QA Auditor Certification

Here at QA we always welcome new auditors through our Auditor Certification Program, after the completion of which, applicants can become part of our network of MS Auditors and conduct audits worldwide by being part of an audit team. Our evaluation methods have resulted as a great asset in the preparation of skilled MS Auditors, who at the same time represent our core values. Auditors choose us because QA enables them to establish a reputable image as a professional MS Auditor and conduct audits through a continual interaction with us. Apart from this, they gain new experiences by conducting audits worldwide with well-paid audit mandates, while also improving their expertise in their respective field of certification.

Sub-Contracted / Freelance
Auditors and Lead Auditors

Quality Academy is looking for talented Auditor on a subcontract basis; who can present our popular management systems auditing to our clients. Have a good experience in third party management system auditing, in the below schemes;

  • Quality Management - ISO 9001
  • Automotive Management - IATF 16949
  • Environmental Management - ISO 14001
  • Occupational Safety - ISO 45001
  • Energy Management - ISO 50001
  • Food Safety - ISO/FSSC 22000
  • Medical Devices – ISO 13485
  • Information Security - ISO 27001
  • IT Services Management - ISO 20000
  • Business Continuity Management - ISO 22301
  • Educational Organisations -ISO 21001

Why become a QA Certified Auditor?

Today, organizations are choosing QA as a trusted and reliable certification body which has built strong reputation for its services in the field of ISO standards.

We have demonstrated effective evaluation methods on the preparation of experienced and highly skilled management system auditors who represent our values.

Becoming a Certified QA Auditor includes the following benefits:

  • Establish a reputable image as a professional MS Auditor.
  • Conduct audits through a continual interaction with QA.
  • Well-paid audit mandates.
  • Opportunity to conduct audits worldwide.
  • Improve audit expertise in the respective certification field.
  • Work by applying best auditing practices.

Start a Career as a QA Auditor

Becoming an ISO Management Systems Auditor is a great opportunity to get involved in this big world of experts. A Management Systems (MS) Auditor can work in different fields such as Information Security, Quality Management, Business Continuity, Service Management, Anti-Bribery, Health, Safety and Environmental Management, etc.

As the first and very important step that you should take is the completion of a Lead Auditor Training Course. It can be for example an ISO 9001 Lead Auditor or ISO/IEC 27001 Lead Auditor Training Course, however, it is important to know that as you grow in this career, you can also choose more than one Lead Auditor Certificate and audit in more than just one field.

After you complete the training course, you need to get involved in as many internal or external audits as possible. This involvement, which initially will be in the role of an observer and/or trainee auditor, will help you to gain necessary auditing skills and a better understanding of auditing and the certification bodies’ processes. In addition, it will help you build work experience.

Here at QA we always welcome new auditors through our Auditor Certification Program, after the completion of which, applicants can become part of our network of MS Auditors and conduct audits worldwide by being part of an audit team. Our evaluation methods have resulted as a great asset in the preparation of skilled MS Auditors, who at the same time represent our core values. Auditors choose us because QA enables them to establish a reputable image as a professional MS Auditor and conduct audits through a continual interaction with us. Apart from this, they gain new experiences by conducting audits worldwide with well-paid audit mandates, while also improving their expertise in their respective field of certification.

Join QA and start your professional career as a management systems auditor by getting to know more about QA Auditor Certification Program or by contacting us directly at: info@qacademy.org.

We look forward to work with you!

The Certification Process

1. Initiate the Application Process

The initial requirements that have to be fulfilled by an applicant in order to initiate the evaluation process are listed below:

  • Education: Have at least secondary level education.
  • Training/Certification1: Have a valid2 Lead Auditor Certificate obtained from an internationally recognized certification body along with the Attendance Record Certificate of the respective training course.
  • Work experience3: Have at least five years of professional work experience; two of which should be relevant experience in the implementation, operation, and/or auditing of management systems, involving the exercise of judgment.
  • Audit experience 3: Have performed at least four complete audits, the total duration of which should be a minimum of twenty days. For Lead Auditor, at least three of these audits should have been performed as a team leader.
  • Personal behavior and competence: Be able to reflect the best personal behavior necessary to carry out effective audits in accordance with clause 7.2.2 of ISO 19011:2018 and Annex D of ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015, as well as be able to demonstrate that they have the needed competence and knowledge to carry out an effective audit in line with the clause 7.2.3.2 of ISO 19011:2018.

