ASQ has released the updated Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) Body of Knowledge (BoK), which will apply starting April 2026. 

The updates are based on a detailed Job Analysis Study, where active CQAs validated which knowledge components remain relevant and which needed to evolve for today’s auditing environment.

High-Level Summary of What’s New

According to ASQ’s summary:

1. Updated content for modern auditing

The 2026 BoK incorporates:

• New technologies
• Evolving risk management approaches
• Remote and hybrid audit considerations
• Cybersecurity and data integrity factors

These reflect the shift from traditional on-site audits to technology-enabled, flexible auditing practices.

2. Clarification and refinement

ASQ has reorganized and clarified several topics to make the BoK more accessible and easier to study.

Number of Questions by Section (2019 vs 2026)

Section-by-Section Breakdown of Key Changes

The following summarizes the major updates in each BoK section based on the changes detailed in the official BoK Map.

I. Auditing Fundamentals

Number of questions increases significantly.

Notable changes include:

• Addition of hybrid and remote audits
• Addition of questionnaire-based assessments
• Expansion of audit purpose topics (CAPA verification, surveillance audits, risk-based audits)
• Movement of sustainability audits to this section
• Addition of quality agreements as audit criteria
• Removal of social responsibility from criteria
• Expansion of audit participant roles to include observers and other stakeholders

This section now reflects current realities of modern auditing environments.

II. Audit Process

Changes in this section are minor but targeted:

• Titles and flows are aligned for consistency
• No major additions or removals
• Overall increase of 1% in weighting

The section maintains its existing structure but with improved clarity.

III. Auditor Competencies

This section sees significant expansion, increasing from 16 to 20 questions.

Key changes include:

• New emphasis on situational judgment
• Expanded coverage of SWOT analysis
• Enhanced focus on communication and behavioral skills
• Updated terminology to reinforce auditor effectiveness

The update aligns closely with what auditors actually need on the job.

IV. Auditor Program Management and Business Applications

This section decreases in weighting and undergoes streamlining.

Key changes:

• Removal of some organizational risk management subtopics
• Repositioning of concepts for better alignment
• Trimming of subtopics that had lower importance ratings in job analysis surveys

The emphasis shifts toward practical application rather than broad administrative coverage.

V. Quality Tools and Techniques

This section has the largest reduction (from 16 to 10 questions).

Important updates include:

• Increased cognitive level (for example, acceptance sampling moves from Understand to Apply)
• Addition of risk-based sampling and MSA considerations
• Addition of SWOT analysis to risk tools
• Added emphasis on outliers, including how to identify and interpret them
• Added qualifications needed for verification and validation activities

The changes strengthen alignment with analytical tasks auditors commonly perform.

Final Thoughts

The 2026 CQA BoK update is not a dramatic overhaul. Most foundational auditing principles remain intact, but the changes reflect a shift toward:

• Modern auditing environments
• Digital transformation
• Strengthened auditor competencies
• Streamlined program management content
• More practical application of tools and techniques

Candidates preparing for the 2026 exam should ensure they are using materials aligned with the updated BoK to stay current with the competencies evaluated in the new exam.

Quality Gurus will be updating training, question banks and study guides to align exactly with the new content so you can prepare confidently and pass on your first attempt.

Reference document: https://www.asq.org/cert/resource/pdf/certification/2026%20CQA%20BoK%20Map.pdf