Download letter from Certification Manager - IRCA

May 2013
Dear Auditor,
Many thanks for taking the time to download and read this letter. I am aware that
your time is valuable so I’ve kept this as brief as possible.
I would like to highlight a couple of points to you that I think will make the
application process easier for you.
All of the auditor certification criteria is contained within one document;
‘Requirements for Certification as an IRCA Auditor (All Schemes)’. This is quite a
large document however there is no need to be put off by this as we’ve made it
very easy and quick to navigate by hot-linking the contents page (click on any part
to be taken straight to the corresponding page).
The requirements document contains ‘generic criteria’ that are relevant to most
schemes, and an appendix with 14 scheme specific parts (one for each scheme)
that contain any scheme specific requirements. You must refer to the scheme
specific appendix for the schemes that you are applying, as well as the generic
criteria.
Another particularly important part of this document is the ‘Essential Guidance
for Application’ section (p. 9 – 15). Please spend some time looking though this
section, to help ensure that you avoid disappointment and do not fall short of the
requirements.
It is also important to note that IRCA have recently revised the certification
criteria and ‘Revision 1’ of the criteria is now being used (as of 03.06.2013).
With this revision there have been substantial changes in two key areas:
Principal Auditor
Continuing Professional Development
A summary of these changes can be found on the website in the ‘updates to
criteria section’.
There will be a one month transition period (ending 03.07.2013) during which
IRCA will accept applications that have been made using the previous version of
the criteria.

It is our belief that the changes made and the associated guidance is logical, and
supports the principles of sound decision making in the certification process.
If you’d like any more information about any of the guidance, or the certification
process, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We are always happy to answer any
questions. You can contact the certification team at registration@irca.org or +44
(0)20 7245 6833.
I hope you find the documentation helpful and supportive and I wish you the very
best in any applications you make.
Yours sincerely,
Max Linnemann
IRCA Certification Manager