New Authentication Application - Level Selection Guidance
IAQG Authentication offers both Level 1 (Audit Team Leader) and Level 2 (Audit Team Member) authentication, as explained in the Authentication Levels section. Applicants should select the level that matches their work and audit experience, along with their current level of Aviation, Space, and Defense (ASD) Industry Knowledge.
- Review Requirements by Authentication Level (IAQG Authentication Criteria)
- Review Requirements for 9104/3:2007 Grandfathering
This guide is to help applicants who may be unsure which level is most appropriate for them during their initial authentication application for each standard.
9100 & General Guide
Section titled “9100 & General Guide”Training Requirements
Section titled “Training Requirements”When applying for 9100 initial authentication, both Level 1 and Level 2 authentication impose the same baseline training requirements: successful completion of an IAQG-approved ASD Lead Auditor Course and the IAQG Auditor Authentication Course. IAQG Authentication will also accept a QMS (ISO 9001) Lead Auditor Course as an alternative to the ASD Lead Auditor for those who successfully complete the Aerospace Auditor Transition Training (AATT) during 2026.
When applying for 9100 initial authentication via grandfathering, both Level 1 and Level 2 authentication impose the same baseline training requirements: successful completion of the IAQG Aerospace Auditor Transition Training (AATT) course. This course, in turn, has a prerequisite for a QMS (ISO 9001) or AQMS auditor training course. As the AATT course will be considered automatically, you only need to upload the certificate for the QMS/AQMS auditor training course as part of the application process.
Work Experience
Section titled “Work Experience”When applying directly for 9100 Level 1 Authentication, applicants must demonstrate at least 5 years of qualifying full-time work experience within the ASD industry within the last 8 years. This work experience must be full-time employment or full-time contracting either from one of the following types of organizations:
- a major equipment manufacturer or integrator organization,
- an ASD Prime Organization, or
- an ASD Regulatory Agency outside of the Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) context.
Therefore, this limits initial Level 1 authentication to those who have significant recent work experience in major ASD organizations.
9100 Level 2 Authentication only requires 3 years of full-time work experience in any industry with a similar scope to the ASD industry. For example, this could be automotive, nuclear, maritime, medical devices, or other high risk safety critical industries. Level 2 authentication is thus achievable to a wider range of applicants.
In either case, applicants must demonstrate direct involvement in engineering, design, manufacturing, quality, or process control activities.
When applying directly for 9100 Level 1 Authentication via grandfathering, applicants have the choice of applying either via “Work Experience” or “Training/Witness Audits.” Either way still requires some degree of ASD work experience:
- Via Work Experience: At least 4 years of qualifying full-time work experience within the ASD industry within the last 10 years.
- Via Training/Witness Audits: At least 2 years of qualifying full-time work experience within the ASD industry within the last 15 years.
In order to qualify, this work experience must meet requirements of 9104/3:2007 clause 3.16, which includes a) requirements about the nature of the organization you worked for, and b) an expectation that applicants have either direct involvement or knowledge of aerospace industry specific aspects.
Acceptable types of ASD organizations:
- Major Airframe Manufacturer (equivalent to Major Equipment Manufacturer/Integrator Organization)
- Prime Supplier (equivalent to ASD Prime Organization)
- Auxiliary Equipment Supplier
- Appropriate official civil, military, or space organization.
If you did not work (or do not have sufficient work) for an organization in one of these categories, you will not be eligible for Level 1 authentication. In addition, if IAQG Authentication has reason to believe that your work experience does not demonstrate sufficient knowledge of industry specific aspects, you may be asked to provide additional supporting evidence or be deemed ineligible for Level 1 initial authentication.
You are expected to have direct involvement or knowledge of:
- 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
If you are applying for Level 2 authentication via grandfathering, IAQG does not impose any ASD-specific work experience requirements. However, you must either be a) QMS auditor by a nationally-recognized AAB or b) meet the education, training, work experience, and audit experience of ISO 19011. If you select the latter during your application, you will be asked to upload your relevant work experience. (See Additional Requirements section below.)
