Independent Certification You Can Trust
TL 9000 certification is awarded following an independent assessment conducted by an authorized TL 9000 Certification Body (CB). Every Certification Body is accredited through TIA’s oversight framework and uses qualified auditors who meet rigorous competency requirements.
The audit verifies that your organization’s quality management system conforms to the requirements of TL 9000 before certification can be granted.
TL 9000 Certification Journey
Learn the Standard → Register → Select a Certification Body → Prepare → Certification Audit → Maintain Certification
📍 You are here: Certification Audit
The Audit Process
Step 1 — Select a Certification Body
Choose an authorized TL 9000 Certification Body early in your implementation.
Your Certification Body will:
- Define your audit scope
- Establish certification parameters
- Develop the audit schedule
- Assign qualified auditors
Step 2 — Plan Your Audit
Working together, your organization and Certification Body confirm:
- Organizational scope
- Sites included in certification
- Audit duration
- Audit dates
- Audit team
This planning ensures the assessment accurately reflects your organization’s operations.
Step 3 — Complete the Certification Audit
Qualified auditors evaluate your organization’s processes against the requirements of TL 9000.
The audit includes:
- Process reviews
- Interviews
- Objective evidence
- Verification of implementation
- Identification of any nonconformities
Auditors also identify opportunities for continual improvement where appropriate.
Step 4 — Resolve Any Findings
If nonconformities are identified, your organization develops corrective actions and provides evidence that issues have been addressed.
Once all required actions have been successfully completed, the Certification Body completes its certification review.
Step 5 — Receive Certification
When conformity has been verified, the Certification Body approves certification and updates your organization’s status in the TIA Registration Management System (RMS).
Your organization is then officially recognized as an TL 9000 Certified Organization.
Step 6 — Maintain Certification
Certification continues through an ongoing surveillance program that includes:
- Annual surveillance audits
- Measurement reporting
- Performance benchmarking and Continual improvement activities
- Periodic management reviews
- Three-year recertification audits
These activities help ensure continued conformance and demonstrate an ongoing commitment to quality.
Authorized Accreditation and Certification Bodies
The TIA QuEST Forum authorizes Accreditation Bodies (ABs) around the world to accredit Certification Bodies (CBs), which in turn certify organizations to TL 9000 requirements. Through this rigorous accreditation process, Certification Bodies demonstrate the knowledge, competence, and tools needed to deliver consistent, high-quality certification services. To maintain the integrity of the program, TIA QuEST Forum reauthorizes Accreditation Bodies every four years.
Authorized Certification Bodies (CBs) audit organizations for conformance with TL 9000 requirements and issue certifications valid for three years. CBs conduct annual surveillance audits and a recertification audit at the end of each certification cycle. All CBs must be accredited by a TIA QuEST Forum-authorized Accreditation Body (AB).
Interested in becoming an Authorized TL 9000 Accreditation or Certification Body? Contact us at questforum@tiaonline.org.
Need Help Selecting a Certification Body?
TIA can help you understand the certification process, locate an authorized Certification Body, and identify the resources needed to prepare for a successful audit.
Contact us at questforum@tiaonline.org
Frequently Asked Questions
Certification audits are conducted by authorized TL 9000 Certification Bodies (CBs). Each Certification Body is accredited through an authorized Accreditation Body (AB) and employs qualified auditors who meet TIA competency requirements.
A Certification Body is an independent organization authorized to conduct TL 9000 audits and issue certifications to organizations that successfully demonstrate conformity with the standard.
An Accreditation Body oversees Certification Bodies to ensure they conduct audits competently, consistently, and in accordance with TIA QuEST Forum and international accreditation requirements.
Most initial certification audits require approximately 2–4 business days, although the duration depends on factors such as organizational size, complexity, certification scope, and the maturity of your management system.
The Certification Body documents any nonconformities and provides your organization an opportunity to implement corrective actions before certification is approved.
Yes. TL 9000 auditors must satisfy defined education, auditing experience, training, and competency requirements established by TIA and their Certification Body before they are permitted to conduct audits.
No. To preserve impartiality, Certification Bodies that provide certification services cannot certify organizations for which they have provided management system consulting services.
TIA authorizes Accreditation Bodies to oversee Certification Bodies, and Accreditation Bodies periodically review Certification Body activities and audit records to ensure consistent application of TL 9000 requirements.
Additional auditor training, tools, and resources can be found at https://tl9000.org/abcb/auditors.html