Requirements by Application Type
This page defines third-party auditor authentication requirements based on the authentication level.
The requirements in this document apply to new/initial authentication applications and advancement. Existing Auditor Recognition is described separately.
Level 2 initial auditor authentication requirements
Section titled “Level 2 initial auditor authentication requirements”The following table defines the requirements for applying for initial authentication at Auditor Level 2 (third-party audit team member):
| Requirement | Criteria |
|---|---|
| Baseline Training | 9100: Evidence of passing an IAQG-approved ASD Lead Auditor Course* and IAQG Auditor Authentication Course, including any applicable examinations. 9110/9120: IAQG-sanctioned standard-specific online training and examinations apply. |
| Audit Experience | 15 audit days in qualifying** full QMS audits within the preceding 2 years - If 3rd Party: Stage 2/Recertification or both parts of Surveillance for the same supplier/facility within the same certification cycle - If 2nd Party: Covering all AQMS/QMS requirements & processes |
| Work Experience | 3 years related work experience*** |
| ASD Industry Knowledge | Successfully achieve a minimal pass grade on the related IAQG ASD Knowledge Examination. (Temporarily paused until 2027 Authentication Year.) |
| Additional Requirements | 9110/9120: Must already be authenticated to 9100 |
* To support an effective transition, evidence of successful ISO 9001 (QMS) Lead Auditor course completion will also be accepted for applicants who attend and pass the Aerospace Auditor Transition Training (AATT) course in 2026. See Training FAQs.
** Qualifying audits may be either second-party or third-party. See clarification below for second-party audits. For third-party audits, the applicant must be an employee or contractor for an accredited Certification Body. At least one of the provided audits must include Clause 8.3 Design & Development requirements.
*** Related work experience must be full-time employment or full-time contracting in scopes of work similar to the ASD industry. This could include automotive, nuclear, maritime, medical devices, or other high risk, safety critical industries. Applicants must demonstrate direct involvement in engineering, design, manufacturing, quality, or process control activities.
Level 1 initial auditor authentication requirements
Section titled “Level 1 initial auditor authentication requirements”The following table defines the requirements for applying for initial authentication at Auditor Level 1 (third-party lead auditor/audit team leader):
| Requirement | Criteria |
|---|---|
| Baseline Training | 9100: Evidence of passing an IAQG-approved ASD Lead Auditor Course* and IAQG Auditor Authentication Course, including any applicable examinations. 9110/9120: IAQG-sanctioned standard-specific online training and examinations apply. |
| Audit Experience | 15 audit days in qualifying** full QMS audits within the preceding 2 years in a lead role - If 3rd Party: Stage 2/Recertification or both parts of Surveillance for the same supplier/facility within the same certification cycle - If 2nd Party: Covering all AQMS/QMS requirements & processes |
| Work Experience | 5 years of non-MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) ASD work experience within past 8 years*** (9110: Plus, 2 years of aviation maintenance work experience within last 5 years) |
| ASD Industry Knowledge | Successfully achieve a full pass grade on the related IAQG ASD Knowledge Examination. (Temporarily paused until 2027 Authentication Year.) |
| Additional Requirements | 9110/9120: Must already be authenticated to 9100 at Level 1 (Lead Auditor/Audit Team Leader) |
* To support an effective transition, evidence of successful ISO 9001 (QMS) Lead Auditor course completion will also be accepted for applicants who attend and pass the Aerospace Auditor Transition Training (AATT) course in 2026. See Training FAQs
** Qualifying audits may be either second-party or third-party. See clarification below for second-party audits. For third-party audits, the applicant must be an employee or contractor for an accredited Certification Body. At least one of the provided audits must include Clause 8.3 Design & Development requirements.
*** Recognized “non-MRO ASD work experience” must be full-time employment or full-time contracting either from a major equipment manufacturer organization or major equipment integrator organization, an ASD Prime Organization, or an ASD Regulatory Agency outside of the MRO context. (See clarifications below.) Applicants must demonstrate direct involvement in engineering, design, manufacturing, quality, or process control activities.
In addition, those applying for 9110 Level 1 authentication must demonstrate an additional 2 years of ASD maintenance work experience (not counted in the 5 years of non-MRO work experience). This work must be full-time employment or full-time contracting within an MRO organization authorized by a civil or military aviation authority, and experience must include direct involvement in all key aspects of aviation maintenance and repair (specifically: overhauling, disassembling, inspecting, testing, replacing, rectifying defects, and installing modifications & repairs).
Those who do not have the necessary industry experience in one of these types of organizations may apply for a Level 2 Auditor (Team Member) authentication and later pursue advancement to demonstrate this requirement in another way.
Requirements for advancement from Level 2 to Level 1
Section titled “Requirements for advancement from Level 2 to Level 1”Clarifications & FAQs
Section titled “Clarifications & FAQs”This section clarifies the above requirements based on questions received from current and prospective auditors. See also the Application Help & Guidance section.
What time period does IAQG allow for requirements “within the last/preceding X years”?
Section titled “What time period does IAQG allow for requirements “within the last/preceding X years”?”This will be calculated based on the number of months prior to the application date, plus any experience within the application month. See the following example:
Example Requirement: “Within the preceding 2 years”
Example Application Date: 15 November 2026
Permissible Experience Period: October 2024 to 15 November 2026 (the 24 preceding months, and whatever has passed in the application month)
How many Design & Development (Clause 8.3) exclusions are permitted in the listed audit experience?
Section titled “How many Design & Development (Clause 8.3) exclusions are permitted in the listed audit experience?”At least one of the audit entries provided on the application must include Clause 8.3 Design & Development requirements.
What will be accepted for second party audits?
Section titled “What will be accepted for second party audits?”Second party audits are those conducted by parties having an interest in the organization, such as customer or supplier audits. A second party audit may also be an entirely independent party or external entity (consultant) that has no direct stake in the management of an organization’s QMS.
What is meant by a “Major Equipment Manufacturer Organization” or “Major Equipment Integrator Organization”?
Section titled “What is meant by a “Major Equipment Manufacturer Organization” or “Major Equipment Integrator Organization”?”Organizations that design, produce, and deliver complete vehicles or systems for use in Aviation, Space, and Defense applications. Examples of related ASD applications include, but are not limited to: aircraft, ships, submarines, major weapon systems, launchers, spacecraft, etc.
NOTE: This definition is the same for both “Manufacturer” and “Integrator”; the distinction is only because some ASD organizations at the top of the supply chain do not technically “manufacture” anything directly, but assemble/“integrate” major assemblies produced by ASD Prime Organizations. Either way, this definition is referring to those organizations at the top of the ASD supply chain who design, produce, and deliver complete vehicles or systems.
What is meant by an “ASD Prime Organization”?
Section titled “What is meant by an “ASD Prime Organization”?”Organizations that design and/or produce major assemblies, major subassemblies, or major components of an end-item in ASD applications. Examples of related items include, but are not limited to: cabins, wings, fuselages, propulsion systems, control systems, health monitoring systems, ordnance management systems, radar systems, emergency/backup systems, etc.
NOTE: Compared to the definition of “Major Equipment Manufacturer Organization” and “Major Equipment Integrator Organization” above, you can consider this one tier below on the ASD supply chain. This definition does NOT include subtier suppliers or organizations who provide supporting services; the organization must design and/or produce a major item, as listed above.