Audit Experience
Section titled “Audit Experience”Both Level 1 and Level 2 Authentication require 15 audit days in qualifying full QMS/AQMS second-party or QMS third-party audits within the last 2 years. However, 9100 Level 1 Authentication requires all this experience be in a Lead role. In either case, third-party audits must be either Stage 2, Recertification, or both parts of Surveillance (for the same organization and facility) to demonstrate coverage of the full QMS. Second-party audits must cover all AQMS/QMS requirements and processes, and applicants must be an employee or contractor appointed by a company to audit that company’s supplier facility.
Therefore, as it relates to Audit Experience, the only factor in deciding between Level 1 or Level 2 authentication is whether the applicant’s audits were conducted in a Lead Auditor role.
Both Level 1 and Level 2 Authentication require a minimum of 4 qualifying full QMS/AQMS audits for a total of at least 20 qualifying audit days. These must be full QMS/AQMS second-party or full QMS third-party audits within the last 3 years. Consult this FAQ for full guidance on what will be accepted. Note that applicants may not conduct third-party AQMS audits for which they are not yet authenticated.
In order to count as a “full audit” under grandfathering criteria, the audit must “include and demonstrate direct evaluation and acceptable auditing of all clauses of the standard.” At least two of these must include clause 8.3 Design & Development requirements.
If one or more audits does not demonstrate coverage of all clauses, you may submit additional supplemental audits that address any “gaps” in clause coverage. When doing so, you must also upload a completed Audit Clause Correlation Matrix Form.
ASD Industry Knowledge
Section titled “ASD Industry Knowledge”IAQG expects auditors applying for Level 1 Authentication to have a higher degree of ASD Industry Knowledge, reflecting their increased work and audit experience. Applicants for Level 1 will be required to achieve a higher degree of performance on the ASD Industry Knowledge Examination than those who apply for Level 2.
If applying for Level 1 via the grandfathered Training/Witness Audits application path, you must also successfully complete an approved aerospace industry specific course for 9100.
Additional 9104/3:2007 Grandfathering Requirements
Section titled “Additional 9104/3:2007 Grandfathering Requirements”Recognition Requirements
Section titled “Recognition Requirements”When applying via grandfathered criteria, applicants must select one of the following two options:
- Quality Management System (QMS) auditor by nationally-recognized AAB, OR
- Meets the education, training, work experience, and audit experience of ISO 19011.
Please review the FAQs at the links above for more details. In particular, please note that the “AAB recognition” path does NOT refer merely to a recognized training course, but an auditor recognition/certification program, that typically has both initial and ongoing eligibility criteria/requirements. If you are not a “certified” auditor in this way, select the ISO 19011 option and upload related education, training and work experience details.
Level 1 Training/Witness Audits Criteria
Section titled “Level 1 Training/Witness Audits Criteria”When choosing the Training/Witness Audits criteria, applicants must provide the following additional details:
- Evidence of completion of 2 full witness audits for the related standard meeting eligibility criteria
- Evidence of successful completion of an IAQG-recognized 9100 Industry Specific Knowledge course. (Review course requirements)
Review the FAQ on witness audits for full details on the nature of the audits to be conducted and the evidence to be submitted as part of the application.
You must already meet all aspects of the requirements prior to submitting your application, including prior completion of all witness audits.
Summary
Section titled “Summary”Under IAQG Authentication Criteria:
The Work Experience requirements are the most significant difference between initial applications for Level 1
and Level 2 Authentication, as Level 1 applicants need more, and more recent, experience within major ASD
organizations. Initial Level 1 applicants are also required to have Lead Auditor experience (not just audit experience),
and demonstrate a higher degree of ASD Industry Knowledge.
Under 9104/3:2007 Grandfathering Criteria:
Work experience requirements remain the most significant difference between application options, including between the
two variant options for Level 1 authentication. Grandfathering features a “middle-ground” option for Level 1 authentication
with the requirement for additional training and witness audits, but still requires 2 years of qualifying work experience.
While it may initially appear that the work experience requirements for Level 2 authentication are eliminated under
grandfathering criteria, the additional requirement for AAB auditor recognition or meeting ISO 19011 requirements still
necessitates some related work experience.
