Answer: This Standard confirms that certified participants have the personnel, organization, experience, documented procedures, knowledge, equipment, and commitment to quality to perform fabrication, manufacturing, and/or erection as described in the requirements.

The updated Standard took effect for anyone having an audit on or after June 15, 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 207-20 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 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 have been updated and take effect on January 1, 2025, for all participants and applicants. Please see our Bulletin 2024-08 for information.

• AISC 207-23 Standard for Certification Programs (effective June 15, 2024)
• Governing Requirements for Certification Programs
• Supplemental Requirements for Building Fabricators (BU)
• Supplemental Requirements for Bridge Fabricators (SBR, IBR, ABR)
• Supplemental Requirements for Highway Component Manufacturers (CPT)
• Supplemental Requirements for Fabricators of Hydraulic Steel Structures (HYD, HYDA)
• Supplemental Requirements for Erectors (CSE)
• Supplemental Requirements for Fracture Control Endorsement (FCE)
• Supplemental Requirements for Complex Coatings Endorsement (CCE)

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 took effect for anyone having an audit on or after June 15, 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. 

The Governing Requirements for Certification Programs are published in May and take effect on June 15. They may also be amended periodically through bulletins. See our Bulletins page for the latest updates.

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, and QA/QC 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 if any staff profile changes.