Last Updated on October 30, 2025 by Melissa Lazaro

Why ISO/IEC 17024 Accreditation Matters for Credibility

Here’s what I’ve noticed after years of helping organizations design certification schemes: many think offering a training program or issuing a certificate automatically makes them credible. The reality is, without ISO/IEC 17024 accreditation, those certificates often don’t carry real weight—especially with regulators, employers, or international partners.

ISO/IEC 17024 accreditation proves that your certification decisions are competence-based, impartial, and consistent. It’s what separates a credible personnel-certification body from a training provider handing out certificates after a course.

By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly who needs ISO/IEC 17024 accreditation, how it applies to your organization, and why it’s becoming a global benchmark for trust in professional certification.

Understanding ISO/IEC 17024 – The Standard for Certifying Persons

ISO/IEC 17024 is the international standard that defines how organizations should operate when certifying people’s competence. It’s not about products or management systems—it’s about individuals.

Think of it this way: if your organization certifies professionals like auditors, engineers, safety officers, or technicians, ISO/IEC 17024 is your guidebook. It ensures you assess real skills, not just course attendance or exam scores.

Pro Tip:
Before you start building your certification scheme, make sure it’s focused on competence, not just education. ISO/IEC 17024 requires proof that certified individuals can actually perform the job they’re certified for.

Common Mistake:
Confusing ISO/IEC 17024 with ISO/IEC 17021-1. The first is about people, the second about management-system certification bodies.

Who Needs ISO/IEC 17024 Accreditation – The Key Categories

Let’s break down exactly who benefits—or requires—this accreditation.

a. Personnel-Certification Bodies (PCBs)

If your main business is evaluating and certifying professionals’ competence, you’re the primary audience.
Examples include bodies that certify:

• Quality, environmental, or safety auditors
• Inspectors or compliance officers
• Trainers or consultants

In short, if you issue certificates that validate skills and knowledge, you need ISO/IEC 17024.

b. Professional or Licensing Boards

Government-recognized boards or associations responsible for licensing engineers, medical practitioners, or electricians often align their processes with ISO/IEC 17024 to demonstrate impartiality and public trust.

c. Training Organizations Offering Certification Exams

Training centers that move beyond instruction—offering independent exams and issuing credentials—qualify as certification bodies under this standard.
Example: a training provider that delivers auditor courses and awards an “ISO 9001 Lead Auditor” certificate based on a formal exam and competence review.

Pro Tip:
If your certificates influence hiring or regulatory acceptance, you need ISO/IEC 17024. It proves your assessments are structured and unbiased.

d. Industry Associations and Trade Federations

Associations that define skill benchmarks for their sector (e.g., construction, food safety, IT) often use ISO/IEC 17024 to standardize how they assess and recognize professionals.

e. Government and Regulatory Agencies

Some government departments rely on ISO/IEC 17024-accredited bodies to certify professionals in regulated industries.
For example, safety inspectors or energy auditors often must hold certifications from accredited personnel-certification bodies.

Common Pitfall:
Assuming government recognition automatically replaces accreditation. It doesn’t. Accreditation adds international credibility—recognition alone doesn’t guarantee compliance with ISO requirements.

Why ISO/IEC 17024 Accreditation Is Valuable

Accreditation isn’t just about compliance—it’s about trust.

Here’s what it gives you:

• Global recognition: Accredited certifications are accepted by employers and regulators worldwide.
• Impartiality and transparency: Accreditation confirms you make certification decisions fairly and consistently.
• Competitive advantage: Clients choose accredited certificates because they’re backed by an independent evaluation.
• Reduced risk: You’re less likely to face disputes or challenges about competence or exam fairness.

Example:
A non-accredited body may issue “Lead Auditor” certificates, but those often fail to meet requirements during ISO audits or tender submissions.
Accredited ones, however, are accepted internationally—no questions asked.

Pro Tip:
Always display your accreditation symbol (with your body’s accreditation number) on marketing materials. It signals instant credibility.

How to Know If ISO/IEC 17024 Applies to You

If you’re still unsure whether ISO/IEC 17024 fits your organization, run through this quick check:

Question	If You Answer Yes	What It Means
Do you assess individuals’ competence or skills?	Yes	ISO/IEC 17024 applies directly.
Do your certifications influence hiring, promotion, or licensing?	Yes	Accreditation is critical for trust and compliance.
Do you evaluate organizations or systems instead of people?	Yes	You probably need ISO/IEC 17021-1 or ISO/IEC 17065 instead.

Common Mistake:
Some organizations think having ISO 9001 certification means they’re “covered.” ISO 9001 proves your management system works—it doesn’t validate your certification decisions or personnel competence.

What Happens If You Operate Without ISO/IEC 17024 Accreditation

Working without accreditation can create serious challenges:

• Limited recognition: Your certificates may not be accepted internationally.
• Regulatory rejection: Licensing or tender authorities may reject unaccredited certifications.
• Reputational risk: Candidates and employers may question your credibility.
• Missed opportunities: You may be excluded from global directories of accredited certification bodies.

Example:
We once worked with a training organization whose certificates were rejected by a European client because they lacked ISO/IEC 17024 accreditation. After implementing the standard and achieving accreditation, their certificates became accepted across multiple countries.

Pro Tip:
If your clients or partners ask, “Are you accredited?”—that’s your signal to act.

Getting Started with ISO/IEC 17024 Accreditation

Here’s a simplified roadmap to start your journey:

1. Conduct a gap analysis against ISO/IEC 17024 requirements.
2. Define your certification scheme—scope, competence criteria, and recertification cycle.
3. Develop impartiality and confidentiality procedures.
4. Document your certification process: application, evaluation, decision, appeals, and surveillance.
5. Apply to an accreditation body (like ANAB, UKAS, DAC, or your national authority).

Pro Tip:
Begin with one certification program first. Once accredited, you can expand to others easily—it’s faster and smoother that way.

FAQs – Common Questions About ISO/IEC 17024 Accreditation

Q1: Can a training provider get ISO/IEC 17024 accredited?
Yes—but they must separate training and certification functions to maintain impartiality. The certification must be based on independent competence evaluation, not course completion alone.

Q2: Do individuals get ISO/IEC 17024 accredited?
No. Only the certification body earns accreditation. Individuals get certified through those accredited bodies.

Q3: Is ISO/IEC 17024 mandatory?
In most industries, it’s voluntary—but for regulatory or safety-critical professions, it’s often a de facto requirement for recognition.

Is ISO/IEC 17024 Right for You?

If your organization certifies people based on skill or knowledge, ISO/IEC 17024 isn’t just an option—it’s your path to credibility and global trust. It validates that your certification decisions are fair, impartial, and competence-driven.

At QSE Academy, we’ve helped certification bodies, professional boards, and training institutions achieve ISO/IEC 17024 accreditation through clear guidance and ready-to-use documentation kits.

If you’re ready to find out where you stand, start with a Gap-Analysis Session or explore our ISO/IEC 17024 Documentation Toolkit—it’s everything you need to launch your accreditation journey confidently.