LICQual ISO 29001:2020 Lead Auditor

In a sector where precision, quality, and safety are paramount, the ability to audit and enhance quality management systems is a strategic advantage. The LICQual ISO 29001:2020 Lead Auditor course is a prestigious and globally recognized qualification tailored for professionals in the oil, gas, and petrochemical industries who aim to lead and manage audits based on ISO 29001:2020 standards.

This comprehensive course empowers applicants with in-depth knowledge of ISO 29001:2020—the quality management system standard specifically developed for the petroleum, petrochemical, and natural gas sectors. It blends theoretical understanding with real-world auditing skills, ensuring participants can effectively evaluate compliance, drive continual improvement, and uphold operational excellence.

The LICQual ISO 29001:2020 Lead Auditor training is designed to meet international auditing protocols, including ISO 19011 and ISO/IEC 17021. Participants will gain a solid foundation in audit planning, execution, reporting, and follow-up. They will also understand how to identify risks, assess quality performance, and support organizations in meeting both customer and regulatory requirements.

Completing this course prepares professionals to become certified lead auditors, capable of leading internal and external audits with confidence. It is an essential credential for quality managers, auditors, consultants, and HSE professionals seeking to elevate their careers and contribute to a culture of quality, safety, and compliance in high-stakes environments.

The LICQual ISO 29001:2020 Lead Auditor course offers a detailed and practical exploration of auditing principles aligned with the latest version of the ISO 29001 standard. This course begins by providing an overview of the standard’s structure, requirements, and its alignment with ISO 9001, while addressing the specific needs of the oil and gas sector.

Participants will learn how to interpret and apply the clauses of ISO 29001:2020 in various auditing scenarios, from supplier evaluations to internal quality assessments. A significant emphasis is placed on risk-based thinking, process-based auditing, and identifying systemic nonconformities—key competencies for professionals tasked with ensuring the effectiveness of quality management systems.

Throughout the training, applicants will be guided through the complete audit lifecycle, from preparing audit checklists and plans to conducting on-site evaluations, interviewing personnel, collecting objective evidence, and writing clear, actionable audit reports. The course also highlights the importance of ethics, impartiality, and auditor responsibilities, in accordance with ISO 19011 guidelines.

Practical case studies, role-playing activities, and group discussions reinforce core concepts and allow participants to apply their learning in realistic auditing scenarios. This hands-on approach ensures that applicants can confidently lead audits, evaluate supplier performance, and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.

The LICQual ISO 29001:2020 Lead Auditor qualification is ideal for professionals across the energy, oil and gas, and petrochemical sectors who are responsible for auditing, managing, or improving quality management systems. It not only validates technical expertise but also demonstrates a strong commitment to international best practices, risk management, and operational excellence.

Course Overview


Qualification Title

LICQual ISO 29001:2020 Lead Auditor


Total Units

6

Total Credits

40

GLH

120

Qualification #

LICQ2200407


Qualification Specification

Download Qualification Specification

To enroll in the LICQual ISO 29001:2020 Lead Auditor applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Age Requirement: Applicants must be at least 16 years old.
  • Educational Requirements: Participants are expected to have at least a secondary school education or equivalent as a minimum academic qualification. However, a diploma or bachelor’s degree in engineering, quality management, industrial sciences, or a related field is strongly recommended for better understanding of technical terms and quality frameworks commonly used in the oil, gas, and petrochemical sectors.
  • Experience: A minimum of two years of relevant work experience in quality management, auditing, compliance, or operational roles within the oil and gas industry or similar sectors is required. Candidates with prior exposure to ISO standards, especially ISO 9001 or industry-specific management systems, will be better positioned to grasp advanced auditing techniques and sector-specific quality requirements.
  • English Language Proficiency: Since the course materials, lectures, and assessments are delivered in English, all participants must have a good command of the English language, both written and spoken. It is recommended that applicants possess at least an intermediate level of proficiency (equivalent to B1 or above on the CEFR scale) to ensure clear communication, active participation, and successful completion of course assignments and the final examination.

