ISO 9001 Foundation

ISO 9001 Foundation Course deepens the principles and requirements applicable to a Quality Management System (QMS), clarifying how ISO 9001 translates into processes, control and continuous improvement. The training supports the transition from conceptual understanding to the organised application of requirements in an organisational context.

Upcoming dates

Confirmed dates.
Synchronous, live training. Interaction with the trainer and the group.

10 July 2026
Live Online • next edition
25 September 2026
Live Online • upcoming edition
Duration: 2 days / 16h
Language: available in Portuguese or English
Training: practical and case-study based
Exam: 1h
PROFESSIONAL LEVEL — practical application of methods in a professional context

Why this course exists

To create an applicable foundation and a common language in ISO 9001, QMS and implementation/operationalisation through exercises and real cases.

Many organisations begin quality initiatives without a consistent basis of concepts, terminology and operational understanding of the structure and requirements of ISO 9001.

This course establishes a fundamental and applicable level of knowledge, supported by theoretical and practical sessions and by exercises, enabling professionals from different areas to understand, apply and support the implementation and operation of a QMS, while also framing the guidance for sustained success provided by ISO 9004.

What this course enables you to do

Understand

Master fundamental quality management concepts and interpret ISO 9001 within the context of a Quality Management System (QMS).

Apply

Apply requirements and best practices in practice, through exercises and examples, to support QMS implementation and management.

Structure

Identify and organise the main QMS components — manual, procedures, records, performance measurement, internal audit, management review and continuous improvement.

Improve

Frame continuous improvement and alignment with interested parties, also using ISO 9004 guidance for sustained success.

Frameworks, standards and best practices addressed throughout the course

ISO 9001 — requirements & structure
QMS — fundamental concepts
Overview of requirements
QMS components — manual, procedures, records
Performance measurement
Management commitment
Internal audit
Management review
Continuous improvement
ISO 9004 — sustained success
Correlated best practices

Value for the organisation

  • Creates a common and applicable basis for teams involved in QMS implementation, operation and continuous improvement.
  • Accelerates internal alignment on ISO 9001 requirements and essential system components — documentation, records, measurement and governance.
  • Supports preparation for ISO 9001 certification, strengthening the understanding of what is required and how to structure evidence.
  • Introduces a practical view of internal audit, management review and continuous improvement, reinforcing maturity and operational consistency.

Introduction

The ISO 9001 Foundation course is a 2-day course that enables participants to acquire knowledge on best practices for implementing and managing a Quality Management System (QMS), as specified in the ISO 9001 standard and in accordance with the guidance of ISO 9004 — Managing for the sustained success of an organisation — A quality management approach.

Participants will also acquire knowledge of the different components of a QMS, including the Quality Manual, required procedures, records, performance measurement, management commitment, internal audit, management review and continuous improvement.

This course prepares participants for the Certified ISO 9001 Foundation personal certification.

This Training Plan and all associated documents are protected by Copyright and registered as a literary work with IGAC.

General Objectives

At the end of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Understand the implementation process of a Quality Management System (QMS) in accordance with the requirements of ISO 9001.
  • Understand the relationship between a Quality Management System and compliance with the requirements of the organisation’s different interested parties.
  • Know the concepts, approaches, standards, methods and techniques required for the effective management of a Quality Management System.
  • Acquire the knowledge required to contribute to the implementation of a Quality Management System (QMS), as specified in ISO 9001.
  • Possess the knowledge required to successfully take the Certified ISO 9001 Foundation certification exam and obtain a personal certification.

Target Audience

  • Members of a Quality Management team.
  • Professionals who wish to acquire fundamental knowledge about the main processes of a Quality Management System (QMS).
  • Team members or any individuals involved in the implementation of ISO 9001.
  • Anyone involved in operations related to the QMS.
  • Auditors.

Prerequisites

Participants should understand English, as part of the course documentation may be available in this language. Please contact Behaviour regarding the availability of resources in Portuguese, where applicable.

Programme

Introduction to the course
QMS concepts and ISO 9001 framework
  • Fundamental quality management and management system concepts
  • ISO 9001 framework and relationship with interested parties
  • ISO 9004 guidance — sustained success — practical overview
Implementation and operation of ISO 9001 requirements — applied view
  • Implementation of ISO 9001 requirements
  • QMS components: manual, procedures, records and evidence
  • Performance measurement, internal audit, management review and continuous improvement
  • Review exercises and practical exam-style test

Exam(s) and Certification

Exam “Certified ISO 9001 Foundation”

The exam covers the following competence domains:

  • Domain 1: Fundamental principles and concepts of Quality Management
  • Domain 2: Quality Management System (QMS)

 

Language(s): Portuguese and English.
Duration: 1 hour (60 minutes).
Format: Multiple choice.
Pass mark: 260/400 points.
Results: Pass or Fail.
Issuing entity: Behaviour (legal entity), through its certification service Behaviour Certification Services.
Retake: 1 free retake within a maximum period of 2 months after the result of the initial exam.

