How to Become a NABL Auditor?

NABL auditors (assessors) are highly respected professionals in the diagnostics and testing industry. NABL assessors help ensure that laboratories across India maintain high quality and accuracy as per international standards.

This is how you can become a NABL assessor:

Who Is a NABL Auditor or Assessor?

A NABL assessor is a person who evaluates laboratories against relevant accreditation criteria and technical specifications. They are also known as a NABL auditor.

NABL stands for National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories. It is one of the constituent boards of the Quality Council of India (QCI).

NABL assessors assess the competency of the staff, quality management system and supporting documentation.

The standard for medical laboratories is ISO 15189:2022.

NABL assessors may have to evaluate:

• The laboratory quality management system.
• Test procedures, technical competence and the records of calibration and maintenance of equipment.
• Internal quality control and external quality assessment
• Training of staff and other records.

Eligibility & Selection Criteria to Become a NABL Assessor

Candidates wishing to work as NABL Assessors must satisfy the eligibility and selection criteria.

Criteria will vary depending on the type of laboratory or Conformity Assessment Body you are seeking to assess.

It is important that you check your application against the latest criteria.

1. Age Requirements

According to the official NABL Assessor Training criteria, the age of the expert should be 38–55 years.

2. Educational Qualification

Educational qualifications will depend on the relevant accreditation discipline.

For Testing and Calibration Laboratories:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Technology
• Master’s Degree in Science

For Medical Testing Laboratories:

• Postgraduate Qualification in a relevant medical field
• Ph.D. in a relevant scientific discipline

For Proficiency Testing Providers and Reference Materials Producers:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Technology
• Master’s Degree in Science

Relevant technical knowledge and practical experience are important for assessor selection.

3. Experience Required

NABL expects assessors to have a substantial technical background in their field.

For Testing and Calibration Laboratories:

• A minimum of 10 years in the relevant field of testing or calibration
• A minimum of 5 years of supervisory experience

For Medical Testing Laboratories:

• A minimum of 10 years in clinical laboratories
• A minimum of 5 years of supervisory experience

For Proficiency Testing Providers and Reference Materials Producers:

• A minimum of 10 years in proficiency testing, reference materials or related activities

Candidates should demonstrate technical knowledge and experience appropriate to their assessment discipline.

Some Additional Considerations for Selection of NABL Assessors

Besides qualifications and experience, there are a number of other professional attributes which NABL considers during assessor selection.

These include:

• Testing or calibration experience
• Communication and report writing skills
• Experience in management and control systems of laboratories
• Knowledge of managing laboratory activities
• Awareness of accreditation requirements and standards
• Publication of technical papers
• Participation in professional activities
• Contribution to standards development

A NABL assessor should be able to evaluate technical activities objectively and communicate assessment findings objectively.

How to Become a NABL Auditor?

Talented individuals who wish to be NABL assessors should go through the official process of NABL assessor training.

1. Eligibility

As per NABL's published criteria, you should be within the age range of 38 to 55 years. If you are applying for Medical Testing Laboratories, you shall need to have a postgraduate degree in a relevant medical discipline or hold a Ph.D. in a relevant science discipline. You must also have a minimum of 10 years' experience working in a clinical laboratory setting, including a minimum of 5 years' experience working in a supervisory or higher position. You will also need to choose an area of assessment based on the above criteria.

2. Knowledge of Relevant Standards

Anyone working in testing and calibration laboratories must have knowledge of ISO/IEC 17025:2017. Those from the medical lab field must be familiar with the requirements of ISO 15189:2022.

3. Apply for NABL Assessor Training

Eligible candidates need to apply for the official NABL Assessor Training through the official website of NABL.

During the application process, candidates will have to provide their qualifications, employment history, and professional details.

NABL shortlists candidates as per its requirements and whether it is able to locate a suitable subject matter expert.