Choosing Application Criteria
Section titled “Choosing Application Criteria”For applicants unsure of which application criteria to choose, this depends primarily on the nature and extent of their work experience.
- Applicants with at least 5 years of non-MRO work experience within the last 8 years at a qualifying type of ASD organization, and whose audit experience is in a Lead role, may choose the Level 1 IAQG Authentication criteria.
- Applicants with a bit less qualifying ASD work experience (4 years in last 10), or who worked at an Auxiliary Equipment Supplier or at an official civil, military, or space organization, may consider Level 1 Grandfathering criteria based on Work Experience.
- Those with even less qualifying ASD work experience (2 years in last 15), may consider the Level 1 Grandfathering via Training/Witness Audits and supplement their work experience with the additional training and witnessed audits.
- Those who do not meet any of the above categories, may consider Level 2 authentication.
- Level 2 via IAQG Authentication requires 3 years of work experience in any industry with a similar scope as ASD.
- Level 2 via Grandfathering requires either AAB auditor recognition or meeting the requirements of ISO 19011.
Applicants who do not initially meet the Level 1 criteria may gain experience as a Level 2 auditor and later apply for Advancement.
9110 Guide
Section titled “9110 Guide”Prerequisites
Section titled “Prerequisites”All applicants for 9110 are required to already be actively authenticated to 9100. In addition, applicants cannot apply for a higher level of 9110 authentication than they already have for 9100.
| Level of 9100 Authentication | Possible 9110 Initial Authentication Options |
|---|---|
| 9100 Level 1 | Either 9110 Level 1 or 2, depending on other criteria |
| 9100 Level 2 | 9110 Level 2 |
Because of this prerequisite, all requirements listed above for 9100 apply automatically, and applicants for 9110 at either level will be considered to have already met the related 9100 requirements. When applying for 9110 Level 1 via 9104/3:2007 Grandfathering criteria, AQMS work experience requirements (as would have been evaluated for 9100 authentication) will be re-evaluated to confirm path eligibility.
Work Experience
Section titled “Work Experience”When applying directly for 9110 Level 1 authentication, applicants must demonstrate an additional 2 years of aviation maintenance work experience. This work experience must include direct involvement in all major aspects of MRO operations: overhauling, disassembling, inspecting, testing, replacing, rectifying defects, and installing modifications & repairs. This is in addition to the 5 years of qualifying non-MRO work experience within the past 8 years required for 9100 Level 1 Authentication (see explanation above). Therefore, direct applicants to 9110 Level 1 authentication must demonstrate significant and recent work experience in the ASD industry in both MRO and non-MRO contexts.
Meanwhile, 9110 Level 2 authentication does not require any particular MRO-related work experience; it requires the same 3 years of related work experience that applied to 9100 Level 2. Because there is no time restriction for this work experience, applicants for 9110 Level 2 could use the same work experience used to qualify for 9100 Level 2 previously.
When applying for 9110 Level 1 authentication via Work Experience, in addition to the 4 years of AQMS work experience noted for 9100, applicants must demonstrate an additional 2 years full time experience performing repair/maintenance in the last 4 years. Alternatively, if applicants with necessary AQMS experience do not have necessary MRO work experience, they may submit evidence of specific training in Repair/Maintenance.
Work experience or specific training should demonstrate 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
- aircraft marshalling techniques
If demonstrating this requirement via specific training, upload the related evidence on the Industry Knowledge application Step.
When applying for 9110 Level 1 authentication via Training/Witness Audits, repair/maintenance work experience is not required, but applicants must demonstrate 2 years of AQMS work experience, as noted for 9100, in addition to the other training/witness audit requirements noted below.
There are no work experience requirements when applying to 9110 Level 2 authentication via grandfathering.
Audit Experience
Section titled “Audit Experience”The 15 qualifying days of audit experience required for 9110 authentication does not need to be specific to MRO organizations, whether applying for Level 1 or Level 2 authentication. As with 9100, audit experience when applying for Level 1 must be in a Lead Auditor role, whereas Level 2 audit experience can be as an Audit Team Member.
