SQFI

Auditors & Technical Reviewers

SQF auditors and technical reviewers are part of the SQF certification process essential to maintaining food safety and quality at food businesses throughout the global supply chain.

SQF auditors and technical reviewers are registered with SQFI to conduct or review audits on behalf of a licensed SQF certification body. SQF auditors collect objective evidence to assess compliance of a site’s food safety and/or quality system with the SQF Code requirements. After the audit is completed, the technical reviewer reviews or provides oversight of the review of a certification body’s SQF audit reports.

Auditors and technical reviewers work for a licensed SQF certification body as an employee or a subcontractor.

The four-hour SQF Professional Update is a requirement for SQF Professionals seeking annual re-registration with the SQF program.

Types of Auditors and Reviewers

AUDITOR

SQF Auditor

An individual who is registered with SQFI as an SQF food safety and/or quality auditor according to the requirements contained in the Criteria for SQF Auditors and Technical Reviewers.

TECHNICAL REVIEWER

SQF Technical Reviewer

An individual who provides technical review of SQF audit reports and is employed by an SQF-licensed Certification Body and registered with SQF according to the requirements contained in the Criteria for SQF Auditors and Technical Reviewers.

SQF Auditor Requirements

The requirements of the SQF auditor are outlined in the Criteria for SQF Auditors & Technical Reviewers document.

Education

Have attained a university degree in a discipline related to the food sector category(ies) being applied for (e.g., food science, food technology, dairy technology, packaging technology).

Auditors who do not have a university degree in a discipline related to a food sector category can demonstrate Education equivalency through

EITHER 

Completion of a minimum of 10 years of industry experience. 

OR

The submission of an education plan.

An education waiver must be submitted by the auditor's sponsoring Certification Body.

Training

Successfully complete “Auditing the SQF Code Requirements” virtual instructor-led course. 

AND

Attend an HACCP training course that meets the definition of HACCP Training in the SQF Glossary.

AND

Successfully complete the “Auditing SQF Food Safety Systems” exam.

Experience

Complete at least 160 hours of auditing in the food industry. (Count: Supplier audits, HACCP audits, GMP audits. Do not count: Internal audits, pest control assessments, training, and sample retrieval).

Audit Hours Log

AND

Demonstrate at least 5 years’ work experience in a food-related, technical, professional, or supervisory position involving food safety accountability and the exercise of judgement.

Experience Log

AND

Be employed or contracted with at least one designated licensed SQF certification body.

Sponsor Verification Form
FSC Requirements

Have at least 2 years’ work experience in the FSC.

OR

Have at least 160 audit hours in the FSC.

OR 

Have a combination of work experience and audit hours in the FSC.

    Upon registration as an SQF Auditor, further qualification is conducted by the Certification Body.

    • Witnessed audits
    • Reviewed audit reports

    Technical Reviewer Requirements

    The requirements of the SQF technical reviewer are outlined in the Criteria for SQF Auditors & Technical Reviewers document.

    Education

    Have attained a university degree in food science, food technology, or related discipline.

    Training

    Successfully complete the “Auditing SQF Systems” 4 day training course.

    OR

    “Management System Lead Auditor” 40 hour training course AND the “Auditing SQF Systems” 3 day course.

    OR

    “Management Systems Lead Auditor” 40 hour training course AND the “Auditing the SQF Code Requirements” virtual training course.

    Experience

    Complete at least 80 hours of food safety auditing in the food industry. Audits submitted shall meet the same requirements as those for SQF auditors.

    AND

    Demonstrate at least 2 years’ work experience in food safety and/or quality management. 

    AND

    Be employed or contracted with at least one designated licensed SQF certification body.

    FSC Requirements

    Attend an HACCP training course that meets the definition in the SQF Code.

    AND

    Successfully complete the “Auditing SQF Food Safety Systems” examination.

    AND

    Attest to the SQFI Professional Code of Conduct.

    Worker with Clipboard Looking at Pallet of Boxes

    Careers in Auditing

    Certification auditing is a rewarding career offering competitive compensation, variety, travel opportunities, exposure to the food industry, technical knowledge, problem-solving, people skills, and the chance to make a difference in the safety and quality of the food we eat.

    To support professionals seeking a career in auditing, SQFI and the FMI Foundation offer annual scholarships to students currently enrolled in food and agricultural science majors.

    Food Safety Auditing Scholarship