Assessor Training
Interested candidates meeting the ‘Criteria for selection’ may submit the application for assessor training
Assessor Training – Introduction
NABL conducts third-party assessment of the technical competence and provides accreditation to testing, calibration and medical laboratories, Proficiency Testing Providers, Reference Material Producers and Biobanks.
To assess the technical competence of the CAB, NABL seeks experts with technical knowledge and current experience of working in a CAB and trains them as Technical Assessors to conduct on-site assessment of CABs.
NABL organizes Assessor Training Courses for:
- ISO/IEC 17025 assessors for Testing (other than medical) and
Calibration Laboratories - ISO 15189 assessors for Medical Laboratories
- ISO/IEC 17043 assessors for Proficiency Testing Providers (PTP)
- ISO 17034 assessors for Reference Material Producers (RMP)
- ISO 20387 assessors for Biobanks
Upon successful completion of the course, candidates may be empanelled as NABL Assessors, provided they meet the following criteria:
- Possess the required personal attributes
- Qualify the written examination conducted by NABL at the end of the course
NABL empanels only those experts who sign a contract with NABL.
Guided by its requirements, NABL constantly endeavours to increase its pool of trained assessors from all appropriate sources to meet the ever-increasing demand for accreditation.
Assessors are drawn from a pool of experts in various fields and facilities who are actively involved in testing, calibration, medical laboratories, PTPs, RMPs or biobanks within a CAB or industry. Some of the readily available sources of experts in the country include leading CABs in government organizations, autonomous bodies, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), and other relevant institutions.
Assessor Training – Eligibility & Selection Criteria
ELIGIBILITY & SELECTION CRITERIA:
The criteria for the selection of experts/assessors for NABL are based on the following:
| Field | Age | Educational Qualification | Experience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Testing/Calibration Laboratories | Age of the expert should be 38-55 years. | Bachelor's degree in Engineering/ Technology or a Master's degree in Science | Minimum of ten years in the relevant field of testing/calibration out of which 5 years at supervisory level and above. |
| Medical Testing Laboratory | Age of the expert should be 38-55 years. | Postgraduate in relevant medical fields or Ph.D. in relevant scientific fields | Minimum of ten years in clinical laboratory, out of which 5 years at supervisory level and above. |
| Proficiency Testing Provider (PTP)/ Reference Material Producers (RMP) | Age of the expert should be 38-55 years. | Bachelor's degree in Engineering/ Technology or a Master's degree in Science | Minimum of ten years of experience in proficiency testing / reference material and related as per ISO/IEC 17043 and ISO 17034. |
| Biobank | Age of the expert should be 38-55 years. | Bachelor's degree in Engineering/ Technology or a Master's degree in relevant scientific fields or Ph.D. in relevant scientific fields | Ten years in activities related to biobanks activities out of which 5 years are at supervisory level and above. |
Other important aspects considered for selection are:
- Extensive experience in performing conformity assessment activities.
- Experience in CAB management and operations
- Current responsibilities for day-to-day management of conformity assessment activities.
- Development and implementation of CAB management system.
- A high degree of communication skills, both oral and written.
- Related professional activities including publication of technical papers, standards development and participation in conducting and/or coordinating CAB activities.
Assessor Training Programme
ISO/IEC 17025
Assessors for Testing (other than medical) & Calibration Laboratories
ISO 15189
Assessors for Medical Laboratories
ISO/IEC 17043
Assessors for Proficiency Testing Providers (PTPs)
ISO 17034
Assessors for Reference Material Producers (RMPs)
ISO 20387
Assessors for Biobanks
Eligibility for Empanelment
- Meeting the criteria for personal attributes
- Successfully qualifying the written examination conducted by NABL at the end of the course
- Signing a contract with NABL
Course Framework
- ILAC-G3 – Guidelines for Training Courses for Assessors Used by Accreditation Bodies
- APAC CBC-002 – Guidelines on Training Courses for Assessors (Laboratories, Inspection Bodies, Reference Material Producers, Proficiency Testing Providers, Biobanks)
- ISO 19011 – Guidelines for Auditing Management Systems
Course Content
The training programme covers, but is not limited to, the following areas:
01. Assessment Principles
- Assessment principles
- Risk-based assessment principles
- Assessment practices and techniques
02. Management System
- General management system principles
- Management system tools
03. Applicable Standards
Participants are trained on the relevant standard applicable to their area:
- ISO/IEC 17025 – General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories
- ISO 15189 – Medical Laboratories – Requirements for Quality and Competence
- ISO/IEC 17043 – Conformity Assessment – General Requirements for Proficiency Testing
- ISO 17034 – General Requirements for the Competence of Reference Material Producers
04. Specific Criteria
- Relevant specific criteria documents applicable to the assessment area
05. NABL Rules & Processes
- Understanding NABL rules
- NABL processes and assessment requirements
06. CAB Business Environment
- Understanding the practices and processes of the Conformity Assessment Body (CAB)
- Understanding the CAB’s business environment
07. Communication Skills
- Effective communication during assessments
- Professional interaction with CAB personnel
08. Note-Taking & Report Writing
- Effective assessment note-taking
- Preparation of clear and comprehensive assessment reports
09. Opening & Closing Meetings
- Conducting effective opening meetings
- Conducting effective closing meetings
- Communicating assessment findings
10. Interviewing Skills
- Effective interviewing techniques
- Gathering relevant information and evidence during assessments
11. Assessment Management
- Planning and managing assessments
- Coordinating assessment activities
- Managing assessment outcomes and reporting
