ISO 9001 auditor

The ISO 9001:2008 Lead Auditor Training course is a intensive and formal course
provided by accredited Registrars and training organizations. It teaches course
participants to perform ISO 9001 quality management system audits from different
perspectives and how to build an effective Quality Management System.

Who Should Take This Course?

- Those that want to pursue a career as a professional third party auditor, conducting
certification audits for Registrars or Certification Bodies.
- Consultants that want to hone their knowledge and improve the quality of their
services
- Quality Management and Auditing personnel of larger organizations that perform
internal and supplier audits.
- Other professionals in related fields wishing to diversify their credentials.

What You Should Find Out Before Taking This Course?

- Check whether the course is accredited by RAB/QSA, UKAS or similarly

recognized accreditation body.
- Check whether the course provider is accredited by these same bodies.
- Find out the location, schedule and cost of the course
- Ask if they provide any special discounts for - groups, handicaps, on-site, or other. If
the course is provided by your registrar, you may be able to negotiate a better price.
- Check if they have any special arrangements for travel and accommodations.
- Ask for a course syllabus or outline.
- Check whether you are expected to reside at the venue where the course is held if
you are from out of town.
- Ask about their cancellation policy and course attendance requirements

What Background Should You Have To Take This Course?

- You should have a good understanding of the ISO 9001:2008 standard, even though
it is covered in-depth in the course.
- You should have some prior exposure to auditing.
- You should have some experience in a managerial or supervisory role in an
organization
- You should have at least a high school certificate and preferably a degree.

What Is The Typical Course Structure And Format?

- The ISO 9000 Lead Auditor training has 40 hours of in-class time spread over 5
days. This is not counting time you spend after class reviewing each days material.
- Roughly half that time is devoted to theory covering the ISO 9001 standard and
auditing concepts, principles and practice as per the ISO 19011:2002 Auditing
Guidelines for quality and environmental management systems.
- The remaining time is directed towards in-class case studies, audit role-playing,
team exercises, practice exams and open discussions.
- The course typically ends with a two hour written exam covering a variety of
questions from multiple choice, true/false, short and long essay and case situations.

How Will Course Participants Be Evaluated?

Most course providers will use some combination of the following evaluation
techniques:

- Daily and continual assessment of student participation, interaction, leadership and

time-management skills.
- Daily exercises and quizzes - audit role playing; interviewing; situation handling;
etc.
- Presentation exercises - oral and written
- Opening and Closing meeting role play exercises
- Case study Audit Report
- Written examination

What Can One Expect To Learn From The ISO 9001:2008 Lead Auditor
Training Course?

- Understand the concepts, principles, terminology and benefits of a Quality

Management System based on ISO 9001:2008 Standard.
- Understand the requirements of the ISO 9001:2008 Standard and how to implement
and audit a Quality Management System.
- Understand the purpose, content, and interrelationships of related standards such as
ISO 9000, ISO 9001, ISO 9004, and ISO 19011.
- Learn the knowledge and skills required to manage and conduct internal, second-
party (Supplier/Vendor) and third-party Quality Management System audits.
- Be able to facilitate and manage quality audits performed by Accredited
Certification Bodies or Registrars.

Does Taking And Passing This Course Make Me An ISO 9001:2008 Lead
Auditor?

Taking and passing this course (both exam and other evaluation requirements) is just
the first step. Other requirements to become a formally recognized Lead Auditor
includes applying to an Auditor Certification Body like RAB/QSA or IRCA for Lead
Auditor certification and meeting their specific requirements for:

- Education - minimum requirement is a high school certificate. The higher your

education, the less will be required of you for the other requirements
- Work experience - four or more years of work experience.
- Quality experience - at least two years of your work experience should be quality
related.
- Auditing experience - perform sufficient first, second or third part audits to meet
their requirements.
- Managing audits - Manage (lead) sufficient number of the above audits to meet their
requirements.
- Maintenance of proficiency - Once you satisfy the above requirements and submit
your application and appropriate fees, you will then get your formal card as a Lead
Auditor. After that you must continue to "professionally develop" yourself to some
combination of the above requirements, again based on the requirements established
by body that certified you (RAB/QSA or IRCA).