Frequently Asked Questions

ACI certification is a formal recognition that an individual auditor has met defined competence requirements for their grade and chosen management system standard. ACI operates as a personnel certification body aligned with ISO/IEC 17024 requirements, which means our certification processes are structured to meet internationally recognised standards.

ACI certification demonstrates to employers, clients, and regulators that you possess the knowledge, skills, and experience required to perform audits competently. It is increasingly recognised by certification bodies, regulatory authorities, and organisations seeking qualified auditors.

ACI offers five progressive auditor grades, each reflecting increasing levels of competence and experience:

• Provisional Auditor (PA) — Entry-level grade for those who have completed approved training but have not yet gained audit experience.
• Auditor (ACI) — For individuals with demonstrated audit competence and a minimum number of audit days.
• Lead Auditor (LA) — For experienced auditors who can lead audit teams and manage audit programmes.
• Principal Auditor (PrA) — Senior grade recognising extensive audit leadership and technical expertise.
• Fellow (FACI) — The highest grade, awarded for exceptional contribution to the auditing profession.

For full details, visit our Auditor Grades page.

The typical timeline from application to certification decision is 4 to 8 weeks, depending on the completeness of your application and the grade you are applying for. This includes:

• Application review: 5-10 working days
• Examination scheduling and completion: 2-4 weeks (if applicable)
• Certification decision by the Certification Committee: 5 working days

Provisional Auditor applications, which do not require an examination, are typically processed within 10 working days.

Yes. ACI certifies auditors against specific management system standards (schemes), and you may hold certification in multiple schemes simultaneously. For example, you could be certified as a Lead Auditor for both ISO 9001 (Quality) and ISO 14001 (Environmental).

Each additional scheme requires you to meet the relevant training, experience, and examination requirements for that standard. Some experience from related schemes may be counted towards the requirements of a new scheme, subject to review.

The documentation required depends on your target grade, but typically includes:

• Completed application form (submitted via the ACI portal)
• Proof of approved training (certificates from ACI-approved courses)
• Evidence of audit experience (audit logs signed by a responsible person)
• Educational qualifications (for higher grades)
• Professional references (for Auditor grade and above)
• CPD records (for upgrade applications)

Full requirements are detailed on our Entry Requirements page.

Yes. All applicants must have completed training delivered by an ACI Approved Training Provider (ATP) using an ACI-approved course. This ensures that the training content, delivery methods, and assessment criteria meet the standards set by ACI for each certification scheme and grade.

Training completed with non-approved providers may be considered on a case-by-case basis through our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process, but this is not guaranteed.

You can search for approved providers on our Approved Providers directory. This lists all current ATPs along with the schemes and courses they are approved to deliver, their locations, and delivery formats (classroom, online, or blended).

You can also browse upcoming courses on our Find a Course page.

An Internal Auditor course (typically 2-3 days) covers the fundamentals of auditing a management system within an organisation. It is suitable for those conducting first-party (internal) audits.

A Lead Auditor course (typically 5 days) provides comprehensive training in planning, conducting, and reporting on third-party audits. It includes team leadership skills and is the primary pathway to ACI Lead Auditor certification.

The course you need depends on your target certification grade and the type of auditing you intend to perform.

ACI-approved training certificates are valid indefinitely as evidence of completed training. However, if you apply for certification more than three years after completing your training, ACI may require evidence that your knowledge of the relevant standard remains current. This could include additional CPD activities or a bridging course.

Yes, provided the online course is delivered by an ACI Approved Training Provider and the course itself is approved for online delivery. ACI recognises that online and virtual instructor-led training can be equally effective when properly designed and delivered.

Self-paced e-learning alone is generally not sufficient for Lead Auditor certification, but may count towards CPD or certain foundational requirements.

The ACI examination format varies by grade. For Auditor and Lead Auditor grades, the exam typically consists of multiple-choice questions and scenario-based written responses. The exam is designed to assess your understanding of auditing principles, the relevant management system standard, and your ability to apply this knowledge in practical situations.

Examinations are administered online through the ACI portal under proctored conditions. Full details are available on our Exam Information page.

If you do not achieve the pass mark, you may resit the examination. ACI allows up to three attempts within a 12-month period from your initial application. A waiting period of at least 30 days is required between each attempt to allow adequate preparation time.