Qualification#

Unit Title

Credits

GLH

LICQ2200407-1

Introduction to ISO 29001:2020 and QMS Principles

8

24

LICQ2200407-2

Auditing Principles and Techniques

8

24

LICQ2200407-3

Planning and Preparing for ISO 29001:2020 Audits

6

18

LICQ2200407-4

Conducting ISO 29001:2020 Audits

6

18

LICQ2200407-5

Audit Reporting and Follow-Up

6

18

LICQ2200407-6

Closing Meetings and Audit Conclusions

6

18

By the end of this course, applicants will be able to:

1. Introduction to ISO 29001:2020 and QMS Principles

  • Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the ISO 29001:2020 standard and its alignment with ISO 9001.
  • Explain the structure, scope, and key objectives of a Quality Management System (QMS) within the oil, gas, and petrochemical industries.
  • Identify and interpret the core principles of quality management as applied in ISO 29001:2020.
  • Analyze the significance of risk-based thinking and continual improvement in industry-specific QMS applications.

2. Auditing Principles and Techniques

  • Explain the fundamental principles of auditing based on ISO 19011 guidelines.
  • Apply key auditing techniques such as process-based auditing, sampling methods, and evidence gathering.
  • Demonstrate ethical behavior, objectivity, and confidentiality as an auditor.
  • Assess auditor competencies and the responsibilities of audit team members during an audit assignment.

3. Planning and Preparing for ISO 29001:2020 Audits

  • Develop comprehensive audit plans and checklists based on ISO 29001:2020 requirements.
  • Identify audit scope, objectives, and criteria relevant to the QMS being audited.
  • Effectively communicate with auditees during the audit preparation stage.
  • Organize resources, documentation, and team responsibilities to conduct efficient audits.

4. Conducting ISO 29001:2020 Audits

  • Perform systematic on-site audit activities including opening meetings, interviews, and documentation review.
  • Gather and evaluate objective evidence to determine conformity or nonconformity with ISO 29001:2020 requirements.
  • Manage audit team activities, maintain audit trails, and handle unexpected situations during audits.
  • Apply professional judgment to assess compliance with sector-specific QMS requirements.

5. Audit Reporting and Follow-Up

  • Prepare clear, concise, and evidence-based audit reports in accordance with ISO 19011 and organizational requirements.
  • Identify and classify nonconformities and provide actionable recommendations for corrective action.
  • Communicate audit findings effectively to relevant stakeholders.
  • Monitor and verify the implementation of corrective actions to ensure QMS improvements.

6. Closing Meetings and Audit Conclusions

  • Conduct structured closing meetings to present audit findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
  • Facilitate constructive dialogue with auditees to clarify observations and encourage improvement.
  • Formulate final audit conclusions based on objective evidence and audit criteria.
  • Document and deliver audit results in a professional and persuasive manner aligned with ISO auditing standards.

This diploma is ideal for:

  • Professionals working in the oil, gas, petrochemical, and energy sectors who are responsible for quality management or regulatory compliance.
  • Internal auditors seeking to upgrade their skills and become certified lead auditors for ISO 29001:2020.
  • Quality assurance and control personnel aiming to deepen their understanding of industry-specific quality management systems.
  • Consultants who advise organizations on implementing and auditing ISO-based management systems.
  • HSE (Health, Safety & Environment) professionals looking to expand their auditing capabilities within integrated management systems.
  • Engineers and technical managers involved in operations, manufacturing, or process management who need to understand quality auditing requirements.
  • Individuals with prior knowledge of ISO 9001 or QMS who wish to specialize in ISO 29001 for the oil and gas sector.
  • Anyone pursuing a globally recognized auditing qualification to enhance career opportunities in high-risk, quality-driven industries.

Assessment and Verification

All units within this qualification are subject to internal assessment by the approved centre and external verification by LICQual. The qualification follows a criterion-referenced assessment approach, ensuring that applicants meet all specified learning outcomes.

To achieve a ‘Pass’ in any unit, applicants must provide valid, sufficient, and authentic evidence demonstrating their attainment of all learning outcomes and compliance with the prescribed assessment criteria. The Assessor is responsible for evaluating the evidence and determining whether the applicants has successfully met the required standards.

Assessors must maintain a clear and comprehensive audit trail, documenting the basis for their assessment decisions to ensure transparency, consistency, and compliance with quality assurance requirements.