International ISO Certification Body
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Certification Process

A clear path from gap to certificate.

Five documented steps. The same Stage 1 + Stage 2 audit cycle the accredited bodies use, run leaner and faster for organizations that need credible certification without the bureaucratic overhead.

  1. 01

    Gap Assessment

    We review your current operations against the applicable ISO standard and produce a documented gap analysis identifying what’s already in place, what’s missing, and the work required to reach conformity. Typically 1–2 weeks depending on scope.

  2. 02

    Training & Documentation

    We train your team on the requirements of the standard and guide the documentation, policies, and procedures needed to bring your operation into conformity. Lean documentation, plain language, focused on what serves the business. Typically 3–6 weeks.

  3. 03

    Stage 1 Audit

    A documented readiness review by an qualified auditor confirming your management system is implemented, documented, and ready for full audit. Findings, if any, are captured for closure before Stage 2.

  4. 04

    Stage 2 Audit

    A full on-site or remote audit against the published ISO standard, conducted by an qualified auditor. Evidence is reviewed, processes are observed, and findings are documented. Any nonconformities are issued with corrective action requirements.

  5. 05

    Certificate Issuance

    Upon closure of any findings, AmericanQMS issues your AmericanQMS certificate. Valid for three years, with annual surveillance audits to maintain. Your certificate is immediately verifiable through our public verification portal.

Timeline

What to expect, by phase.

Total elapsed time depends on standard, organization size, and the speed your team can implement required documentation. The ranges below reflect typical engagements.

Pre-audit (weeks 1–8)

Gap assessment delivered in the first week or two. Training and documentation typically takes 3–6 weeks of focused effort — faster if your team has prior ISO experience, slower if you’re starting from a blank slate. Your team owns implementation; we provide guidance, templates, and answers.

Audit phase (weeks 6–10)

Stage 1 readiness review is scheduled once documentation is in place. Stage 2 follows after any Stage 1 findings are addressed — typically 1–3 weeks later. Stage 2 itself runs 1–4 days depending on scope, scale, and number of sites.

Issuance & surveillance (year 1 → year 3)

Once Stage 2 findings (if any) are closed, your certificate is issued and your verification record goes live. Annual surveillance audits are scheduled at approximately the 12-month and 24-month marks. At year 3, a recertification audit renews the cycle.

What we need from you

A small commitment of time, not a takeover.

Successful certification depends on real engagement from your team. We won’t install a management system — we’ll help you build and document one. The work that makes it real lives with your operation.

  • A point of contact — usually an ops, QA, or compliance lead who owns coordination across the engagement.
  • Access to operations — we need to observe how the work is actually done, not just what the documentation says.
  • Honest input — the gap assessment is only useful if your team is candid about what’s in place and what’s not.
  • Time for implementation — typically a few hours per week from your point of contact and stakeholders, concentrated in the documentation phase.
  • Audit availability — for Stage 1 and Stage 2, key personnel need to be available for interviews and process observation.

Ready to begin?

Tell us about your operation. We’ll come back within one business day with scope, timeline, and quote.

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