What is included?

• You have 12 months time as of reception of the learning material to learn, do the exam and get your certification
  
• Certification and examination fees are included in the price of the training course 
• Participants will be provided with the training course material containing over 450 pages of explanatory information, examples, best practices, exercises, and quizzes
  
• An Attestation of Course Completion worth 31 CPD (Continuing Professional Development) credits will be issued to the participants who have attended the training course. 
• In case candidates do not pass the exam, they are entitled to a free retake within 12 months from the date the coupon code is received  
• + 20% reduction on the first year subscription for our all-in-one ISMS/GRC management solution

Why should you take this training course?

The PECB ISO 9001 Lead Auditor training course enables you to develop the necessary competence to perform quality management system (QMS) audits by applying widely recognized audit principles, procedures, and techniques. This training course combines the requirements of ISO/IEC 17021-1, the recommendations of ISO 19011, and other good practices of auditing and integrates them into a comprehensive methodology which enables you to successfully plan, conduct, and close ISO 9001 conformity assessment audits.

Apart from a theoretical basis, the training course also provides examples, exercises, and quizzes to help you practice the most important aspects of conformity assessment audits: interpretation of ISO 9001 requirements in the context of an audit, principles of auditing, application of audit methods, approaches to evidence collection and verification, leading an audit team, drafting nonconformity reports, and preparing the final audit report.

The successful completion of the training course is followed by an exam. If you successfully pass the exam, you can apply for the “PECB Certified ISO 9001 Lead Auditor” credential. An UKAS accredited and internationally recognized “PECB ISO 9001 Lead Auditor” certificate validates your professional capabilities and demonstrates that you have the knowledge and skills to audit a QMS based on ISO 9001.

Who should attend?

This training course is intended for: 

• Auditors seeking to perform and lead QMS audits in behalf of certification bodies
• Professionals wishing to adopt PECB’s AMS2 Methodology for conducting audits
• Individuals responsible for maintaining conformity to the requirements of ISO 9001
• Technical experts seeking to prepare for a QMS audit
• Professionals wanting to pursue a career in conformity assessment 

Training course structure

Module 1: Introduction to Quality Management Systems (QMS) and ISO 9001

• Course objectives and structure
• Standards and regulatory frameworks
• Certification process
• Fundamental concepts and principles of quality management
• Quality Management System (QMS)

Module 2: Audit principles, preparation and launching of an audit

• Fundamental audit concepts and principles
• Audit approach based on evidence and risk
• Initiating the audit
• Stage 1 audit
• Preparing the stage 2 audit (on-site audit)

Module 3: On-site audit activities

• Stage 2 audit
• Communication during the audit
• Audit procedures
• Creating audit test plans
• Drafting audit findings and nonconformity reports

Module 4: Closing the audit

• Audit documentation and quality review
• Closing the audit
• Evaluation of action plans by the auditor
• Beyond the initial audit
• Managing an internal audit program
• Competence, evaluation and closing the training

Certification Exam

Learning objectives

 By the end of this training course, the participants will be able to:

• Explain the fundamental concepts and principles of a quality management system (QMS) based on ISO 9001
• Interpret the ISO 9001 requirements for a QMS from the perspective of an auditor
• Evaluate the QMS conformity to ISO 9001 requirements, in accordance with the fundamental audit concepts and principles
• Plan, conduct, and close an ISO 9001 compliance audit, in accordance with ISO/IEC 17021-1 requirements, ISO 19011 guidelines, and other best practices of auditing
• Manage an ISO 9001 audit program

Examination

The “PECB Certified ISO 9001 Lead Auditor” exam fully meets the requirements of the PECB Examination and Certification Program (ECP). It covers the following competency domains:

• Domain 1: Fundamental principles and concepts of a quality management system
• Domain 2: Quality management system (QMS) requirements
• Domain 3: Fundamental audit concepts and principles
• Domain 4: Preparing an ISO 9001 audit
• Domain 5: Conducting an ISO 9001 audit 
• Domain 6: Closing an ISO 9001 audit
• Domain 7: Managing an ISO 9001 audit program

Duration: 3 hours
Location: Online through the PECB app OR in person in one of the PECB exam centers
Preparation: PECB Exam Preparation Guides
Language: The exam is available in multiple other languages and does not need to be taken in the same language as the training material. Additional time can be requested when your native language is not available in your mother tongue (to be requested by candidates on the exam day)
Retake: In case you fail the exam, you can retake it within 12 months following the initial attempt for free

For specific information about the exam type, languages available, and other details, please visit the List of PECB Exams and the Examination Rules and Policies.

Certification

After successfully passing the exam, you can apply for the respective credential. You will receive the certificate once you comply with all the requirements of this certification.

The requirements for PECB ISO 9001 Auditor certifications are as shown in the table below:

To be considered valid, the audit activities should follow best audit practices and include the following:

1. Planning an audit
2. Managing an audit program
3. Drafting audit reports
4. Drafting nonconformity reports
5. Drafting audit work documents
6. Reviewing documented information
7. Conducting on-site audit
8. Following up on nonconformities
9. Leading an audit team 

Note: PECB certified individuals who possess both the Lead Implementer and Lead Auditor credentials are qualified for the respective PECB Master Credential, given they have taken 4 additional Foundation Exams related to this scheme. For more information about the Foundation Exams and the overall Master Requirements, please go to PECB Master Credentials.

For more information about the ISO 9001 certifications and the PECB certification process, please refer to the Certification Rules and Policies.

Contact us on [email protected] if you have other questions