ISO 9001:2026 Lead Auditor Training
A five-day, instructor-led course on planning, leading and reporting a full quality management system audit against ISO 9001:2026. Live online, with practical exercises and an assessment.
Upcoming ISO 9001:2026 Lead Auditor Sessions
Dates, times, time zone and places come straight from our training calendar. If no date suits you, register your interest and we will contact you when the next session opens.
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What Changed in ISO 9001:2026
ISO 9001:2026 was published on 16 September 2026. It keeps the familiar structure but makes quality culture and ethical behaviour requirements, separates risks from opportunities, and links quality policy and objectives to strategy. Auditors need to know where the evidence for each change sits.
| Area | What changed | What an auditor now looks for |
|---|---|---|
| Risks and opportunities (6.1) | Split into risks (6.1.2) and opportunities (6.1.3). | Separate treatment of threats and of opportunities, not one combined register entry. |
| Quality culture and ethics (5.1.1, 7.3) | Moved from optional to required. | How leaders promote quality culture and ethical behaviour, and whether staff are aware of it. |
| Strategy (5.2.1) | Quality policy and objectives aligned with strategic direction. | A visible link between quality objectives and the organization's longer-term plans. |
| Structure and Annex A | Aligned with the Harmonized Structure; Annex A revised to clarify terms. | Consistent auditing across integrated systems, such as with ISO 14001 or ISO 45001. |
The standard stays technology-neutral: it does not add specific requirements for artificial intelligence. For AI management systems, see ISO/IEC 42001.
What You Will Learn
The standard
- ISO 9001:2026 requirements, clause by clause, and the quality management principles behind them
- The changes from ISO 9001:2015 and how to audit them
- Process approach and risk-based thinking in practice
- Documented information: what must exist and what is enough
Leading an audit
- Audit principles and the audit programme, based on ISO 19011
- Planning: scope, objectives, criteria, sampling and the audit plan
- Opening meetings, interviews and gathering objective evidence
- Writing clear nonconformities and grading findings
- Closing meetings, the audit report and follow-up
- Leading an audit team and handling difficult situations
- How certification audits work: Stage 1, Stage 2 and surveillance
Who Should Attend
A good fit if you are
- A quality manager or management representative
- An internal auditor ready to lead full audits
- A supplier or second-party auditor
- A consultant who needs the 2026 audit view
- Aiming for a career in third-party auditing
Before you start
- A working knowledge of ISO 9001 and of how management systems run
- Some audit experience helps but is not essential
- New to ISO 9001? Start with awareness training
- Only auditing your own organization? Internal auditor training may suit better
Course Format and Certificate
You receive a Certificate of Successful Completion when you meet the attendance and assessment requirements, or a Certificate of Attendance if you take part without meeting or taking the assessment. Each session listing shows the dates, times, time zone and language. Joining details are sent before the course starts.
This is a training certificate. It is not an ISO certificate for an organization, and it is not an automatic registration with an auditor certification body.
Lead Auditor or Internal Auditor?
| Internal Auditor | Lead Auditor | |
|---|---|---|
| Main goal | Audit your own organization | Plan and lead full audits, including of suppliers |
| Audit types covered | First-party | First, second and third-party |
| Leading a team | Not the focus | Core skill |
| Certification audit process | Overview | Stage 1, Stage 2 and surveillance in depth |
| Best for | Internal audit teams | Quality leads, supplier and career auditors |
Transition to ISO 9001:2026 by 30 September 2029
Organizations certified to ISO 9001:2015 have until 30 September 2029 to complete their transition. Training your internal auditors and quality leads on the new edition first makes the transition audit smoother.
Planning your own transition? See ISO 9001 certification. Training is kept separate from certification: our courses are open and generic, do not advise on your own system, and do not influence any audit outcome. Read our impartiality policy.
ISO 9001:2026 Lead Auditor Training: Common Questions
How long is the ISO 9001:2026 Lead Auditor course?
Five days, delivered live online with an instructor. Each session listing shows the exact dates, times and time zone.
Is there an assessment?
Yes. You need to meet the attendance and assessment requirements to receive the Certificate of Successful Completion. Otherwise you receive a Certificate of Attendance.
Do I need ISO 9001 knowledge before I start?
Yes, a working knowledge of ISO 9001 and of how management systems run is recommended. If you are new to the standard, start with awareness training.
What changed in ISO 9001:2026?
Quality culture and ethical behaviour became requirements, risks and opportunities are handled separately in clause 6.1, and quality policy and objectives must align with strategy. The structure follows the Harmonized Structure.
When must certified organizations move to ISO 9001:2026?
Organizations certified to ISO 9001:2015 have until 30 September 2029 to complete the transition.
Will this certificate register me as an auditor?
No. It is a training certificate. It is not an automatic registration with an auditor certification body or an ISO certificate for an organization.
What if no date suits me?
Register your interest from the schedule above. We will contact you when the next session opens.
Can you run this course for our team?
Yes. Tell us how many people, preferred dates, language and time zone, and we will confirm a private group plan.
Ready to Lead ISO 9001:2026 Audits?
Pick a session from the schedule, or register your interest and we will contact you with the next dates.
See dates and register →Last reviewed by the Accredify Global training team.