Both Level 1 and Level 2 Authentication require a minimum of 4 qualifying full QMS/AQMS audits for a total of at least 20 qualifying audit days. These must be full QMS/AQMS second-party or full QMS/AQMS (e.g., 9100) third-party audits within the last 3 years. Consult this FAQ for full guidance on what will be accepted. Note that applicants may not conduct third-party AQMS audits for which they are not yet authenticated.
In order to count as a “full audit” under grandfathering criteria, the audit must “include and demonstrate direct evaluation and acceptable auditing of all clauses of the standard.” Audits submitted in 9110 applications do not necessarily need to include clause 8.3 Design & Development requirements.
If one or more audits does not demonstrate coverage of all clauses, you may submit additional supplemental audits that address any “gaps” in clause coverage. When doing so, you must also upload a completed Audit Clause Correlation Matrix Form.
MRO Industry Knowledge
Section titled “MRO Industry Knowledge”Aligned with the very high level of work experience expected of 9110 Level 1 applicants, IAQG requires a high level of Industry Knowledge for MRO-specific topics. This is in addition to the Industry Knowledge required for 9100 Level 1 authentication. Applicants must also successfully complete the IAQG-sanctioned 9110 AATT Online Component.
If applying for Level 1 via the grandfathered Training/Witness Audits application path, you must also successfully complete an approved aerospace industry specific course for 9110.
Additional 9104/3:2007 Grandfathering Requirements
Section titled “Additional 9104/3:2007 Grandfathering Requirements”Level 1 via Training/Witness Audits
Section titled “Level 1 via Training/Witness Audits”When choosing the Training/Witness Audits criteria, applicants must provide the following additional details:
- Evidence of completion of 2 full witness audits for the related standard meeting eligibility criteria
- Evidence of successful completion of an IAQG-recognized 9110 Industry Specific Knowledge course. (Review course requirements)
Review the FAQ on witness audits for full details on the nature of the audits to be conducted and the evidence to be submitted as part of the application.
You must already meet all aspects of the requirements prior to submitting your application, including prior completion of all witness audits.
Level 1 via Work Experience Criteria
Section titled “Level 1 via Work Experience Criteria”When applying for Level 1 authentication via Work Experience, in addition to the minimum 4 years of AQMS work experience, applicants may either:
- Submit evidence of 2 years of full time experience performing repair/maintenance in the last four years, OR
- Submit evidence of successful completion of specific training in Repair/Maintenace.
Applicants who choose the latter option must submit related evidence in the “Industry Knowledge” application step.
Summary
Section titled “Summary”Only those with extensive recent MRO work experience, covering the full range of MRO operations, should consider applying directly for 9110 Level 1 Authentication. For all other applicants, 9110 Level 2 is recommended, with the possibility of Advancement after gaining more 9110 audit experience as an Audit Team Member.
As 9104/3:2007 grandfathering application for Level 1 also evaluates AQMS work experience requirements (like what was previously evaluated for 9100 authentication), there are essentially four options for 9110 Level 1 Authentication related to work experience:
- 4 years of qualifying AQMS work experience within 10 + 2 years MRO work experience within 4 = Grandfathering 9110 Level 1 via Work Experience
- 4 years of qualifying AQMS work experience within 10 + specific training in Repair/Maintenance = Grandfathering 9110 Level 1 via Work Experience
- 2 years of qualifying AQMS work experience within 10 + Industry Specific Repair/Maintenance Training Course + 2x Witness Audits = Grandfathering 9110 Level 1 via Training/Witness Audits
- 2 years qualifying MRO work experience within 5 = IAQG Authentication 9110 Level 1 Criteria
Applicants should review the work experience and other criteria carefully to consider which application path makes most sense for them.
9120 Guide
Section titled “9120 Guide”Prerequisites
Section titled “Prerequisites”All applicants for 9120 are required to already be actively authenticated to 9100. In addition, applicants cannot apply for a higher level of 9120 authentication than they already have for 9100.
| Level of 9100 Authentication | Possible 9120 Initial Authentication Options |
|---|---|
| 9100 Level 1 | Either 9120 Level 1 or 2, depending on other criteria |
| 9100 Level 2 | 9120 Level 2 |
Because of this prerequisite, all requirements listed above for 9100 apply automatically, and applicants for 9120 at either level will be considered to have already met the related 9100 requirements. When applying for 9120 Level 1 via 9104/3:2007 Grandfathering criteria, AQMS work experience requirements (as would have been evaluated for 9100 authentication) will be re-evaluated to confirm path eligibility.
