How to Get AS9100 Certified

What Is AS9100 Certification?

AS9100 is the aerospace-specific Quality Management System standard based on ISO 9001 with additional requirements for:

• Product safety

• Counterfeit parts prevention

• Configuration management

• Risk-based thinking

• Operational risk control

• Special process management

Certification is granted by an accredited certification body after a successful audit.

Step-by-Step: How to Get AS9100 Certified

Step 1: Understand the Requirements

Before implementation begins, leadership must understand:

• The structure of AS9100 Rev D

• Aerospace-specific additions beyond ISO 9001

• Documentation and operational control expectations

• Audit and surveillance cycle requirements

This ensures commitment and resource allocation.

Step 2: Conduct a Gap Assessment

A gap assessment compares your current processes against AS9100 requirements.

This identifies:

• Missing procedures

• Incomplete risk controls

• Weak supplier oversight

• Lack of internal audit structure

• Documentation gaps

You receive a prioritized remediation roadmap.

Step 3: Build or Upgrade Your QMS

This stage includes:

• Defining scope of certification

• Developing or revising procedures

• Establishing process interactions

• Implementing risk registers

• Strengthening supplier controls

• Documenting configuration management

• Implementing counterfeit parts controls

• Creating performance metrics

The goal is operational alignment — not paperwork overload.

Step 4: Implement & Train

Processes must be:

• Communicated

• Understood by employees

• Actively used

• Monitored for effectiveness

Training is critical for:

• Production personnel

• Quality staff

• Leadership

• Internal auditors

Certification bodies expect evidence of implementation — not just documentation.

Step 5: Conduct Internal Audits

Before certification, you must complete:

• A full internal audit of all AS9100 clauses

• Process-based audits

• Corrective action implementation

Internal audits validate readiness and expose weaknesses early.

Step 6: Conduct Management Review

Leadership must formally review:

• Audit results

• Performance metrics

• Risk status

• Customer feedback

• Corrective actions

Management review demonstrates top-level oversight and system effectiveness.

Step 7: Select a Certification Body

Choose an accredited AS9100 certification body with:

• Aerospace experience

• Qualified auditors

• Transparent audit time calculation

They will conduct:

• Stage 1 audit (documentation review)

• Stage 2 audit (implementation verification)

Step 8: Address Nonconformities

If findings are issued:

• Root cause must be identified

• Corrective action implemented

• Objective evidence provided

Certification is granted after closure of findings.

How Long Does It Take to Get AS9100 Certified?

Typical timelines:

• 4–6 months for mature ISO 9001 organizations

• 6–12 months for new implementations

• Longer for complex aerospace operations

Timeline depends on system maturity and internal resources.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Underestimating risk management requirements

• Treating AS9100 as “ISO 9001 plus paperwork”

• Skipping full internal audits

• Weak counterfeit parts controls

• Poorly defined configuration management

• Rushing implementation without leadership engagement

These often result in major audit findings.

Why Work with Wintersmith Advisory?

We guide organizations through every stage:

• Gap assessment

• QMS development

• Risk framework integration

• Internal audit execution

• Management review preparation

• Certification body coordination

Our approach is:

• Clause-mapped

• Aerospace-focused

• Audit-defensible

• Operationally practical

We build systems that withstand registrar scrutiny.

Ready to Get AS9100 Certified?

AS9100 certification opens doors to aerospace contracts, defense programs, and global supply chains.

If you’re serious about certification, we can structure a step-by-step implementation plan tailored to your organization.

Let’s build a system that earns certification — and drives performance.