BSI Auditor Qualifications FAQs

BSI Auditor Qualifications FAQs

Who might be interested in an Auditor Qualification?

Those internal or lead auditors interested in expanding and validating their auditor skills focusing specifically on how to identify, evaluate and report process improvement within an organization.

How do I obtain an Auditor Qualification?

All candidates must complete a basic-level course and exam according to the standard of interest (e.g. understanding, requirements, etc.) plus either an internal or lead auditor course and exam. Once these courses and exams were completed, there are 2 levels to obtain: 1. AUDITOR PROFESSIONAL After successfully completed either the Internal or Lead Auditor, the candidate must take and pass the Process Improvement Auditor course and exam to obtain the Auditor Professional level. At this point the candidate will earn the right to use the BSI Mark of Trust® as Auditor Professional. 2. CERTIFIED AUDITOR PROFESSIONAL Once the Auditor Professional level is achieved, and if the student chooses to certify this qualification, an application must be submitted to BSI showing proof of practical experience, professional background and validation by a 3rd party (e.g. candidate’s manager or client). Once BSI receives and approves the application, the candidate will be awarded with the Auditor Professional Certification and earn the right to use the BSI Mark of Trust® as Certified Auditor Professional.

What is the BSI Mark of Trust?

Participants that successfully complete a qualification and/or certification will be able to display the BSI marks on professional profiles, social media or any other suitable online platform. The badges are for individuals who have validated their BSI training with a qualification. They are not for use by organizations. The badges are powerful marketing tools as they not only tell customers and other professional networks that a participant has a BSI qualification, but they also tell them what the qualification relates to. This could help a participant’s professional profile to stand out.

What is the Process Improvement Auditor course?

It is a 3-day course, which focuses on providing participants with the concepts, different tools and techniques used for the improvement of processes in an organization. It also helps participants expand and improve their auditor skills, focusing specifically on how to evaluate and report process improvement within an organization.

How will I benefit from the Process Improvement Auditor course?

This course will help you audit different types of improvement activities within an organization, including how to evaluate process improvement policies and processes adopted by an organization. You will learn how to effectively audit the following improvement activities during the course with effective feedback to management:

• Reactive
• Team-based waste/lean incremental improvement activities
• Formal improvement projects

What will I learn?

You’ll have the knowledge to audit process improvement activities, namely:
• Reactive – Problem solving
• Team-based waste improvement activities
• Team-based lean improvement activities
• Formal improvement projects You’ll have the skills to:
• Audit each of the process improvement approaches
• Ensure effective audit feedback that contributes to a process improvement approach within an organization

How does the exam work?

On the last day of the course, the participant will take a multiple-choice exam. Candidates that do not pass the exam are entitled to one free re-sit, which is allocated to them automatically. The re-sit of the exam must be taken within 30 days of the first sitting. Subsequent re-sits will be charged at the standard exam rate.

What will the participant receive when the course is completed?

Once the candidate successfully completed the Process Improvement Auditor course and exam, they will receive a certificate of completion. The combination of this certificate plus the Requirements and either the Internal or Lead Auditor certificates, will award the candidate with either the Internal or Lead Auditor Professional Qualification (supported by a certificate).

What is the Certified status for Auditor Professional Qualifications?

Certified status is the process to formally recognize that a qualified Auditor has applied their learning in industry. The certified status process is not a qualification or assessment in itself – it should be considered an ongoing and regular validation of a participant’s learning and development. It is valid for three years, at the end of which participants can reapply.

What are the requirements to become a Certified Internal/Lead Auditor Professional?

• A BSI Internal/Lead Auditor Professional qualification or equivalent
• At least three audits conducted within the last three years from date of application: o Three internal audits for Certified Internal Auditor Professional o Three full management systems audits for Certified Lead Auditor Professional
• Evidence of relevant qualifications and training
• Description of relevant industry experience
• A feedback form completed by a line manager/audit client for the most recent audit. (this feedback focuses on auditing knowledge, skills and behavior)

What is the process of becoming a Certified Professional Auditor?

1. The candidate must have the Professional Auditor Qualification (completed the courses and exams previously described)
2. Participants need to complete the application form for certified status (provided by BSI). The application form will collate the participant’s experience in industry, skills and qualifications.
3. For the most recent audit, the participant must attach an audit feedback form (provided by BSI), which has been completed by the line manager/audit client.
4. The participant’s application form and audit log will be reviewed by BSI. If the application looks in order, the participant can be awarded certified status and receive the certificate confirming this.

How long is the Certified Qualification valid?

While certified status is valid for three years, participants must submit an annual declaration stating that they have completed 15 hours of CPD (Continuing Professional Development) every year from the date when certified status became active. The participant is free to choose which CPD to undertake, so long as it is fully stated on the annual declaration. The CPD declaration form can be found in the appendices of this document. Should a participant fail to submit their CPD declaration at the end of the first, second and/or third year, the certification will immediately become invalid. It is up to the participant how they wish to accrue the CPD hours. Both formal (any structured learning, conferences, lecturing) and informal (personal study, research etc.) types of CPD will be accepted. Along with the CPD, the participant must include details of one audit carried out during that year-long period and submit an audit feedback form that has been completed by the line manager/audit client, similar to the way the information was submitted upon initial application.

What is the renewal process?

There is no need to retake a course or exam. The re-application requires to follow the same steps as the initial application as shown below:

auditor qualification renewal process

Are all standards available for BSI’s Auditor Qualifications?

Currently this scheme is available for ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO/IEC 20000-1, ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO 13485. More are being developed.