Last Updated on November 3, 2025 by Melissa Lazaro

What It Really Takes to Get ISO/IEC 17024 Accredited

Getting accredited under ISO/IEC 17024 is one of the most important milestones for any personnel certification body. It’s the formal recognition that your organization is competent, impartial, and aligned with global best practices for certifying individuals.

Many teams begin this journey eager but uncertain — wondering how long it will take, how much it will cost, and what exactly the process involves. After guiding dozens of organizations through accreditation with SANAS, ANAB, UKAS, IAS, and other ILAC-MRA members, I’ve learned that success depends on clarity and planning, not speed.

This guide gives you a full, structured overview of what to expect: the complete process from planning to decision, how to estimate costs accurately, and how to map realistic timelines to your resources.

The Big Picture: What ISO/IEC 17024 Accreditation Involves

ISO/IEC 17024 accreditation is the formal confirmation that your certification body operates competently and consistently in assessing people’s qualifications. It’s about proving not only that you have the right documents but that your system works in practice — ensuring impartiality, technical competence, and reliable decision-making.

The process centers on three critical dimensions:

1. Process – the defined stages from application to final accreditation.
2. Timeline – the realistic duration to complete each phase.
3. Cost – the resources required to reach and maintain compliance.

Accreditation isn’t a one-off event; it’s a structured system that continues long after you receive the certificate.
Pro Tip: Approach it as a project with milestones, responsibilities, and check-ins. The more structured your plan, the smoother your audit journey will be.

Step-by-Step Accreditation Process Overview

The ISO/IEC 17024 accreditation journey follows a logical sequence of six stages:

1. Planning and Gap Analysis – Assess where your current system stands against the standard’s requirements. Define your certification scope and identify missing elements.
2. System Development – Create or refine documentation such as your Certification Scheme Manual, Impartiality Policy, and management procedures.
3. Internal Audit and Management Review – Verify readiness, identify weak points, and confirm leadership commitment.
4. Application Submission – Send your documentation to your chosen accreditation body for a desktop review.
5. Onsite and Witness Assessments – Demonstrate competence in real-world operations, including candidate evaluations.
6. Corrective Actions and Final Decision – Respond to findings, submit evidence, and receive your accreditation approval.

Each stage builds on the last. Rushing ahead before the foundation is solid usually leads to rework, delays, or additional costs.

Understanding the Cost of ISO/IEC 17024 Accreditation

Costs vary widely because they depend on your scope, number of certification schemes, geographic coverage, and the policies of your chosen accreditation body.

Here’s how the main cost components typically break down:

• Application and Document Review Fees – paid at submission.
• Assessment and Witness Man-Days – based on the number of assessors and duration.
• Assessor Travel and Accommodation – especially for onsite or multi-site visits.
• Annual Surveillance and Reassessment Fees – for maintaining accreditation.

Average total investment:

• Small, single-scheme certification body: USD 7 000 – 15 000
• Mid-size, multi-scheme: USD 20 000 – 35 000
• Large, multi-country operation: USD 40 000 – 60 000 +

Pro Tip: Always request a detailed, itemized quotation. Accreditation bodies use different pricing structures, and understanding the breakdown helps you plan your budget realistically.

Calculating Audit Duration (Man-Days)

The number of man-days drives both cost and scheduling. Accreditation bodies use this measure to calculate assessor effort and fees.

Key factors influencing duration include:

• Number and complexity of your certification schemes.
• Quantity of competence areas or job roles covered.
• Locations of your offices or examination centers.
• Witness-audit requirements.

A practical formula for rough estimation is:

Total Man-Days = (Base Days × Number of Schemes) + Witness Days + Travel/Preparation Days

Benchmark:

• Small body with one scheme – 3 to 4 man-days.
• Medium multi-scheme body – 6 to 8 man-days.
• Large, multi-site body – 10 to 15 + man-days.

Pro Tip: Combining witness sessions across similar schemes and maintaining good record readiness often reduces total man-days — and cost.

