Introduction

Take your auditing career to the next level. This intensive, challenging and highly interactive CQI and IRCA Certified ISO 9001:2026 Lead Auditor training course is for those who need an in-depth understanding of the full range of auditing techniques and protocols associated with the Lead Auditor role.

Over five days, you'll be guided step by step through the entire audit process, from initiation and planning through to conducting, reporting and following up a management system audit.  You will gain the skills to lead an audit team and audit an organisation's quality management system against the requirements of ISO 9001:2026.

Duration

5 Days, 08.30 – 17.30 (days 1-3) 08.30 – 17.45 (day 4) 08.30 – 16.00 (day 5)

Who should attend?

This course suits Auditors and Quality Systems Managers who want to add credibility to their profile with a widely recognised qualification, as well as anyone wishing to satisfy the formal training requirements for CQI and IRCA certification as an auditor, lead auditor or principal auditor.

Those attending this course are expected to have knowledge of:

• Quality management principles and concepts:
• The Plan, Do, Check, Act (PDCA) cycle
• The relationship between quality management and customer satisfaction
• Quality management terms and definitions and the 7 Quality Management Principles
• The process approach used in quality management
• Process Based Quality Management Systems
• The structure, content and requirements of ISO 9001:2026

This knowledge can be gained in a number of ways:

• Previous experience and existing knowledge
• Attending a CQI and IRCA certified training ISO 9001:2026 Foundation course – or equivalent
• Reading or self-study

If you would like to attend our CQI and IRCA certified training registered ISO 9001:2026 Foundation course at a discounted price to help you prepare for this Lead Auditor course please contact us.

Course objectives

• Equip you to lead and manage an audit team effectively
• Enable you to plan, conduct, and report a quality audit in accordance with ISO 9001:2026
• Develop your ability to make sound, evidence-based judgments on conformance
• Build your skills in managing audit interactions to successfully fulfil your audit brief

Course content

• Processes and techniques for planning, conducting and reporting second and third-party audits
• ISO 9001:2026 - the evidence required for conformity
• Roles and responsibilities of auditors and lead auditors
• Audit follow-up activities and auditing for continual improvement
• Leading and managing an audit team

What are the benefits

The ISO 9001:2026 Lead Auditor training course is designed not only to help people perform value-adding quality audits but also to develop delegates’ wider understanding of quality management systems design and implementation. In particular, it will help delegates get to grips with those issues of ever-increasing importance, such as risk-based thinking, understanding how internal and external issues are managed by an effective management system, customer satisfaction, continual improvement and the management of processes. It will help delegates understand how these critical issues can be embedded into the quality management system of an organisation.

In-House Courses

Offering better value for money, our in-house ISO 9001:2026 Lead Auditor course can be tailored to closely match your organisation’s specific requirements.

Style of Delivery and Course Leaders

Our course leaders are quality management professionals as well as qualified, registered and experienced auditors, with extensive knowledge across manufacturing, finance, pharmaceuticals, and local and national government. They have all cut their teeth as successful change agents within high-profile organisations, and fully understand the technical, legislative and challenges faced by those responsible for delivering real quality improvements.

Certification

Successful completion of the course, together with achievement of the 50% pass mark in the CQI and IRCA controlled online exam (which must be completed within 30 days of finishing the course), satisfies the formal training requirements for those wishing to register as an auditor, lead auditor or principal auditor with CQI and IRCA.

Delegates successfully completing the course, including examination, will be awarded a CQI and IRCA Certified training accredited certificate. (2967).

If you are interested in attending any of our other ISO 9001:2026 courses please click on the relevant link below;

ISO 9001:2026 Foundation

ISO 9001:2026 Internal Auditor 

ISO 9001:2026 Transition Briefing