ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems Lead Auditor

This five-day intensive course enables participants to develop the necessary expertise to audit a Quality Management System (QMS) based on ISO 9001:2015 and ensure that the organization is competent in maintaining its quality management system. The Lead Auditor training will equip participants with the skills and ability to perform audits by applying widely recognized audit principles, procedures, and techniques. During this training, the participant will acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to proficiently plan and perform internal and external audits in compliance with ISO 19011; the certification process according to ISO 17021. Based on practical exercises, the participant will develop the skills (mastering audit techniques) and competencies (managing audit teams and audit program, communicating with customers, conflict resolution, etc.) necessary to efficiently conduct an audit.

Why should you attend?

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?

The ISO 9001 Lead Auditor 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 

 Learning objectives

By the end of this training course, the participant 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

Educational approach

This training course is participant centered and contains:

• Theories, approaches, and best practices used in ISO management system audits 
  
• Lecture sessions illustrated with examples based on case studies 
• Practical exercises based on a case study
• Interaction between participants by means of questions and suggestions
• Stand-alone and scenario-based quizzes, tailored to prepare the participants for the certification exam 

Prerequisites

The main requirements for participating in this training course are a fundamental understanding of ISO 9001 requirements for a QMS and a comprehensive knowledge of audit principles.

Course agenda

• Day 1: Introduction to the quality management system (QMS) and ISO 9001

  Day 2: Audit principles and the preparation for and initiation of an audit

  Day 3: On-site audit activities

  Day 4: Closing of the audit

  Day 5: Certification exam

  
  

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

  For specific information about exam type, languages available, and other details, please visit the Lists of PECB exams and the Examination Rules and Policy.

  
  

Certification

After successfully completing the exam, you can apply for one of the credentials shown on the table below. You will receive a certificate once you comply with all the requirements related to the selected credential.

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

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

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.

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

General information

• Certification and examination fees are included in the price of the training course
• PECB will provide training material of over 450 pages of information and practical examples.
• An attestation of course completion worth 31 CPD (Continuing Professional Development) credits will be issued to participants who have attended the training course.
• In case of exam failure, the candidate can retake the exam once for free within 12 months following the initial exam date.

For additional information, please contact marketing@pecb.com