ISO 42001 Certification Path: Training Programs and Self-Study Roadmap
Achieving ISO 42001 Certification is becoming a priority for organizations seeking to build trust and for professionals aiming to establish themselves as experts in AI governance.
Preparing for certification requires clear steps, from training, gap assessment, implementation, internal audit, and official certification audit.
What ISO 42001 Certification Means
For organizations, certification demonstrates that AI systems are managed with accountability, transparency, and risk control. An ISO 42001 Certification Audit confirms that processes align with international standards (ISO), providing assurance to interested parties such as: government regulators, clients, employees, insurance carriers, shareholders, and investors, etc.
Recent surveys highlight the growing importance of responsible AI. According to PwC, 86% of CEOs believe AI will significantly change their business in the next five years, while Deloitte reports that over 60% of organizations cite governance and ethics as their top AI risk management concerns. Certification to ISO 42001 provides a way to address these issues with credibility.
Step-by-Step Certification Path
The certification path generally follows Six Steps.
6 Step Guide to ISO 42001 Certification
iCertWorks created a 6 Step Guide to ISO Certification to help organizations get started and navigate through the confusing ISO implementation and certification process.
| # | STEPS | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Educate |
Get educated with PECB Certified ISO 42001 Lead Implementer |
| 2 |
Scope |
Determine the ISO 42001 Preliminary Scope Statement as a basis for |
| 3 |
Assess |
Perform an ISO 27001 Gap Assessment to determine an implementation |
| 4 |
Implement |
Implement ISO 42001 Clause 4-10 auditable requirements |
| 5 |
Audit |
Perform an ISO 42001 Internal Audit (mock certification audit) |
| 6 |
Certify |
Perform a ISO 42001 Certification Audit using iCertWorks / MSECB |
Choosing a Certification Body / Registrar
Selecting an accredited Certification Auditor is a critical step in the ISO 42001 Certification Process. An ISO 42001 Certification Body and/or ISO 42001 Registrar (same thing) should be accredited by an international accreditation body such as IAS, UKAS, ANAB, etc. Requesting an ISO 42001 Certification Quote from multiple Certification Body providers allows organizations to balance cost with credibility. MSECB is one of the largest Certification Bodies in the USA and internationally that offer ISO 42001 Certification.
What is ISO 42001 Certification?
ISO 42001 is the international standard with generic auditable requirements for an Artificial Intelligence Management System (AIMS). It specifies requirements for managing AI systems responsibly, covering governance, ethics, and risk management.
How long does ISO 42001 certification take?
Timeframes vary but typically range from six (6) to nine (9) months for the typical organization on a standalone basis. If your organization is already certified to other common ISO Standards such as ISO 27001, ISO 27701, ISO 22301, ISO 20000, or ISO 9001, certification could take as little as 3 months by leveraging similar ISO requirements already implemented and expanded to the new ISO 42001 scope.
Do individuals and organizations need certified training?
Although there is no official ISO requirement for individuals in an organization to have an ISO 42001 Training Certification such as PECB Certified ISO 42001 Lead Auditor and/or ISO 42001 Lead Implementer, it is recommended, as there is a generic requirement in Clause 7 related to training and experience. Accredited training can serve as records or evidence to meet this requirement. Professionals gain recognition through personal certification, while organizations demonstrate compliance through a formal ISO 42001 Certification Audit.
Is self-study enough to pass the exam?
Yes, PECB Certified self-study training uses the exact same training manual as live instructor or e-learning training. The only difference is that there is no live instructor interaction. The self-study test is exactly the same as the e-learning and live instructor exam. The certificate is exactly the same in all methods of training.
Organizations and professionals that want to stay ahead in AI governance should begin preparing for ISO 42001 Certification and/or Training today to stay ahead of this fast-moving standard. If you need a tailored ISO 42001 Certification Quote from an Accredited ISO 42001 Certification Body, taking the first step now ensures readiness for future compliance demands. Begin your journey toward trusted ISO 42001 Certification with iCertWorks, who can assist you with achieving ISO 42001 Certified Training and ISO 42001 Certification Audits.