Business Continuity Management
International standard for business continuity management systems (BCMS). Helps organisations prepare for, respond to, and recover from disruptive incidents to maintain critical functions.
ISO 22301 is the international standard for business continuity management systems, providing a framework for organisations to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disruptive incidents. It ensures organisations can protect their interests, reputation, brand, and value-creating activities when disruption occurs.
The standard centres on the business impact analysis (BIA) — the systematic process of identifying time-sensitive functions, their dependencies, and the consequences of disruption — which drives recovery time objectives (RTOs) and continuity strategy selection. Plans are regularly tested through exercises and simulations.
ACI-certified BCMS auditors evaluate BIA quality, assess the credibility of continuity strategies, and review the rigour of exercise and testing programmes.
Attend an ACI-Approved Training Provider (ATP) course for your chosen grade level. ACI-approved courses are aligned to the examination syllabus for ISO 22301.
Examinations are administered exclusively through ACI Approved Training Providers. Foundation and Internal Auditor examinations require 70% to pass; Lead Auditor requires 65%.
Submit your application through the ACI portal with your examination result, training certificate, and relevant audit experience log. Upon approval you receive your ACI Card ID and digital certificate.
Available Grades for ISO 22301
All six ACI auditor grades are available for this scheme. Each grade has defined competence, experience, and examination requirements.
Entry-level certification for those beginning their auditing career. Suitable for individuals who have completed foundation training but have limited audit experience.
For auditors who have completed Internal Auditor training and have begun accumulating audit experience under supervision or in an internal audit role.
Full auditor grade for practitioners with demonstrated audit experience. Recognised as a competent independent auditor of management systems.
Senior grade for experienced auditors capable of leading audit teams and managing full audit programmes. The most widely recognised auditor grade internationally.
Advanced grade for highly experienced auditors demonstrating sustained performance in complex audit environments and contributions to the auditing profession.
The highest ACI designation, awarded to individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to the management system auditing profession and to the ACI community.
Find an Approved Training Provider, sit the examination, and submit your application to ACI.