Certification Framework
Your Pathway to
Recognised Audit Excellence
ACI awards seven internationally recognised grades to auditing professionals — each reflecting a defined level of training, experience, and demonstrated competence. Your grade is a verifiable mark of where you stand.
7
Auditor Grades
66
ISO Schemes
3yr
Cert. Period
17024
ISO/IEC 17024 Aligned
What Are ACI Auditor Grades?
ACI auditor grades are internationally recognised designations that certify an individual's competence to conduct audits against management system standards. Each grade is awarded on the basis of verified training, documented audit experience, and ongoing professional development — not simply on the completion of a course or the passing of a single examination.
As a personnel certification body aligned with ISO/IEC 17024 requirements, ACI operates to the highest international standards for competence assessment. Our grades are structured to reflect the real-world demands of auditing at every stage of a professional career — from an individual completing their first approved training course, through to a seasoned practitioner leading audit programmes across multiple disciplines.
Grades are held individually, renewed every three years through a structured CPD and recertification process, and verified in real time through the ACI public register.
Why ACI Certification?
Aligned with ISO/IEC 17024 requirements — the international standard for personnel certification bodies
Real-time verifiable credentials — employers check your grade online instantly via Card ID
<?php echo e(App\Models\Scheme::active()->count()); ?> certification schemes covering the most widely used ISO management standards
Progressive grade ladder — one certification body for your entire career
Recognised by ISO/IEC 17021-1 accredited bodies for third-party audit work
FOUND
Grade 1
Entry Level
Foundation Auditor
For individuals who have completed their first approved training course and are beginning their auditing career.
A Foundation Auditor has demonstrated foundational knowledge of management system auditing principles. This grade confirms the individual has met ACI's minimum training standard and has committed to the profession through the signing of the ACI Code of Ethics. No prior audit experience is required — this is the starting point of the ACI certification pathway.
Certification Requirements
Training
ACI-approved Foundation or Internal Auditor training course
Examination
ACI Foundation examination — minimum pass mark 70%
Audit Experience
None required at this grade
Work Experience
None required at this grade
Ethics
Signed declaration of the ACI Code of Ethics
Maintaining Your Grade
Annual CPD
15 CPD credits per year
Ethics CPD
Minimum 3 ethics credits per 3-year cycle (free ACI module available)
Renewal
Recertification application every 3 years
Upgrade pathway: Provisional Auditor (PROV) — add 1 year experience and 1 documented audit activity
Apply for FOUND Grade
PROV
Grade 2
Entry Level
Provisional Auditor
For professionals who have begun accumulating documented audit experience and are actively developing their competence.
A Provisional Auditor has met ACI's requirements for initial audit engagement. They are conducting audits as part of a team, contributing to the audit process under the direction of a more senior auditor, and building the experience record required to progress to Professional Auditor grade.
Certification Requirements
Training
ACI-approved Foundation training course
Examination
ACI Foundation examination — minimum pass mark 70%
Audit Experience
Minimum 1 documented audit activity as team member or observer
Work Experience
Minimum 1 year of relevant professional or operational experience
Ethics
Signed declaration of the ACI Code of Ethics
Maintaining Your Grade
Annual CPD
15 CPD credits per year
Period
3-year certification with recertification application at renewal
Upgrade pathway: Professional Auditor (PROF) — complete Lead Auditor course and accumulate 3 audit days
Apply for PROV Grade
PROF
Grade 3
Practitioner
Professional Auditor
The first fully independent certification level — qualified to conduct audits without supervision.
An ACI Professional Auditor is a recognised practitioner qualified to conduct internal or external audits against the relevant management system standard, document findings, raise nonconformities, and produce audit reports to a professional standard. This grade is widely recognised by employers as evidence of genuine auditing competence.
Certification Requirements
Training
ACI-approved Lead Auditor or Internal Auditor training course
Examination
ACI Lead Auditor examination — minimum pass mark 65%
Audit Experience
Minimum 3 documented audit days across at least 2 separate audit activities
Work Experience
Minimum 2 years of relevant professional experience
Ethics
Signed declaration of the ACI Code of Ethics
Maintaining Your Grade
Annual CPD
20 CPD credits per year
Audit Activity
Continued audit activity maintained and logged
Upgrade pathway: Lead Auditor (LEAD) — reach 10 audit days with 3 conducted as team leader
Apply for PROF Grade
LEAD
Grade 4
Practitioner
Lead Auditor
The most widely held professional grade. Qualified to plan, lead, and manage audit programmes independently.
An ACI Lead Auditor is qualified to plan, organise, direct, and manage audit programmes. They can lead multi-auditor teams, conduct opening and closing meetings, communicate findings to senior management, and produce comprehensive audit reports in accordance with international standards. The Lead Auditor designation is recognised globally by accredited certification bodies.
