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ISO 17025 Lead Assessor Course

Plan and conduct assessments of testing and calibration laboratories, evaluate evidence and follow up findings on laboratory competence, traceability and reliable results.

  • Practical, standards-based professional learning
  • Assessment and verifiable Cognicert certification
  • Flexible online, self-study and organisational delivery

Is this the right course for you?

What you will work on

Who this course is for
• Persons responsible for conducting internal and external audits according to ISO 17025:2017 requirements • Persons involved in the Laboratory management systems ISO 17025:2017

Entry, exam and access at a glance

Prerequisites

Entry requirements depend on the course and level. Review the course-specific requirements and prior knowledge listed below.

Exam and resits

100 questions in one hour. Pass mark: 70%. Your payment includes two exam attempts. A third or later attempt costs £100 per resit.

Platform-wide pass rate: 87% across all examined trainees, based on Cognicert’s exam-platform results. This is not a course-specific pass rate or a guarantee of an individual result.

Self-study access

Lifetime access for the enrolled learner. Access is personal and cannot be shared.

Overview

Plan and conduct assessments of testing and calibration laboratories, evaluate evidence and follow up findings on laboratory competence, traceability and reliable results.

Work through laboratory competence, traceability and reliable results and connect them to the responsibilities of your audit or assessment role. The detailed programme explains the methods and activities covered.

Objectives
The “ISO 17025:2017 Lead Assessor” course provides comprehensive training in
  • Learn how to audit each and every ISO 17025: 2017 and ISO 17011 requirements
  • Learn basic auditing skills;
  • Implement methods to comply with the ISO 17025:2017 requirements.
  • Auditing process and techniques
  • Assessor’s skills and techniques
  • To examine the requirements of ISO 17025 from an Internal Assessor Perspective
  • Auditing reports process, corrective action and follow-up
  • Learn how to plan and conduct an internal ISO 17025 audit, and how to report audit results;
  • Learn how to effectively use root cause analysis as part of the ISO 17025 Laboratory procedure on corrective action
 
Benefits
of ISO 17025:2018 Types Of Audits Why Management System Audits are needed Lesson 2: Introduction to the Requirements of the ISO 17025:2018 Standard Interpretations of Key Terms Elements of a Laboratory System The ISO 17025:2018 Standard Eight Principles of Laboratory Management Continual Improvement Cycle Laboratory Management Process Model Laboratory System Requirements The Documentation Requirements of ISO 17025:2017 Management Responsibility Resource Management Product Realization Measurement, Analysis and Improvement Lesson 3: The Process Management Approach Process Management Approach The Planning Phase Establish Process Measurements Analyze the Process Design or Redesign the Process Process Mapping Lesson 4: Introduction to Document Control Elements of Documents Process Approach to Documentation Identifying Documents and their Owners Types of Documents Master Document List Document Control Revisions and Maintenance Tips for Document Writers Lesson 5: Introduction to Management Review Making Management Review relevant to Management What will be reviewed? Establishing the Objectives Planning the Management Review Output of Management Review Lesson 6: How to Deal with External Assessors – A Basic Guide for Internal Assessors What is an External Laboratory Audit? What should an Employee expect during an Audit? How should Employees interact with Assessors? Lesson 7: ISO 19011:2018 and ISO 17011:2017 Fundamentals of Internal Auditing Decide how to Audit Principles of Auditing Managing an Audit Programme Preparation & Planning Of Audits Preparation Of checklist Lesson 8: ISO 19011:2018 and ISO 17011:2017 Audit Activities Identification of Non-Conformities [N/C’s]. Documenting the Audit (Audit Report) Conducting Audit Follow-Up Practical Auditing Exercise Competence and Evaluation of Assessors. Lesson 9: Creating a Corrective Action Plan Who participates? What is Root Cause Analysis? When (and when not) to use Root Cause Analysis The Root Cause Analysis Process How to construct a Root Cause Analysis Checklist Examples of how a well-run Root Cause Analysis Process works Corrective and Preventive Actions
Audience
• Persons responsible for conducting internal and external audits according to ISO 17025:2017 requirements • Persons involved in the Laboratory management systems ISO 17025:2017
Content
 Lesson 1: Background and Development of ISO 17025:2017 Definition of ISO 17025:2017 History of Laboratory Major Changes in ISO 17025:2017 The Laboratory Management Principles
Delivery
  • Case Study
  • Individual Exercises
  • Role Play
  • Group Exercises
  • Group Presentation
  • Examination
  • Assessment and Qualification Learning is assessed through:
    • one-hour examination. Passing the exams qualifies the candidate for Cognicert ISO 17025 Lead Assesor (CPD Certificate)
    • Practical experience of 25 days with activity log qualifies participants for our Cognicert ISO 17025 Lead Assessor (Auditor Category) I.D Card and Certificate
    • Practical experience of 50 days with activity log qualifies participants for our Cognicert ISO 17025 Lead Assessor (Lead Assessor Category) I.D Card and Certificate
  • Self-Study Material, Exam and Certification  Online Training, Material, Exam and Certification  Classroom Training Location Here (Fee to be decided by delivery partners)
    Duration

