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We do not tolerate unethical practices such as proxy exam takers or unauthorized exam support. Every achievement through 3FOLD reflects genuine effort and upholds the credibility of CQI IRCA-approved training. If you’re looking for shortcuts, 3FOLD is not the right place for you. We welcome learners who value real growth through ethical, committed participation.
ISO 9001:2015 QMS Lead Auditor Online Course Key Features
Quality Management System Online Course Details
ISO 9001:2015 QMS Lead Auditor Online Training Course Summary
3FOLD Training’s CQI IRCA Certified QMS Lead Auditor Online Course is a comprehensive 5 day training program delivered continuously or weekends or in evening blocks. Our ISO 9001:2015 QMS Online Training Course is designed based on pedagogy of learning by doing and accelerated learning techniques with auditing role plays, simulations, and exercises, reflecting real world audit experience. The aim of this course is to provide delegates with the knowledge and skills required to perform first, second and third-party audits of Quality Management Systems against ISO 9001, in accordance with ISO 19011 and ISO/IEC 17021, as applicable.
Delegates who successfully complete this CQI and IRCA Certified ISO 9001:2015 Lead Auditor (QMS) Online Training course (within the five years prior to making an application to become a certificated auditor) will satisfy the training requirements for initial certification as an IRCA QMS auditor.
Learning Objectives
1. Explain the purpose of QMS standards, audit, third-party certification, and the business benefits of improved performance of quality management system.
2. Explain the role of an auditor to plan, conduct, report and follow up a quality management system audit.
3. Plan, conduct, report and follow-up an audit of a QMS to establish conformity or otherwise with ISO 9001, and in accordance with ISO 19011.
What you will learn in ISO 9001:2015 QMS Lead Auditor Online Course?
Lesson 1: Foundations of ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System Auditing
In Lesson 1, you will begin by understanding the basics of the ISO 9001:2015 QMS standard and ISO 19011:2018 guidelines. You will learn about the different types of audits and their processes. Delve into the responsibilities of an auditor and how to effectively plan for an audit, leading to hands-on activities such as drafting a Stage 1 Audit Plan. The lesson concludes with a practical session on executing a Stage 1 Audit, followed by a Q&A segment to solidify your foundation in ISO 9001:2015 Auditing.
Lesson 2: ISO 9001:2015 Audit Planning and Execution through ISO 19011:2018
Lesson 2 centers on audit planning for ISO 9001:2015, where you will prepare for a Stage 2 Audit, create checklists, and set the stage for effective opening meetings. Through role-play, you will also simulate audit activities, exploring the significance of assessing context and risks. We end with a series of questions to discuss and review your insights into ISO 9001:2015 auditing.
Lesson 3: Key Focus Areas in ISO 9001:2015 Auditing
The primary emphasis is on conducting the audit and generating audit findings. You will practice auditing specific areas critical to the ISO 9001:2015 standard, such as leadership roles, objectives, and organizational support functions. These hands-on sessions ensure practical understanding. The lesson concludes with practice questions and discussions, solidifying your ISO 9001:2015 auditing knowledge.
Lesson 4: Advanced ISO 9001:2015 Auditing Techniques
This lesson will be filled with practical sessions on generating audit findings, starting with auditing operations under ISO 9001:2015. The focus then shifts to performance evaluation, covering critical sections like 9.1, 9.2, and 9.3 of the ISO 9001:2015 standard. You will also learn about the importance of continual improvements in alignment with the ISO standard. The lesson wraps up with practice questions, ensuring you are well-prepared in ISO 9001:2015 audit techniques.
Lesson 5: Finalizing the ISO 9001:2015 Audit – Reporting and Follow-Up
Lesson 5 kicks off with a comprehensive review of the course. Dive into post-audit tasks, from generating audit findings emphasizing Non-Conformance (NC) Reporting to the nuances of creating an audit report for ISO 9001:2015. You will learn the significance of post-audit activities, focusing on reviewing corrective actions and ensuring robust follow-up measures in line with ISO 19011:2018 guidelines.