Certification

After successfully completing the exam and accepting or signing the applicable agreement and Code of Ethics, the candidate achieves the credential Certified ISO 9001 Foundation.

A Certificate and a Digital Certification Badge will be issued to participants who successfully complete the certification exam and satisfy all requirements of the certification for which they are applying.

The ISO 9001 Foundation certification is developed and maintained in accordance with the international standard ISO/IEC 17024.

Certification programmes are valid only for individuals, and the award and maintenance of certification depend on the exam result, professional experience and compliance with the applicable agreement and Code of Ethics.

If the professional does not comply with the agreement or the Code of Ethics, the certification is not granted or is revoked.

Other Information

General Information
  • Training available in Portuguese or English.
  • Online training materials available in English, with online access, in accordance with the awarded conditions.
  • Behaviour digital Training Attendance Certificate with 16 CPD/CPE credits.
  • Online Certification Exam, in Portuguese or English. The exam may be taken up to 2 months from the course start date.
  • If the candidate does not pass the exam, they are entitled to one free retake within a maximum period of 2 months from the release date of the initial exam result.
  • Digital Certification Diploma and Digital Certification Badge after passing the exam and completing the application process. This registration process has no associated cost.
Trainer(s)
The trainers are consultants and auditors with experience in implementation, auditing and training in the ISO 9000 family of standards, with particular focus on ISO 9001, ISO 9004 and associated quality standards.

Benefits

View benefits
  • ISO 9001 defines requirements for an auditable and internationally recognised QMS.
  • It enables certification and international recognition, supporting access to new markets and operational optimisation, with improvements in quality, productivity, competitive advantage and customer satisfaction.
  • The course is oriented towards acquiring fundamental knowledge to implement and manage a QMS in accordance with ISO 9001, framed by ISO 9004 — sustained success.
  • The exam is supervised by an official BEHAVIOUR administrator.
  • In case of failure, there is 1 free retake within a maximum period of 2 months after the initial exam result.

Logistics

Useful information
  • Live Online (synchronous time): 09h30–13h00 and 14h00–17h30 (Lisbon time), with short breaks
  • Classroom (synchronous time): 09h30–13h00 and 14h00–17h30 (Lisbon time), with short breaks
  • 14 hours of synchronous training, distributed across 2 consecutive days
  • Estimated 2 hours of guided autonomous work, intended for content consolidation and exam preparation, carried out flexibly outside synchronous sessions
  • Requirements: computer with stable internet, updated browser, PDF reader and audio/video
Hotels in Lisbon

Find out where you can stay in Lisbon, near Behaviour, for classroom training.

Frequently Asked Questions

Objective answers to the most common questions about the ISO 9001 Foundation course.

Is it mandatory to have completed the Essentials course first?
No. The Essentials level focuses on structured understanding of key concepts and fundamental principles. The Foundation level goes deeper into the normative structure and its requirements, providing a more detailed understanding that enables participants to understand, support and integrate implementation initiatives in an informed and consistent way.
Does this course address practical application?
Yes, from the perspective of framing and structured understanding of the requirements, controls and domains of the standard or framework, enabling participants to support implementation or audit teams based on solid normative knowledge.
Is the course more conceptual or technical?
The course has a conceptual and normative focus. It prioritises understanding of the architecture of the standard or framework, the logic of its requirements, controls and domains, establishing a structured basis for implementation, audit or technical specialisation training.
Does this course replace implementation or audit training?
No. The Foundation course does not replace Lead Implementer or Lead Auditor courses. It works as a structuring knowledge base, enabling those training paths to be attended with greater conceptual clarity, normative rigour and pedagogical effectiveness.
In which professional contexts is this course most useful?
It is particularly useful for professionals who:

  • need to understand the standard or framework in order to interact with technical teams;
  • participate in or follow compliance, governance or audit projects;
  • wish to frame themselves technically before assuming implementation, audit or decision-making responsibilities.
Is this course useful in organisations that are already certified?
Yes. The ISO 9001 Foundation course helps participants understand the logic behind quality procedures, records and practices, enabling them to better interpret their purpose and usefulness in day-to-day work, without entering into management system design, implementation or audit activities.

For general questions about registration, delivery modes, exams, certification and recertification, please consult the BEHAVIOUR® FAQs.

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This course can be attended by individual professionals. It may also be integrated into foundational paths for teams involved in the implementation, operation or reinforcement of a quality management system.