Ongoing Authentication

IAQG Authentication operates using an “ongoing authentication” model, which differs slightly from the previous three-year authentication cycle. With ongoing authentication, auditors will remain authenticated “indefinitely” provided they continue to meet all requirements imposed by the IAQG.

Ongoing authentication will include both recurring requirements (to be performed annually) and special one-time requirements.

• Examples of recurring (annual) requirements:
  • Minimal audit days performed for each authenticated standard
  • Minimal Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours achieved (that meet applicable requirements)
  • Payment of the Annual Maintenance Fee (for each authenticated standard)
• Examples of special one-time requirements:
  • Training or examination tasks tied to new or changed standards or requirements
  • Other special requirements to be determined by IAQG

Timing for recurring audit and CPD requirements will be aligned for all auditors according to the “Authentication Year,” which will run annually from 1 July of a given year to 30 June of the subsequent year. In addition, online reporting will occur on an ongoing basis, without requiring a formal application. Auditors authenticated to multiple standards are not required to submit reports or application forms at different times each year. The online reporting system will track progress towards annual objectives and provide reminders if an auditor is nearing the end of the Authentication Year and is below expected thresholds. The authenticated auditor will have three months after the beginning of the next Authentication Year to amend their record for the previous year.

Caution

IMPORTANT NOTE: The recurring requirements for audit day completion and Continuing Professional Development have been temporarily paused, and will not apply until the beginning of the 2027 Authentication Year (starting July 2027). IAQG Authentication will also allow auditors to count audit days and CPD hours performed between June 2026 and June 2027 towards the 2027 Authentication Year requirements. Specific details, including audit day and CPD hour thresholds and related reporting procedures, will be announced in Q2 2027.

Annual Maintenance Fee payments are due on the anniversary of each authentication’s expiry date. If an auditor is authenticated to multiple standards, fees may be due at different times of the year, depending on the expiry date of each authentication.

When the IAQG imposes special one-time requirements, the announcement will include the timeframe for completion. If the IAQG releases a new version of a standard, it may designate a transition timeframe to complete any related transition training or examination requirements in order to maintain ongoing authentication. A special one-time requirement could apply to individual authentications (e.g., 9100, 9110, or 9120) or to overall authentication status (e.g., common/shared requirements like 9101 or 9104/1). When these requirements involve training or examinations completed online through the IAQG Training & Authentication Dashboard, the corresponding CPD hours will be added to the Ongoing Authentication Tracker automatically and will count towards regular CPD requirements within the relevant authentication year.

Annual Maintenance Fee Pricing Schedule

Type of Authentication	Applicable Annual Maintenance Fee (as of June 2026)
9100 (Level 1 or 2)	$325 USD
9110 (Level 1 or 2)	$200 USD
9120 (Level 1 or 2)	$200 USD

Prices are subject to change. All fees are in USD; payments might be converted to local currency by the payer’s bank or credit card provider at the current applicable exchange rates, including any provider-imposed fees. The price of each item or service does not include any taxes or fees. The customer is responsible for any bank fees, transfer fees, or taxes incurred when remitting payment.

IAQG Authentication will issue an invoice 60 days prior to the authentication expiry date, which the auditor can retrieve and optionally pay online through the IAQG Training & Authentication Dashboard. When the auditor opts into auto-payment, IAQG Authentication will attempt to charge the credit card on file 30 days prior to the due date. If auto-payment fails, the auditor will have the opportunity to update card information or choose a different payment method prior to the deadline.

IAQG Authentication must receive payment in advance of the expiry date for each authentication. (For payments by bank or wire transfer, please send well in advance to avoid unexpected delays.) If fees are not paid by the applicable deadline, the IAQG Authentication system will automatically deactivate the applicable authentication in OASIS and CBs will no longer be able to schedule the auditor to any further audits for that standard. If payment is not received by the deadline, the auditor may submit payment along with a $100 USD Authentication Reactivation Fee up to six months after the expiry date. (When received late, the fee will only cover the remainder of the original yearly cycle; it will not reset the yearly cycle or timing.)

Review our Purchase and Refund Policy to learn more.

Auditor performance and investigation

IAQG will monitor auditor performance characteristics via audit data submitted in OASIS and reports or feedback from related parties. The IAQG will disclose what it chooses to measure and any applicable minimal performance criteria. IAQG requires all CBs to monitor the achievement of IAQG-designated metrics and implement Performance Improvement Plans as needed to ensure that all auditors meet IAQG targets and achieve industry-intended results. CBs are required to notify IAQG Authentication when any Performance Improvement Plans fail to meet their intended objectives, including if these result in termination of employment or contract. Depending on the circumstances, this information could adversely affect existing authentications or the ability to apply for new authentications within the IAQG scheme.

IAQG Authentication may be asked to assist in reviewing auditor performance according to IAQG-established criteria, and to provide any necessary audit activity and performance information to relevant interested parties in accordance with IAQG scheme requirements and in compliance with applicable laws. IAQG Authentication may also conduct or participate in investigations in response to these metrics or in response to feedback or complaints from impacted stakeholders.

As an auditor authenticated by IAQG Authentication, you acknowledge that:

1. IAQG Authentication will review audit performance in accordance with IAQG-designated criteria,
2. minimal necessary information about audits and audit performance metrics may be shared with IAQG-approved interested parties as needed,
3. cooperation with any efforts by IAQG Authentication (and other IAQG-authorized parties) to investigate or remediate any identified concerns or issues is required, and
4. failure to achieve performance objectives or to cooperate with performance improvement plans may affect existing and future authentications with IAQG Authentication, up to and including termination.