QMS Lead Auditor Course Delivery Format
At 3FOLD Training, our ISO 9001:2015 QMS Lead Auditor Course is designed to accommodate busy professionals through two flexible online learning formats:
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- Weekend Batch (Sundays)
Attend live virtual classes every Sunday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM GST for five consecutive weeks. This full-day format is ideal for professionals who prefer to focus intensively on weekends. - Weekday Evening Batch
Join our weekday evening sessions held from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM GST, offering a more gradual learning pace over two weeks, perfectly suited for working individuals with daytime commitments. - Customized Schedule
We also customize the course schedule for corporate or group training.
- Weekend Batch (Sundays)
Technology & Learning Tools
To deliver an engaging and effective online ISO 9001:2015 QMS Lead Auditor Course, we leverage a suite of proven digital platforms that support collaborative and interactive learning:
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- Zoom
All live training sessions are conducted via Zoom, providing real-time interaction with instructors and peers. We actively use breakout rooms for group exercises and audit simulation role-plays, replicating real-world audit environments. - Google Drive
Participants use a shared Google Drive to access training materials and submit audit documentation. This mirrors actual document control processes in a quality management system. - Nearpod
We integrate Nearpod to enhance engagement through interactive activities, live polls, quizzes, and visual learning tools. This keeps the sessions dynamic and ensures concept retention.
- Zoom
What Happens After You Complete the Course?
Once you complete the ISO 9001:2015 QMS Lead Auditor Online Course, your tutor will submit your continuous assessment results. This confirms that you actively participated in the course and successfully completed all required individual and group activities. Following this, we will register your details on the CQI IRCA Authorized Training Partner Portal, and you will receive access to two important platforms:
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- Demo Exam Portal Access
You’ll first be given access to a demo version of the exam platform, which allows you to:
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- Check your technical readiness for the actual exam (system compatibility, navigation, etc.)
- Take a practice exam that simulates the real test environment
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- Final Exam Portal Access
After exploring the demo platform, you will also receive access to the official CQI IRCA Final Exam Portal, where you can take the exam at your own convenience once you’re fully prepared.
💡 Important Note:
Your course fee includes one exam attempt — there are no extra charges for taking the first attempt. However, if a re-attempt is needed, additional fees will apply, as the CQI IRCA exam is delivered through an independent testing platform.
CQI IRCA Exam Procedure
After completing the ISO 9001:2015 QMS Lead Auditor Online Course, you will have 30 days (from the final day of the course) to sit for the official CQI IRCA exam through the online testing platform. Before taking the actual exam, you are encouraged to:
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- Use the Demo Exam Portal to familiarize yourself with the system and question format.
- Practice with sample exam questions to ensure readiness.
What If You Miss or Fail the Exam?
❌ 1. You Did Not Take the Exam Within 30 Days
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- If you fail to take the exam within the 30-day window, your first attempt will be marked as “DNS” (Did Not Submit).
- No extensions are allowed.
- You will still be eligible for a second attempt within 1 year from the course completion date.
- To reschedule the exam, you must contact 3FOLD and pay a resit fee of only USD 30.
✅ Important: 3FOLD charges no extra fee beyond the official CQI IRCA resit exam cost — a rare benefit among training providers.
❌ 2. You Appeared But Failed the Exam
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- If you fail the exam, you’ll receive a section-wise performance report (the exam is divided into 5 key sections).
- This helps you identify areas for improvement.
- You can retake the exam by paying the USD 30 resit fee as above.
- You can attend the training “free of cost” within 1 year of completing the course.
What If You Fail the Second Attempt?
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- If you fail the second attempt, you are required by CQI IRCA to attend the full course again.
- You will need to pay a Levy + Exam fee totaling USD 75 for the third attempt.
- This includes:
- Levy fee (charged when you re-attend the course)
- Exam fee (charged each time you sit the exam after the first attempt)
- If you do not pass the third attempt, you may retake the exam again for USD 30 (resit fee).
- You can attend the training “free of cost” within 1 year of completing the course.
