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ISO 9001 Quality ManagementFoundationI9001-F

Certified ISO 9001 Foundation

Validates foundational knowledge of quality management systems based on ISO 9001:2015, including quality management principles, the process approach and risk-based thinking.

Exam
1 h
Questions
40
Pass mark
65%
Valid for
3 years

About this certification

Holders can explain the seven quality management principles and how ISO 9001:2015 applies the process approach, Plan–Do–Check–Act and risk-based thinking. They can describe the requirements of clauses 4 to 10 within the Harmonized Structure and the role of documented information, internal audit and management review.

Who it is for: Quality staff, process owners, supervisors and anyone working within a QMS.

Syllabus

What you'll be assessed on — 5 modules. The percentage is each module's share of the exam.
  1. 01Quality Concepts and Principles20% of the exam
    • Explain the seven quality management principles
    • Describe the benefits of a quality management system
  2. 02The Process Approach and PDCA15% of the exam
    • Explain the process approach and process interactions
    • Describe how Plan–Do–Check–Act applies to processes and the QMS
  3. 03Context, Leadership and Planning20% of the exam
    • Describe requirements for context, interested parties and scope
    • Explain risk-based thinking and quality objectives
  4. 04Support and Operation25% of the exam
    • Describe requirements for resources, competence and documented information
    • Explain operational requirements from customer requirements to release and control of nonconforming outputs
  5. 05Evaluation and Improvement20% of the exam
    • Describe customer satisfaction monitoring, internal audit and management review
    • Explain nonconformity, corrective action and continual improvement

Competencies assessed

  • Quality Principles — Explains quality management principles.
  • Process Thinking — Describes the process approach and PDCA.
  • Requirements Knowledge — Describes ISO 9001:2015 requirements.
  • Improvement Awareness — Explains how the QMS is evaluated and improved.

Exam blueprint

Closed-book, timed examination with single-choice questions.
Questions per module40 questions · 1 h · pass 65%
  • Quality Concepts and Principles8
  • The Process Approach and PDCA6
  • Context, Leadership and Planning8
  • Support and Operation10
  • Evaluation and Improvement8
Question types
Single choice 100%
Delivery
Online (remote proctored), Test centre
Retakes
Up to three attempts within any 12-month period. A 14-day waiting period applies after a first unsuccessful attempt and 30 days after a second. Each retake requires a new booking and fee. Retakes draw a different randomised form from the question bank.

Provisional cut score — psychometric validation is required before live delivery. Blueprint v1.0.

Your path to certification

  1. 1

    Register

    Create a free account and start the programme.

  2. 2

    Practice

    Online practice test, 8 questions.

  3. 3

    Training

    Optional

    Online course or classroom — or skip it.

  4. 4

    Certification

    Independent exam and certification decision.

  • Practice test8 questions · 20 min · 70% to pass · free with the programme
  • ISO 9001 Foundation — online course14 h self-paced€349
  • ISO 9001 Foundation — classroom courseAtlas Test Centre (Demo), Berlin · 14 hDemo organisation€595
    • 27 Nov 2026 – 28 Nov 2026 · Atlas Test Centre (Demo), Berlin
    • 25 Dec 2026 – 26 Dec 2026 · Atlas Test Centre (Demo), Berlin

Training is optional and does not by itself confer certification. Find a training partner

Eligibility & prerequisites

Required

  • No formal prerequisites

Recommended

  • General awareness of organisational processes

More information

Certification process
  1. 1. Application — Create an account and apply for this certification.
  2. 2. Eligibility review — AQSCERT checks the formal eligibility requirements.
  3. 3. Assessment — Sit the 1 h examination online or at a test centre.
  4. 4. Independent decision — A decision maker not involved in your training or assessment reviews all evidence.
  5. 5. Issuance — A digitally signed certificate with QR verification, valid for 3 years.
  6. 6. Recertification — Before expiry, evidence 30 hours of CPD or re-sit the examination.
  7. Certificates may be suspended, withdrawn or revoked in line with the Certification Scheme. Status is always shown on the public verification page.
Scheme & accreditation
Certification scheme
Quality & Governance Certification Scheme
Scheme code
AQS-SCH-26
Scheme version
v1.0 (effective 1 Jan 2026)

Accreditation: AQSCERT is accredited by DA, an IAF MLA signatory, to ISO/IEC 17024. Our programmes are developed by leading experts from industry.

Ready to start I9001-F?

Practise online, add optional training, then sit the independent exam.

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Certified ISO 9001 Foundation (I9001-F) · AQSCERT