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ISO 37301 Lead Auditor

Plan and conduct audits of compliance management, evaluate evidence and follow up findings on compliance obligations, risk controls and monitoring.

  • 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
  • Compliance Officers and Managers
  • Internal Auditors and External Auditors
  • Quality Assurance Professionals
  • Legal and Regulatory Affairs Managers
  • Risk Management Professionals
  • Consultants and Individuals aiming to become ISO 37301 Lead Auditors

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 audits of compliance management, evaluate evidence and follow up findings on compliance obligations, risk controls and monitoring.

Work through compliance obligations, risk controls and monitoring and connect them to the responsibilities of your audit or assessment role. The detailed programme explains the methods and activities covered.

Objectives

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

  1. Understand the structure and requirements of ISO 37301.
  2. Apply the principles, procedures, and techniques of auditing a compliance management system.
  3. Plan, conduct, report, and follow up on CMS audits in compliance with ISO 37301.
  4. Evaluate the effectiveness of an organization's compliance management system.
  5. Lead an audit team and manage the audit process from initiation to conclusion.
  6. Identify and report nonconformities and recommend improvements in compliance management.
Outcomes

Participants will be able to:

  • Interpret the requirements of ISO 37301 and how they apply to the audit process.
  • Develop and implement an audit plan based on ISO 37301 standards.
  • Conduct audits effectively, ensuring all aspects of the compliance management system are evaluated.
  • Compile audit reports that accurately reflect the findings and provide clear recommendations.
  • Understand the roles and responsibilities of a lead auditor in ensuring audit integrity and impartiality.
  • Lead and manage an audit team, ensuring audits are conducted efficiently and within scope.
Audience
  • Compliance Officers and Managers
  • Internal Auditors and External Auditors
  • Quality Assurance Professionals
  • Legal and Regulatory Affairs Managers
  • Risk Management Professionals
  • Consultants and Individuals aiming to become ISO 37301 Lead Auditors
Standards
  • ISO 37301:2021 Compliance Management Systems — Requirements with guidance for use
  • ISO 19011:2018 Guidelines for Auditing Management Systems
  • ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015 Conformity Assessment — Requirements for bodies providing audit and certification of management systems
Content
  • Introduction to Compliance Management Systems (CMS) and ISO 37301
    • Overview of compliance management principles
    • Purpose and structure of ISO 37301
    • The role of a compliance management system within an organization
  • ISO 37301 Requirements
    • Detailed examination of the standard's clauses
    • Understanding the mandatory requirements and guidance
    • Application of ISO 37301 in various organizational contexts
  • Fundamentals of Auditing
    • Introduction to auditing principles as per ISO 19011
    • Types of audits: internal, external, first, second, and third-party audits
    • The role of the auditor and lead auditor
  • Audit Planning and Preparation
    • Developing an audit plan
    • Determining audit scope and objectives
    • Preparing audit checklists and tools
  • Audit Execution
    • Conducting opening meetings
    • Gathering and verifying audit evidence
    • Interviewing techniques and auditing practices
  • Nonconformity Identification and Reporting
    • Identifying nonconformities against ISO 37301
    • Classifying and documenting nonconformities
    • Writing clear and actionable audit reports
  • Audit Reporting and Follow-Up
    • Compiling and presenting audit findings
    • Conducting closing meetings
    • Following up on corrective actions and audit outcomes
  • Lead Auditor Responsibilities
    • Managing audit teams
    • Ensuring audit consistency and quality
    • Conflict resolution and maintaining auditor independence
  • Practical Audit Exercises
    • Case studies and role-playing exercises
    • Mock audits and scenario-based assessments
    • Group discussions and problem-solving activities
  • Examination and Certification
    • Final assessment covering the course content
    • Certification process for ISO 37301 Lead Auditor
Delivery
  • Case Study
  • Individual Exercises
  • Role Play
  • Group Exercises
  • Group Presentation
  • Examination

Duration
5 Days

Delivery Options: 

Frequently Asked Questions: https://cognicert.com/faqs/

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ONE STANDARD · FIVE LEARNING LEVELS

Choose your ISO 37301 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 37301 training pathway
1 day

ISO 37301 Awareness

People who need an introduction to the standard and their role in supporting it.

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

Live online: £2007–11 December 2026

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

ISO 37301 Foundation

People building a working understanding of the standard before taking on implementation or audit responsibilities.

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

Live online: £5007–11 December 2026

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

ISO 37301 Internal Auditor

People preparing to plan and carry out internal audits within their organisation.

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

Live online: £7507–11 December 2026

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

ISO 37301 Lead Implementer

Managers, consultants and professionals responsible for establishing, maintaining or improving a system.

Contact Cognicert for this level’s syllabus and availability.

Enquire about Lead Implementer

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
7–11 December 202611 December 2026Standard booking period
Standard deadline: 9 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

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