How Certification Works

Your Certification Journey at a Glance

From application to certified professional — here is the complete pathway

Relationship between Training and Certification

QA Assessor provides optional preparation courses to support exam readiness across all levels and standards. Training and certification functions are structurally separated: trainers do not participate in certification decisions for candidates they have trained. Completing a QA Assessor preparation course is not a guarantee of certification. All certification decisions are based solely on assessment results and eligibility criteria, in full compliance with ISO/IEC 17024:2012.

The certification process begins when you submit a completed application form (QA-CB-FORM-001) through our online application portal.

What you need to provide:

• Completed application form with personal and professional details
• Selection of the certification standard and level
• Supporting documents: CV, copies of existing certifications, audit logs (where applicable), training certificates (if available), photo ID, and passport photograph
• Signed declarations confirming accuracy of information and agreement to abide by the Code of Conduct

What happens next: You will receive an acknowledgement within 2 business days confirming receipt of your application and any outstanding documentation required.

Once all documentation is received, the Certification Manager reviews your application against the eligibility criteria for the selected scheme.

Eligibility criteria assessed:

• Education: Minimum qualifications as specified for the level (secondary or tertiary education)
• Professional experience: Relevant work experience in the management system domain
• Prerequisites (where defined in the scheme): Completion of relevant preparation training is strongly recommended. For Lead Auditor level, candidates are expected to have completed a minimum 40-hour lead auditor course or equivalent preparation. For Internal Auditor level, a minimum 16-hour internal auditor course is strongly recommended. QA Assessor offers preparation courses for all levels
• Audit experience: Number of audits conducted (for Internal Auditor and Lead Auditor levels)

Possible outcomes:

• Eligible — You are invited to schedule your examination
• Pending — Additional documentation is required; you have 30 days to provide it
• Not eligible — You are informed of the reasons and may reapply when criteria are met

Once deemed eligible, you will be invited to sit the examination for your chosen certification scheme and level. Examinations are conducted under controlled, invigilated conditions.

Examination formats by level:

Examination integrity: All examinations are invigilated. Candidates must present valid photo identification. Any misconduct will result in immediate termination of the examination and possible referral to the Certification Committee per PROC-006.

Examinations may be delivered as computer-based online proctored or paper-based at approved centres, as specified at booking.

Following the examination, the designated decision authority reviews results and makes the certification decision. For higher levels and borderline or exceptional cases, decisions are taken by the Certification Committee to ensure independence and impartiality.

Decision outcomes:

• Certified — You have met all requirements. A certificate is issued with a unique certificate number and recorded in the public register.
• Not certified — You did not meet the pass mark. You are informed of your result and may re-sit the examination after a minimum waiting period of 30 days.

Certificate issuance: Successful candidates receive a digital certificate within 5 business days of the certification decision. The certificate includes: your name, certification title, certificate number, issue date, expiry date, and the QA Assessor certification mark. Your certification status is published in the public certificate register.

QA Assessor monitors the ongoing compliance of certified persons throughout the certification cycle. This includes:

• Annual CPD declaration: Certified persons must submit an annual Continuing Professional Development (CPD) log demonstrating relevant learning and professional activity. CPD activities may include formal training, self-study, audit and implementation work, professional contributions, and relevant professional engagement, as defined in the CPD policy.
• Code of Conduct compliance: Certified persons must continue to abide by the QA Assessor Code of Conduct
• Change notification: Certified persons must notify QA Assessor of any material changes to their employment, qualifications, or professional standing
• Random audits: QA Assessor may conduct random audits of CPD records or professional activities to verify ongoing competence

Non-compliance with surveillance requirements may result in suspension or withdrawal of certification per PROC-007.

Certification is valid for 3 years. To maintain your certification, you must apply for recertification before the expiry date.

Recertification requirements:

• Completed CPD log demonstrating at least the minimum CPD hours for your certification scheme and cycle (for most 3-year schemes this is 15 hours per year, i.e. 45 hours over 3 years; ISO/IEC 42001 (AIMS) certifications require a higher annual CPD minimum over a 2-year cycle)
• Evidence of ongoing professional practice in the relevant domain (for example, audit logs or implementation project records for auditor and implementer levels)
• Recertification fee payment
• No outstanding complaints, suspensions, or Code of Conduct violations

Scheme-specific CPD and practice requirements are described in the Certifications catalogue and in the CPD guidance.

Recertification process: Applications are reviewed by the Certification Manager. If all requirements are met, a new certificate is issued for a further 3-year period. If requirements are not met, the certified person is given 60 days to remedy any deficiencies before the certification lapses.

Important: QA Assessor will send a recertification reminder 90 days before your certificate expiry. It is your responsibility to apply for recertification in a timely manner.

QA Assessor may suspend or withdraw a certification in the following circumstances:

• Suspension: Non-compliance with CPD requirements, failure to respond to surveillance requests, pending investigation of a complaint, or temporary inability to fulfil certified obligations
• Withdrawal: Proven misconduct or fraud, sustained non-compliance after suspension, voluntary withdrawal requested by the certified person, or failure to complete recertification

Suspended persons may not use the certification or certification mark during the suspension period. The suspension is reflected in the public certificate register. For full details, see the Suspension & Withdrawal Policy.

All suspensions and withdrawals are recorded in the public certificate register.

QA Assessor provides a fair and transparent process for handling appeals and complaints.

Appeals (QA-CB-FORM-009):

• Any candidate or certified person may appeal a certification decision within 30 days of the decision
• Appeals are reviewed by an independent Appeals Panel not involved in the original decision
• The appellant receives a written response within 10 business days of the panel meeting

Complaints (QA-CB-FORM-010):

• Any person or organisation may lodge a complaint about a certified person or about QA Assessor’s operations
• Complaints are acknowledged within 2 business days and investigated with the aim of providing a Stage 1 outcome within 15 working days
• The complainant is kept informed of progress and receives a written outcome

For full details, see the Complaints & Appeals Policy.

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