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ISO 9001 Lead Auditor

ISO 9001 Lead Auditor. Review available formats, prerequisites, current inclusions and certification terms before booking.

PECBLead Auditor5 daysLiveSelf-pacedIn-house
  • Practitioner-led, taught by a working CISO
Christophe Mazzola

Taught by

Christophe Mazzola

Practicing CISO · Founder of Cyber Academy

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For

Right fit if you are.

  • ✓Auditors who plan to perform and lead QMS audits on behalf of certification bodies
  • ✓Professionals who want to adopt PECB's AMS2 Methodology for conducting audits
  • ✓Individuals responsible for maintaining conformity to ISO 9001 requirements within their organisation
  • ✓Technical experts preparing to participate in a QMS audit
  • ✓Professionals pursuing a career in conformity assessment and third-party certification

Honest call

NOT for. When to skip it.

We'd rather you keep your money than buy the wrong path.

  • ✗Individuals with no prior exposure to ISO 9001 requirements, as the course assumes foundational knowledge
  • ✗Those seeking QMS implementation skills rather than audit methodology, who would be better served by the Lead Implementer programme
  • ✗Professionals looking only for an introductory overview of quality management without practical audit application

Outcomes

What you'll be able to do

  • 1Explain the fundamental concepts and principles of a QMS based on ISO 9001
  • 2Interpret ISO 9001 requirements from an auditor's perspective to assess conformity
  • 3Evaluate QMS conformity with ISO 9001 using established audit concepts and principles
  • 4Plan, conduct, and formally close an ISO 9001 compliance audit in line with ISO/IEC 17021-1 and ISO 19011
  • 5Apply PECB's AMS2 Methodology throughout the audit lifecycle
  • 6Manage an ISO 9001 audit programme across multiple audit engagements
  • 7Prepare and communicate audit findings, conclusions, and reports to relevant stakeholders
  • 8Distinguish the seven competency domains assessed in the PECB Certified ISO 9001 Lead Auditor examination

Programme

Day by day

Day 1Introduction to the quality management system and ISO 9001

  • QMS fundamentals and ISO 9001 structure

    Participants review the core concepts, principles, and clause structure of ISO 9001 as the foundation for an auditor's understanding of QMS requirements.

  • ISO 9001 requirements from an auditor's lens

    This module examines each ISO 9001 requirement by considering what objective evidence an auditor would seek to confirm conformity.

By end of day

  • • Interpret ISO 9001 clauses from the perspective of an auditor rather than an implementer
Day 2Audit principles and the preparation for and initiation of an audit

  • Fundamental audit concepts and principles

    Participants study the ethical, methodological, and procedural principles that underpin credible and effective auditing in line with ISO 19011 and ISO/IEC 17021-1.

  • Audit preparation and programme initiation

    This module covers how to define audit scope and objectives, review documentation, and formally initiate an ISO 9001 audit engagement using PECB's AMS2 Methodology.

By end of day

  • • Apply key audit principles to plan a structured ISO 9001 audit
  • • Prepare an audit plan and opening documentation consistent with ISO 19011 and ISO/IEC 17021-1
Day 3On-site audit activities

  • Conducting interviews and gathering evidence

    Participants practise evidence-gathering techniques including interviews, observation, and document review to assess QMS conformity during on-site activities.

  • Identifying and documenting nonconformities

    This module focuses on how to evaluate evidence, identify nonconformities, and record findings accurately and objectively during a live audit.

By end of day

  • • Conduct on-site audit activities using structured evidence-gathering techniques
  • • Document nonconformities with sufficient detail to support corrective action
Day 4Closing of the audit

  • Audit conclusions and closing meeting

    Participants learn how to formulate audit conclusions, conduct a closing meeting, and communicate results clearly to auditee representatives.

  • Audit reporting and follow-up

    This module covers the preparation of a formal audit report and the processes for verifying corrective actions following the audit.

By end of day

  • • Produce a formal audit report that accurately reflects findings and conclusions
  • • Facilitate a closing meeting and manage follow-up on corrective action plans
Day 5Certification examination

  • Examination review across all competency domains

    A consolidation session revisits the seven competency domains covered during the week to help participants prepare for the PECB Certified ISO 9001 Lead Auditor examination.

By end of day

  • • Identify gaps in understanding across all seven exam domains before sitting the certification examination

Public sessions

Upcoming public sessions

Open-enrolment cohorts. Pick a date and book your seat. Want a private cohort for your team instead? Request an in-house quote.

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Deep dive

Everything inside this certification

The detail behind the headline. Read at your own pace. Each section answers a buyer question we get on discovery calls.

  • 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

Certification Rules and Policies

Certification Rules and Policies.

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
  • Certification and examination fees are included in the price of the training course.
  • Participants will be provided with training course materials containing over 400 pages of information, practical examples, 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.
  • Candidates who have completed the training course but failed the exam are eligible to retake the exam once for free within a 12 month period from the initial date of the exam.

Educational approach

  • 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

FAQ

Buyers always ask

What competency domains does the PECB Certified ISO 9001 Lead Auditor examination assess?+

The examination covers seven domains: (1) fundamental principles and concepts of a QMS, (2) QMS requirements, (3) fundamental audit concepts and principles, (4) preparing an ISO 9001 audit, (5) conducting an ISO 9001 audit, (6) closing an ISO 9001 audit, and (7) managing an ISO 9001 audit programme.

For details on exam format, available languages, and scheduling, consult the PECB List of Exams and Examination Rules and Policies.

How does completing the training differ from becoming a certified lead auditor?+

Attending and completing the five-day training provides you with knowledge and skills across all covered topics. It does not, on its own, award a certification.

To obtain a PECB lead auditor credential, you must separately pass the PECB examination and then apply for the relevant certificate, demonstrating that you meet all credential requirements set out in PECB's Certification Rules and Policies.

Is prior audit experience needed to attend this course?+

The official PECB guidance states that participants are expected to have a fundamental understanding of ISO 9001 requirements and comprehensive knowledge of audit principles before joining. While these are described as knowledge expectations rather than formal eligibility rules, arriving without this background is likely to make the course content significantly more challenging.

What standards and guidelines govern the audit approach taught in this course?+

The course teaches participants to plan and conduct audits in accordance with ISO/IEC 17021-1 requirements, ISO 19011 guidelines, and PECB's own AMS2 Methodology, which integrates these frameworks into a structured audit process.

Can I attend this course if I only want to conduct internal audits, not third-party certification audits?+

The course content is applicable to both internal and external auditing contexts. However, the programme is specifically designed around third-party certification audit scenarios aligned with ISO/IEC 17021-1. Internal auditors seeking a lighter-touch introduction may find the depth of content more than they need, and should consider whether a shorter audit-awareness programme would be more appropriate.

Ready to get certified?

Taught by a practicing CISO. Prices and exam terms shown up front.

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