- Exam Breakdown
- Domain Breakdown
- Access Breakdown
Exam Format
- Exam Code: ISO-22-CLA
- Certification Level: Lead Auditor
- Exam Duration: 60 minutes
- Passing Score: 70%
- Unscored Content: The certification provider does not publicly state whether the exam includes unscored questions.
Exam Details
- Question Types: Multiple choice questions
- Number of Questions: The certification provider does not publicly state a fixed number of questions on the main exam page
- Hands-On Questions: The exam is knowledge-based and assesses understanding of ISO 22000:2018 Food Safety Management System requirements, audit principles, HACCP concepts, food safety hazards, compliance, and lead auditor responsibilities.
Exam Policies
- Offline Proctoring: Exam delivery may depend on the authorized testing centre or certification partner availability.
- Online Proctoring: The exam is delivered through online proctored exam delivery and can be taken remotely with a webcam and reliable internet connection.
- Waiting Period: Retake policy depends on the exam voucher and certification provider’s current rules. Candidates should check the official provider policy before booking.
- Retake Fee: A new exam voucher may be required if the candidate does not pass within the included attempt or package conditions.
Certification Validity and Renewal
- Validity: Lifetime
- Renewal Options: Renewal is not required because the ISO 22000:2018 - Certified Lead Auditor certification is generally valid for life under the provider’s current certification model.
Exam Fee
- Base Fee: $190 USD
- Taxes: Country-specific VAT or GST may apply.
- Example: In India, 18% tax applies, making the total $224.20 USD ($190 + $34.20 tax)
Prerequisites
There are no formal prerequisites for taking the ISO 22000:2018 - Certified Lead Auditor exam. However, it is recommended to have:
- Basic understanding of food safety management systems
- Familiarity with ISO 22000:2018 requirements
- Awareness of HACCP principles, food safety hazards, and Codex Alimentarius concepts
- Knowledge of audit principles, nonconformity reporting, corrective actions, and continual improvement
- Experience in food production, food processing, quality assurance, compliance, auditing, or food safety management is helpful
Exam Topics
- ISO 22000:2018 Overview: Purpose, scope, terminology, structure, and Food Safety Management System requirements
- Food Safety Management System Requirements: Context, leadership, planning, support, operation, performance evaluation, and improvement
- Food Safety Hazards: Biological, chemical, physical, and allergen-related hazards affecting food safety across the supply chain
- HACCP Principles: Hazard analysis, critical control points, control measures, monitoring, corrective actions, verification, and documentation
- Prerequisite Programmes: Hygiene, sanitation, pest control, equipment maintenance, supplier control, traceability, and operational controls
- Compliance Obligations: Food safety regulations, customer requirements, documented information, and audit readiness
- Audit Principles: Audit planning, audit scope, audit criteria, evidence collection, auditor responsibilities, and audit team management
- Conducting Audits: Opening meetings, interviews, document review, process evaluation, site inspection, evidence collection, and audit conclusions
- Nonconformity and Corrective Action: Identifying findings, reporting nonconformities, root cause analysis, corrective actions, and follow-up
- Continual Improvement: Monitoring FSMS performance, audit follow-up, management review, improvement planning, and food safety performance enhancement
Intended Audience
The ISO 22000:2018 - Certified Lead Auditor certification is ideal for professionals involved in food safety, quality, compliance, and auditing, including roles such as:
- Food Safety Manager
- Lead Auditor
- Internal Auditor
- Quality Manager
- HACCP Coordinator
- Compliance Officer
- Food Safety Consultant
- Production Manager
- Supplier Quality Auditor
- Operations Manager
Career Impact
Jobs You Can Get:
- ISO 22000 Lead Auditor, Food Safety Manager, FSMS Auditor, Quality Manager, HACCP Coordinator, Compliance Manager, Supplier Quality Auditor, Food Safety Consultant, etc.
Average Salary:
- Varies by country — U.S.: $60,000–$110,000 USD,
- India: ₹4,00,000–₹16,00,000 INR,
- United Kingdom: £32,000–£65,000 GBP,
- UAE: 110,000–250,000 AED per year.
Why It’s Valuable:
- Globally relevant for professionals auditing food safety management systems and supporting HACCP implementation, food safety compliance, supplier assurance, customer confidence, and continual improvement.
Exam Mode
The exam is proctored and can be taken through approved online exam delivery options:
- Online through proctored exam delivery
- Through authorized testing centres or certification partners, depending on availability
Exam Booking Link
- Book your ISO 22000:2018 - Certified Lead Auditor Exam via GAQM — Click here
https://gaqm.org/certifications/iso_certifications/iso-22000-2018-certified-lead-auditor
Once you pass the exam
- Receive the ISO 22000:2018 - Certified Lead Auditor certificate
- Processing Time: Certificate availability depends on the certification provider’s processing system
- Log in to your certification provider account
- Navigate to your certification or exam records section
- Download or access your e-certificate and digital badge if available
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Top Reasons to Choose
ISO 22000:2018 - Certified Lead Auditor
High Demand for Food Safety Auditors
Food organizations need qualified auditors to verify ISO 22000 compliance, HACCP controls, supplier safety, hygiene practices, traceability, documentation accuracy, legal obligations, and continual improvement worldwide.
Strong Focus on FSMS Audit Skills
The certification focuses on planning, conducting, reporting, and following up food safety management system audits, helping professionals assess compliance, identify nonconformities, and support corrective actions effectively.
Career Growth and Global Recognition
ISO 22000 is internationally recognized, helping food safety, quality, compliance, production, supplier assurance, and auditing professionals build credibility across food manufacturing, catering, retail, and supply chains.
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FAQ
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Who should take the ISO 22000:2018 - Certified Lead Auditor exam?
The ISO-22-CLA exam is ideal for food safety managers, quality managers, internal auditors, lead auditors, HACCP coordinators, compliance officers, supplier auditors, production managers, consultants, and operations professionals. It is useful for anyone responsible for auditing, maintaining, or improving food safety management systems in food chain organizations.
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How difficult is the ISO-22-CLA exam?
The ISO-22-CLA exam is considered moderate because it focuses on ISO 22000:2018 Food Safety Management System requirements and auditing principles. Candidates should understand food safety hazards, HACCP principles, prerequisite programmes, traceability, audit planning, evidence collection, nonconformity reporting, corrective actions, management review, and continual improvement concepts.
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Why does ISO 22000:2018 Lead Auditor certification matter?
This certification matters because food organizations must manage food safety hazards and meet customer, regulatory, and supply-chain requirements. Lead auditors help verify FSMS conformity, assess HACCP controls, identify process weaknesses, support corrective actions, and improve food safety performance across manufacturing, processing, catering, retail, and distribution environments.
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What tools and resources can be used to prepare for the ISO-22-CLA exam?
Candidates can prepare using official course material, ISO 22000:2018 standard guidance, sample exams, audit checklists, HACCP examples, food safety case studies, and practical quality experience. Reviewing prerequisite programmes, hazard analysis, critical control points, traceability, corrective actions, audit principles, management review, and continual improvement is strongly recommended.
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Is the ISO 22000:2018 - Certified Lead Auditor certification still valuable in 2026?
Yes, the ISO 22000:2018 - Certified Lead Auditor certification remains valuable in 2026 because food safety, supplier assurance, regulatory compliance, traceability, and customer confidence remain major business priorities. Skilled auditors are needed to assess FSMS controls, identify nonconformities, support improvements, and maintain audit readiness.