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ISO 19443 Nuclear Sector Quality Management Systems
Lead Auditor Certification Exam ACTUAL QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR
SUMMARIZED EXAM COVERAGE (point form)
• Understanding of ISO 19443:2018 structure and its relation to ISO 9001:2015
• Nuclear safety culture principles and their integration into QMS
• Risk-based thinking in nuclear supply chain (technical and organizational)
• Graded approach for nuclear safety-related items and services
• Special process requirements (welding, NDE, heat treatment, etc.)
• Configuration management and design control for nuclear applications
• Procurement and supplier control including nuclear-specific qualifications
• Traceability, record control, and document retention for nuclear lifetime
• Internal audit program management and auditor competence
• Nonconformity management, corrective actions, and nuclear event reporting
• Leadership commitment to nuclear safety and just culture
• Human factors, error prevention, and human performance tools
• Regulatory interface and legal compliance in nuclear sector
• Performance monitoring, KPIs, and continuous improvement in nuclear QMS
• Audit planning, sampling, evidence gathering, and reporting per ISO 19011
250 RANDOM SCENARIO-BASED MCQs (with answers & rationales)
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1. During an audit of a nuclear valve supplier, you notice that design changes after a seismic analysis
were not re-verified. What is the most appropriate audit finding?
A) Opportunity for improvement
B) Minor nonconformity against design control
C) Major nonconformity due to potential safety impact
D) Observation only
Answer: C – Major nonconformity because seismic qualification is critical for nuclear safety.
2. A technician bypasses a torque monitoring system on a bolting operation to save time, believing “it
will be fine.” Which nuclear safety principle is most violated?
A) Continuous improvement
B) Just culture
C) Human performance and error prevention
D) Graded approach
Answer: C – Bypassing controls introduces human error risk, violating error prevention.
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3. An auditor finds that welding procedure specifications (WPS) are not qualified to nuclear standards.
What clause of ISO 19443 is primarily affected?
A) 7.1.3 Infrastructure
B) 8.5.1 Control of production and service provision
C) 7.5 Documented information
D) 9.1 Monitoring and measurement
Answer: B – Special processes like welding require controlled conditions per 8.5.1.
4. During a closing meeting, the auditee disagrees with a major nonconformity. The lead auditor should:
A) Delete the finding to maintain good relations
B) Escalate to the certification body without discussion
C) Review objective evidence with the auditee and explain the requirement
D) Change it to a minor nonconformity
Answer: C – Professional dialogue and evidence review are required before finalizing.
5. A nuclear fuel fabrication plant has no process to evaluate external providers for nuclear safety
culture. This is a direct violation of:
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A) Clause 8.4.1 General – supplier control
B) Clause 5.3 Organizational roles
C) Clause 6.1 Actions to address risks
D) Clause 10.2 Nonconformity and corrective action
Answer: A – Supplier control must include nuclear-specific competence and culture.
6. An auditor sees that pressure boundary bolts are installed without torque stripe markings. The
procedure requires them. What evidence type is most appropriate?
A) Testimonial
B) Physical evidence
C) Analytical evidence
D) Statistical evidence
Answer: B – Physical evidence (lack of markings) shows nonconformity.
7. In a nuclear QMS audit, which situation most clearly demonstrates positive safety culture?
A) Staff reporting near-misses without fear of reprisal
B) Management only focusing on production targets
ISO 19443 Nuclear Sector Quality Management Systems
Lead Auditor Certification Exam ACTUAL QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR
SUMMARIZED EXAM COVERAGE (point form)
• Understanding of ISO 19443:2018 structure and its relation to ISO 9001:2015
• Nuclear safety culture principles and their integration into QMS
• Risk-based thinking in nuclear supply chain (technical and organizational)
• Graded approach for nuclear safety-related items and services
• Special process requirements (welding, NDE, heat treatment, etc.)
• Configuration management and design control for nuclear applications
• Procurement and supplier control including nuclear-specific qualifications
• Traceability, record control, and document retention for nuclear lifetime
• Internal audit program management and auditor competence
• Nonconformity management, corrective actions, and nuclear event reporting
• Leadership commitment to nuclear safety and just culture
• Human factors, error prevention, and human performance tools
• Regulatory interface and legal compliance in nuclear sector
• Performance monitoring, KPIs, and continuous improvement in nuclear QMS
• Audit planning, sampling, evidence gathering, and reporting per ISO 19011
250 RANDOM SCENARIO-BASED MCQs (with answers & rationales)
, Page 2 of 120
1. During an audit of a nuclear valve supplier, you notice that design changes after a seismic analysis
were not re-verified. What is the most appropriate audit finding?
A) Opportunity for improvement
B) Minor nonconformity against design control
C) Major nonconformity due to potential safety impact
D) Observation only
Answer: C – Major nonconformity because seismic qualification is critical for nuclear safety.
2. A technician bypasses a torque monitoring system on a bolting operation to save time, believing “it
will be fine.” Which nuclear safety principle is most violated?
A) Continuous improvement
B) Just culture
C) Human performance and error prevention
D) Graded approach
Answer: C – Bypassing controls introduces human error risk, violating error prevention.
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3. An auditor finds that welding procedure specifications (WPS) are not qualified to nuclear standards.
What clause of ISO 19443 is primarily affected?
A) 7.1.3 Infrastructure
B) 8.5.1 Control of production and service provision
C) 7.5 Documented information
D) 9.1 Monitoring and measurement
Answer: B – Special processes like welding require controlled conditions per 8.5.1.
4. During a closing meeting, the auditee disagrees with a major nonconformity. The lead auditor should:
A) Delete the finding to maintain good relations
B) Escalate to the certification body without discussion
C) Review objective evidence with the auditee and explain the requirement
D) Change it to a minor nonconformity
Answer: C – Professional dialogue and evidence review are required before finalizing.
5. A nuclear fuel fabrication plant has no process to evaluate external providers for nuclear safety
culture. This is a direct violation of:
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A) Clause 8.4.1 General – supplier control
B) Clause 5.3 Organizational roles
C) Clause 6.1 Actions to address risks
D) Clause 10.2 Nonconformity and corrective action
Answer: A – Supplier control must include nuclear-specific competence and culture.
6. An auditor sees that pressure boundary bolts are installed without torque stripe markings. The
procedure requires them. What evidence type is most appropriate?
A) Testimonial
B) Physical evidence
C) Analytical evidence
D) Statistical evidence
Answer: B – Physical evidence (lack of markings) shows nonconformity.
7. In a nuclear QMS audit, which situation most clearly demonstrates positive safety culture?
A) Staff reporting near-misses without fear of reprisal
B) Management only focusing on production targets
