How to Get AS9100 Certified
A Practical Guide to Achieving AS9100 Certification
If you’re asking how to get AS9100 certified, you’re likely preparing to enter or expand within the aerospace supply chain. Certification demonstrates that your Quality Management System (QMS) meets the industry’s heightened expectations for risk management, product safety, counterfeit parts prevention, and configuration control.
For a broader overview of the standard itself, see What is AS9100 Certification.
At Wintersmith Advisory, we approach certification as a structured business initiative — not a documentation exercise.
What AS9100 Certification Really Requires
AS9100 builds on ISO 9001 but adds aerospace-specific requirements that materially increase rigor. These include:
Product safety controls
Counterfeit parts prevention
Configuration management
Operational risk management
Expanded supplier oversight
Special process validation
If you are transitioning from ISO 9001, review ISO 9001 vs AS9100 before beginning. The differences are operational, not cosmetic.
Certification is granted by an accredited aerospace registrar following a successful Stage 1 and Stage 2 audit.
Step-by-Step: How to Get AS9100 Certified
Step 1: Understand AS9100 Requirements
Leadership must understand:
The High-Level Structure
Aerospace additions beyond ISO 9001
Documentation expectations
Audit cycle and surveillance rules
This is not delegated learning. Executive understanding directly affects audit outcomes.
For detailed clause interpretation, see AS9100 Requirements.
Step 2: Conduct a Gap Assessment
A formal gap assessment compares your current system against every AS9100 clause.
This identifies:
Missing procedures
Weak supplier controls
Incomplete risk registers
Counterfeit parts exposure
Audit program deficiencies
Documentation gaps
A structured assessment prevents reactive remediation later.
Step 3: Build or Upgrade the QMS
Implementation typically includes:
Defining certification scope
Mapping process interactions
Establishing risk management methods
Formalizing configuration management
Strengthening supplier approval and monitoring
Implementing counterfeit parts controls
Defining KPIs and performance metrics
The objective is operational control — not document volume.
If you need structured implementation support, review AS9100 Implementation Services.
Step 4: Train and Deploy
Certification bodies expect evidence of use, not just presence.
You must demonstrate:
Process awareness across departments
Risk-based thinking in operations
Defined responsibilities
Internal auditor competence
Training is especially critical for production leaders and quality personnel. Many organizations invest in AS9100 Training to prepare teams for implementation and audit readiness.
Step 5: Conduct Internal Audits
Before certification, you must complete:
A full internal audit cycle covering all clauses
Process-based auditing
Corrective action and verification
Internal audits are not symbolic. They validate system maturity.
If you need external support to validate readiness, consider ISO Internal Audit Services aligned specifically to AS9100 scope.
Step 6: Conduct Management Review
Top management must review:
Audit results
Performance data
Customer feedback
Risk status
Corrective action effectiveness
This meeting must produce evidence of oversight and system direction.
Certification auditors evaluate leadership engagement carefully.
Step 7: Select an Accredited Certification Body
Choosing the right registrar matters.
Review AS9100 Certification Bodies to understand accreditation, auditor competence, and audit time calculation considerations.
Your selected registrar will perform:
Stage 1 Audit (documentation and readiness review)
Stage 2 Audit (implementation verification)
Step 8: Address Nonconformities
If findings are issued:
Perform root cause analysis
Implement corrective action
Provide objective evidence
Demonstrate systemic correction
Certification is granted once findings are properly closed.
How Long Does It Take to Get AS9100 Certified?
Typical timelines:
4–6 months for mature ISO 9001 systems
6–12 months for new implementations
Longer for complex or multi-site aerospace organizations
Timeline depends on:
Existing system maturity
Leadership engagement
Internal resource availability
Operational complexity
Organizations starting without structured quality systems often require deeper foundation work.
Common Mistakes That Delay Certification
Treating AS9100 as “ISO 9001 plus paperwork”
Weak counterfeit parts controls
Poor configuration management
Underdeveloped risk registers
Incomplete internal audit coverage
Rushed implementation without leadership ownership
These frequently result in major findings during Stage 2 audits.
Why Work With a Structured AS9100 Approach
Certification impacts:
Aerospace contract eligibility
Defense program access
Supplier approval status
Risk exposure
Operational consistency
A disciplined implementation reduces audit risk and shortens time to certification.
Wintersmith Advisory builds clause-mapped, audit-defensible systems designed to withstand registrar scrutiny — not just pass once.
Ready to Get AS9100 Certified?
AS9100 certification is a strategic commitment. When implemented correctly, it strengthens operational control, improves risk visibility, and positions your organization for aerospace growth.
If you are preparing for certification and want a structured, aerospace-focused roadmap, we can build a practical plan aligned to your current system maturity.
Next Strategic Considerations
Organizations pursuing AS9100 often evaluate:
Each decision should support your broader compliance and growth strategy — not just the next audit cycle.
Contact us.
info@wintersmithadvisory.com
(801) 477-6329