ISO 17020 Lead Auditor Training

The ISO 17020 Lead Auditor Course provides in-depth training for professionals responsible for assessing inspection bodies and leading external audits. Designed in line with ISO 19011 audit guidelines, this course builds audit leadership skills and technical understanding of ISO 17020, ensuring learners can evaluate operational integrity, impartiality, and compliance across various inspection bodies.

Key Topics Covered

• ISO 17020 Requirements: Principles and structural expectations for inspection body operations  
• Audit Leadership: Planning audits, forming teams, managing audit activities  
• Types of Inspection Bodies: Application of audit strategies to Type A, B, and C organisations  
• Nonconformity Handling: Identifying and reporting findings with evidence-based clarity  
• Certification and Accreditation Context: How ISO 17020 audits support national and international recognition 

Course Benefits

• Become an Audit Leader: Gain the skills to manage complex audits with confidence  
• Contribute to Quality Excellence: Ensure inspection bodies meet international benchmarks  
• Advance Professionally: Step into senior roles in auditing, accreditation, and compliance  
• Enhance Organisational Credibility: Support audit-readiness and accreditation success

This course is ideal for professionals responsible for inspecting, auditing, or evaluating inspection bodies. Suitable roles include: 

• Lead Auditors and External Auditors  

• Accreditation Assessors  

• Compliance Managers  

• Inspection Body Leaders  

• Technical Directors  

• Quality Assurance Professionals 

Module 1: Introduction to ISO 17020

• Scope
• Normative References
• Terms and Definitions

Module 2: Inspection Bodies

• What is Inspection?
• Introduction to Inspection Bodies
• Goals and Requirements of Inspection Bodies
• Inspection According to ISO
• Important Functions of Inspection
• Types of Inspection Bodies
• Inspection Body Accreditation

Module 3: Inspection Procedure

• Select and Prepare
• Conduct Intelligence Led Inspection
• Report, Record, Follow Up, Close Out, and Evaluate

Module 4: Quality Management and Improvement Overview

• What is Quality Management?
• Introduction to Quality Improvement
• Basics of Quality Improvement
• Quality Improvement Process
• Methods of Quality Improvement Management
• Benefits of Improving Quality

Module 5: General Requirements

• Impartiality and Independence
• Confidentiality

Module 6: Structural Requirements

• Administrative Requirements
• Organisation and Management

Module 7: Resource Requirements

• Personnel
• Facilities and Equipment
• Subcontracting

Module 8: Plan-Do-Check-Act

• PDCA Cycle
• PDCA Approach
• Planning
• Support
• Operation
• Performance Analysis
• Improvement

Module 9: Planning Individual Internal Audits

• Internal Audit Approach
• Risk Assurance Mapping  
• Audit Plan
• Research the Audit Area
• Conduct Process Walk-Throughs
• Map Risks to the Organisation, Process, or Function
• Obtain Data Prior to Fieldwork

Module 10: Audit Procedure

• Considerations During the Auditing Process
• Auditing Methods
• Requirements for Auditors
• Conformity Assessment Audit Procedure
• Conducting the Audit

Module 11: Auditing Roles and Principles

• Auditing Roles
• Audit Team  
• Maintaining Confidentiality  
• Independence
• Evidence-Based Approach  
• Integrity  
• Fair Presentation of Audit Reports  

Module 12: Skills and Competencies of an Internal Auditor

• Personal Attributes  
• Skills
• Education and Experience
• Knowledge

Module 13: Responsibilities of the Auditor

• Management of Personnel
• Preparing Checklist
• Scope of Work
• Managing an Audit Programme  
• Communication at All Levels of Organisation

Module 14: Conducting the Internal Audit and Handling the Interview Process

• Decide What You Want to Achieve  
• Identify Risks  
• Plan and Audit Activities
• Validate the Facts and Complete the Work  
• Develop a Deliverable or Report That will Drive Action
• Follow Up

Module 15: Audit Programme

• Reviewing and Improving Audit Programme

Module 16: Closing an ISO 17020 Audit

• Prepare Audit Report
• Distribute Audit Report
• Conduct Audit Follow-Up

Module 17: Managing an ISO 17020 Audit Programme

• Know What and When to Audit
• Create an Audit Schedule
• Pre-Planning the Scheduled Audit
• Conducting the Audit
• Record the Findings
• Report Findings

Module 18: Roles and Responsibilities of a Lead Implementer

• Roles and Responsibilities

Module 19: Difference Between Compliance and Conformity

• What Does Compliance and Conformity Mean?
• Compliance Vs Conformity

Module 20: Importance of Inspections for Compliance

• Several Specific Functions in Inspections
• Importance of Regulatory Inspections

Module 21: Reforming Inspections

• Recognising the Inspections Problem and Mobilising Support
• Drivers of Reform
• Role of Public Opinion
• Defining Goals and Approach of Reform
• Driving Implementation Successfully

Module 22: Improve the Inspection

• How Does Inspection and Review Support Improvement?
• Ways to Improve the Effectiveness of Inspections
• Standardise Inspection Procedure
• Eliminate the Need for Manual Data Entry
• Use Mobile Assessment Apps to Your Advantage
• Determine the Best Inspection Frequency
• Assign Facility-Level Inspections
• Make Corrective Actions More Automated

Module 23: Lead Auditor

• Who is Lead Auditor?
• Roles and responsibilities of Lead Auditor
• Audit Report
• Types of Audit Process

Module 24: On-Site Audit Activities

• Opening Meeting
• Document Review
• Detailed Site Inspection
• Staff Interview
• Review Audit Evidence
• Closing Meeting

Module 25: Inspection and Audit

• Audit Vs Inspection
• Prioritising Findings
• What to Do with the Findings?
• Audit Assess Compliance
• Risk-Based Selection

Module 26: Conducting an Audit

• Initiating Audit
• Preparing Audit Activities
• Conducting Audit Activities
• Preparing and Distributing Audit Report
• Completing Audit
• Conducting Audit
• Follow-Up

Module 27: Nonconformity and Corrective Action

• Nonconformity
• Corrective Actions

 By the end of the course, you will be able to:

• Lead audits for inspection bodies in accordance with ISO 17020  
• Interpret and apply key ISO 17020 clauses within audit settings  
• Conduct opening and closing meetings and manage audit teams effectively  
• Prepare detailed audit reports and recommend appropriate actions  
• Support continual improvement, impartiality, and operational effectiveness

To achieve the ISO 17020 Lead Auditor Training, candidates will need to sit for an examination. The exam format is as follows:  

• Question Type: Multiple Choice  

• Total Questions: 30  

• Total Marks: 30 Marks  

• Pass Mark: 50%, or 15/30 Marks  

• Duration: 40 Minutes