ISO/IEC 42001 Lead Auditor is the course for the person who assesses an AI management system (AIMS) against the standard. Over five days it covers the audit cycle from start to finish: planning the audit, leading the team, collecting and evaluating evidence, writing nonconformities and reporting conclusions.
Choose it if you audit for a certification body, run internal audits of AI governance, or need to prepare your organization for an ISO/IEC 42001 audit. If your job is to build or run the AIMS, take Lead Implementer instead.
ISO/IEC 42001 Lead Auditor training is an advanced course that enables participants to develop the specialized expertise required to audit an Artificial Intelligence Management System (AIMS) against the ISO/IEC 42001 standard. Applying internationally recognized audit principles, procedures, and techniques, the curriculum prepares professionals to assess and verify organizational compliance with the standard’s rigorous requirements for responsible AI governance.
Why You Should Attend
Artificial intelligence has become integral to organizational success, driving efficiency through automation and enhancing decision-making through sophisticated data analytics. However, these transformative capabilities must be balanced with accountability. Organizations must ensure AI systems are deployed appropriately, ethically, and transparently. ISO/IEC 42001 provides the framework for implementing the processes and controls necessary to achieve responsible AI management.
As the number of organizations pursuing ISO/IEC 42001 certification continues to grow, so too does the demand for qualified auditors capable of evaluating their conformity. PECB has developed this Lead Auditor training course to meet that demand, empowering participants with the knowledge and skills required to plan, execute, and lead ISO/IEC 42001 audits in accordance with best auditing practices.
This course is an essential investment for professionals seeking to distinguish themselves in a rapidly evolving field. It equips you with the expertise to navigate the complex intersection of AI innovation and regulatory accountability, positioning you to contribute meaningfully to organizational success in this transformative era.
Upon course completion, you will be eligible to sit for the certification exam. Successful examination qualifies you to apply for the “PECB Certified ISO/IEC 42001 Lead Auditor” credential—a globally recognized certification attesting to your professional competence in auditing organizations against ISO/IEC 42001 using best-practice methodologies.
Who Should Attend
This training course is intended for:
Internal and external auditors seeking to specialize in AI management system audits
Managers and consultants aiming to master the AIMS audit process
Professionals responsible for maintaining conformity with AIMS requirements within their organization
Expert advisors in artificial intelligence management
Individuals involved in analyzing and interpreting business requirements for AI implementation
Professionals engaged in the development, implementation, and architectural design of AI systems
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion, you will be able to:
Explain the fundamental concepts and principles of an AI management system based on ISO/IEC 42001.
Interpret ISO/IEC 42001 requirements from an auditor’s perspective.
Evaluate AIMS conformity to ISO/IEC 42001 in alignment with core audit concepts and principles.
Plan, conduct, and close an ISO/IEC 42001 compliance audit in accordance with ISO/IEC 17021-1 requirements, ISO 19011 guidelines, and other auditing best practices.
Manage an ISO/IEC 42001 audit program.
Educational Approach
This training course:
Integrates essential theoretical principles, ISO/IEC 42001 requirements, and industry-leading practices employed in AIMS auditing.
Enhances lecture sessions through practical examples and case-study illustrations that ground concepts in real-world relevance.
Reinforces learning through essay-type exercises and multiple-choice quizzes—including scenario-based assessments—designed to closely replicate the format and rigor of the certification exam.
Prerequisites
Participants are expected to possess a fundamental understanding of ISO/IEC 42001 and core AI principles and concepts prior to attending.
Building Digital Trust through Responsible AI Audit
The ISO/IEC 42001 Lead Auditor training course makes a significant contribution to the establishment of digital trust by ensuring artificial intelligence systems are managed ethically, transparently, and responsibly. By equipping professionals with the skills to rigorously audit AI management systems, this course enables organizations to credibly demonstrate their commitment to accountability and governance in AI usage. This, in turn, enhances confidence among stakeholders, clients, and regulators, reinforcing the principles of responsible AI deployment and fostering a culture of trust in an increasingly intelligent digital ecosystem.
Live classes for this course are led by Islam Elzayat, a PECB Certified Trainer with more than 17 years of experience in IT governance, cybersecurity GRC, IT audit and IT service management, including more than 500 third-party audit days. Full profile and verified badges.
Live classes are held online. Class hours are arranged with the participants to suit their time zones. The e-learning and self-study and hybrid options start as soon as your course is assigned.
The course covers five days of content, with the certification exam on the fifth day, and carries 31 CPD credits. In the e-learning and self-study format you cover the same material at your own pace.
Yes. The course fee includes the PECB certification and examination fees. If you do not pass, one complimentary retake is available within 12 months of your first attempt.
You need a fundamental understanding of ISO/IEC 42001 and core AI principles and concepts.
It is available as e-learning (English), self-study (French), hybrid learning (English) and live online class (English). Choose the format and language before adding the course to your cart.
Hybrid learning combines the self-paced course with one day of one-to-one live coaching with the instructor. The day can be split into a half day before you start studying and a half day before your exam, so you go in prepared.
The next live classes start on Thursday, 7 January 2027, 9:00 am and on Thursday, 5 August 2027, 9:00 am. They are held online and led by Islam Elzayat. Class hours are arranged with the participants to suit their time zones. Select “Live Event” and your date before adding the course to your cart.
PECB issues the certificate. After passing the exam you can apply for the “PECB Certified ISO/IEC 42001 Lead Auditor” credential. Horus Academy is a PECB Authorized Silver Partner and does not issue the certificate itself.
The “PECB Certified ISO/IEC 42001 Lead Auditor” exam meets the requirements of the PECB Examination and Certification Program (ECP). It covers the following competency domains:
Domain 1: Fundamental principles and concepts of an AI management system
Domain 2: AI management system requirements
Domain 3: Fundamental audit concepts and principles
Domain 4: Preparing an ISO/IEC 42001 audit
Domain 5: Conducting an ISO/IEC 42001 audit
Domain 6: Closing an ISO/IEC 42001 audit
Domain 7: Managing an ISO/IEC 42001 audit program
After successfully passing the exam, you can apply for one of the credentials shown below. You will receive the certificate once you comply with all the requirements related to the selected credential.
The requirements for PECB ISO/IEC 42001 Auditor certifications are as follows:
| Credential | Exam | Professional experience | MS audit/assessment experience | Other requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PECB Certified ISO/IEC 42001 Provisional Auditor | PECB Certified ISO/IEC 42001 Lead Auditor exam or equivalent | None | None | Signing the PECB Code of Ethics |
| PECB Certified ISO/IEC 42001 Auditor | PECB Certified ISO/IEC 42001 Lead Auditor exam or equivalent | Two years: One year of work experience in AI | Audit activities: a total of 200 hours | Signing the PECB Code of Ethics |
| PECB Certified ISO/IEC 42001 Lead Auditor | PECB Certified ISO/IEC 42001 Lead Auditor exam or equivalent | Five years: Two years of work experience in AI | Audit activities: a total of 300 hours | Signing the PECB Code of Ethics |
| PECB Certified ISO/IEC 42001 Senior Lead Auditor | PECB Certified ISO/IEC 42001 Lead Auditor exam or equivalent | Ten years: Seven years of work experience in AI | Audit activities: a total of 1,000 hours | Signing the PECB Code of Ethics |
To be considered valid, the audit activities should follow best audit practices and include the following:
Course agenda
Day 1: Introduction to the artificial intelligence management system and ISO/IEC 42001
Day 2: Audit principles and the preparation for and initiation of an audit
Day 3: On-site audit activities
Day 4: Closing of the audit
Day 5: Certification Exam
