The RABQSA is changing its name to “Exemplar Global”. I know, right? Why would they do such a thing?

Kerry Palejs,  General Manager of Global Operations, suggested I read the website FAQs when I asked him the question. The change, near as I can decipher, has to do with the organization’s desire to show that they can offer any solution to any market, anywhere. These solutions would be related to their experience and knowledge in the development and application competence services.

Forgive me – some of you may not know what RABQSA is, and how it fits into the ISO Registration schema. For the most part, in our world, its impact lies in providing industry recognized certifications for auditors.

The artist formerly known as RABQSA also provides, under the brand of iNARTE, certified qualified engineers and technicians in the fields of Telecommunications, Electromagnetic Compatibility/Interference (EMC/EMI), Product Safety (PS), Electrostatic Discharge control (ESD) and Wireless Systems Installation. iNARTE also administers FCC Commercial Operator License Examinations.

I suspect, and this is pure conjecture mind you, that this name change implies [RABQSA] intends to purchase other qualification schemes similar to the acquisition of iNARTE. It would seem to me that just having one such entity in conjunction with the original body wouldn’t be enough to justify the expense and risk of a name change.

Back to our world: In order to be considered a qualified auditor – we need this to help maintain credibility with customers – one would need to jump through the various hoops that folks like this provide. RABQSA, now Exemplar Global, is one of two with whom the majority of auditors interact to convey this confidence. The other is called International Register of Certificated Auditors (IRCA) – who, by the way, claim to be the largest. I personally work with RABQSA – ahem – Exemplar Global.

So, with your educational experience, certificate from a recognized auditor course, and audit log under your arm, you’d go to one of these folks; Exemplar Global or IRCA and they, upon successful review, grant you the credentials needed to perform audits. You’d need these credentials primarily if you wanted to be employed by an Accredited Registrar (TUV, BSI, UL and their ilk), or if you wanted to work outside of those circles and separate yourself from the unwashed masses of other consultants. There is a cost involved and the process isn’t considered lightly by anyone – but there is a clear benefit in perceived credibility.

What is the impact of this change?

After reviewing the information on Exemplar’s site, there should be no impact on

• Fees
• Contact information – phone numbers remain the same, and emails and web hits will be redirected during a transition period
• Customer numbers
• Recognition of Certification – existing approvals are in full effect.
• Direct debit charges

After the 4th of November, what will begin to change:

• New certification cards
• All web inquiries should be directed to www.exemplarglobal.org
• Likely their Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook feeds will be converted to the new name as well.

As of the 4th of November, RABQSA is no more, and I for one welcome our new auditor qualification overlords, Exemplar Global.

Thanks for listening – go forth, and calibrate thyself – assuming you have some kind of card showing your are qualified to do so.