Audit · ACS-GP Training

ISO 9001:2026 Lead Auditor Course

The ISO 9001:2026 Lead Auditor Course equips professionals with the knowledge and practical understanding needed to plan, conduct, report and follow up audits of Quality Management Systems (QMS). The course develops a clear understanding of how …

Self Paced 5 Hrs 45 minutes narration ACS-GP Certificate
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ISO 9001:2026 Lead Auditor Course

Overview

About this course

The ISO 9001:2026 Lead Auditor Course equips professionals with the knowledge and practical understanding needed to plan, conduct, report and follow up audits of Quality Management Systems (QMS).

The course develops a clear understanding of how a QMS works, how organizational processes interact, how customer and applicable requirements are translated into products and services, and how organizations evaluate process performance and continually improve.

Learners explore the requirements of ISO 9001:2026, including its strengthened focus on leadership, quality culture, ethical behaviour, strategic alignment, risks and opportunities, organizational knowledge and people awareness.

The course also introduces auditing principles based on ISO 19011:2026 and develops practical skills in audit planning, interviewing, process auditing, sampling, gathering objective evidence, following audit trails, identifying nonconformities, developing audit conclusions and reporting audit results.

Through guided learning, practical examples, audit scenarios and exercises, learners develop the functional knowledge needed to evaluate whether a Quality Management System conforms to ISO 9001:2026 and is capable of achieving its intended results.

What You'll Learn

Course objectives

  • Understand the purpose, structure and requirements of ISO 9001:2026 and how they apply within a Quality Management System.
  • Understand the seven Quality Management Principles and their practical application.
  • Understand the process approach, PDCA and risk-based thinking within quality management.
  • Understand customer requirements, customer focus and the importance of customer satisfaction.
  • Understand leadership, quality culture, ethical behaviour and strategic alignment within ISO 9001:2026.
  • Distinguish between risks and opportunities and understand how organizations plan actions to address them.
  • Understand quality objectives, process performance and continual improvement.
  • Understand operational controls relating to products and services, design and development, suppliers and external providers.
  • Learn auditing principles and the audit process based on ISO 19011:2026 guidance.
  • Develop the ability to plan and conduct Quality Management System audits.
  • Gather, verify and evaluate objective evidence through interviews, observations, document reviews and sampling.
  • Follow process-based audit trails rather than relying solely on clause-by-clause checklists.
  • Identify conformity and nonconformity against ISO 9001:2026 requirements.
  • Develop clear, evidence-based nonconformity statements and audit conclusions.
  • Understand audit reporting, corrective-action review and audit follow-up.
  • Understand first-party, second-party and third-party audits and the ISO certification process.

On Completion

Learning outcomes

  • Participants will understand the structure, purpose and requirements of ISO 9001:2026.
  • Learners will understand how an effective Quality Management System operates through interconnected organizational processes.
  • Attendees will interpret ISO 9001:2026 requirements within practical organizational contexts.
  • Participants will understand customer focus, quality culture, risk-based thinking and continual improvement.
  • Learners will plan Quality Management System audits by establishing appropriate audit objectives, scope and criteria.
  • Attendees will conduct structured audit interviews, review documentation and evaluate process performance.
  • Participants will gather and verify objective evidence using appropriate auditing techniques.
  • Learners will follow audit trails across processes, functions and organizational records.
  • Attendees will determine whether audit criteria have been fulfilled and identify evidence-based nonconformities.
  • Participants will prepare clear audit findings, conclusions and reports.
  • Learners will understand corrective-action evaluation and audit follow-up.
  • Attendees will gain a functional understanding of how first-party, second-party and third-party ISO 9001 audits are conducted.

How You're Assessed

Assessment

  • 60-minute multiple-choice exam
  • 60 multiple-choice questions
  • 70% passing marks required
  • Unlimited attempts allowed

Your Credential

Certification

ISO 9001:2026 Lead Auditor Certificate issued by ACSGP upon successful completion.

Delivered under the American Certification Services – Global Program (ACS-GP).

Questions

Frequently asked

How long does the ISO 9001:2026 Lead Auditor Course take?
The course is self-paced, with around 5 Hrs 45 minutes of audio narration. You can learn at your own pace, revisit topics whenever required and complete the course around your existing commitments.
Do I need previous ISO 9001 or auditing experience?
No. The course starts with the fundamentals of management systems, quality management and auditing before progressing to ISO 9001:2026 requirements and practical audit techniques. It is suitable for fresh graduates, early-career professionals and experienced professionals who may have significant industry experience but limited formal exposure to ISO 9001 or management system auditing.
What will I learn about ISO 9001:2026?
You will learn how the ISO 9001:2026 requirements operate as an integrated Quality Management System, including organizational context, leadership, customer focus, quality culture, risks and opportunities, quality objectives, resources, competence, organizational knowledge, operational controls, suppliers, performance evaluation, internal audits, management review and continual improvement.
Does the course cover the changes introduced in ISO 9001:2026?
Yes. The course has been developed around ISO 9001:2026 rather than being a renamed ISO 9001:2015 course. It addresses areas strengthened or clarified in the 2026 edition, including leadership, quality culture, ethical behaviour, strategic alignment, clearer treatment of risks and opportunities, people awareness and the realities of modern organizational environments.
Does the course cover ISO 19011:2026?
Yes. The course introduces the auditing principles and audit process based on ISO 19011:2026 and explains how they can be applied when auditing a Quality Management System.
Will I learn how to identify nonconformities?
Yes. You will learn how to compare objective evidence against audit criteria, distinguish conformity from nonconformity and develop clear, evidence-based nonconformity statements.
What certificate will I receive?
Upon successful completion of the course and assessment, you will receive an ISO 9001:2026 Lead Auditor Certificate issued by ACSGP under the American Certification Services Global Program.
How is the course assessed?
The course includes a 60-minute online examination consisting of 60 multiple-choice questions. A minimum score of 70% is required to pass, and unlimited attempts are available.
How do I enrol and get access?
Purchase the course online and receive instant access to the self-paced learning programme.

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