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/Recert or both parts of Surveillance - 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. For second-party audits, the applicant must be an employee or contractor appointed by the company to audit their supplier’s facility. 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/Recert or both parts of Surveillance - 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. For second-party audits, the applicant must be an employee or contractor appointed by the company to audit their supplier’s facility. 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 or integrator organization, an ASD Prime Organization, or an ASD Regulatory Agency outside of the MRO context. 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”The following table defines the requirements for Level 2 auditors who wish to advance to Level 1 within their applicable authenticated standard:
| Requirement | Criteria |
|---|---|
| Audit Experience | 9100: Within the last 2 years, 100 on-site third-party AQMS audit days from qualifying* full AQMS audits, plus 5 QMS audit days in a lead role**. 9110: Five qualifying third-party 9110 full AQMS audits within the last 2 years. 9120: Three qualifying third-party 9120 full AQMS audits within the last 2 years. |
| Work Experience | N/A |
| ASD Industry Knowledge | Evidence of successfully achieving full-pass on the related IAQG ASD Knowledge Examination. (Temporarily paused until 2027 Authentication Year.) |
| Auditor Performance Management | No unresolved performance issues when operating with Level 2 authentication. |
| Additional Requirements | 9110/9120: Must already be authenticated to 9100 at Level 1 (Lead Auditor/Audit Team Leader) |
* Unless otherwise specified, qualifying audits may be either second-party or third-party. For second-party audits, the applicant must be an employee or contractor appointed by the company to audit their supplier’s facility, and audits must cover all AQMS/QMS requirements & processes. For third-party audits, the applicant must be an employee or contractor for an accredited Certification Body, and audits must be either Stage 2/Recert or both parts of Surveillance for the same supplier/facility.
** Any combination of QMS audit days in a lead role will be accepted to meet this requirement.
When advancing from Level 2 to Level 1, this will not change or extend the expiry date of the existing authentication, and so it will not impact the due date of the related Annual Maintenance Fee.
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.