    5 days

  • ONE STANDARD · FIVE LEARNING LEVELS

    Choose your ISO 17025 course

    Compare the focus and training duration of each level. Choose the level that fits your responsibilities; you do not need to book every level in sequence.

    View the complete ISO 17025 training pathway
    1 day

    ISO 17025 Awareness

    Staff and stakeholders who need an introduction to testing and calibration laboratories and their responsibilities.

    Self-study: £75On demand · study at your own pace

    Live online: £20030 November–4 December 2026

    Per learner, before applicable UK VAT. Review your total before payment.
    2 days

    ISO 17025 Foundation

    Staff, managers and prospective assessors building a working understanding of ISO 17025.

    Self-study: £150On demand · study at your own pace

    Live online: £50030 November–4 December 2026

    Per learner, before applicable UK VAT. Review your total before payment.
    3 days

    ISO 17025 Internal Auditor

    Personnel planning internal audits of testing and calibration laboratories against ISO 17025.

    Self-study: £250On demand · study at your own pace

    Live online: £75030 November–4 December 2026

    Per learner, before applicable UK VAT. Review your total before payment.

    Choose a level and study mode to enrol directly; no preliminary enquiry is needed for an available booking. Your existing basket confirms the date, price, applicable VAT and final total before secure Stripe payment. Invoice requests remain available.

    Durations refer to the training programme. Course details explain entry requirements, assessment and the award for successful candidates. Training does not certify your organisation. Self-study access or live-course joining instructions follow payment and any applicable eligibility checks. Read refund and transfer conditions.

    BOOK WITH CLARITY

    Refunds, cancellations and transfers

    Refund and transfer choices depend on the course format, how much notice you give and whether digital content has been accessed. Contact learner care early and we will help you identify the best available option.

    Read the complete refund, cancellation and transfer policy →
    UPCOMING COURSE CALENDAR

    Training, exam and application dates

    Prices are per learner before any applicable UK VAT. A live-online intake costs more after its standard deadline because the published late fee is added. Self-study is priced separately and has no late-intake fee.

    TRAINING DATESEXAMDEADLINE & STATUSLIVE ONLINESELF-STUDY
    30 November–4 December 20264 December 2026Standard booking period
    Standard deadline: 2 November 2026. No late fee yet.
    Places are confirmed at booking, not guaranteed by this calendar.
    £1,200
    Choose this intake
    £500
    On-demand study; next exam shown at checkout.
    VERIFIABLE ACHIEVEMENT

    Check your Cognicert certificate

    Successful candidates receive a uniquely numbered Cognicert certificate that another person can check through our public certificate-verification service. This confirms the authenticity of a Cognicert-issued award; acceptance by an employer, regulator or external professional scheme depends on their requirements.

    View certificate verification →
    YOUR COURSE ADVISER

    Need help before enrolling?

    Lisa Williams
    Course and Business Development Adviser
    Monday–Friday, 09:00–17:00 UK time

    +44 20 3432 2505
    info@cognicert.com
    Self-study from £500per learner · excl. applicable VATEnrol self-study

    Related Cognicert resources

    Cognicert Pharmaceutical GMP ProfessionalRead more →ISO 56001 Lead ImplementerRead more →ISO 9001 Lead AuditorRead more →
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