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Lead auditors do more than perform an audit. They plan the work, coordinate the audit team, evaluate evidence, communicate findings, and oversee the audit program. This course builds the ISO 9001 and auditing knowledge needed for those responsibilities.
You will learn how to plan and conduct QMS audits, perform audits independently, lead audit teams, and establish and manage an internal audit program. The curriculum covers ISO 9001 requirements, audit evidence, nonconformity reporting, corrective-action follow-up, and team-audit leadership. It also provides the knowledge foundation relevant to second- and third-party auditing; individual roles may require additional audit experience or approval.
The Implementer, Auditor, and Lead Auditor courses are Exemplar Global TPECS-certified training programs. After passing this course's formal examination, you earn the certification title Certified ISO 9001:2015 Lead Auditor and receive a StandardsCourses Certificate of Attainment with the Exemplar Global-certified QM, AU, and TL Competency Units. Training and examination are 100% online and self-paced.
30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
If the course is not right for you, request a full refund within 30 days, provided you have not completed it.
A lead auditor does more than check requirements against a checklist. They understand business context, evaluate risk, and communicate findings in ways that drive meaningful improvement. A competent ISO 9001 Lead Auditor must be able to:
The course develops this knowledge through clear instruction, practical examples, and a formal examination that assesses the required TPECS knowledge outcomes.
The training is organized into focused, interactive sessions that build your knowledge from fundamentals through to advanced lead auditor skills. Sessions include:
Session 1: ISO 9001: The Basics
An introduction to ISO 9001 fundamentals – how organizations use the standard, what certification means, and the factors that contribute to ISO 9001 success. This session establishes the foundation for everything that follows.
What you'll learn: The purpose of a Quality Management System and the business case for ISO 9001 certification.
Session 2: The Foundation and Structure of ISO 9001
An examination of the seven quality management principles: customer focus, leadership, engagement of people, process approach, improvement, evidence-based decision making, and relationship management. This session also introduces Annex SL, the high-level structure that makes ISO 9001 compatible with other management system standards.
What you'll learn: How the seven quality principles guide QMS implementation and how Annex SL enables integrated management systems.
Session 3: The Process Approach and PDCA Cycle
A focused examination of the process approach and the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle – two foundational concepts of ISO 9001. Topics include the elements of a process, real-life examples of the process approach in action, and how the PDCA cycle drives continual improvement.
What you'll learn: How to evaluate an organization's use of the process approach and PDCA methodology during audits.
Session 4: ISO 9001:2015 Requirements
A comprehensive clause-by-clause review of every ISO 9001:2015 requirement, examined from the auditor's perspective. Each requirement is explained with practical examples and tips on how to interpret it for organizations of different sizes and industries.
What you'll learn: How to evaluate conformity with each ISO 9001 requirement and identify objective evidence of compliance.
Session 5: ISO 9001:2015 Documentation
A focused look at documents and records. Learn the critical distinction between documents (which are maintained and updated) and records (which are retained as evidence). The session covers what documentation ISO 9001 requires and how to audit it effectively.
What you'll learn: How to assess the adequacy and control of QMS documentation during audits.
Session 6: Introduction to Internal Audits
This session introduces auditing fundamentals – audit methodologies, types of audits, and the roles and responsibilities expected of internal auditors. You will learn the structure of a professional audit and the principles that underpin effective auditing.
What you'll learn: The fundamentals of auditing and the distinct roles within an audit program.
Session 7: Auditing
A practical walk-through of the audit process from start to finish: audit preparation, conducting the audit and gathering evidence, audit reporting, and audit completion with follow-up. You will learn how to document findings, write nonconformity reports, and verify corrective actions.
What you'll learn: How to perform a complete internal audit from planning through follow-up.
Session 8: Setting Up an Internal Audit Program
This session covers audit program management at the organizational level: establishing the program based on risk and importance, implementing it effectively, and monitoring and improving the program over time. You will learn how to align the audit program with strategic objectives.
What you'll learn: How to design, implement, and manage an ISO 9001 internal audit program.
Session 9: Managing and Leading Team Audits
The lead auditor must be able to manage audit teams effectively. This session covers the specific responsibilities of lead auditors, audit preparation and planning at the team level, leading audit activities, and managing reporting and follow-up for team audits.
What you'll learn: How to lead an audit team and manage the complete audit process as a lead auditor.
The course provides comprehensive resources that support your learning and serve as valuable references:
This course is designed for professionals who need to conduct QMS audits independently, lead audit teams, or manage an ISO 9001 audit program. It is particularly suited to:
There are no formal prerequisites. A general understanding of quality management is helpful, but the course begins with the ISO 9001 fundamentals before progressing to auditing, audit-program management, and team leadership.
If your role is limited to participating in internal audits as an audit-team member, our ISO 9001 Auditor Training is likely the better fit.
The TPECS-certified training program concludes with the formal Lead Auditor examination. The assessment consists of 141 multiple-choice questions, typically takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes to complete (though there is no time constraint), and requires a passing score of 70%. It's open book (as real-world audits are). If you do not pass on your first attempt, you may retake the exam unlimited times at no additional charge.
