FAQs for Transition Training

Why is it compulsory for IRCA-certificated auditors to undertake transition training?

IRCA believes that the 2015 changes to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 are significant, and as a result auditors will have to develop their skills and adopt new approaches to management systems assessment. We are mandating transition training to ensure IRCA-certificated auditors are properly prepared and equipped to audit against these standards. We encourage you to consider this as an opportunity to add greater value to your organisation. By undertaking transition training at the earliest opportunity, you can equip yourself with the knowledge and understanding to audit against these new standards, placing yourself ahead of the competition.

Please note that:

• It is our policy that all IRCA-certificated auditors complete IRCA Certified Transition Training
• Our courses are skills focused and include both theory and practical training, while a lot of other courses do not include the practical element
• We are mandating our own courses to ensure that the IRCA register retains its integrity and reputation for setting and maintaining high standards of professional competence.

What happens if I do not transition by the deadline?

We recognise that some of you will not have a business need to transition to the new version of the standards before the 1 September 2018 deadline.

Therefore, we will maintain your registration against the 2008 standard on our database but your certification will not be listed on the online IRCA register until you complete your transition to the updated 2015 standard.

If I do not transition by the deadline, what is my public status?

You will not be able to present yourself as an IRCA auditor competent to audit to the 2015 standard. Mis-representing your status would represent a breach of the CQI and IRCA Code of Conduct.

You will continue to receive the other benefits of membership such as the monthly Knowledge emails, and access to online resources.

Can I transition if I have undertaken non-IRCA Certified Transition Training?

Yes. It is possible to do this. We have listened to feedback and we have alternative Transition options available. We will update you on these in the next coming weeks.

What do I need to do once I complete the transition course?

Email a scanned copy of your transition certificate to [email protected] and the membership team will update your record and send you a new certification card.

I work for a certification body and they are offering transition training for auditors. Do I have to attend a separate IRCA Certified Transition Training course as well?

IRCA will accept transition training offered by certification bodies to their auditors if it meets our requirements. Please contact your certification body to find out if this is the case.

What are the main changes that will be covered in IRCA’s transition training?

The changes contained within ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 are significant, including the adoption of Annex SL and an emphasis on leadership, context and risk-based thinking. Transition training will cover both the changes arising as a result of Annex SL and those specific to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. Please read our policy for a more detailed outline of the changes.

What are the main changes that will be covered in IRCA’s transition training?

The changes contained within ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 are significant, including the adoption of Annex SL and an emphasis on leadership, context and risk-based thinking. Transition training will cover both the changes arising as a result of Annex SL and those specific to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. Please read our policy for a more detailed outline of the changes.

How long is transition training?

The length of transition training is, to some extent, dependent on the training provider. However, we require IRCA Certified Quality Management System (QMS) Transition Training to be at least two days in duration – one day of Annex SL-specific content (Module 1) and one day of ISO 9001-specific content (Module 2).

IRCA Certified Environmental Management System (EMS) Transition Training is required to be at least a day and a half in duration – one day of Annex SL-specific content (Module 1) and half a day of ISO 14001-specific content (Module 2). Auditors who are certificated against both our QMS and EMS schemes do not need to attend the Annex SL-specific training (Module 1) twice. Once you have attended the Annex SL-specific content (Module 1), you only need to complete the relevant standard-specific module.

Can I attend transition training online or via distance learning?

IRCA believes that classroom learning is the most appropriate method to equip auditors with the skills to audit against ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. Some IRCA Approved Training Organisations may provide online or distance learning options for the knowledge element (only) of these courses. Please check with your chosen training provider.

If I fail a module of the transition training course, will I still receive a certificate?

Yes, you will receive a certificate of attendance. However, in order to maintain your certification with IRCA, you must successfully complete the entire course by 1 September 2018. If you are not able to complete your course by this date, please contact our membership team, who will be happy to help.

If I fail the continuous assessment, do I have to re-take the transition training course?

Yes. If you do not pass the continuous assessment, you must retake the entire course.

If I fail the written exam, do I have to re-take the transition training course?

No. If you do not pass the written exam, you have 12 months from the original course date to retake just the written test.

When you successfully pass the exam within the 12-month period, you will receive a certificate of successful completion. If you do not pass the written exam within this period, you will need to retake the entire course in order to maintain your certification with IRCA.

How much does transition training cost?

Prices will vary depending on the training organisation. Please use the course directory to find a transition training course near you.

Will we have to pay IRCA to transition?

Other than the price of attending the course (payable to your chosen training provider), there are no fees payable to IRCA.

There aren’t many training providers in my country. What do I do if I can’t find a training course near me?

We will be working with our IRCA Approved Training Organisations to ensure that courses are provided in as many locations as possible. Please use our course directory to find a transition course near you. If you’re having difficulty finding an IRCA Certified Transition Training course in your country, please contact our membership team, who will be happy to help.