We are in the process of wrapping up our TS-16949 documentation for our desk audit. How long after the desk audit do we have to schedule our certification audit? Our QS-9000 certification expires on August 18th and I'm trying to "set some fires" under managment's "chairs" to get their stuff completed.

I seem to recall someone saying that you have 90 days after the desk audit to schedule this. Any comments?

Yes, after the registrar does the audit, you have 90 days in which to have them back for the real deal.

The "desk audit" in TS is called a Readiness Review and must be done AT YOUR SITE. When you pass you must have your Registration Audit within 90 days or start over. After your Registration Audit, you have 90 days to respond to and close any findings, or start over. Because the registrars allow themselves 30 days to process, they like you to close within 30 days of the audit, thus leaving a safety window, so you don't have to start over.

Our example:
5/19/05 Readiness Review
6/20-6/23 Registration Audit
7/22/05 All findings answered, audit closed
We expect the cert before 8/22
-Icy

Thanks for your responses! Good luck on certification icy! :)