Certification Requirements
Training
ACI-approved Lead Auditor training course (5 days)
Examination
ACI Lead Auditor examination — minimum pass mark 65%
Audit Experience
Minimum 10 audit days across 5 activities; minimum 3 activities led as audit team leader
Work Experience
Minimum 2 years of relevant professional experience
Ethics
Signed declaration of the ACI Code of Ethics
Maintaining Your Grade
Annual CPD
20 CPD credits per year including ethics module
Audit Activity
Continued audit activity maintained and logged throughout certification period
Upgrade pathway: Principal Auditor (PRIN) — 40 audit days and 5 years post-Lead Auditor experience
Apply for LEAD Grade
PRIN
Grade 5
Senior
Principal Auditor
Senior professionals who lead complex audit programmes and contribute to the development of auditing practice.
An ACI Principal Auditor has demonstrated mastery of the audit process at a programme management level. They are recognised as leaders within the auditing profession — capable of designing audit strategies, managing multi-scheme programmes, providing technical guidance to audit teams, and contributing to organisational improvement at a strategic level.
Certification Requirements
Prerequisite
Current ACI Lead Auditor (LEAD) grade must be held at time of application
Examination
No examination — peer review by 2 existing Principal Auditor or Fellow grade holders
Audit Experience
Minimum 40 documented audit days; minimum 20 as audit team leader
Work Experience
Minimum 5 years of professional auditing experience since achieving Lead Auditor grade
Statement
Written professional development statement — minimum 500 words
Maintaining Your Grade
Annual CPD
25 CPD credits per year
Peer Review
Peer review required at each renewal cycle
Upgrade pathway: Master Auditor (MAST) — 80 audit days and 8 years post-Lead Auditor experience
Apply for PRIN Grade
MAST
Grade 6
Senior
Master Auditor
Elite practitioners who have achieved the highest level of demonstrated auditing competence and professional leadership.
An ACI Master Auditor represents the pinnacle of active audit practice. They have demonstrated exceptional technical competence, extensive programme management experience, and a sustained record of leadership within the auditing profession. This grade is reserved for practitioners who have consistently performed at the highest level across multiple schemes and contexts.
Certification Requirements
Prerequisite
Current ACI Principal Auditor (PRIN) grade must be held at time of application
Examination
No examination — portfolio review and assessment by ACI Certification Council
Audit Experience
Minimum 80 documented audit days; minimum 40 as audit team leader across multiple schemes
Work Experience
Minimum 8 years of professional auditing experience since achieving Lead Auditor grade
Portfolio
Professional portfolio including audit programme evidence, mentoring, and technical contribution
Maintaining Your Grade
Annual CPD
25 CPD credits per year
Peer Review
Peer review by 2 existing Master Auditor or Fellow grade holders at each renewal
Contribution
Evidence of active contribution to auditing standards, education, or professional development
Upgrade pathway: Fellow of ACI (FELL) — nomination for exceptional contribution to the auditing profession
Apply for MAST Grade
FELL
Grade 7
Elite — Highest Honour
Fellow of ACI
The highest ACI honour. Awarded by nomination to individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to the auditing profession.
Fellowship of the Auditor Certification Institute is not applied for in the conventional sense. It is awarded by nomination, assessed by ACI's Certification Council, and conferred by the ACI Board of Directors. Fellows are regarded as the pre-eminent voices of the auditing profession — individuals whose careers and contributions have shaped the field in a meaningful and enduring way.
Nomination Requirements
Prerequisite
Current ACI Master Auditor (MAST) grade must be held at time of nomination
Experience
Minimum 10 years of active auditing practice at Lead Auditor grade or above
Contribution
Demonstrable record of contribution to the profession — published work, standards development, educational leadership, or industry representation
Nomination
Nomination by at least 2 existing Fellows or ACI Board members — reviewed twice per year
Approval
Assessment by ACI Certification Council and ratification by ACI Board of Directors
Maintaining Fellowship
Annual CPD
25 CPD credits per year
Period
Lifetime certification — subject to continued CPD compliance and Code of Ethics adherence
Nomination forms available from the ACI Secretariat
Enquire About Fellowship
Quick Reference
Grade Requirements at a Glance
Minimum requirements for each ACI auditor grade. All requirements must be met and verified before a grade is awarded.
