Lead Auditor
ISO 14001 Lead Auditor
2026 edition
Self-paced PECB training delivered via myPECB.
Global training partner Aegentra is an official PECB authorised training partner and an official CompTIA partner.
Master the audit of an environmental management system against ISO 14001. Five days from the fundamentals of environmental management and the ISO 14001 requirements, through audit principles — evidence-based and risk-based auditing — into initiating an audit, Stage 1 and Stage 2 on-site activities, drafting findings and nonconformity reports, closing the audit, and managing an audit programme. Aligned with the ISO 19011 audit guidelines and ISO/IEC 17021-1 certification requirements, and structured around PECB best auditing practices.
- Typical study effort
- 35–45 hours
- CPD credits
- 31
- Course languages
- English
Who it is for
- Auditors seeking to conduct and lead environmental management system (EMS) audits
- Managers or consultants seeking to master the EMS audit process
- Individuals responsible for maintaining conformity to the requirements of ISO 14001 in an organisation
- Technical experts seeking to prepare for the EMS audits
- Expert advisors in environmental management
What you will learn
- Explain the fundamental concepts and principles of an environmental management system based on ISO 14001.
- Interpret the ISO 14001 requirements for an EMS from the perspective of an auditor.
- Evaluate the EMS conformity to ISO 14001 requirements, in accordance with the fundamental audit concepts and principles.
- Plan, conduct, and close an ISO 14001 compliance audit, in accordance with ISO/IEC 17021-1 requirements, ISO 19011 guidelines, and other best practices of auditing.
- Manage an ISO 14001 audit programme.
Course content
Day 1 — Introduction to the environmental management system (EMS) and ISO 14001
- Training course objectives and structure
- Introduction to management systems and the ISO 14001 family of standards
- Certification process
- Fundamental concepts and principles of environmental management
- Overview of ISO 14001 requirements
Day 2 — Audit principles and the preparation for and initiation of an audit
- Fundamental audit concepts and principles
- The impact of trends and technology on auditing
- Evidence-based auditing
- Risk-based auditing
- Initiation of the audit process
- Stage 1 audit
Day 3 — On-site audit activities
- Preparing for the Stage 2 audit
- Stage 2 audit
- Communication during the audit
- Information collection and analysis methods
- Creating audit test plans
Day 4 — Closing the audit
- Drafting audit findings and nonconformity reports
- Audit documentation and quality review
- Closing the audit
- Evaluation of action plans by the auditor
- Beyond the initial audit
- Managing an internal audit programme
Day 5 — Certification exam
- PECB Certified ISO 14001 Lead Auditor exam
- Three hours across the seven competency domains
Prerequisites
- A fundamental understanding of ISO 14001 and a working knowledge of audit principles.
- Prior completion of ISO 14001 Foundation or another management system audit course helps, though it is not mandatory.
The exam
- Format
- Open-book, multiple-choice
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Questions
- 80 multiple-choice questions in the current English PECB examination record
- Pass mark
- 70%
What is included
Course materials
- PECB ISO 14001 Lead Auditor slide deck (digital)
- Over 400 pages of information, practical examples, exercises, and quizzes
- 12 months access via myPECB
- Attestation of course completion worth 31 CPD credits
Exam package
- Certification and examination fees included in the course price
- Three-hour exam across seven competency domains
- First exam attempt plus one free retake within 12 months
- PECB Provisional / Auditor / Lead Auditor credential on pass