Last Updated on November 28, 2025 by Melissa Lazaro

How Long BRC V9 Certification Really Takes

One of the first questions I hear from food manufacturers is, “How long will BRC certification take us?”
And it’s a fair question — you’re planning resources, budgets, and sometimes even customer deadlines.

After helping companies prepare for certification across different industries and regions, I’ve noticed something consistent: the timeline isn’t just about the standard — it’s about readiness, leadership clarity, and how fast decisions happen.

Some sites can complete the process in six months. Others take a year or more. The difference? Preparation and momentum.

This guide walks you through a clear, realistic six-step timeline — from your first gap analysis to final certificate issuance — so you know what to expect and how to plan it.

Step 1 — Gap-Analysis & Planning (Weeks 1–4)

Everything starts with understanding where you currently stand.
A solid BRC V9 gap analysis includes reviewing your documentation, walking the floor, checking compliance evidence, and identifying gaps against the clauses.

The goal here isn’t perfection — it’s clarity.

Once you know what’s missing, build a project plan with ownership and realistic deadlines. Assigning tasks to “the team” never works — assign names, not groups.

Pro Tip: Keep the gap report visible and updated. A forgotten gap analysis becomes a dusty document, not a roadmap.

One site I worked with completed their gap analysis quickly because their Quality Manager created a live action tracker with weekly accountability meetings. They finished this phase in four weeks instead of twelve.

Step 2 — Building or Updating Documentation (Weeks 4–10)

Next comes documentation — and this is where many teams get overwhelmed.

Your Food Safety and Quality Manual, HACCP or Food Safety Plan, PRPs, SOPs, and records must all align with BRC V9 requirements.

But here’s something important: you don’t need to start from scratch.
Most companies already have usable content — it just needs aligning.

Pro Tip: Start with what exists, map it to the standard, and only create new content where true gaps exist.

A common mistake is producing documents no one will ever use. Auditors can spot a “paper system” instantly — especially if procedures don’t match actual workflow.

Step 3 — Implementing Processes & Training (Weeks 8–16)

Documentation alone doesn’t earn certification — your team needs to use it.

Implementation includes:

• Rolling out new or updated procedures
• Updating logs and forms
• Training employees
• Collecting evidence that processes are working

Auditors expect records over time — not just a week of documentation.

Training plays a huge role here. If operators don’t understand what’s changing or why, compliance drops.

Pro Tip: Train supervisors first — they become champions and help reinforce expectations on the floor.

I’ve seen teams lose months because training happened at the last minute, leaving no time to build evidence.

Step 4 — Internal Audit & Management Review (Weeks 12–20)

Before you call a certification body, you need to conduct a full internal audit covering every clause of BRC V9.

This step validates whether your system works in practice.

Once the audit is complete, address the non-conformities and hold a documented management review meeting. This isn’t just a checkbox — it demonstrates leadership involvement, resourcing, and accountability.

Pro Tip: Treat the internal audit as a rehearsal for the certification audit. If internal findings are vague or soft, the real audit won’t be.

Many companies rush this step, and it shows. A solid internal audit builds confidence and avoids unwanted surprises.

Step 5 — Selecting and Scheduling the Certification Audit (Weeks 16–24)

Certification bodies don’t always have immediate availability — especially for high-risk categories. Booking can take 6–12 weeks.

So, don’t wait until everything is “perfect” before scheduling. Start shortlisting and contacting certification bodies early.

What to consider:

• Auditor competence in your product category
• Travel costs and fees
• Timeline availability
• Reputation and responsiveness

Pro Tip: Lock in your audit date early — especially if you produce ready-to-eat products or operate in a region with limited auditors.

I’ve seen two companies start the process at the same time: one scheduled early and stayed on track; the other waited and lost three months waiting for auditor availability.

Step 6 — Certification Audit, Reporting & Certificate Issuance (Weeks 24–28+)

Audit week is where everything comes together.

A typical certification audit includes:

• Opening meeting
• Document review
• Facility walkthrough
• Interviews
• Record verification
• Closing meeting with grading

After the audit, you’ll receive a list of any non-conformities. You’ll have a set timeframe — usually up to 28 days — to provide corrective actions and evidence.

Once accepted, the certification body completes the report review and issues your certificate.

Pro Tip: Respond to non-conformities quickly and clearly. Overly generic responses slow the process more than the issue itself.

FAQs: BRC V9 Certification Timeline

Q1: Can we get certified faster?
Yes — if you already have a mature system, strong records, and book the audit early. Most delays happen in documentation and scheduling.

Q2: Will the timeline be shorter if we already follow another GFSI standard?
Often, yes — but only if processes and documentation are aligned, not just similar.

Q3: Does the certification timeline repeat every year?
Not fully. Future years involve surveillance or recertification audits, which typically take less time than initial implementation.

Conclusion: Plan Realistically and Protect Momentum

BRC certification isn’t just an audit — it’s a structured improvement process. With clear ownership, preparation, and a realistic timeline, the journey becomes manageable.

If you want help mapping your own six-step timeline or reviewing readiness, I can walk you through it and tailor the roadmap to your scope and industry.

Just tell me where you are in the process — and we’ll go from there.