Work Experience
Section titled “Work Experience”IAQG Authentication does not impose any additional or distributor-specific work experience requirements at either level of 9120 authentication, and work experience submitted during 9100 authentication will not require re-verification. When applying for 9120 following IAQG Authentication Criteria, the Work Experience section will not be shown in the application.
Although 9104/3:2007 grandfathering criteria for 9120 do not impose any additional distributor-specific work experience requirements, when applying for 9120 Level 1 authentication, AQMS work experience will be re-evaluated to determine path eligibility. The same criteria previously explained for 9100 apply to this AQMS work experience.
Audit Experience
Section titled “Audit Experience”The audit experience required for 9120 authentication does not need to be specific to distributors, whether applying for Level 1 or Level 2 authentication. As with 9100, audit experience when applying for Level 1 must be in a Lead Auditor role, whereas Level 2 audit experience can be as an Audit Team Member.
Both Level 1 and Level 2 Authentication require a minimum of 4 qualifying full QMS/AQMS audits for a total of at least 20 qualifying audit days. These must be full QMS/AQMS second-party or full QMS/AQMS (e.g., 9100) third-party audits within the last 3 years. Consult this FAQ for full guidance on what will be accepted. Note that applicants may not conduct third-party AQMS audits for which they are not yet authenticated.
In order to count as a “full audit” under grandfathering criteria, the audit must “include and demonstrate direct evaluation and acceptable auditing of all clauses of the standard.” Audits submitted in 9120 applications do not necessarily need to include clause 8.3 Design & Development requirements.
If one or more audits does not demonstrate coverage of all clauses, you may submit additional supplemental audits that address any “gaps” in clause coverage. When doing so, you must also upload a completed Audit Clause Correlation Matrix Form.
Distributor Industry Knowledge
Section titled “Distributor Industry Knowledge”Applicants for 9120 Level 1 Authentication are required to demonstrate a higher level of industry knowledge for distributor-specific topics than those who apply for 9120 Level 2. This is in addition to the Industry Knowledge required for 9100 Level 1 authentication. Applicants must also successfully complete the IAQG-sanctioned 9120 AATT Online Component.
If applying for Level 1 via the grandfathered Training/Witness Audits application path, you must also successfully complete an approved aerospace industry specific course for 9100. (NOTE: There is not a course specific to 9120.)
Additional 9104/3:2007 Grandfathering Requirements
Section titled “Additional 9104/3:2007 Grandfathering Requirements”Level 1 via Training/Witness Audits
Section titled “Level 1 via Training/Witness Audits”When choosing the Training/Witness Audits criteria, applicants must provide the following additional details:
- Evidence of completion of 2 full witness audits for either 9100 or 9110 meeting eligibility criteria. (These may be second-party audits, or third-party audits for an AQMS standard for which the auditor is already authenticated.)
- Evidence of successful completion of an IAQG-recognized 9100 Industry Specific Knowledge course. (Review course requirements)
NOTE: There is not an IAQG-recognized Industry Specific Knowledge course specific to 9120. If applicants already completed the course previously for 9100 authentication, the same evidence of successful completion may be used for 9120.
Review the FAQ on witness audits for full details on the nature of the audits to be conducted and the evidence to be submitted as part of the application.
You must already meet all aspects of the requirements prior to submitting your application, including prior completion of all witness audits.
Summary
Section titled “Summary”IAQG Authentication does not impose any additional 9120-specific requirements for either Level 1 or Level 2 authentication, besides the distributor-specific ASD Industry Knowledge requirement andt the IAQG-sanctioned 9120 Auditor Authentication Course. Therefore, applicants who already achieved 9100 Level 1 Authentication and meet the knowledge/training requirements could apply directly for 9120 Level 1 Authentication if their qualifying work experience is within the required timeframe. Otherwise, applicants choosing 9120 Level 2 Authentication may consider Advancement after gaining more 9120 audit experience as an Audit Team Member.