7. Construct and submit your portfolio of experience

You must submit your portfolio and have it accepted within the three year timeframe beginning from the date on your knowledge certificate.

It should document:

• Completion of 80 hours minimum of education/training requirements.
• Five (5) tactical projects: events, projects and/or activities to which specific lean principles and tools were applied*
• Portfolio reflection: results of the events, projects and/or activities.

*Projects should demonstrate continuing practice in lean. For example, if you are applying for certification in 2006, and you started your lean practice in 2001, you may choose to include projects from 2002, 2004 and 2006 in your portfolio to demonstrate that you are still practicing lean.

For portfolio forms and guidelines, see the Preparing for Certification page.

8. Work with a mentor (Optional)

Mentoring is an informal relationship between you and someone with more lean knowledge and experience, and seeking a mentor is strongly recommended. Suggestions: Look within your own company. There may be a mentoring program already in place, your manager or supervisor may be willing to take on the role, or there may be a lean leader or champion who can help you. If you are an SME member, your local chapter may be a source, and you may also want to contact one of the AME leaders in your region. You can also join the lean registry for support and mentoring.

9. Plan your next step

You may choose to pursue recertification or the Lean Silver Certification. Your Lean Bronze Certification is valid for three years.