Does anyone have a general idea of how long it normally takes the RAB to process and appliation for auditor certification?

It seems like they usually end up finding some problem with each application, at least based on my experience and several others I have talked to. :rolleyes: After I resubmitted mine, I think it was about 3 weeks to a month.

They faxed out a questionnaire to several of the companies on my audit logs to verify them. It included questions to make sure I wasn't consulting during audits and that I had some good audit and interpersonal skills, etc.

Give 'em at least 2 months....they take their time and they will verify just like steve said.

Can I ask what kind of problems they usually find or what kind of additional information they usually request? Just want to be ready. Thanks

Can I ask what kind of problems they usually find or what kind of additional information they usually request? Just want to be ready. Thanks

I was told that some of my experience listed did not seem to meet the criteria for EMS. They wanted more details. I had no problems at all with my QMS. I think the QMS took only about a month. EMS took a couple of months (applied in August, certified in October), even with the experience situation.

I will keep my fingers crossed. I sumbitted the application, witness audit, Lead auditor course certificates for 1994 and 2000 and audit logs containing 61 audits as lead. Hope it is enough.

Can I ask what kind of problems they usually find or what kind of additional information they usually request? Just want to be ready. Thanks
On mine, they disqualified an audit of the same company that was a few days short of the required six months apart. They also questioned if a couple of audits of the same company, but different locations was auditing the same quality system.

Howste,
Now you have me concerned. The majority of the audits I conducted are 19 different locations of the same company. They are controlled by one set of policy and procedures, but each are invidually responsible for their own internal instructions, forms, analysis of data, continual improvments projects etc. What kind of determinination did they make in your case on different locations being the same system and why?

I think the reason they questioned them was because I listed the same contact person for each of them and the facilities were different locations in the same city. If it's clear that they're different they probably won't question them.

Sigh.. Guess I will just wait and see what happens. I hate this waiting part, makes me a nervous wreck. Thanks for the information!

While you wait you can call the contact people on your audit logs and let them know what to expect if they are contacted. Make sure they understand that consulting is not good in this case...

Did that! How do they contact them? Do they send them a form to complete or is it a phone interview?

They faxed a form for them to complete

You have been a tremedous help, thank you! Wish I could get a copy of one. I would like to see what is on it.

I had one of the contact people send me a copy of theirs. I'll see if I can find it and post the questions on it here. It probably won't be until at least tonight since I'm doing an audit today.

:) Thank you!

OK, here we go:

Please reply to the following requests regarding the audit conducted on xx/xx/xx at your facility.

What was your role in the audit?
Team member Management Representative Guide

Please specify the purpose of the audit from following choices (circle one):
PRE-ASSESSMENT REGISTRATION CONFORMANCE
SURVEILLANCE INTERNAL
If you have selected INTERNAL: is Steven Howarth’s position part of the audited organization?

Did the audit cover your organization’s complete quality management system or only a portion?
Complete Partial

How many days did Steven Howarth spend in your facility on this audit? ____ Day(s)

How many active auditors were on the audit team including the audit team leader? ____Auditor(s)

What was Steven Howarth's role in the audit?
Team leader Team member Observer

If Steven Howarth was the team leader:
Was a comprehensive audit plan presented at the opening meeting?
Were all of the audit findings reviewed at the closing meeting?
Were effective oral and written reports presented?

What was the audit standard used? Circle one. If an alternative standard is used please record standard in space provided. (i.e. ISO 9001, ISO 14001, etc.) __________

Was Steven Howarth knowledgeable on the standard used?

Did Steven Howarth judge the effectiveness of the complete quality management system?

Did Steven Howarth consult during the audit? Consulting is defined as writing procedures/manuals, or any activities that provide the specific "how to" for addressing deficiencies that goes beyond just giving examples.

Did Steven Howarth provide consulting services before or after the audit?

If consulting occurred before the audit, please indicate when the consulting took place: ______ (Month/Year).

Who has the responsibility for correcting nonconformances (NCR's) for your facility?
You Steven Howarth

To please provide any additional comments you may have:

Did Steven Howarth perform in a professional manner?

Would you allow Steven Howarth to perform another audit at your facility?

If no, please explain:

Please provide your comments in regards to Steven Howarth's performance in the space provided. Any additional information would be greatly appreciated. Be sure to provide your signature and the date as requested below.

COMMENTS

Signature: __________________ Date _______

Just an FYI I submitted my renewal information and it took a total of 16 days for them to approve and renew me.

Thank you guys so much for all of the info. THE RAB just received mine on the 11th so I guess I am in "wait" mode.

Howste, Thank you for digging up the info. It's nice to take a look at the type of questions they are asking.

I will let you guys know what they decide. I applied for Lead right out of the Shute....Dont know how common it is for them to approve but what the heck.

I ended up submitting 61 audits of which 57 I pulled Lead. Guess it depends on if they disqualify any.

Thanks again for all your help!

Just wanted to tell you guys thanks for the info. I just received notification from the RAB that my certification package is in the mail. QMS-LA!!!
(What a nerve racking experience)

Thanks to you all! :thanx:

Just wanted to tell you guys thanks for the info. I just received notification from the RAB that my certification package is in the mail. QMS-LA!!!
(What a nerve racking experience)

Thanks to you all! :thanx:

Now you'll be rich, just like Randy! :thedeal:

Yeah well, doubt that. I am contracting with some registrars to conduct audits. Do you know if any of them actually check the RAB website that shows available for hire or would it be beneficial to contact a several registrars?

Yeah well, doubt that. I am contracting with some registrars to conduct audits. Do you know if any of them actually check the RAB website that shows available for hire or would it be beneficial to contact a several registrars?

Congrats!!

You would be better off contacting the registrars. Are you looking for subcontrcat work or full time?

I do subcontracting on the side as well and have only been contacted once from the RAB site, the other ones I get from calling the registrars.

Good Luck!

Congrats!!

You would be better off contacting the registrars. Are you looking for subcontrcat work or full time?

I do subcontracting on the side as well and have only been contacted once from the RAB site, the other ones I get from calling the registrars.

Good Luck!

I would also start with the ones you know. Also, there are at least two that aren't too far away. Smithers is out of Akron, and CRS is near Toledo. A couple of hours of driving, a contact and who knows?

Thanks for the tip. The one I am getting ready to sign with I am going in as an independent so I can also contract with others.

Now you'll be rich, just like Randy! :thedeal:


Yeah, right :biglaugh:

Congratulations on getting it approved!

Like they said above, you'll probably need to contact any registrars you'd like to work for. I've never been contacted from the RAB website...