Auditor Qualification Examination
Exemplar Global Auditor Certification (Personnel Certification for Auditors)
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ExploreAbout this exam
Exemplar Global is a personnel certification body that issues auditor credentials across management system disciplines; it was formerly known as RABQSA, and the source states the organization has over 30 years of building certification programs. The certification is aimed at working and aspiring auditors who want their knowledge, skills, attributes, and experience recognized: the source describes personnel certification as a way to "Demonstrate your knowledge, skills, attributes, and experience to provide value to your profession through our internationally recognized certification programs." The auditor credentials named on the site cover four management system schemes: Quality Management System (ISO 9001) Auditor, ISO 45001 Occupational, Health & Safety Auditor, ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management Systems Auditor, and ISO 22000 Food Safety Management Systems Auditor. Exemplar Global states it offers over 40+ globally recognized certifications across various industries, and that it serves 100+ countries. Preparation should be built around the standard behind your chosen scheme plus audit practice: the source points candidates to certified training courses delivered by Exemplar Global certified training providers (270+ are listed), to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) resources, and to the Exemplar Community knowledge base and FAQs for application, recertification, and requirements questions. Note that the source announces "2026 Changes to Key ISO Standards: What Training Providers Must Know" and lists an "ISO 9001:2026 PCD21 Certification Requirements Edition 4" resource, but it states no effective date or changed requirement values, so confirm current requirements directly with Exemplar Global before you apply. This page is independent study material and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Exemplar Global.
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About Auditor Qualification Examination preparation
What exactly does Exemplar Global certify me as?
It is personnel certification for individual auditors, not accreditation of an organization. The source lists separate auditor certifications by scheme, including Quality Management System (ISO 9001) Auditor, ISO 45001 Occupational, Health & Safety Auditor, ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management Systems Auditor, and ISO 22000 Food Safety Management Systems Auditor. Choose the scheme matching the audits you intend to perform.
Is the exam multiple choice, and how long is it?
The source page does not state exam format, question count, or duration, so no reliable figure can be given here. Those details sit behind the application process and the FAQs in the Exemplar Community. Treat any format or timing claim you see elsewhere as unverified until you confirm it with Exemplar Global directly.
How much does certification cost and how long is it valid?
Fees and validity periods are not stated in the source text, so they cannot be quoted reliably. Exemplar Global maintains a dedicated FAQ topic covering fees, certificates, ID cards, and payment, plus a separate recertification topic. Check those before budgeting, and note that recertification implies ongoing CPD obligations rather than a one-off lifetime credential.
Can I retake the exam if I fail?
The source does not publish a retake policy, number of attempts, or waiting period, so none can be stated with confidence. Because the credential is administered through the Exemplar Community application process, retake rules are best confirmed through the community FAQs or the contact page before you sit the assessment.
How should I order my study across the four schemes?
Study one scheme at a time, starting with the standard itself, then audit process and evidence gathering. The source points candidates to certified training courses from Exemplar Global certified training providers (270+ listed) and to Continuing Professional Development resources. Many auditors hold several schemes, so sequence them by the work you actually want rather than attempting all four at once.
Do I need training before I can be certified?
Exemplar Global certifies training providers whose course design, development, and delivery are reviewed against international standards, and it maintains a search for finding a certified training provider and verifying a training certificate. Taking a certified course is the most direct preparation route the source describes, but confirm the specific entry requirements for your scheme through the community FAQs.
What is the most common reason candidates struggle?
The recurring risk is studying an outdated edition of a standard. The source announces "2026 Changes to Key ISO Standards: What Training Providers Must Know" and lists an "ISO 9001:2026 PCD21 Certification Requirements Edition 4" resource, but gives no effective date or changed values. Verify which edition your scheme currently examines before you commit study time.
Where do I find the official requirements and apply?
Applications are submitted through the Exemplar Community, where you register and apply for certification. The site's FAQs are grouped by topic, including applying for certification, certification requirements, recertification, upgrading or expanding certification, and the Work Style Assessment. Those grouped FAQs plus the contact page are the authoritative route for scheme-specific requirements.
Does certification actually help commercially?
The source presents testimonials from certified auditors describing industry recognition, credibility with certification bodies that engage them, and increased work opportunities. It also reports 10000+ individual certified auditors and 54145+ years of audit experience across its community. Treat these as the provider's own claims rather than independently verified outcomes when weighing the investment.