Introduction:

When executing a Quality Management System (QMS) using ISO 9001:2015 international standard, the name ISO 9001 certification will come up a lot as it is an internationally recognized quality management system standard. In this article, we will help you understand whether or not an individual, a company, or both can be ISO 9001 Certified!

Can an individual be ISO 9001 Certified?

The simple and short answer is, NO! A person cannot become ISO 9001 Certified. Comparative to a person, a company or an organization is more suitable for this. Organizations can be ISO 9001 certified while an individual can become an ISO 9001 Lead Auditor through the ISO 9001:2015 QMS Lead Auditor training program.

ISO 9001 Certification: Company Vs Individual Certification

The certification process for a company comprises the implementation of procedures to meet all of the requirements of ISO 9001:2015 standard, and then having an external body audit and verify that all requirements are met. This targets customer satisfaction and meeting regulatory requirements.

For an individual, the certification process comprises taking ISO 9001:2015 QMS Training Course, which includes 40-hours training sessions and passing an examination. It means they have gained the learning required to implement or audit an ISO 9001:2015 QMS(Quality Management System).

Are there Certifications for Individuals?

Professionals can have various professional certifications or credentials to validate their knowledge. For quality management system auditing, attending the ISO 9001:2015 Lead Auditor Training Course and receiving a certificate of achievement allows an individual to become a lead auditor and able to perform both internal and external audits. 

The purpose of this course is to give individuals a complete knowledge and understanding of the ISO 9001 Quality Management System and standards. The course concluded with an exam to verify the Individual’s knowledge of ISO 9001:2015 QMS. This training program usually includes a 40-hour duration (weekend, weekday, and evening sessions) to complete. Kindly note that it should be from an accredited certification body so the individuals can get maximum exploration and benefits from it and become qualified auditors.

The other type of certification that is specifically used within the individual’s company is ISO 9001 Internal Auditor Course. These can be helpful to employees who will lead internal audits and want to add valuable skills to their portfolios. This certification takes 2 days to complete, the only difference being that this training does not include an examination.

Conclusion

ISO 9001 certification is both for company and individual but with different definitions and requirements. As discussed above, an individual can’t be ISO 9001 Certified but they can do an independent ISO 9001 Lead Auditor Certification program through which they can upgrade their skills and knowledge needed to perform audits of QMS ISO 9001:2015. These certifications are a great way to upgrade your resume and gain valuable experience.

3FOLD Training is a CQI IRCA Approved Training Partner, Our QMS ISO 9001:2015 Lead Auditor Training program will help you to build up the confidence and skills needed to excel and make a career in auditing which will increase your pay-scale.

Get in touch with us through the enquiry form, whatsapp, or email. Enroll in our upcoming batch now.