The PECB ISO 9001 Lead Auditor course prepares professionals to plan, conduct, manage, and follow up on Quality Management System (QMS) audits based on ISO 9001.

The course develops the knowledge and practical skills required to evaluate an organization’s conformity with ISO 9001, apply internationally recognized auditing principles and techniques, collect and assess audit evidence, document findings and nonconformities, lead an audit team, prepare audit reports, and manage an audit program.

The course combines ISO 9001 requirements with the auditing guidelines of ISO 19011, the certification audit requirements of ISO/IEC 17021-1, and recognized audit practices.

This course is suitable for:

• Auditors seeking to perform and lead QMS audits
• Professionals seeking to conduct audits on behalf of certification bodies
• Quality managers, consultants, and compliance professionals
• Individuals responsible for maintaining conformity with ISO 9001
• Technical experts preparing organizations for QMS audits
• Members of internal audit and quality management teams
• Professionals interested in pursuing a career in conformity assessment

Participants should have a fundamental understanding of ISO 9001 requirements for a Quality Management System and comprehensive knowledge of audit principles.

This is a fully self-paced package available in Self-Study or eLearning format, depending on the selected activation option.

Both formats provide access to the official PECB digital course materials through the myPECB platform. The eLearning format also includes prerecorded training videos delivered by experienced PECB trainers.

All official course materials and training videos are provided directly through the myPECB platform and are not hosted on the CertiBanks website.

Important: Create Your PECB Account

Before purchasing or requesting activation, please create a free PECB Member Account through the official myPECB portal.

Your PECB account is required for course enrollment, access to the official study materials and videos, examination scheduling, examination results, and certification applications.

How the Process Works

1. Create your PECB Member Account through the official myPECB platform.
2. Purchase the package from CertiBanks.
3. Provide us with your full name, PECB account email address, preferred course language, and selected delivery format.
4. CertiBanks will register you for the official PECB ISO 9001 Lead Auditor course.
5. Once registration is completed, the official course materials will become available in your myPECB dashboard.
6. If the eLearning format is selected, the prerecorded training videos will also become available through your myPECB account.
7. Study the course materials and complete the exercises and quizzes at your own pace.
8. Schedule and take your PECB ISO 9001 Lead Auditor examination through the PECB platform.
9. After passing the examination, submit your certification application through your myPECB account.

What This Package Includes

• Official PECB ISO 9001 Lead Auditor enrollment
• Access to the official digital course materials through myPECB
• More than 450 pages of instructional materials
• Explanations, best practices, practical examples, and case studies
• Audit exercises and scenario-based quizzes
• Prerecorded training videos when activated in the eLearning format
• First PECB examination attempt
• One free examination retake in case of failure
• Certification application fee
• First year of the PECB Annual Maintenance Fee
• Course completion attestation with 31 CPD credits
• Eligibility to claim the applicable PECB digital badge after certification
• Registration, activation, and general guidance from the CertiBanks team

Examination and Certification Information

The package includes the first examination attempt and one free retake.

For Self-Study and eLearning packages, the complete examination cycle, including the first attempt and free retake, must be completed within 12 months of the package purchase date.

The PECB ISO 9001 Lead Auditor examination evaluates the candidate’s knowledge across the following competency domains:

• Fundamental principles and concepts of a Quality Management System
• Quality Management System requirements based on ISO 9001
• Fundamental audit concepts and principles
• Preparing an ISO 9001 audit
• Conducting an ISO 9001 audit
• Closing an ISO 9001 audit
• Managing an ISO 9001 audit program

The current English examination consists of 80 multiple-choice questions and has a duration of three hours.

It includes stand-alone and scenario-based questions and is conducted as an open-book examination. Candidates may use the permitted ISO 9001 standard, official training materials, and personal notes according to PECB examination rules.

The examination format may vary by language. Some available language versions may use an essay-type format instead of multiple-choice questions.

Examination formats, durations, available languages, permitted reference materials, and scheduling arrangements may be updated by PECB. Candidates should review the current information available through the PECB platform before scheduling the examination.

Passing the examination does not automatically grant the highest Lead Auditor credential.

After passing the examination, you must submit a certification application through your myPECB account. The certification level awarded by PECB will depend on your professional experience and management system audit experience.

