Grandfathering based on 9104/3:2007
Grandfathering Opportunity for Auditor Authentication
Section titled “Grandfathering Opportunity for Auditor Authentication”In response to auditor and stakeholder feedback resulting from Resolution 176, IAQG Authentication will offer a time-limited opportunity for auditors to apply for authentication using the criteria outlined below.
This is intended to support auditors who were working toward an application prior to the IAQG Authentication launch.
Application Period
Section titled “Application Period”The grandfathering application process is scheduled to open in late October 2026 and remain available through January 14, 2027.
During this limited period, eligible auditors may apply using either:
- The time-limited criteria derived from 9104/3:2007, as outlined below
- The current IAQG Authentication criteria
The same $500 USD application fee applies to all new applications, regardless of the criteria selected.
The information below is provided to help review the requirements in advance. Applications under the grandfathered criteria cannot be submitted until the application period opens.
Level 2 Authentication based on 9104/3:2007 Criteria
Section titled “Level 2 Authentication based on 9104/3:2007 Criteria”| Requirement | Criteria |
|---|---|
| Baseline Training | Successful completion of the IAQG Auditor Authentication Transition Training (AATT) course for the related standard. |
| Audit Experience | 4 full QMS or AQMS audits conducted for a total of 20 audit person days within the past 3 years. Only 2nd or 3rd party audits shall be considered. |
| Work Experience | Not required |
| ASD Industry Knowledge | Not required |
| Additional Requirements | Quality Management System (QMS) auditor by nationally-recognized AAB or meet the education, training, work experience, and audit experience of ISO 19011. |
Level 1 Authentication based on 9104/3:2007 Criteria
Section titled “Level 1 Authentication based on 9104/3:2007 Criteria”Criteria based on Work Experience
Section titled “Criteria based on Work Experience”| Requirement | Criteria |
|---|---|
| Baseline Training | Successful completion of the IAQG Auditor Authentication Transition Training (AATT) course for the related standard. |
| Audit Experience | 4 full QMS or AQMS audits conducted for a total of 20 audit person days within the past 3 years. Only 2nd or 3rd party audits shall be considered. |
| Work Experience | 4 years of AQMS work experience* within the past 10 years. (9110: In addition, 2 years full time experience performing repair/maintenance in the last 4 years; or Specific training in Repair/Maintenance.) |
| ASD Industry Knowledge | Not required |
| Additional Requirements | Quality Management System (QMS) auditor by nationally-recognized AAB or meet the education, training, work experience, and audit experience of ISO 19011. |
* AQMS Work Experience must meet the definition in 9104/3:2007 clause 3.16.
Criteria based on Training/Witness Audits
Section titled “Criteria based on Training/Witness Audits”| Requirement | Criteria |
|---|---|
| Baseline Training | Successful completion of the IAQG Auditor Authentication Transition Training (AATT) course for the related standard. |
| Audit Experience | 4 full QMS or AQMS audits conducted for a total of 20 audit person days within the past 3 years. Only 2nd or 3rd party audits shall be considered. |
| Work Experience | 2 years of AQMS work experience* within the past 15 years. |
| ASD Industry Knowledge | Successful completion of an approved aerospace industry specific course appropriate to the related standard. |
| Additional Requirements | Quality Management System (QMS) auditor by nationally-recognized AAB or meet the education, training, work experience, and audit experience of ISO 19011. Successful completion of 2 full audits witnessed by an authenticated Level 1 auditor for the related standard authenticated based on work experience or the current IAQG Authentication criteria. The witnessing auditor shall not perform the audit as a member of the assessment team. (9120: Witnessed audits may be for 9100 or 9110.) |
* AQMS Work Experience must meet the definition in 9104/3:2007 clause 3.16.
Current IAQG Authentication Applicants
Section titled “Current IAQG Authentication Applicants”Auditors who have already started an application under the current IAQG Authentication criteria and wish to apply under the grandfathered criteria may contact IAQG Authentication to request that the existing application be temporarily withdrawn.
Applicants who have already paid the application fee may reapply under the time-limited grandfathered pathway at no additional cost.
Auditors Who Completed Existing Auditor Recognition
Section titled “Auditors Who Completed Existing Auditor Recognition”Auditors who have completed Existing Auditor Recognition with IAQG Authentication are not required to take any action. This activity applies only if they wish to pursue a new authentication using the time-limited criteria described on this page.
Update on Level 2 to Level 1 Advancement
Section titled “Update on Level 2 to Level 1 Advancement”Because IAQG Authentication is offering this grandfathering application option, the previously announced Advancement application option will move to the 2027 timeframe.
Beginning in late October 2026, authenticated Level 2 auditors who wish to achieve Level 1 Authentication may submit a new application using either:
- The current IAQG Authentication criteria
- The time-limited criteria derived from 9104/3:2007
IAQG Authentication will communicate the revised launch timeframe and additional information about the Advancement option at a later date.
Prepare in Advance
Section titled “Prepare in Advance”Auditors interested in this opportunity are encouraged to review the criteria carefully and begin gathering the documentation needed to demonstrate that the applicable requirements have been met.
Clarifications & FAQs
Section titled “Clarifications & FAQs”What are the AQMS work experience requirements in 9104/3:2007 clause 3.16?
Section titled “What are the AQMS work experience requirements in 9104/3:2007 clause 3.16?”“Full-time work experience in the aerospace industry directly involved in engineering, design, manufacturing, quality, or process control for a major airframe manufacturer, prime supplier, auxiliary equipment supplier and/or appropriate official civil, military, or space organization, such as, National Aviation Authorities (NAA), domestic Space Agency (e.g., European Space Agency [ESA], National Aeronautics and Space Administration [NASA], Canadian Space Agency [CSA]), Ministry of Defense (MoD).
“This work experience should have included direct involvement and/or knowledge of aerospace industry specific aspects (e.g., aerospace industry quality, regulatory and/or military aerospace requirements, first article inspection, airworthiness and safety requirements, aerospace material traceability requirements, aerospace sub-contractor approval and control, variation management of key characteristics, flow-down of AQMS requirements, Foreign Object Damage/Debris (FOD) prevention program, use of customer supplied products, calibration controls and positive recall system, acceptance authority media, nonconforming material management, sampling inspection/statistical process control requirements and limitations, special processes, configuration management/requirements control, manufacturing techniques, tool control, design development verification and validation).
“In addition for maintenance, this work experience should have included direct involvement and/or knowledge of maintenance regulations (e.g., European Aviation Safety Agency [EASA]/Federal Aviation Regulations [FAR] 145/147, EASA part M), return to service processes, flight test, functional checks prior to flight, weight and balance, wing walking, or aircraft marshalling techniques.”