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Eligibility

Entry Requirements for
Every ACI Grade

Every ACI grade has clearly defined, publicly available requirements. Use this page to check your eligibility before applying.

The table below provides a summary of the minimum requirements for each of the six ACI auditor grades. All requirements must be met and independently verified before certification is awarded. ACI reserves the right to request additional supporting evidence at any stage.

Grade Training Examination Audit Experience Work Experience Additional
Foundation AuditorACI-FOUND Foundation or Internal Auditor course Foundation exam — 70% pass None required None required ACI Code of Ethics declaration
Provisional AuditorACI-PROV Foundation course Foundation exam — 70% pass 1 documented audit activity 1 year relevant experience ACI Code of Ethics declaration
Professional AuditorACI-PROF Lead or Internal Auditor course Lead Auditor exam — 65% pass 3 audit days across 2+ activities 2 years relevant experience Maintained audit activity log
Lead AuditorACI-LEAD Lead Auditor course (5 days) Lead Auditor exam — 65% pass 10 audit days across 5+ activities (3 as team leader) 2 years relevant experience Maintained audit activity log
Principal AuditorACI-PRIN Current LEAD grade required Peer review (no exam) 40 audit days (20 as team leader) 5 years post-LEAD experience 500-word professional statement
Master AuditorACI-MAST Current PRIN grade required Portfolio review (no exam) 80 audit days (40 as team leader) 8 years post-LEAD experience Professional portfolio submission
Fellow of ACIACI-FELL Current MAST grade required Nomination (no exam) 10+ years at LEAD grade or above Exceptional professional contribution Nominated by 2 Fellows or Board members
Prior learning recognition: If you hold a current certification from another internationally recognised body (e.g. IRCA, Exemplar Global, PECB), ACI may accept prior learning as evidence toward meeting entry requirements. Contact ACI for a Prior Learning Recognition assessment.
Understanding the Requirements

What You Need to Know

Key information about how ACI assesses and verifies entry requirements.

Approved Training

All training courses must be delivered by an ACI Approved Training Provider (ATP) and must be current (completed within the past 5 years).

  • Foundation courses: typically 2–3 days
  • Internal Auditor courses: typically 2–3 days
  • Lead Auditor courses: 5 days (40 hours)
  • Course certificates must show delegate name, dates, and ATP accreditation number

Audit Experience

Audit experience must be documented using the ACI Audit Activity Log template. All entries are subject to verification by ACI assessors.

  • An audit day = minimum 4 hours of active audit work
  • First-party, second-party, and third-party audits all count
  • Observation days and training simulations do not count
  • Activities must be against recognised management system standards

Examinations

ACI examinations are administered by ACI-approved examination centres and ATPs. Results are valid for 3 years from the date of the examination.

  • Foundation examination: multiple-choice, 70% pass mark
  • Lead Auditor examination: scenario-based, 65% pass mark
  • Principal Auditor: peer review, no exam required
  • Fellow: nomination-based, no exam required

Work Experience

Work experience refers to employment in a professional or operational role relevant to the management system standard you wish to be certified against.

  • Does not need to be in a dedicated audit role
  • Quality managers, HSE officers, IT security professionals all qualify
  • Must be verifiable through employment records

Code of Ethics

All applicants must sign the ACI Code of Ethics as part of their application. This is a binding commitment to professional integrity, impartiality, and confidentiality.

  • Applies to all grades from PA to FACI
  • Renewed at each recertification cycle
  • Breach may result in suspension or revocation

Supporting Documentation

Your application must include supporting documentation to verify every requirement claimed.

  • Training certificates (PDF or scanned copy)
  • Examination results (issued by ACI or ATP)
  • Audit Activity Log (ACI template, signed)
  • CV or professional summary
Check Your Eligibility

Review the auditor grades and find approved training courses to meet your requirements.

How to Apply → View Auditor Grades Find a Course