Auditor requirements & competence criteria
Before applying, check here which grade you qualify for.
Requirements by grade
These common requirements apply to every grade — ① higher education or above ② passing the knowledge and aptitude test (70+) ③ an ISO auditor or lead-auditor training certificate
| Grade | Additional requirements |
|---|---|
| Provisional auditorProvisional | None beyond the common requirements — it keeps your training valid and allows you to observe audits |
| AuditorAuditor | ① 4+ years of work experience (including 2+ years related to the standard) ② 20+ MD of audit or observation in the last three years |
| Lead auditorLead Auditor | ① 4+ years of work experience (incl. 2+ related) ② 35+ MD of audits in the last three years (including 15+ MD as lead auditor) |
| Verification auditorVerification | ① 10+ years of work experience (incl. 5+ related) ② 15+ MD as lead auditor in the last three years ③ applications open one year after lead-auditor registration ④ recommendation by the certification body |
※ MD (man-day) measures audit duration. 1.0 MD = one auditor for eight hours; 0.5 MD = four hours.
Competence criteria and what to submit
Basic conditions for issuing an auditor certificate.
| Criterion | What it means | Document |
|---|---|---|
| Training | Completed an auditor course run by a training organisation | Auditor training certificate |
| Education | Received higher education or above | Diploma |
| Work experience | 4+ years of practical experience (including 2+ years related to the standard applied for)· Bachelor’s degree — 4+ years · High school — 6+ years | Certificate of employmentWaived if you complete the career details in the form |
| Waiver of the 20 MD observation | Applicants with internal audit experience or supplier assessment experience who have carried out work equivalent to that of an auditor in accordance with ISO 19011, and who have passed an interview with an ITS verification auditor | Interview outcome |
Renewal requirements
Every grade renews on a three-year cycle from first issue. Within the three years before expiry you must have:
| Grade | Renewal requirement |
|---|---|
| Auditor | 10 MD of audit activity + 16 hours of CPD |
| Lead auditor | As above, including at least one audit as lead auditor |
| Verification auditor | As above, including verification activity |
You must also report any management-system consultancy once a year after registration. If there is none, simply state “none”. (Impartiality — ISO/IEC 17021-1)
