Overview of IAQG Authentication

IAQG Authentication is a program managed by IAQG that ensures auditors conducting certification audits in the aviation, space, and defense industries meet consistent, globally aligned standards. By adopting a centrally managed approach, IAQG reduces variability across regional processes and promotes a more uniform interpretation of standards that continues to elevate confidence in the IAQG Certification Scheme worldwide.

Authentication levels

IAQG Authentication uses a tiered system to denote types of auditor authentication across first-party, second-party, and third-party audit scenarios within the ASD industry. Auditors at lower “levels” of authentication will generally have a path to “advance” to higher levels. IAQG Authentication may not offer authentication or advancement programs at all levels.

Authentication Level	Classification	Eligible for Recognition (if applicable)
Level 1	Authenticated ASD Third-Party Lead Auditor/Audit Team Leader	Aerospace Experience(d) Auditor from 9104/3:2007
Level 2	Authenticated ASD Third-Party Audit Team Member	Aerospace Auditor from 9104/3:2007
Level 3*	ASD Supplier (Second-Party) Auditor	N/A
Level 4*	ASD Internal (First-Party) Lead Auditor/Audit Team Leader	N/A
Level 5*	ASD Internal (First-Party) Audit Team Member	N/A

* Programs not offered by IAQG Authentication at this time. Additional levels may be added, or definitions of currently unoffered levels may be changed in the future.

Applicable standards

IAQG Authentication supports authentication to multiple standards recognized by the IAQG.

Standard	Title
9100	Quality Management Systems – Requirements for Aviation, Space, and Defense Organizations
9110	Quality Management Systems – Requirements for Aviation Maintenance Organizations
9120	Quality Management Systems – Requirements for Aviation, Space, and Defense Distributors
9150 (future)	Foundational Quality Management System Standard (Working Title)

Publication names and identifiers for standards may vary according by market. Additional AQMS or other standards may be added in the future.

For each standard, auditors can be authenticated at one Authentication Level at a given time if they apply and meet the eligibility criteria described in this document. For example, an auditor could attain both a Level 1 9100 Authentication and a Level 2 9120 Authentication.

For Level 1 or Level 2 authentication (IAQG-recognized third-party auditors), IAQG requires authentication to 9100 as a minimum, with the option to add additional authentications to other standards. When auditors apply for additional authentications, the level of authentication cannot exceed the Authentication Level for 9100. Specifically:

• Auditors with Level 2 (”Third-Party Audit Team Member”) authentication to 9100 are eligible to apply for Level 2 authentication to other AQMS standards if they meet the respective eligibility criteria.
• Auditors with Level 1 (”Third-Party Lead Auditor”) authentication to 9100 are eligible to apply for either Level 1 or Level 2 authentication to other AQMS standards, depending on their meeting the relevant eligibility criteria.

Actively authenticated Level 1 or Level 2 9100 auditors seeking authentication to additional AQMS standards may, unless otherwise indicated, use work experience from their initial 9100 authentication to meet the work experience requirements for the additional AQMS standards.

IAQG will determine which revisions of standards are eligible for authentication and the timing for retiring inactive standard revisions, including any criteria for currently authenticated auditors to transition to superseding revisions as part of the Ongoing Authentication process.

Achieving and maintaining authentication

Effective early-September 2026, only those auditors authenticated by IAQG Authentication as Level 1 or Level 2 auditors will be eligible to conduct IAQG third-party audits and enter audits in OASIS. Auditors can only be scheduled for audits in OASIS according to the standard(s) and respective Auditor Level for which they are authenticated.

Auditors who wish to achieve authentication must apply with IAQG Authentication and meet the related qualification requirements, as outlined in this document.

Recognized IAQG Authentication auditors must:

1. Adhere to all relevant standards/requirements, including (as applicable) 9104/1, 9101, and any ICOT Resolutions.
2. Adhere to the IAQG Authentication Code of Conduct.
3. Fully cooperate with any performance investigations conducted by IAQG and related stakeholders.
4. Meet all necessary Ongoing Authentication Requirements. This may include:
   1. Achievement of annual CPD and audit experience hours (as required)
   2. Applicable sanctioned training or examination requirements (as required)
   3. Payment of applicable Annual Fees
   4. Other ongoing requirements as deemed necessary by the IAQG.

If authenticated to multiple standards, some ongoing authentication requirements may apply separately for each standard, while others may be universal for all authenticated standards. See Ongoing authentication for more information.