What is the use of the ViaSyst QMS auditor exam ?
Which competences are assessed during the exam ?
What are the prerequisites of the exam and how to prepare it ?
How is the exam organised ?
What is the scope of the exam ?
Is the exam recognised ?
Where and when the next exam sessions will be held?
How much does the exam cost and where can I apply?

What is the use of the ViaSyst ISO 9001 auditor exam?
Auditor competence is one of the main factors influencing confidence in the ISO 9001 certification. As well accreditation standards as clients become more and more demanding on this issue.
Certification bodies therefore seek or develop means to manage and assure the auditor's competence.
Competence exams and personal certification are part of these means.
The ViaSyst QMS auditor exam has been especially developed to meet the requirements of the ISO 17021 standard.
Various certification bodies also recognize and use this exam as part of the qualification procedure of their auditors.

Which competences are assessed during the exam ?
The competences required for a QMS auditor are defined by the ISO 17021 standard:
a) Knowledge of business management practices
b) Knowledge of audit principles, practices and techniques & Audit management skills
c) Knowledge of specific management system standards/normative documents
d) Language skills appropriate to all levels within the client organization
e) Note-taking and report writing skills
The ViaSyst QMS auditor exam is targeted on these key competences.

What are the prerequisites of the exam and how to prepare it ?
The ViaSyst QMS auditor exam is open to all interested candidates, without any prerequisite means to acquire the required competences.
Any training and experience prerequisite required by the various accredited management systems certification schemes are not managed by ViaSyst, whose exams focus solely on the competence assessment of the candidate.
Depending on the considered competence specification, it is strongly recommended to revise prior the exam one's own knowledge on the following topics:

• ISO 9001
• Management systems
• Audit principles, procedures and techniques

The distance learning courses offered by ViaSyst on these topics can help prepare course, but are by no means a prerequisite.

How is the exam organised ?
The ViaSyst QMS auditor exam takes place in-class, under the supervision of a neutral supervisor, in a place held by ViaSyst.
The exam is divided into 3 sessions:
1. QCM (1.5 hour)
2. Audit findings (1 hour)
3. Case study (1.5 hour)
The exam questions and case studies are provided on paper, as well as copies of applicable standards, if necessary (ISO 9001 in this specific case). These papers are taken back at the end of the session.
The candidate responds to the exam questions and case studies on electronic forms via the computer workstation available to him.
Access to any other web page as the exam form is prohibited. Any violation is punishable.
The ViaSyst Competence Exam Regulation applies in any case. By applying, the candidate is deemed to have read the regulation and accept it.

What is the scope of the exam ?
The ViaSyst QMS auditor exam addresses auditors who might be involved in all sectors where the ISO 9001 certification is applicable.
Thus, it focuses on "generic" issues and cases. In any case, it cannot be considered as an appropriate sector-specific test of knowledge (e.g. Technology).
However, it is natural that questions, findings or case studies of the exam have a specific connotation in a given sector of the food chain. This is justified by various reasons, which may in no case be invoked as a cause of failure:
- the exam focuses on the principles (e.g. audit methodology, competence management, management system), not on the specifics of their application,
- in this way, the exam focuses on key competences that an auditor must have:
a) a general culture enabling him to find his bearings in all circumstances,
b) the ability to apply the principles and methods that he controls in an unknown context - and in a limited time
- even if he will work on a limited scope, an auditor needs to have some general education and can not afford to ignore knowledge potentially related to his scope of choice.

Is the exam recognised ?
Various certification bodies also recognise and use this exam as part of the qualification procedure of their auditors.

Where and when the next exam sessions will be held?
Candidates may attend the ViaSyst QMS auditor exam in the following countries:

• South Africa (Johannesburg)
• Belgium (Liège)
• Canada (Ottawa)
• Ivory Coast (Abidjan)
• France (Paris, Rennes)
• Hungary (Budapest)
• Ireland (Dublin)
• Mexico (Mexico)
• Sweden (Göteborg)
• Switzerland (Bern / Fribourg)
• Tunisia (Tunis)

Other countries may be offered, from a minimum of 10 candidates in the country.
The dates are open, upon reasonable organisation time of 4 to 6 weeks maximum.

How much does the exam cost and where can I apply?
The cost of the ViaSyst QMS auditor exam is structured as follows:

• Initial application / keeping records (first year only) 100 €
• Competence exam and certification (certificate valid for 3 years) 750 €

Application is here .