Passing demonstrates the knowledge outcomes associated with the QM, AU, and TL Competency Units. Practical audit experience is assessed separately when required for a job or personnel-certification application.
After passing the examination, you earn the certification title Certified ISO 9001:2015 Lead Auditor and receive a StandardsCourses Certificate of Attainment bearing the Exemplar Global accreditation mark. The certificate is valid for 3 years.
Your certificate records the Exemplar Global-certified Competency Units QM (Quality Management), AU (Auditing Management Systems), and TL (Leading Audit Teams). A verifiable Digital Badge is also included for sharing on LinkedIn.
These Competency Units provide the knowledge-based qualification needed when applying for the relevant Exemplar Global QMS Auditor personnel certification. Exemplar Global assesses any remaining requirements separately according to the certification grade selected.
Certificates are issued digitally by StandardsCourses, an Exemplar Global Certified Training Provider and Examiner (TPECS), after you pass the final examination. You may download, print, and share your certificate from the course dashboard.
Training several lead auditors? The platform lets you purchase multiple course seats, enroll learners, and monitor progress from one dashboard.
Whether you are training one lead auditor or a complete audit team, the manager dashboard keeps enrollment and completion records in one place.
Course access, materials, certificate plus manager dashboard with progress tracking.
Self-paced learning – fit the 40-hour program into your schedule without disrupting business.
Instructor access and technical support whenever you need assistance.
30-Day Money-Back Guarantee – enroll risk-free.
Instant access after enrollment with up to 3 months to complete.
Learn on any device – Windows, Mac, iOS, or Android.
Jacob Blanchard
November 19, 2025
Likes - Course lay out - examples to give real work scenarios - in detail information for standards Improvement suggestions - even more examples or different examples of real ...
Steven Reynolds
January 19, 2026
Overall this was an outstanding course! The pacing was easily digestible, able to be started and stopped without detriment to the overall course. I also ...
TPECS-Certified Provider
Certified by Exemplar Global – one of a select group of training organizations worldwide.
Career-Focused Training
Acquire practical skills you can apply immediately – and the certificate to prove it.
Learning Resources
Courses include materials you can download, keep, and refer back to long after completion.
Learn on Your Schedule
Self-paced format lets you pause, resume, and switch between devices without losing progress.
After enrollment: You receive up to three months of access and can pause and resume during that period. Access ends when you successfully complete the final examination. Extensions are available upon request for an additional fee.
Before enrollment: If a buyer does not enroll the learner during purchase, the course manager has up to 12 months to do so.
Validity: The StandardsCourses ISO 9001:2015 Lead Auditor Certificate of Attainment is valid for three years from the date you pass the examination.
Renewal: Renewal requires a focused online re-certification examination rather than repeating the full course. The re-certification exam is offered at a discounted price and includes unlimited retakes. Passing renews the certificate for another three years.
Independent assessment: This course is certified under Exemplar Global's Training Provider and Examiner Certification Scheme (TPECS). TPECS evaluates examination outcomes against defined Competency Units, independently confirming that successful graduates have demonstrated the required knowledge competence.
Recorded outcomes: The Certificate of Attainment records the QM, AU, and TL Competency Units.
Format: The open-book examination has 141 multiple-choice questions and typically takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes, although there is no time limit.
Passing and retakes: The passing score is 70%, and unlimited retakes are included at no additional charge.
Auditor training prepares you to participate in QMS audits as an audit-team member. Lead Auditor training includes that foundation and adds solo audits, audit-team leadership, and audit-program management. Both courses are Exemplar Global TPECS certified.
Lead Auditor training provides the knowledge foundation for second- and third-party audit roles, but employers and certification bodies may require additional audit experience and approval.
No formal prerequisites: A general understanding of quality management concepts is helpful but not required because the course begins with the fundamentals.
Experience requirements: Practical audit experience may still be required for particular jobs or personnel-certification applications.
There is no sample version, but the purchase is covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
If the course is not right for you, request a refund within 30 days, provided you have not completed the course.
Yes. Bulk enrollment is available, and volume discounts apply automatically. Use the quantity selector on this page or contact us for larger groups.
A course-manager dashboard is included so you can enroll your audit team and track each learner's progress in one place.
During checkout: When purchasing multiple seats, designate a course manager during checkout.
In the dashboard: The dashboard shows each learner's enrollment status, course progress, and Certificate of Attainment. If learners are not enrolled during purchase, the manager has up to 12 months to enroll them.
Yes. Your Certificate of Attainment records the Exemplar Global-certified QM, AU, and TL Competency Units and provides the knowledge-based qualification needed when applying for the relevant Exemplar Global QMS Auditor certification.
Exemplar Global evaluates the remaining requirements for the certification grade selected, which may include relevant work and audit experience.
The charts below show our approval ratings based on post-course surveys from 2000+ learners. Enroll risk-free with our 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee.
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