Accreditation Timeline in 6 Steps

Most accreditation projects take 4 to 6 months when properly managed. The timeline typically looks like this:

Phase	Duration	Main Deliverable
Planning & Gap Analysis	2 – 4 weeks	Scope definition and gap report
System Development	4 – 8 weeks	Documentation package
Internal Audit & Review	2 – 3 weeks	Audit and management-review reports
Application & Document Review	3 – 6 weeks	Reviewer feedback and clarifications
Onsite & Witness Assessments	4 – 8 weeks	Assessment reports
Corrective Actions & Decision	2 – 6 weeks	Final evidence and accreditation decision

Pro Tip: Consistent communication with your accreditation body prevents unnecessary waiting. Prompt responses to document queries are one of the biggest timeline savers.

Experience Insight: Most well-organized certification bodies achieve full accreditation comfortably within six months.

Choosing the Right Accreditation Body

Your accreditation body determines not only cost and speed but also global recognition. Choosing carefully is essential.

Key evaluation points include:

• Recognition: Is it an ILAC MRA signatory with international acceptance?
• Scope Coverage: Do they accredit personnel-certification bodies under ISO/IEC 17024?
• Geographical Fit: Is their recognition valid in your target markets?
• Service Responsiveness: How quickly and clearly do they communicate?
• Fee Transparency: Are their man-day rates and travel policies public and clear?

A quick comparison framework:

Accreditation Body	Region	Recognition	Strengths
SANAS	South Africa	ILAC MRA Member	Strong technical rigor
ANAB	USA	ILAC MRA Member	Global reputation; fast turnaround
UKAS	UK	EA & ILAC MRA	High prestige, strong Commonwealth acceptance
IAS	USA / Global	ILAC MRA	Flexible, cost-efficient
EIAC	UAE	ILAC MRA	Preferred across MENA region

Pro Tip: Verify scope coverage directly on the ILAC MRA or accreditation body website before applying.

Maintaining Your Accreditation: Surveillance Visits

Accreditation doesn’t end once you’re approved. Surveillance visits ensure your system continues to perform as intended.

Most accreditation bodies conduct these follow-up assessments every 12 to 18 months. The visits focus on impartiality committee records, certification decisions, internal audits, corrective actions, and ongoing competence evaluations.

Pro Tip: Maintain a live compliance tracker linked to ISO/IEC 17024 clauses. It makes surveillance straightforward and demonstrates control to assessors.

Experience Insight: Organizations that build surveillance into their yearly management rhythm rarely struggle during reassessments — it simply becomes part of how they operate.

Typical End-to-End Cost and Duration Summary

Accreditation Stage	Estimated Duration	Estimated Cost (USD)
Application & Document Review	3 – 6 weeks	1 000 – 3 000
Onsite & Witness Assessments	4 – 8 weeks	5 000 – 20 000
Corrective Actions & Decision	2 – 6 weeks	Included
Annual Surveillance Cycle	Every 12 – 18 months	2 000 – 10 000
Total (Initial Accreditation)	4 – 6 months	7 000 – 60 000 +

Pro Tip: Build a three-year cost plan that includes surveillance and reassessment expenses. Accreditation is an ongoing operational commitment, not a one-time purchase.

FAQs – ISO/IEC 17024 Accreditation: Cost, Timeline, and Process

Q1: What’s the average total cost for ISO/IEC 17024 accreditation?
Between USD 15 000 and 35 000 for mid-size certification bodies with two schemes.

Q2: Can the process be completed faster?
Yes. Clear documentation, prompt communication, and readiness checks can shorten the process by several weeks.

Q3: How long does accreditation remain valid?
Typically four years, with surveillance every 12 to 18 months and full reassessment in the fourth year.

Plan, Budget, and Build for Long-Term Credibility

ISO/IEC 17024 accreditation isn’t just about earning a certificate — it’s about proving professional competence and consistency over time.

When you understand the full picture — the process steps, cost drivers, and realistic timelines — accreditation becomes a strategic investment rather than an administrative hurdle.

With a clear plan, the right accreditation body, and a disciplined approach to maintenance, your organization can achieve and sustain global recognition for its certification programs.

Call-to-Action:
If you’re preparing for ISO/IEC 17024 accreditation and want expert guidance, QSE Academy can help you design your implementation roadmap, budget plan, and readiness tools to stay compliant and efficient from day one.