QMS Auditor Certification Process

OVERVIEW OF NQI's NATIONAL AUDITOR CERTIFICATION PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

We are pleased to provide the following summary of the basic requirements for your information. Additional information is available upon request by contacting Certification Services at the number listed.

1. Auditor Training: Having successfully completed and passed, in the last 3 years, an approved 36 hour/5 day Lead Auditor training course in quality management system auditing, that meets the NQI criteria.
   
   
2. Education: Having completed Secondary education (typically 12 years full-time schooling leading to University entrance).
   
   PLUS
   
   Holding an appropriate Nationally recognized award resulting from a course of study, from a recognized institution, involving a minimum of 600 hours tuition (typically a degree); or an award resulting from distance learning equivalent to this; or hold corporate/professional membership of a professional institution that has academic/technical qualification requirements equal to those above.
   
   
3. Work Experience: Having at least 4 years full-time (or part time equivalent) work experience in a technical, professional or management position of accountability involving the exercise of judgement, for those applicants meeting the education requirements in 2 above. If the education requirements of 2 above are not met, 6 years of such experience will be accepted.
   
   
4. Quality Experience: Having a minimum of 24 months relevant experience in the implementation and/or operation of quality management systems, which provides the practical knowledge to effectively audit such systems. This QA experience may be concurrent with the work experience in 3 above, but must be in the 6 years immediately prior to applying for certification. Reduced requirements apply for the Grade of Provisional Auditor.
   
   
5. Auditing Experience:
   
   For Auditor grades - as an audit team member, during the 3 years prior to applying, 30 days of verifiable and satisfactory auditing, including a minimum of 20 days on-site. At least 2 audits must have been of 2 days duration on-site and involved the applicant in making judgement on the effectiveness of a complete quality management system. The applicant's auditing experience shall include all elements of ISO 9001:2000 or an acceptable alternative standard. All audits must have been independent in nature and performed in accordance with ISO 19011-1. Full, partial or surveillance types of system audits are considered eligible.
   
   For Lead Auditor grade - while functioning as the team leader or trainee team leader, during the 3 years prior to applying, applicants for either, must have satisfactorily conducted and managed 5 or more audits. The audit teams must have involved at least one other auditor. All audits must have been in accord with ISO 19011-1, with 3 or more audits being of 2 days duration on-site and involved the applicant in making judgment on the effectiveness of the quality system.
   
   Verification of the applicant's audits will be accomplished by NQI contact with the auditees.
   
   Auditing experience is not required for the Grade of Provisional Auditor.
   
   
6. Sponsors: Each applicant must be sponsored by their employer or by two other sponsors whom they have had a business relationship with for at least two years. In addition, two sponsors (one or more may be the same as application sponsors) are to attest to the applicant's "Personal Attributes", as they relate to auditing defined in ISO 19011-2, and if applying for either Lead Auditor grade, their "Audit Management Capabilities", also defined in ISO 19011-2.

Auditor Grades Available to Applicants

National QMS (Quality Management System) Program:

• Provisional Auditor,
• Auditor,
• Lead Auditor.

Other NQI Auditor Certification Programs:

• pending

For more information on how to apply or for additional details, please contact:

NQI Certification Programs
Phone: 416-251-7600 ext.221 or 1-800-263-9648
Fax: 416-251-9131
Email: certification [email protected]