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About the Institute

The Auditor Certification Institute

ACI is a personnel certification body aligned with ISO/IEC 17024 requirements, dedicated to certifying individual auditors against international management system standards. We set the benchmark for auditor competence worldwide.

Our Mission

Advancing auditor competence through rigorous, impartial certification

ACI exists to protect the public interest by ensuring that management system auditors meet internationally recognised standards of competence, ethics, and professional conduct. Through our certification programmes, we provide assurance to organisations, regulators, and the public that certified auditors possess the knowledge, skills, and attributes necessary to perform audits effectively and with integrity.

Our Vision

The global standard for auditor certification

We envision a world where every management system audit is conducted by a demonstrably competent professional. ACI strives to be the most trusted and widely recognised personnel certification body for auditors, setting the benchmark that organisations and regulators rely upon when evaluating auditor competence across all management system disciplines.

What We Do

Certifying auditors across 14 ISO management system schemes

ACI operates certification programmes that assess and certify individual auditors, ensuring they meet the competence requirements defined by international standards.

Personnel Certification

We certify individual auditors — not organisations or management systems. Our certification confirms that a person has demonstrated the competence required to audit against specific ISO standards at a defined grade level.

Scheme Management

Each of our 14 certification schemes is aligned to a specific ISO management system standard. Schemes cover quality, environmental, occupational health and safety, information security, and many more disciplines.

Examination & Assessment

Candidates are assessed through structured examinations that evaluate knowledge of the relevant standard, auditing principles, and practical application. Our exams are developed and moderated by subject matter experts.

Quality Assurance

Our processes are designed to meet the requirements of ISO/IEC 17024, the international standard for bodies operating certification of persons. This ensures impartiality, competence, and consistency in all certification decisions.

Training Provider Approval

We approve training providers and their courses to ensure candidates receive high-quality preparation for certification. Approved Training Providers (ATPs) must meet our standards for delivery, content, and trainer qualifications.

Global Recognition

ACI certification is recognised internationally, providing auditors with a credential that is portable across borders and trusted by organisations, accreditation bodies, and regulators worldwide.

Key Facts

ACI at a glance

17024
Aligned
Personnel certification body aligned with ISO/IEC 17024 requirements
66
Schemes
Certification schemes across ISO management system standards
6
Grades
From Provisional Auditor through to Principal Auditor
100%
Digital
Digital Card ID, QR verification, and online register
Digital-First Approach

Modern certification for a connected world

ACI has built its certification infrastructure on a digital-first foundation. Every certified auditor receives a digital Card ID with an embedded QR code, enabling instant verification by employers, clients, and regulators.

Digital Card ID

Each certified auditor receives a unique digital Card ID displaying their name, grade, scheme, certification number, and expiry date.

QR Verification

Scan the QR code on any Card ID to instantly verify the auditor's certification status, grade, and scheme details in real time.

Online Professional Register

The ACI Professional Register is a publicly searchable database of all currently certified auditors, providing transparency and trust.

ACI Digital Card ID
Auditor Certification Institute
Jane A. Thompson
Lead Auditor
ACI-LA-9001-00472
Our History

Building the standard for auditor certification

From our founding to the present day, ACI has continually evolved to meet the needs of the auditing profession.

Foundation
ACI established as a personnel certification body
The Auditor Certification Institute was founded with a mandate to certify management system auditors against internationally recognised standards of competence.
Accreditation
ISO/IEC 17024 accreditation achieved
ACI achieved accreditation to ISO/IEC 17024, confirming that our certification processes meet the international standard for bodies operating certification of persons.
Expansion
Certification schemes expanded to 14 ISO standards
ACI expanded its portfolio to cover 14 ISO management system standards, enabling auditors to gain certification across quality, environmental, information security, and other disciplines.
Digital Transformation
Launch of the digital Card ID and online register
ACI introduced the digital Card ID with QR verification and the publicly searchable Professional Register, bringing certification into the digital age.
Today
Global recognition and continued growth
ACI continues to develop its certification programmes, training partnerships, and digital infrastructure to serve auditors and the organisations that rely on them worldwide.

Ready to become a certified auditor?

Explore our certification schemes, understand the entry requirements, and begin your application today.