ISO 37001:2025 Lead Auditor Training Course (Self-Paced Online)

What you will learn

• Lead an audit team from initiation through to certification recommendation
• Manage an audit programme using risk based planning and effectiveness metrics
• Conduct Stage 1 and Stage 2 certification audits at ISO/IEC 17021-1 standard
• Audit controlled organisations, business associate controls, and cross border chains
• Audit delegated decision making, conflicts of interest, and the anti bribery function review
• Write Major NC, Minor NC, and OFI statements that are factual and defensible
• Evaluate corrective action adequacy using root cause analysis
• Draft a complete lead auditor standard audit report with a certification recommendation
• Audit all ISO 37001:2025 clauses from a lead auditor perspective

Who is this for?

Open to everyone. Ideal for experienced internal auditors, compliance managers, and consultants ready to advance to lead auditor level. Particularly suited to those preparing to conduct or oversee third party certification audits.

Case study

This course is built around a realistic case study that runs throughout all modules. You will lead a full certification audit, Stage 1 and Stage 2, applying your skills across real world scenarios including business associate controls, evidence gathering, Major and Minor NC writing, and certification recommendation.

Becoming a lead auditor in ISO 37001:2025 and ISO 19011:2026 gives you a real edge in compliance and governance. This course enables you to:

• Lead audits with confidence and precision, fully aligned to international standards
• Protect organisations by surfacing the bribery risks and control failures that matter
• Improve business performance by building a culture of compliance and continual improvement
• Open new career opportunities with a globally recognised certification

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 spend more time on the areas you want to master
• Cost effective. No travel, accommodation, or time away from the office to fund
• Lifetime access. Return to the materials whenever you need them
• Built to stick. Interactive, multi format lessons keep you engaged and improve retention

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

• Lead an anti bribery audit team from initiation through to a certification recommendation
• Manage an audit programme using risk based planning and effectiveness metrics
• Plan, conduct, report, and follow up an audit in accordance with ISO 19011:2026
• Conduct Stage 1 and Stage 2 certification audits as part of the initial certification process
• Audit business associate controls, delegated decision making, conflicts of interest, and the anti bribery function review
• Write Major NC, Minor NC, and OFI statements for anti bribery findings that are factual and defensible
• Evaluate the adequacy of corrective action using root cause analysis
• Draft a complete lead auditor standard audit report with a certification recommendation

Beyond auditing technique, this course explains how ISO certification works, so you understand the system you audit within. You will cover the role of certification bodies and accreditation, the two stage initial certification audit (Stage 1 and Stage 2), how the certification decision is made independently of the audit team, and how certification is maintained through surveillance and recertification.

This course is designed for anyone who needs to conduct external audits of management systems, including:

• Individuals working towards Exemplar Global certification
• Exemplar Global certified auditors and lead auditors extending into anti bribery
• Compliance managers, the anti bribery function, and consultants
• Anyone aiming to become an internal or third party auditor
• Professionals seeking a formal auditing qualification
• Those leading their organisation towards ISO 37001 certification

There are no prerequisites for this course.

A working knowledge of the current version of ISO 37001 is recommended and will help you get the most from the material. If you are new to the standard, you can build this foundation through our ISO 37001:2025 Foundation course.

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.