ISO 19011:2026 Transition Course (Self-Paced Online)

What you will learn

• Why ISO 19011 was revised and what the 2026 fourth edition replaces
• That ISO 19011 is guidance with no formal transition period, so the revised good practice applies immediately
• The shift in terminology from audit to auditing and the updated vocabulary
• The new remote auditing method term and the expanded remote auditing guidance drawing on ISO/IEC TS 17012
• New audit programme considerations for climate change relevance and the auditee use of technology and digital tools
• Risks and opportunities now determined rather than considered, and the expanded resource risk examples including undue influence
• Changes to conducting an audit, including document review of inherent and audit risks, plans presented to the audit client, defined and communicated grading criteria, and recording why criteria were not met
• Competence updates covering emerging technology and AI based tools, data protection and information security knowledge, and the behaviour change from tenacious to determined
• The expanded Annex A, including the reworked remote auditing methods guidance

Who is this for?

Anyone with working knowledge of ISO 19011:2018 who audits management systems and needs to move to the 2026 edition. This is a short update course of about four hours, not a full auditing course. It teaches only what changed and assumes you already audit against the previous edition.

The format

This is a four hour self paced online course. You learn through short videos and a full learner guide, and finish with one final exam. There are no quizzes and no tasks to submit. You also download a summary of changes checklist to take straight back to your own audit practice.

This transition course goes further than a briefing. It brings you up to date on the 2026 edition and hands you the tools to act on it. It enables you to:

• Identify the key differences between ISO 19011:2018 and ISO 19011:2026 with confidence
• Understand what each change means for how you plan, conduct, and report your audits
• Apply the updated guidance to your next audit programme and audit plan
• Earn a certified credential by passing the final exam
• Focus only on what changed, saving the time of a full course

Why learning online works for you

• Learn anytime, anywhere. Study on demand, on site or off site, whenever it suits you
• Self paced. Move at your own speed and focus on the changes most relevant to you
• Practical tools. A full learner guide and a downloadable summary of changes checklist you take straight back to your own audit practice
• Cost effective. No travel, accommodation, or time away from the office to fund
• Lifetime access. Return to the materials and the checklist whenever you need them

By the end of this course you will be able to:

• Identify the key differences between ISO 19011:2018 and ISO 19011:2026
• Explain why the standard was revised and why, as guidance, it has no formal transition period
• Describe the shift from audit to auditing and the updated terms and definitions
• Explain the new remote auditing method term and the expanded remote auditing guidance and its link to ISO/IEC TS 17012
• Describe the new audit programme considerations for climate change and the auditee use of technology
• Explain how risks and opportunities are now determined, and the expanded resource risk examples including undue influence
• Identify the changes to conducting an audit, including document review of risks, plans presented to the audit client, grading criteria, and recording why criteria were not met
• Explain the competence updates for emerging technology, data protection, and the behaviour change from tenacious to determined
• Apply the updated guidance and Annex A to your own audit programme and audits

As a bonus, this course explains how ISO certification works. You will learn what it means for an organisation to be certified, the role of accredited certification bodies and accreditation, and how organisations achieve and maintain certification.

This course is designed for anyone who audits management systems and was trained on the 2018 edition, including:

• Internal auditors and lead auditors moving to the 2026 edition
• Audit programme managers updating their programme and audit practice
• Quality, safety, environment, and compliance professionals who conduct audits
• Consultants updating their own practice and advising clients on the change
• Anyone who applies ISO 19011 in planning, conducting, or reporting audits

This course assumes a working knowledge of ISO 19011:2018 and of auditing management systems. It teaches only the changes introduced in the 2026 edition, not auditing from first principles.

If you are new to auditing, start with our ISO 19011:2026 Internal Auditor course instead, which teaches management systems auditing in full.

You will need a computer, laptop, or tablet with a reliable internet connection. The course works in any modern web browser, such as Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, or Apple Safari. For the best experience, keep your browser updated to the latest version.