CQI IRCA Exam Attempts and Fee Structure
| Attempt | Condition | Fee | Notes |
| 1st | Included in course fee | USD 0 | Must be taken within 30 days of course completion. |
| 2nd | Missed or failed 1st attempt | USD 30 | Resit only. No need to re-attend the course. |
| 3rd, 5th, 7th… | Failed previous attempt and must re-attend course | USD 75 | Mandatory course re-attendance. Fee includes Levy + Exam fee. |
| 4th, 6th, 8th… | Resit after completing course again | USD 30 | Resit fee after re-attendance. Charged for each additional attempt. |
Exam Content Structure
The CQI IRCA Lead Auditor Exam is designed to assess your knowledge and practical auditing skills across five key domains. Each domain is mapped to course learning outcomes and includes a specific number of questions, allocated marks, and a required minimum passing score.
| Domain | Topic Area | Marks | Questions | Minimum Pass Marks | Recommended Time |
| 1 | Concepts & Principles of Management Systems | 8 | 6 | 3 | 10 minutes |
| 2 | Audit Concepts & Auditor Responsibilities | 8 | 6 | 3 | 10 minutes |
| 3 | Planning the Audit | 8 | 6 | 3 | 10 minutes |
| 4 | Conducting the Audit | 36 | 14 | 14 | 45 minutes |
| 5 | Reporting & Closing the Audit | 20 | 8 | 8 | 30 minutes |
✅ Overall Pass Requirement: A minimum total score of 40 out of 80 marks (50%), plus meeting the minimum pass mark in each individual domain.
🕒 Note on Exam Duration:
The total exam duration is 1 hour and 45 minutes for native English speakers. For non-native English speakers, the exam duration is extended to 2 hours and 15 minutes.
✅ At 3FOLD, we automatically apply for the extended duration on behalf of all non-native speakers, ensuring every candidate has a fair and comfortable assessment experience.
Each domain contains a mix of question types, including situations (brief contextual questions) and scenarios (detailed audit-based case studies). The majority of questions in Domains 4 and 5 are scenario-based and test higher-order skills like evaluation and decision-making.
📖 Open Book Exam Format
The CQI IRCA Lead Auditor Exam is conducted as an open book assessment, allowing you to refer to your course notes and a copy of the ISO standards (in either paper or electronic format).
✅ What You Can Use During the Exam:
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- Notes from your training course
- A clean copy (paper or PDF) of the ISO standards
These resources are permitted to support your understanding and application of key concepts during the exam.
🚫 Strictly Not Allowed:
According to CQI IRCA’s Quality Handbook:
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- Internet access is strictly prohibited during the exam — you may not use search engines or any online resources to find answers.
- Unauthorized items are not permitted and their possession is considered malpractice. This includes:
- Mobile phones, smart watches, earphones, or other electronic devices
- Dictionaries, calculators (unless specifically allowed), and blank paper
- Any additional books, handouts, or unauthorized materials
⚠️ Possession of these items during the exam — even if not used — may be treated as malpractice and can affect your exam result. Learn more about Learner Disqualification in this article.
🎉 What Happens After You Pass the Exam?
After completing your CQI IRCA Lead Auditor Exam, here’s what to expect:
⏱️ Exam Result Timeline
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- CQI IRCA takes up to 10 working days to release your official test result.
- Once your result is available, 3FOLD will notify you immediately.
📜 Certification Process
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- If you pass the exam, you will receive a Certificate of Achievement within 3 working days, issued through our digital credential partner, Accredible.
- This certificate is digitally verifiable and globally recognized.
- If you do not pass and choose not to pursue a resit, you will still receive a Certificate of Attendance, confirming your participation in the course.
- If you pass the exam, you will receive a Certificate of Achievement within 3 working days, issued through our digital credential partner, Accredible.
📌 Important Note:
Only the Certificate of Achievement qualifies you to apply for CQI IRCA Auditor Membership Grades. This certification is a key milestone in your journey toward becoming a certified auditor.
Upcoming ISO 9001:2015 QMS Lead Auditor Online Training Schedule
Choose your preferred batch and make your payment in AED or USD to secure your seat in our upcoming CQI IRCA Approved ISO 9001:2015 QMS Lead Auditor Online Course.
💳 Once your payment is confirmed, a member of the 3FOLD team will contact you within 24 hours with your detailed course schedule, Zoom joining instructions, and access to all learning resources.
📧 Important: Please ensure you provide your correct email address during payment. All future communication, including joining links and exam access, will be sent to this email.