What is the cost of AS9100 certification?

The cost for certain AS9100 certification services, specifically an "all-in-one per hour" rate, is $997.

It's important to understand that the total cost of AS9100 certification is not a fixed amount. While an hourly rate for specific services is provided, the overall expenditure will vary significantly based on several influencing factors unique to each organization.

Here's a breakdown of the "all-in-one per hour" cost based on initial organizational characteristics:

Factors Influencing Total AS9100 Certification Cost

The listed hourly rate applies to certain services, but the comprehensive cost of achieving AS9100 certification goes beyond this rate and is shaped by multiple variables. These typically include:

• Company Size and Complexity: Larger organizations with more employees, diverse operations, and intricate processes generally require more extensive audit time and potentially more comprehensive consulting support, leading to higher overall costs.
• Current Quality Management System (QMS) Maturity: Businesses that already possess a well-established and robust QMS, such as one compliant with ISO 9001, may incur lower costs. This is because they have a foundational system in place, requiring fewer modifications and less extensive preparation to meet the additional aerospace-specific requirements of AS9100. Conversely, companies starting with a rudimentary or non-existent quality system will face greater initial investment in development and implementation.
• Scope of Certification: The breadth of products, services, and operational processes included within the scope of the AS9100 certification directly impacts the audit duration and complexity. A wider scope means more areas to review and verify for compliance.
• Number of Operational Sites: Organizations operating across multiple physical locations will typically face increased costs due to the need for audits at each relevant site.
• Consulting and Training Needs: Many companies opt for external consultants to assist with understanding the standard, performing gap analysis, developing documentation, implementing processes, and providing staff training. The extent of these services significantly adds to the overall expenditure.
• Certification Body Fees: The fees charged by the accredited certification body for initial audits, surveillance audits (annual checks), and re-certification audits are a primary component of the cost. These fees are often calculated based on "auditor-days," which directly correlates with the time spent by auditors.

For instance, a new aerospace startup with 10 employees and no prior quality system might utilize "all-in-one" services for a significant number of hours to establish their QMS from the ground up, conduct internal audits, and prepare for the external audit. In contrast, a long-standing aerospace parts manufacturer with 50 employees and an existing ISO 9001 certification might only need a fewer number of "all-in-one" service hours for specific gap analysis and adjustments to meet AS9100's unique aerospace requirements. The total number of hours of service consumed, multiplied by the hourly rate, plus any additional fixed fees from the certification body, will determine the final cost.

Organizations planning for AS9100 certification should budget for these dynamic factors, recognizing that the total investment encompasses both direct service fees and internal resource allocation for implementation and maintenance.