Introduction: 

The International Register of Certificated Auditors (IRCA) is a division of the Chartered Quality Institute (CQI) and the world’s largest certification body for auditors of management systems. Being a certified IRCA ISO Lead Auditor means having the knowledge and competency to offer excellent management systems auditing services. Do you want to advance your career and become an IRCA ISO Lead Auditor? In this article, we will discuss in detail how to become an IRCA ISO Lead Auditor.

IRCA Certification Schemes:

IRCA has a total number of 13 schemes out of which 3 are highly demanded. I.e ISO 9001:2015 QMS, ISO 14001:2015 EMS, and ISO 45001:2018 OHSMS. Each scheme is governed by the ISO 19011 Standards which specify the guidelines for auditing management systems and ISO 17021 which lays out the requirements for the bodies providing audit and certification of management systems. 

You can hold more than one certification on different schemes but you cannot hold more than one grade on the same scheme. I.e, you cannot have the Internal Auditor certification and the Lead Auditor certification or the Lead Auditor certification and the Principal Auditor certification simultaneously. You can upgrade as you go.

There are 5 IRCA grades namely: Associate Auditor, Internal Auditor, Auditor, Lead Auditor, and Principal Auditor. Depending on your level of experience and educational background, you can hold any of the auditor grades. If you are not sure which is best for you, you can read our previous article; IRCA Auditor Certification Schemes, or contact us using our contact information at the end of this article. We are happy to guide you.

Before we discuss further how to become an IRCA ISO Lead Auditor, let us briefly explain each of the three popular schemes and their importance.

ISO 9001 QMS Certification Scheme:

This scheme is for auditors who are in the quality management systems field. The ISO 9001:2015 QMS specifies the acceptable requirements for implementing and auditing a standard quality management system. To be able to demonstrate these skills, the aspiring or practicing auditor must undergo the compulsory 40 hours ISO 9001:2015 QMS Lead Auditor training course. The course is designed to arm delegates with the required skills to carry out 1st, 2nd, and 3rd party audits of the quality management system. 

Who can take the ISO 9001 QMS Lead Auditor Course? 

• • • An employee who conducts the quality management system audits of the organization
    • Quality managers, third-party auditors, quality management practitioners, and consultants
    • Second-party auditors, e.g, those employed by third-party certification bodies
    • An aspiring lead auditor who would like to gain the skills needed to excel in the Quality Management System field

ISO 14001 EMS Certification Scheme:

This scheme is for auditors who are in the environmental management systems field; auditors who use the ISO 14001 Standard to assess organizations’ EMS. The ISO 14001:2015 EMS specifies the acceptable requirements for implementing and auditing a standard environmental management system. To be able to demonstrate these skills, the aspiring or practicing auditor must undergo the compulsory 40 hours ISO 14001:2015 EMS Lead Auditor training course. The course is designed to arm delegates with the required skills to carry out 1st, 2nd, and 3rd party audits of the environmental management system.

Who can take the ISO 14001 EMS Lead Auditor Course? 

• • • An employee who assesses the environmental management system of the organization and conducts its periodic internal audits
    • Environmental managers, third-party auditors, environmental management practitioners, and consultants
    • Second-party auditors, e.g, those employed by third-party certification bodies
    • An aspiring lead auditor who would like to gain the skills needed to excel in the Environmental Management System field

ISO 45001 OHSMS Certification Scheme:

This scheme is for auditors who are in the occupational health and safety management systems field. The ISO 45001:2018 OHSMS specifies the requirements for implementing and auditing a standard occupational health and safety management system. To be able to demonstrate these skills, the aspiring or practicing auditor must undergo the compulsory 40 hours ISO 45001:2018 OHSMS Lead Auditor training course. The course is designed to arm delegates with the required skills to carry out 1st, 2nd, and 3rd party audits of the occupational health and safety management system.

Who can take the ISO 45001 OHSMS Lead Auditor Course? 

• • • Individuals who will like to reduce occupational hazards while improving health and safety at work
    • An employee who assesses the occupational health and safety management system of the organization and conducts its periodic internal audits
    • Quality, Environmental, IT auditors who would like to be versatile in the management systems industry
    • Occupational health and safety  managers, third-party auditors, occupational health and safety  management practitioners, and consultants
    • Second-party auditors, e.g, those employed by third-party certification bodies
    • An aspiring lead auditor who would like to gain the skills needed to excel in the occupational health and safety  Management System field

How to Become an IRCA ISO Lead Auditor:

Becoming an IRCA ISO Lead Auditor is not a farfetched goal. First, you need to make a mental decision on this goal, then find an IRCA Approved Training Partner where you can take the IRCA certified ISO Lead Auditor training course. You also need to decide which of the above schemes you will like to focus on. As earlier mentioned, note that you can enroll for all three courses and become a lead auditor for all 3 standards. I;e, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001. It is actually that simple! 3FOLD Training is the best training institute for your IRCA ISO Lead Auditor training course. 3FOLD is committed to guiding you through the process of becoming an IRCA ISO Lead Auditor.  

Enrolling in 3FOLD Training:

3FOLD Training is one of the very first institutions to be awarded the approval status by IRCA. Having met the requirements of the international accreditation body, 3FOLD became an Approved Training Partner of CQI IRCA. 

3FOLD has been operational since 2008 and has delivered bespoke training to thousands of individuals from various parts of the world through the traditional classroom and online. 3FOLD fully transitioned to online education during the COVID pandemic. This has enabled individuals from around the world to enjoy quality training at an affordable fee. 

When you enroll, you will be given immediate access to our unique learning management system designed to aid your learning and give you the best user experience. Meet other professionals from around the world, grow your network, and improve your communication skills when you enroll in 3FOLD. 

Our tutors are industry experts with a wealth of experience, maturity, respect, and inclusion for all students. You will be dedicatedly guided all through your 5 days lead auditor training program, and on the 5th day, you will write the final examination. A Certificate of Achievement will be awarded to you when you pass the exam. Otherwise, you will be given a Certificate of Attendance until you can retake the exam. 

Pursue your dream of becoming an IRCA ISO Lead Auditor! Enroll in 3FOLD Training to begin today. Enjoy discounted training fees and enhance your earning potential. Ask us how by contacting us through our enquiry form, email, or whatsapp!