4. Complete NABL Assessor Training

NABL conducts a training workshop to cover the following:

• laboratory management system and assessment of clinical laboratory
• access and use of resources by assessors
• principles of auditing
• observation of audit activities
• writing nonconformity reports
• reviewing assessment findings
• interview techniques
• writing assessment reports
• documentation
• openings and closings of assessment meetings

5. Pass NABL Assessment

After training, candidates need to take an NABL assessment to become an approved NABL assessor.

Candidates need to pass the written test conducted by NABL to qualify as assessors at the end of the assessor training course.

Successful completion of the training will be considered at the time of empanelment of a candidate as a NABL assessor.

Just completion of training does not make a candidate a NABL assessor.

Step 6: NABL Assessor Empanelment

Candidates who fulfill the said requirements may be considered for empanelment by NABL.

NABL assesses the person's characteristics required to perform assessment functions.

People selected for empanelment are required to enter into a contract with NABL.

Only upon fulfillment of all the requirements of selection and empanelment by NABL, a professional becomes an NABL assessor.

Mandatory NABL Assessor Training

NABL organizes assessor training for professionals in different fields of accreditation.

These include training of assessors of medical laboratory (ISO 15189), testing and calibration (ISO/IEC 17025), proficiency testing (ISO/IEC 17043) and reference material (ISO 17034) laboratories. Also, training of Biobank assessors (ISO 20387) is organized.

Training is defined based on the candidate’s technical background.

It is important to understand that NABL's official assessor training is not the same as a general ISO 15189 training or internal auditor training.

General training is helpful for professionals in enhancing their knowledge, but in itself does not make a candidate a NABL assessor.

Get Trained with Qualityveda

Our Online ISO 15189:2022 & Quality Management training will be valuable for professionals who want to understand ISO 15189:2022 and those who wish to work as internal auditors of medical laboratories to assess the quality management systems of laboratories. It will be useful for people who wish to understand NABL requirements and lead quality improvement initiatives.

• Acquire skills in laboratory quality management
• Prepare for opportunities in laboratory quality and accreditation

This program provides insight into the interpretation of standards and their utility in the context of medical laboratories.

This program covers laboratory documentation, quality management and technical aspects.

This training enables participants to acquire the necessary knowledge for considering NABL assessor opportunities.

Qualityveda's training is not an official NABL assessor training or qualification. Candidates seeking an opportunity to be an NABL assessor must fulfil the requirements of NABL separately.

For more information, please read NABL Consultants - Who They Are and How They Help.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. How do I become a NABL auditor?

To become a NABL auditor, a candidate must satisfy NABL's eligibility criteria, undergo assessor training, pass the selection process, NABL assessment, and fulfill empanelment requirements.

Q2. What is the maximum age for the NABL assessor position?

NABL's published eligibility criteria indicate the age limit is between 38 and 55 years.

Q3. How many years' experience is required for the position of a NABL assessor?

Candidates for Medical Testing Laboratories (MTLs) are generally expected to have a minimum of 10 years of experience in clinical laboratory work, with at least 5 years at a supervisory or managerial level.

Q4. Is it mandatory to have ISO 15189 training to become a NABL assessor?

Candidates, upon selection and training by NABL, are not expected to have ISO 15189 training. However, such training is expected to have a positive impact on the candidates' professional development.

Q5. Will I be able to become a NABL assessor after Qualityveda training?

Participants attending Qualityveda training will be equipped with the required knowledge and skills for implementation of the requirements of ISO 15189 and laboratory quality management.

NABL assessor selection and empanelment are done independently by NABL.

Q6. Where can I apply for NABL assessor training?

Interested eligible professionals can apply through the official NABL Assessor Training page.

Final Thoughts

Being a NABL auditor requires relevant qualifications, extensive experience in laboratories, and technical competence and going through the NABL assessor training and selection process.

Professionals wishing to develop a career in laboratory quality management should be familiar with the requirements and implications of the standards, the skills of assessment and their documentation.

At Qualityveda, the ISO 15189:2022 training course helps to broaden knowledge of the quality management of medical laboratories and improve competencies in quality management of medical laboratories.

Are you interested in knowing more about laboratory quality management and ISO 15189:2022?

Call: 8882509194

Website: www.qualityveda.co