Depending on the requirements you meet, you may apply for one of the following credentials:

• PECB Certified ISO 9001 Provisional Auditor
• PECB Certified ISO 9001 Auditor
• PECB Certified ISO 9001 Lead Auditor
• PECB Certified ISO 9001 Senior Lead Auditor

Certification Requirements

PECB Certified ISO 9001 Provisional Auditor

This credential does not require previous professional or management system audit experience.

Candidates must:

• Pass the PECB ISO 9001 Lead Auditor examination or an equivalent examination
• Submit the certification application
• Agree to follow the PECB Code of Ethics

PECB Certified ISO 9001 Auditor

Candidates must have:

• At least two years of professional experience
• At least one year of work experience in quality management
• At least 200 hours of management system audit activities
• Passed the applicable examination
• Agreed to follow the PECB Code of Ethics

PECB Certified ISO 9001 Lead Auditor

Candidates must have:

• At least five years of professional experience
• At least two years of work experience in quality management
• At least 300 hours of management system audit activities
• Passed the applicable examination
• Agreed to follow the PECB Code of Ethics

PECB Certified ISO 9001 Senior Lead Auditor

Candidates must have:

• At least ten years of professional experience
• At least seven years of work experience in quality management
• At least 1,000 hours of management system audit activities
• Passed the applicable examination
• Agreed to follow the PECB Code of Ethics

Relevant audit activities may include:

• Planning and preparing audits
• Reviewing QMS documented information
• Developing audit plans and audit working documents
• Conducting opening and closing meetings
• Conducting interviews and collecting audit evidence
• Evaluating conformity with ISO 9001 requirements
• Documenting audit findings and nonconformities
• Preparing and reviewing audit reports
• Evaluating corrective-action plans
• Following up on nonconformities
• Managing an audit program
• Leading an audit team

Candidates who do not yet meet the experience requirements for the Lead Auditor credential may apply for a lower applicable credential and request an upgrade after gaining the required experience.

Course Delivery Format

This package is fully self-paced and does not require attendance on specific dates.

Self-Study Format

The Self-Study format provides access to the official digital course materials, practical examples, case studies, exercises, and quizzes through the myPECB platform.

The Self-Study format does not include scheduled live classes or prerecorded training videos.

eLearning Format

The eLearning format includes the official digital course materials together with prerecorded training videos delivered by experienced PECB trainers.

The videos are divided into sections and subsections, allowing candidates to study each topic gradually, review completed sections, and continue according to their own schedule.

The eLearning training and examination process is delivered online through PECB platforms.

Course Structure

The five-day course agenda represents the structure and estimated content of the training. It does not require attendance on five specific or consecutive days.

The course generally covers:

• Introduction to Quality Management Systems and ISO 9001
• Quality management concepts, principles, and terminology
• ISO 9001 requirements from an auditor’s perspective
• ISO 19011 auditing guidelines
• ISO/IEC 17021-1 certification audit requirements
• Fundamental audit concepts and principles
• Evidence-based and risk-based auditing
• Types and stages of management system audits
• Initiating an ISO 9001 audit
• Defining audit objectives, scope, and criteria
• Selecting and managing the audit team
• Reviewing QMS documented information
• Preparing the audit plan
• Preparing audit working documents and test plans
• Conducting the opening meeting
• Conducting on-site audit activities
• Communicating during the audit
• Conducting interviews and observing processes
• Collecting, verifying, and evaluating audit evidence
• Evaluating conformity with ISO 9001 requirements
• Drafting audit findings and nonconformity reports
• Preparing the final audit report
• Conducting the closing meeting
• Evaluating corrective-action plans
• Following up on nonconformities
• Surveillance and recertification audits
• Managing an internal audit program
• Auditor competence and performance evaluation
• Leading an audit team
• Preparation for the PECB ISO 9001 Lead Auditor examination

Course and examination language availability may vary. Please confirm your preferred course language and delivery format before activation.

Any language or delivery-format change requested after enrollment will be subject to PECB approval and availability.

Need Help?

CertiBanks will support you with package registration, activation, and general guidance throughout the process.

The official course materials, prerecorded videos for eLearning packages, examination scheduling, examination results, certification application, certificate, and digital badge are accessed and managed through your myPECB account.

Before Purchasing

Please create your free myPECB account before placing your order.
Once registration is completed, your official course materials, examination services, results, and certification application will be available through your myPECB account.