If you are unsuccessful after three attempts, you will need to wait six months before reapplying and may be required to complete additional training. See our Exam Policies page for full resit procedures.

Yes. ACI is committed to ensuring that all candidates have an equitable opportunity to demonstrate their competence. If you have a disability, long-term health condition, or specific learning difficulty, you may request reasonable adjustments such as additional time, modified question formats, or alternative examination arrangements.

Requests should be submitted at least 15 working days before the scheduled examination date, along with supporting documentation. Contact our support team to discuss your requirements.

Multiple-choice examination results are available immediately upon completion. For examinations that include written scenario-based responses, results are typically issued within 10 working days. You will receive an email notification when your results are available in your ACI portal account.

ACI certification is valid for a three-year cycle. To maintain your certification, you must meet the recertification requirements before your certification expiry date. This includes completing the required number of CPD hours and demonstrating continued audit activity.

The minimum CPD requirement is 45 hours over each three-year certification cycle (an average of 15 hours per year). At least 50% of your CPD must be directly related to auditing or your certified management system standard. The remaining hours may cover broader professional development topics.

Full CPD guidance is available on our CPD Requirements page.

Eligible CPD activities include a wide range of learning and professional development:

• Attending training courses, seminars, or conferences
• Conducting or participating in audits
• Delivering training on management systems or auditing
• Publishing articles or research papers on auditing topics
• Participating in professional body activities or committees
• Completing online courses or webinars relevant to your scheme
• Mentoring or coaching other auditors

Self-directed study (e.g. reading standards or technical publications) can be counted up to a maximum of 10 hours per cycle.

If you have not met the minimum CPD requirements by the end of your certification cycle, your certification status will be changed to "Suspended." During the suspension period (up to 6 months), you may not represent yourself as ACI-certified. If you subsequently fulfil the CPD requirements, your certification will be reinstated.

If the requirements are not met within the suspension period, your certification will lapse and you would need to reapply for certification.

CPD activities are recorded through your ACI portal account. Log in, navigate to the CPD section, and add your activities with details including the date, type, provider, duration, and a brief description of what you learned. Supporting evidence (certificates, attendance records) should be uploaded where available.

We recommend logging CPD activities as you complete them rather than waiting until your renewal date. ACI may audit your CPD records at any time during the certification cycle.

The ACI Endorsed Employer programme recognises organisations that demonstrate a commitment to the professional development and certification of their auditors. Endorsed employers receive benefits including discounted certification fees, a team management dashboard, priority scheduling for examinations, and the right to use the ACI Endorsed Employer mark in their branding.

Learn more on our Employers page.

The corporate team dashboard provides a centralised view of all your organisation's ACI-certified personnel. Features include certification status tracking, upcoming renewal alerts, CPD progress monitoring, and the ability to manage applications and payments on behalf of your team members.

To access the team dashboard, your organisation must be an ACI corporate member. Contact us for more information.

Yes. Corporate members benefit from tiered pricing based on the number of certified individuals within the organisation. Endorsed Employers receive a 15% discount on standard certification and recertification fees, and additional volume discounts may apply for organisations certifying 10 or more auditors annually.

Yes. Corporate members can process certification and renewal payments centrally through the team dashboard. Invoice and purchase order facilities are available for organisations that require formal procurement processes. Individual auditors retain ownership of their certification regardless of who pays the fees.

Visit the ACI Portal and click "Register" to create your account. You will need to provide your name, email address, and create a password. A verification email will be sent to confirm your account. Once verified, you can begin your certification application.

On the ACI Portal login page, click "Forgot Password" and enter the email address associated with your account. You will receive a password reset link valid for 24 hours. If you do not receive the email, check your spam folder or contact our support team for assistance.

Log in to your ACI portal account and navigate to "Profile Settings." You can update your name, address, email, phone number, and employer details. Changes to your name (for example, due to marriage) may require supporting documentation. Please note that changes to your name will be reflected on your next certification card reissue.

Yes. Inclusion in the ACI Professional Register is entirely voluntary. By default, new accounts are not listed. You can manage your register visibility in "Profile Settings" under "Privacy Preferences." If you opt in, only your name, grade, scheme, and certification status will be publicly visible.