CQI-IRCA Certified Lead Auditor Courses

CQI-IRCA certified Lead Auditor courses are the recognised route for professionals who want to lead management system audits, work with certification bodies or run internal and supplier audit programmes. ITA delivers them live online or in the classroom, in all languages, with practising auditors as tutors.

Available CQI-IRCA certified courses

How the certification works

CQI is the Chartered Quality Institute in the United Kingdom, and IRCA is its International Register of Certificated Auditors. A CQI-IRCA certified course has had its content, learning outcomes and assessment approved by CQI-IRCA, and each course carries a course ID that you can verify.

ITA delivers CQI-IRCA certified Lead Auditor courses as the authorised agent of Guidance Consulting & Training (توجيه), a Saudi CQI-IRCA Approved Training Partner. The course ID is shown on each course page.

From registration to certificate

1. Choose your course and date and book online, or send an enquiry if you prefer to talk to us first.
2. Prepare: Lead Auditor courses assume prior knowledge of the standard. If you are new to it, start with an implementation course.
3. Attend the full course: about five days (around 40 hours) of live sessions. CQI-IRCA certified courses require 100% attendance.
4. Continuous assessment during the course through exercises, role-plays and case studies.
5. The CQI-IRCA exam: after the course you receive a practice exam and the final exam by email, and sit the exam on the CQI-IRCA online platform within 30 days, in Arabic or English.
6. Certificate: successful learners receive a certificate from CQI-IRCA that supports registration as an IRCA auditor.

After the course: auditor registration

The course certificate is one of the requirements for registering with IRCA. Registration grades usually also require work experience, documented audit experience and continuing professional development. Requirements differ by grade, so check IRCA’s current criteria before you apply.

Which course should I choose?

If you work in…	Consider
Quality in any sector	ISO 9001:2026 Lead Auditor
Environment and sustainability	ISO 14001:2026 Lead Auditor
Occupational health and safety	ISO 45001 Lead Auditor
Food safety	ISO 22000 Lead Auditor or FSSC 22000 V7 Lead Auditor
Business continuity and resilience	ISO 22301 Lead Auditor

For BRCGS sites, see the BRCGS Food Safety Issue 9 Lead Auditor course, approved by BRCGS. Read also how to choose a CQI-IRCA certified Lead Auditor course.

Frequently asked questions

Is the course delivered online?

Yes. Courses run live online (Zoom) or in the classroom. Live online sessions count in the same way as classroom attendance.

In which language is the course delivered?

Courses are delivered in all languages. The CQI-IRCA exam is taken on the CQI-IRCA online platform in Arabic or English.

Does ITA issue the certificate?

No. The course certificate is issued by CQI-IRCA to learners who pass the assessment and the exam.

Can you deliver the course for our team only?

Yes. Lead Auditor courses can be delivered as a closed course for your organisation. See corporate and in-house training.