We know that becoming an ISO certification auditor (whether to audit ISO 9001, 14001, 45001, or any other standard) is the dream of many professionals in the field. And it’s not hard to see why, as this profession allows you to travel Brazil and the world, getting to know various companies and cultures. In addition to offering high remuneration and many other benefits. However, we also know that many of the professionals who dream of this reality don’t actually know how to become an ISO certification auditor. They don’t know the “ins and outs” and the requirements needed to secure a position in the market. That’s why, in today’s content, we’re going to explain what you need to know to become a certification auditor.
Despite being a challenging journey, it can be simpler than you think. Becoming an auditor for an ISO certification body (whether for standards like ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, or others) requires a combination of 4 key factors: formal education, practical experience, specific knowledge, and continuous development. If this is your dream, then here’s a sort of guide to help you achieve your goals:
1 – Formal Education to Become an ISO Certification Auditor
If you want to audit for a certification body, then pursue a good Lead Auditor course! It’s worth noting that this course needs to be recognized by major global accreditation organizations, such as Exemplar Global or IRCA (International Register of Certificated Auditors). This course will provide a comprehensive understanding of auditing principles, methodologies, and best practices. Everything you need to audit properly. Additionally, ensure that the course specifically covers the ISO standard in which you want to specialize. It could be ISO 9001 (quality management), ISO 14001 (environmental management), or ISO 45001 (occupational health and safety), for example. It’s also vital that it covers ISO 19011 (Guidelines for auditing management systems).
It’s not disregarded the need for a university education; the ISO certification auditor doesn’t audit any company; they need to be competent in the company’s field. For example, in the oil industry, knowledge in chemistry or engineering is required. Because of this, extra education is essential, whether it’s a degree or a diploma.
2 – Professional Experience in the Management Systems to be Audited
Another key factor to become an ISO certification auditor is to have practical experience with management systems. Thus, it’s beneficial if you have already worked on implementing the standard (9, 14, 27, 45k among others) in the specific area in which you want to become an auditor. Practical experience is essential to understand the challenges faced by organizations when implementing and maintaining a management system according to ISO standards, which will give you another perspective during audits. This requirement may involve having worked on implementation projects, consulting, or leading implementation teams. Additionally, of course, having experience with internal audits or 2nd or 3rd party audits can be a significant advantage.
3 – Specific Knowledge in the Audited Area
We must not lose sight that there are hundreds of different certifications, as well as millions of different market niches. Thus, the auditor will need specific knowledge to audit properly. Therefore, in addition to the Lead Auditor course, it’s vital that you seek additional certifications and specific knowledge in the area in which you want to operate. For example, if you intend to audit organizations in the technology sector, in addition to ISO 27001, the industry-leading standard, you may need to have additional certifications and experience in technical standards such as ISO 20000 (IT service management).
Therefore, aim to combine market-recognized certificates with your practical experience. This will help you become a recognized expert in a particular area, a reference, which will allow you to audit with more authority and respect. This will facilitate your entry into the market and hiring by a certification body.
4 – Continuous Study and Determination
Being an ISO certification auditor requires us to be constantly updated with changes in ISO standards, government regulations, and the best auditing practices in the market. After all, just like the context of organizations, our field receives innovations and improvements constantly. Thus, continuous study is necessary. To do this, participate in relevant events, workshops, seminars, and conferences to expand your knowledge and enhance your skills as an auditor. This will be a significant advantage when seeking placement with a certification body. Additionally, it’s important to continuously develop your interpersonal skills, such as effective communication, negotiation skills, and critical analysis ability.
These competencies are essential for conducting successful audits and providing added value to the audited organizations, finding improvements, pointing out non-conformities, and truly helping companies.
Being an ISO Certification Auditor: Recognition, Rewards, and Purpose
Being an ISO certification auditor is certainly a great responsibility, so landing this position is not for everyone. However, it’s a rewarding and prosperous job that will bring you significant growth and advantages. Auditors are highly respected professionals in the market, recognized for their contributions and keen insights. This leads them to earn high remuneration, reaching upwards of $10,000/month. All this with work models that blend travel around the world with office work. Additionally, auditors have a great purpose: to help organizations grow and become more sustainable. This is also part of the mission of QMS Certification itself, whose overarching goal is to “Strengthen companies and society through certifications.” Thus, our work in auditing organizations goes beyond the simple present moment, aiding in the creation and maintenance of jobs, the well-being of customers and stakeholders, and society as a whole.