| Grade | Training Required | Examination | Audit Experience | Work Experience | CPD/yr | Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation Auditor ACI-FOUND | Foundation or Internal Auditor course | Foundation — 70% | None required | None required | 15 | 3 years |
| Provisional Auditor ACI-PROV | Foundation course | Foundation — 70% | Min. 1 audit activity | Min. 1 year | 15 | 3 years |
| Professional Auditor ACI-PROF | Lead or Internal Auditor course | Lead Auditor — 65% | Min. 3 days / 2 activities | Min. 2 years | 20 | 3 years |
| Lead Auditor ACI-LEAD | Lead Auditor course | Lead Auditor — 65% | Min. 10 days / 5 activities (3 led) | Min. 2 years | 20 | 3 years |
| Principal Auditor ACI-PRIN | Current LEAD grade required | No exam — peer review | Min. 40 days / 20 as leader | Min. 5 years post-LEAD | 25 | 3 years |
| Master Auditor ACI-MAST | Current PRIN grade required | No exam — portfolio review | Min. 80 days / 40 as leader | Min. 8 years post-LEAD | 25 | 3 years |
| Fellow of ACI ACI-FELL | Current MAST grade required | No exam — nomination | 10 years at LEAD grade+ | Exceptional contribution | 25 | Lifetime |
All requirements are subject to the ACI Certification Rules and Policies. ACI reserves the right to request additional evidence. Download the full Grade Requirements Guide (PDF) →
What Counts as Audit Experience?
An audit day is defined as a day — or any portion of at least four hours — spent actively conducting an audit against a recognised management system standard in one of the following audit types:
1st Party
First-Party Audits
Internal audits conducted within your own organisation against a management system standard.
2nd Party
Second-Party Audits
Audits conducted on behalf of your organisation against its suppliers or contractors.
3rd Party
Third-Party Audits
Independent audits conducted on behalf of a certification body or accreditation authority.
Record Your Audit Experience
All audit days must be documented using the ACI Audit Activity Log template. Submit your completed log as part of your certification application. Accepted by admin as evidence for all grades from Professional Auditor (PROF) upward.
Date and duration
Standard audited
Your role (member / leader)
Audit type (1st/2nd/3rd)
Organisation (anonymised)
Supporting notes
ACI Audit Activity Log Template (Excel)
Download →
Maintaining Your Grade
Annual CPD Requirements
ACI certification is a living credential. CPD requirements scale with grade to reflect the ongoing commitment expected at each level.
Foundation & Provisional Auditor
15
CPD credits per year
Includes 3 ethics credits per 3-year cycle
Professional & Lead Auditor
20
CPD credits per year
Includes 3 ethics credits per 3-year cycle
Principal, Master & Fellow
25
CPD credits per year
Includes 3 ethics credits per 3-year cycle
1 CPD credit = 1 hour of structured learning.
Eligible activities include ACI-approved training courses (14–31 credits), ACI webinars (1–3 credits), external conferences, writing and presenting, mentoring, and self-directed study (capped at 5 credits per year). The free ACI Ethics Module satisfies the 3-credit ethics requirement for any grade.
View full CPD requirements →
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most common questions about ACI auditor grades, eligibility, and progression.
View all FAQs
Can I hold more than one ACI grade?
You hold one grade per certification scheme. If you are certified across multiple schemes, you may hold different grades on different schemes — for example, Lead Auditor on ISO 9001 and Auditor on ISO 14001. Your ACI member profile displays each scheme certification separately, with its own Card ID, grade, issue date, and expiry.
How long does it take to progress from Provisional to Lead Auditor?
The timeline varies depending on how quickly you accumulate documented audit experience. On the fastest realistic trajectory — for a full-time internal auditor — progression from Provisional to Lead Auditor typically takes between two and four years. The primary factor is completing the minimum required audit days and securing a role that provides regular audit activity.
My previous certification was with IRCA or another body. Can I transfer?
ACI operates a prior learning recognition process for professionals certified with other internationally recognised certification bodies. Applications are assessed case by case by the ACI Certification Council. You will be required to submit evidence of your existing certification, your audit activity log, and your CPD record. Contact ACI to request a Prior Learning Recognition assessment form.
What happens if my certification expires?
If you do not complete your recertification application before your certification expires, your status changes from Active to Lapsed. A lapsed certification is no longer verifiable as Active on the ACI public register. To reinstate within 12 months of expiry, apply through the standard recertification process. After 12 months, reinstatement requires re-examination. ACI sends reminder notifications at 90, 60, and 30 days before your expiry date.
Is the ACI Lead Auditor grade recognised by third-party certification bodies?
Yes. ACI is aligned with ISO/IEC 17024 requirements. The Lead Auditor grade meets the qualification requirements recognised by ISO/IEC 17021-1 accredited certification bodies for appointing auditors to their panels. We recommend confirming acceptance with the specific body you intend to work with, as individual bodies retain the right to set additional requirements.
Can my employer apply for a grade on my behalf?
No. ACI grades are individual certifications and must be applied for by the candidate personally. However, employers with ACI Corporate Membership can support applications and pay certification fees on behalf of employees through a dedicated employer portal. The application itself must always be submitted and declared by the individual auditor.
Ready to Apply for Your ACI Grade?
Check your eligibility, find an approved training course, and start your application — all in one place.