Can An Individual Be ISO 9001 Certified?
The short answer is no; one person cannot become certified in ISO 9001. Instead, a company or organization is eligible for the certification. However, a person can become certified as a lead auditor through a training course that is provided.
Are There Certifications for Individuals?
Yes, there are a few certification possibilities for individuals.
One certification allows an individual to become an auditor for a certification body, while the other certifications are for internal use within your company.
Lead Auditor
The first kind of certification, which allows the individual to work as an auditor for a certification body, is the ISO 9001 Lead Auditor Course. This course aims to give the individual a comprehensive understanding of the ISO 9001 system and standards. It culminates in an exam to verify the individual’s knowledge of ISO.
This certification typically takes 4-5 days to complete, and it must be completed through an accredited course for the individual to be qualified to become an auditor for a certification body.
Internal Auditor
The other two kinds of certification are geared specifically for use within the individual’s company. These can be invaluable to employees who will lead internal audits and want to add a marketable skill to their portfolio.
The first of these certifications is the ISO 9001 Internal Auditor Course. This certification takes roughly 2-3 days and largely mirrors the Lead Auditor Course. The main difference being that the Internal Auditor Course does not require an exam for competency at the end.
The final certification for individuals is also designed for internal use. The ISO 9001 Awareness and Implementation Course comprises a suite of training and courses designed to build a more in-depth knowledge of the ISO process and how to implement it. These courses can be a valuable tool for employees whose company is just starting to become ISO certified.
Based on the Lead Auditor Course, these trainings are more specific in scope and can be a much more economical option for employees who are only involved in the beginning stages of the process.
Each of the individual courses and certifications is a great way to improve your resume and gain a valuable base of knowledge on a widely used and valued system.