2. QA Auditor Documentation Package

If the applicant has met the initial requirements, the following forms need to be completed:

  • Auditor Application Form
  • Auditor Competence Form
  • Audit Log Form
  • Auditor Agreement Form

Audit background and experience will be evaluated based on specific certification requirements and QA competence criteria.

The applicant should hold a Lead Auditor Certificate in the respective field and be able to demonstrate their years of professional experience and number of audits conducted. All of the documents need to be filled out in details with the correct information in order for QA to have a complete file of the applicant.

3. Online Interview

In case of a positive evaluation and fulfillment of the previously described requirements, the applicant will be invited to an interview with the Auditor Program Coordinator.

Such interviews are held online and intend to further elaborate on the information provided in the applicant’s CV and professional experience. The interview consists of questions that include areas of planning the audit, reporting nonconformities, handling a difficult situation, previous experience, etc.

After the successful completion of the interview, the applicant will get approved as an “Interim MS Auditor”. At the same time, they will be informed in more details about the remaining steps/requirements that need to be completed in order to get the “Fully Approved MS Auditor” status.

1st Status - Interm MS Auditor

The interim period will be valid for one year. Within this time frame, the Interim MS Auditors will need to:

  • Complete the Certified Management Systems Auditor (CMSA) Training Course.
  • Be witnessed (observed) while conducting an audit on behalf of QA.

If the additional requirements are not fulfilled within the agreed time frame, the QA Interim Auditor credential will be canceled and the auditor will need to complete all the requirements all over again to become Fully Approved MS Auditor and be able to conduct audits on behalf of QA.

Certified Management Systems Auditor Training Course (CMSA)

The Certified Management Systems Auditor Training Course (CMSA) is a specific training course which intends the preparation of QA Certified Auditors and in advancement of their audit techniques and skills in line with the QA audit processes and procedures.

This training is exclusively lectured by experienced QA Auditors and is organized several times during the year in different parts of the world. Additionally, during this training course role play audits will be conducted as part of the practical part of the training.

Taking the Certified Management Systems Auditor Course and passing the respective exam is mandatory, and this has to be completed within one year from the interim approval date.

The QA Auditor will be kept updated on the schedule of the CMSA Training Course around the world, so they will have an opportunity to finish the required step on time.

There will be two options to complete this step:

  • Normal track: Attend the entire CMSA Training Course
  • Fast track: Experienced auditors (10+ years of experience in third-party audits) will attend only the last day of the CMSA training course. This will be done online through a webinar at the end of which the auditors will have to complete the CMSA exam.

However, to be eligible for this, auditors need to provide evidences to QA either:

  • Of being approved by another accredited certification body, or
  • 3 audit reports (all information will be treated with utmost confidentiality).

2nd Status - Fully Approved MS Auditor

The MS Auditor will be Fully Approved after completing all the necessary requirements, including: Documentation and Professional Experience, the Interview, Certified Management Systems Training Course (CMSA), and the Witness Audit. Hereby, the MS auditor will be provided with one of the following credentials, depending on their experience and fulfillment of requirements:

  • QA Certified Auditor – can perform audits as a team member or as a sole auditor.
  • QA Certified Lead Auditor – can perform audits as a Lead Auditor by managing an audit team.

QA Auditor Certificate is valid for three years. In this period MS auditors will be evaluated on a continuous basis through different evaluation methods, such as: observation, review of records, feedback from audit clients, post-audit reviews, etc.

Re-Certification

In order to get recertified, the QA Certified Auditor should have performed a minimum of three complete audits with at least 10 audit days during the last three years. For QA Certified Lead Auditors, one of the audits should be in the capacity of a Lead Auditor – leading a team of at least one other auditor.

The recertification process can be performed within the six months period, prior/after the expiry date of the QA Auditor Certificate. If the recertification has not been performed within this period, the MS Auditor may be required to pass an additional observation.

QA Auditor Application Form