ISO 9001:2026 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
• Plan multi site audits using IAF MD 1 guidance
• 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 certification recommendation
• Audit all ISO 9001:2026 clauses from a lead auditor perspective, including the 2026 revision changes and the mixed maturity seen during transition

Who is this for?

Open to everyone. Ideal for experienced internal auditors, quality 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 multi site planning, evidence gathering, Major and Minor NC writing, and certification recommendation.

Becoming a lead auditor in ISO 9001:2026 and ISO 19011:2026 gives you a real edge in quality management. This course enables you to:

• Lead audits with confidence and precision, fully aligned to international standards
• Audit organisations at every stage of the move from the 2015 to the 2026 revision
• Drive quality and customer satisfaction by surfacing the issues 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 a QMS audit team from initiation through to a certification recommendation
• Manage a QMS audit programme using risk based planning and effectiveness metrics
• Plan, conduct, report, and follow up a QMS audit in accordance with ISO 19011:2026
• Conduct Stage 1 and Stage 2 certification audits as part of the initial certification process
• Audit the 2026 revision changes and assess whether gap items such as opportunity actions, expanded change management, and contingency planning are genuinely implemented
• Write Major NC, Minor NC, and OFI statements for quality findings that are factual and defensible
• Evaluate the adequacy of corrective action using root cause analysis
• Draft a complete lead auditor standard QMS audit report with a certification recommendation
• Audit every clause of ISO 9001:2026 from a lead auditor perspective, including the process approach and risk based thinking

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 in ISO 9001
• Management representatives, engineers, and consultants
• Anyone aiming to become an internal or third party auditor
• Professionals seeking a formal auditing qualification
• Those leading their organisation towards ISO 9001 certification

There are no prerequisites for this course.

A working knowledge of ISO 9001:2026 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 9001:2026 Foundation course. If you already know the 2015 version, our ISO 9001:2026 Transition course brings you up to the current revision quickly.

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.