Answer: This Standard is to confirm to owners, the design community, the construction industry, and public officials that certified participants who adhere to the requirements in this Standard have the personnel, organization, experience, documented procedures, knowledge, equipment, and commitment to quality to perform fabrication, manufacturing, and/or erection as described in this Standard.

The updated Standard will take effect for anyone having an audit on or after June 1, 2024, for both current participants and applicants. Auditors will then begin issuing Areas of Concerns (AOCs) for noncompliance with any new or updated criteria from the Requirements. QMC auditors use AOCs to inform you of recent changes to the Governing Requirements, the Standard, and/or other normative reference documents.
If the auditor issues an AOC, they will review the AOC at the following audit. If you do not effectively resolve an AOC before the next audit, the auditor will issue a Corrective Action Request (CAR).

The 207-23 Audit Guides will help you transition between older documents, like the Certification Standard for Steel Fabrication and Erection and Manufacturing of Metal Components (AISC 207-16), and the updated Standard for Certification Programs (AISC 207-23). These handy tools will help identify gaps between your quality management systems (QMS) and the updated Standard, or you can use it as a starting point to implement management systems that meet the certification requirements. It can also be useful if you’re considering pursuing additional certifications or endorsements.

The 207-23 Audit Guides will help you transition between the older documents (Certification Standard for Steel Fabrication and Erection and AISC 207-16 Manufacturing of Metal Components) and the updated Standard for Certification Programs (AISC 207-23). These handy tools will help identify gaps between your quality management systems (QMS) and the updated Standard, or you can use it as a starting point to implement management systems that meet the certification requirements. It can also be useful if you’re considering pursuing additional certifications or endorsements.

The Standard will be updated approximately every three years by the Certification Standards Committee, which is overseen by AISC’s Engineering and Research Department. Once the updated Standard is approved by the AISC Board of Directors, the Certification Program will implement the updated version the following June.

The 2024 QRs will be published in May 2024 and take effect June 1.

The Governing Requirements for Certification Programs (GRs) are provided for identifying the activities required to demonstrate that the participating company’s management system fulfills the requirements for certification to the selected standard and other normative documents. The GRs provide for the administration of the audit program from application to certification. They also contain clarifications, explanations, and additional requirements to those found in the Standard of Certification Programs (AISC 207) and are also used to provide modifications to the Standard until a formal revision can be made.

The Governing Requirements for Certification Programs (GRs) provide for the administration of the audit program from application to certification, and they apply to every participant or applicant. The Supplemental Requirements are additional requirements that are tailored for a specific certification or endorsement. For example, a Certified Bridge Fabricator must adhere to the GRs and the Supplemental Requirements for Bridge Fabricators - similar to how they must meet the criteria of Chapter 1 & 4 of the Standard for Certification Programs.

The updated Requirements will take effect for anyone having an audit on or after June 1, 2024, for both current participants and applicants. Auditors will then begin issuing Areas of Concerns (AOCs) for noncompliance with any new or updated criteria from the Requirements. QMC auditors use AOCs to inform you of recent changes to the Governing Requirements, the Standard, and/or other normative reference documents.

If the auditor issues an AOC, they will review the AOC at the following audit. If you do not effectively resolve an AOC before the next audit, the auditor will issue a Corrective Action Request (CAR).

The 2024 revision is not a complete revision of the Governing Requirements for Certification Programs (GRs) but does add important changes and updates including updated terminology as defined in the glossary below. Changes are noted in the Preface of the GRs. Each change is noted as either: New, Editorial, Revision, or Moved. 

Every year, the Governing Requirements for Certification Programs are published in May and take effect on June 1.

Please visit the Certification Resources page for a wide-range of quality-related resources to help streamline your quality management system. From a non-conformance worksheet to an entire guide of required, normative and beneficial, informative references, these tools will simplify your daily tasks and improve your overall quality.

Please contact us any time at either certification@aisc.org or 312-670-7520.

We list your current principal, certification, A/P, marketing contacts on your annual invoice. If one of these happens to change, you need to update your Company Profile Form, as stated in: 

PR 1.11: “AISC relies on email to communicate with Applicants and Participants. Any changes to contact information MUST be provided to AISC. See PR4.9 concerning Company Profile. It is the Participant/Applicant’s responsibility to ensure communications are being received.”

Use the Company Profile Form to notify us. Please remember you have to contact AISC Certification and Membership separately of any staff profile changes.