Certify your competence, sector by sector
Certification bodies need auditors whose competence is proven in the specific sectors they audit. Our competence certification gives you a documented attestation for one or more IAF/EA sectors, based on training, examination and a review of your experience.
It is a certification scheme for persons structured according to ISO/IEC 17024 (Conformity assessment — General requirements for bodies operating certification of persons).
A recognisable proof of what you can do
- For auditors and consultants: a document that shows your sector competence and gives clients more confidence in your services.
- For certification bodies: support for the auditor qualification process, with a documented and traceable assessment.
The 39 IAF/EA sectors
Choose the sector or sectors where you want your competence to be assessed.
- 01 – Agriculture, forestry and fishing
- 02 – Mining and quarrying
- 03 – Food products, beverages and tobacco
- 04 – Textiles and textile products
- 05 – Leather and leather products
- 06 – Wood and wood products
- 07 – Pulp, paper and paper products
- 08 – Publishing companies
- 09 – Printing companies
- 10 – Manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products
- 11 – Nuclear fuel
- 12 – Chemicals, chemical products and fibres
- 13 – Pharmaceuticals
- 14 – Rubber and plastic products
- 15 – Non-metallic mineral products
- 16 – Concrete, cement, lime, plaster, etc.
- 17 – Basic metals and fabricated metal products
- 18 – Machinery and equipment
- 19 – Electrical and optical equipment
- 20 – Shipbuilding
- 21 – Aerospace
- 22 – Other transport equipment
- 23 – Manufacturing not elsewhere classified
- 24 – Recycling
- 25 – Electricity supply
- 26 – Gas supply
- 27 – Water supply
- 28 – Construction
- 29 – Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles, motorcycles and personal and household goods
- 30 – Hotels and restaurants
- 31 – Transport, storage and communication
- 32 – Financial intermediation; real estate; renting
- 33 – Information technology
- 34 – Engineering services
- 35 – Other services
- 36 – Public administration
- 37 – Education
- 38 – Health and social work
- 39 – Other social services
Sector names follow the standard IAF/EA classification (IAF ID 1).
A scheme for persons structured according to ISO/IEC 17024
The scheme follows the structure of ISO/IEC 17024: application → eligibility prerequisites → exam and assessment → certification decision → validity and maintenance (1 year) → annual renewal. It is supported by safeguards for impartiality, a process for appeals and complaints, and clear rules on the use of the certificate.
How competence certification works
1. Application
Send us your application for certification, together with:
- an updated curriculum vitae;
- a copy of your identification document;
- evidence that you have completed a relevant training course (for example an Auditor / Lead Auditor course for the standard concerned);
- any previous certifications or evidence of relevant work experience.
You also sign the application form. With it you accept the certification requirements, agree to give the information needed for the assessment, and commit to the rules on use of the certificate.
2. Eligibility prerequisites
Before admission, we check your application against the scheme's prerequisites for the standard and EA sector(s) you have chosen. The key training prerequisite is evidence that you have attended a relevant training course, delivered by QA Quality Academy or by any other provider. We also review your education, work experience and audit experience. Incomplete or ineligible applications are not accepted, and we tell you why in writing.
Training is optional with us. You do not have to take a QA Quality Academy course to apply for certification. Our Auditor / Lead Auditor courses are available to anyone who wants them, but taking one is never a condition for certification. This keeps training separate from certification, as ISO/IEC 17024 requires.
3. Exam and competence assessment
Once your application is accepted, an Evaluation Committee checks:
- that your training evidence is valid and relevant;
- that you have passed the certification exam, a written multiple-choice test;
- that your competence matches the relevant EA sector.
Exams follow defined criteria and are run under controlled conditions. The examiners assessing you must have no conflict of interest with you (for example, they must not have trained or consulted you in a way that could compromise impartiality).
The exam: a written multiple-choice test on the requirements of the standard, the auditing principles and techniques of ISO 19011, and the requirements for certification bodies (ISO/IEC 17021). Pass mark: 70%.
4. Certification decision and issue of the Competency Certificate
The certification decision is taken by authorised personnel who did not take part in your exam or training, based on all the evidence collected. If the decision is positive, QA Quality Academy issues your Competency Certificate for the relevant EA sector(s).
5. Validity and maintenance
Your Competency Certificate is valid for one year from the date of issue. During that year, QA Quality Academy may ask you to provide updates or to attend specialisation courses. You may also be asked for evidence of continued professional activity, such as audits performed, continuing professional development and any complaints received.
6. Annual renewal (recertification)
The certificate is renewed every year. Before it expires, you request renewal and send up-to-date evidence of your competence and activity. If the review is positive, the certificate is renewed for another year. If it is not renewed, it expires and must no longer be used.
7. Suspension and withdrawal
A certificate may be suspended or withdrawn. This can happen if the surveillance requirements are not met, if the certificate is misused, or if a justified complaint shows the holder no longer meets the scheme requirements.
Impartial by design
Certification decisions are based only on objective evidence of competence. Training and certification are kept separate: any relevant course, from QA Quality Academy or another provider, meets the training prerequisite. Our courses are optional, and taking one does not make certification easier or affect its outcome. We identify and manage risks to impartiality, and staff involved in exams and decisions declare any conflict of interest.
Your right to appeal or complain
- Appeals: if you disagree with a certification decision (for example refusal, suspension or withdrawal), you can appeal in writing to aqqualityacademyllc@gmail.com. The appeal is handled by people who were not involved in the original decision. You receive written acknowledgement, updates on progress and a written outcome.
- Complaints: anyone, including candidates, clients, certification bodies and members of the public, can complain about our services or about a certified person. Complaints are recorded, investigated and answered in writing.
Using your certificate correctly
Certified persons agree to:
- use the certificate only for the standard(s), EA sector(s) and validity period stated on it;
- not use it in a misleading way, or to suggest that the certification applies to an organisation or to activities outside its scope;
- stop referring to the certification if it is suspended, withdrawn or expires;
- tell QA Quality Academy about anything that could affect their ability to meet the certification requirements.
Anyone can contact us to check whether a certificate is valid.
Which sectors do you want certified?
Email us your standard and EA sector codes. We will reply with the requirements and a tailored quote.
Request a quote · aqqualityacademyllc@gmail.com