FAQs for SAI Training Courses

How do I register for a training course?
To register for any of our training courses, click "Enroll Now" in the schedule box on the "Schedule and Registration" Page.  Unless otherwise noted, we only accept training registration through our online system.

What forms of payment are accepted for training courses?
Payments may be made using the following three methods: credit card, check or "bill user".  If you would like to be billed and select the "bill user" option during payment, you will receive an invoice via e-mail from SAI within five business days.  The invoice will contain wire transfer instructions.  When sending your payment, you must reference the invoice number.  Otherwise we will not be able to match incoming payments to your registration, and you will not have a place in the course.  Please note that you will not be admitted to the course unless you have completed a Registration Form and your full payment has been received at our office in New York City before the course date.

Once I register, can I cancel my reservation?
Cancellation of a confimed reservation will be accepted at no charge until 14 days prior to the course, at which time a 50% cancellation fee will be required.  After the two weeks, there will be no monetary reimbursement, but you will receive credit towards a future course of your choice.

What are the costs of SAI courses?
Our course fees depend on the location of the training and vary substantially from country to country.

What does the course fee cover?
Course fees cover materials, lunches, coffee breaks but do not cover travel and accommodations.  Since we operate from New York, arranging travel and accommodations is the responsibility of the participant.

What is the dress for the trainings?
The dress is business casual.

Does SAI arrange/offer any special discount rates on hotel accommodations?
SAI does not arrange or offer any special discount rates on hotel accommodations.  It is not possible for us to guarantee a certain number of reservations to secure a discount since participants are free to choose their accommodations. 

What kinds of sponsorship or discounts does SAI offer for training courses?
SAI offers a limited number of discounts for certain courses.  Once a course location is confirmed, a discount may be offered to members of the local trade unions, NGOs as well as academia.  Group discounts are also negotiable.  To request group or other discounts, please contact  - Corporate Programs & Training at auditortraining@sa-intl.org prior to enrolling in the course.  Eligible attendees will be given a discount or complimentary code for the online registration.

How long is the Certificate of Course Completion valid?
Our course certificates do not have an expiration date.  The date of the training, however, is printed on the certificate.  Once the content of the course changes substantially, we suggest that auditors interested in pursuing SA8000 certification or an auditing career attend a new version of the course.  From 2001, SAI has offered a new version of training that reflects the most recent revisions to the SA8000 Standard.

I would like to attend a training course, but do not see any location convenient for me on the schedule. How can I find out if SAI plans to conduct training courses in my country?
Our web schedule is updated on a regular basis and accurately reflects the courses that we will offer in the near future.  We usually target the countries with most demand for SAI organized training and where we are not competing with local agencies accredited to conduct our auditor training.  Upon your request we can look further into your local market to determine if there is potential demand.

Additionally, we will gladly organize a custom course in any location if there are more than 10 registrants.

Do all of the training courses have an exam?
No, only certain courses have exams. 

When will I know the results of my course exam?
Exams are graded within 3-4 weeks from the date of the course.

What is the passing grade on a course exam?
A score of 75 or above is considered passing and the participant will receive a certificate of Course Completion.  Students with a score lower than 75 are offered the chance to take a free online re-test.

What should I do if I fail the exam?
If you receive a score of less than 75, you can schedule an online re-test by contacting - Corporate Programs & Training at auditortraining@sa-intl.org.  If desired, you must schedule the re-test in the 3 months following your exam result notification.  You may pick any date and time.  At the scheduled re-test time, you will receive a line to the online exam.  You will have three hours to complete the exam and you are free to use any notes.  The test covers the same content and is similar in format to the classroom version.

What can I do if I fail the re-test?
For up to a year after taking and not passing a re-test, participants are offered a 50% discount in any location where SAI offers courses.

When do I receive my course Certificate of Completion?
If you pass the exam and your course registration fee is paid in full, you will receive your certificate in the mail within four weeks of the end of the course. 

If you do not receive your certificate within four weeks following the course and have both passed the course as well as paid for the course in full, please contact - Corporate Programs & Training at auditortraining@sa-intl.org.

How do I become an SA8000 Auditor?
Students who successfully pass the SA8000 Basic or Advanced Auditor course are awarded a Certificate of Achievement. To become an SA8000 Auditor, one must work for a Certification Body accredited by SAI's sister organization Social Accountability Accreditation Services (SAAS). To view the list of accredited organizations, please visit the SAAS website.

How does my organization become a SAAS accredited Certification Body?
Accreditation is the process by which formal recognition of competence is given to qualified organizations, known as Certification Bodies (CBs) who are then granted the ability to perform certifications.  Certification of compliance to SA8000 and other verification codes within the SAAS scope of accreditation is available only through qualified CBs granted accreditation by SAAS. Organizations interested in becoming accredited should visit the SAAS website for more information.

Where can I get addresses of SA8000 certified companies/facilities?
The complete list of SA8000 certified facilities is maintained on the SAAS website. Visit www.saasaccreditation.org/certfacilitieslist.htm