IRCA

The International Register of Certificated Auditors (IRCA) is a division of the Chartered Quality Institute (CQI) and the market leader in providing management systems auditing training and certification for professional management systems auditors. IRCA is known to have the world’s largest register of over 11,000 auditors with members highly respected and valued by the profession and industry alike. Becoming an IRCA-certified lead auditor will set you up for an improved career and a better life. This article will guide you through the steps you need to take to become an IRCA Lead Auditor.

 

IRCA Auditor Certification Schemes and Grades

IRCA has a total of 13 auditor certification schemes and 5 grades. The ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 are the most popular of the 13 schemes. The five auditor grades are Associate Auditor, Internal Auditor, Lead Auditor, Auditor, and Principal Auditor in the order of their rank. Auditors who become IRCA certified earn higher than auditors undertaking equivalent work but uncertified. This is owing to the reputation of IRCA and its members worldwide. It is therefore advantageous to become an IRCA-certified auditor.

 

How do you know which of the auditor grades is suitable for you?

First, you need to know that you do not have to start from the lowest grade. You can apply for the grade of your choice if you meet the requirements. It is however recommended that you start with the Lead Auditor grade if you want to garner enough auditing experience. To become an IRCA Lead Auditor you have to decide which IRCA certification scheme/s you want to master and audit against. As earlier mentioned, the most popular of the 13 schemes are ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, and ISO 45001:2018.

Note: You can be certified for more than one of these standards.

 

Steps to become an IRCA Lead Auditor:

You can become an IRCA certified lead auditor of more than one certification scheme, e.g, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001. This allows you to be versatile and able to audit an organization against more than one standard. This will also enable you to not remain boxed in your career. It takes simple and dedicated steps to become an IRCA lead auditor

• • • Decide which scheme you want to be certified for, e.g, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, or/and ISO 45001
    • Attend the ISO Lead Auditor training of your choice
    • Write and pass the examination and receive your certificate of achievement

 

Become an IRCA Lead Auditor

Learning	Auditing Experience	Schemes
You must have passed an IRCA Auditor/Lead Auditor course	Cover all elements of the audit cycle	ISO 9001:2015 QMS
OR	Total of 20 days audit	ISO 14001:2015 EMS
If you are a lead auditor in another scheme, have a relevant IRCA certified lead auditor conversion course	Minimum of 15 days on-site	ISO 45001:2018 OHSMS

 

After passing the lead auditor certification exam and attaining your certification of achievement, you can proceed to apply for the IRCA Auditor Grade Membership. To do this, simply visit the IRCA website at quality.org, create an account and begin your application. 

There are several benefits of becoming an IRCA certified lead auditor some of which include getting professional recognition, networking opportunities, and career advancement.

Begin your journey to professional development by enrolling in our IRCA-approved training institute. At 3FOLD, we deliver the ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 Lead Auditor courses in a 100% live virtual interactive environment which enables you to attend from the comfort and safety of your home or workplace and save travel-related expenses. Our ISO Lead Auditor courses are offered at an affordable rate to enable aspirants to achieve their professional development goals and improve their lives. 

Did you find this article helpful? Read also How to apply for IRCA Membership. Ready to enroll and become an IRCA Lead Auditor? Contact us today! Fill out our inquiry form, send us a chat on whatsapp, or send us an email! We anticipate your inquiry.