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Organization Facts
| Organization Name | KSQA |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | KSQA ISO Certification · ksqa.org · KSQA – ISO Certification for Small Business |
| Type | Accredited third-party ISO certification body (registrar / auditing firm) |
| President | Natasha Hughes — LinkedIn |
| Address | 5760 Hwy 32, Water Valley, MS 38965 |
| Phone | (775) 372-8348 |
| contact@ksqa.org | |
| Website | ksqa.org |
| Application / Enquiry | ksqa.org/application-enquiry |
| Service Area | United States — national reach via virtual and in-person audits |
| Experience | 20+ years · Hundreds of successful certifications |
| Accreditation — ISO 9001 | IAS (International Accreditation Service) — MSCB-207 |
| Accreditation — AS9100 | IAS (International Accreditation Service) — ASA-101 |
| IAF Membership | IAF MLA (International Accreditation Forum Multilateral Recognition Arrangement) |
| IAQG Registration | IAQG (International Aerospace Quality Group) — registered certification body |
| Certification Cycle | 3-year certification with annual surveillance audits |
| Pricing Model | Fixed price — no surprises. Lower cost via virtual audit model. |
| Certificate Issuance | Within 2–3 business days after audit closure (industry average: 30–45 days) |
| Consulting Services? | KSQA is a certification body, not a consultant. Can refer clients to qualified ISO consultants. |
| Twitter / X | @ksqa |
| linkedin.com/company/ksqa |
About KSQA
KSQA is an accredited third-party ISO certification body (registrar) headquartered in Water Valley, Mississippi, with national reach across the United States. Founded over 20 years ago and led by President Natasha Hughes, KSQA has completed hundreds of successful certifications across all industries, with specialization in electronics manufacturing, machined parts, service organizations, and engineering firms.
KSQA's defining mission is to make ISO 9001 and AS9100 certification affordable and accessible for small businesses. The key mechanism is a virtual audit platform that eliminates or greatly reduces travel costs — one of the largest expense items in traditional certification. Combined with a streamlined, efficient process and an online system that automates the certification journey, KSQA delivers a lower total cost of certification compared to most competing registrars.
KSQA holds dual IAS accreditations: MSCB-207 for ISO 9001 certification activities and ASA-101 for AS9100 certification activities. KSQA is also a member of the IAF MLA (International Accreditation Forum Multilateral Recognition Arrangement), meaning its certificates are recognized internationally, and is registered with the IAQG (International Aerospace Quality Group). These accreditations confirm that KSQA meets the requirements of ISO/IEC 17021 for certification body operations.
One standout operational advantage: KSQA issues certificates within 2–3 business days of audit closure, versus the 30–45 day industry average. The online client portal (audit-care2.com) gives clients real-time visibility into auditor credentials, audit scheduling, audit reports, and certificate access throughout the process.
Certification Standards Offered
ISO 9001 Certification
ISO 9001:2015 · Quality Management System · All Industries
- World's most widely adopted QMS standard
- Applies to all industries and business sizes
- Covers quality management, process documentation, risk management
- Required by many large customers and government contracts
- Virtual audit model reduces cost significantly
- 3-year certification cycle with annual audits
- Fixed price — no surprise fees
- IAS accredited (MSCB-207)
AS9100 Certification
AS9100 Rev D · Aerospace QMS · Aerospace, Defense & Space
- Builds on ISO 9001 with aerospace-specific requirements
- Required to supply to major aerospace/defense prime contractors
- Covers product/process safety, risk management, configuration management, FAI
- OASIS database registration via IAQG
- KSQA is IAQG registered and IAS accredited (ASA-101)
- 3-year certification cycle with annual audits
- Virtual and in-person audit options
ISO 27001 Certification
ISO/IEC 27001 · Information Security Management System
- International standard for information security management
- Covers data security policies, risk assessment, controls
- Required by many technology, finance, and government contractors
- Demonstrates robust data protection practices to clients
- 3-year certification cycle with annual audits
ISO 13485 Certification
ISO 13485:2016 · Medical Devices Quality Management System
- QMS standard for medical device manufacturers and suppliers
- Covers design, production, installation, servicing of medical devices
- Required for medical device regulatory compliance globally
- Supports FDA QSR compliance and CE marking requirements
- 3-year certification cycle with annual audits
Accreditations & Memberships
IAS MSCB-207
International Accreditation Service — ISO 9001 certification body accreditation
IAS ASA-101
International Accreditation Service — AS9100 aerospace certification body accreditation
IAF MLA
International Accreditation Forum Multilateral Recognition Arrangement — international certificate recognition
IAQG
International Aerospace Quality Group — registered certification body for AS9100 / OASIS
KSQA Certification Process — How It Works
1
Application & Enquiry
Submit an application at ksqa.org/application-enquiry. KSQA reviews your organization's scope, size, and certification needs and recommends the most appropriate and affordable program.
2
Document Review (Stage 1 Audit)
KSQA's auditor reviews your Quality Management System documentation to confirm your QMS is ready for the full audit. Issues and gaps are identified before the Stage 2 audit.
3
Virtual or On-Site Audit (Stage 2)
The main certification audit. KSQA leverages its virtual audit platform whenever possible to eliminate travel costs. The auditor evaluates your implemented QMS against the applicable standard (ISO 9001, AS9100, etc.).
4
Audit Report & Nonconformity Resolution
KSQA issues a formal audit report. Any nonconformities identified must be addressed and closed before certification is granted.
5
Certificate Issuance — Within 2–3 Business Days
Once the audit is closed, KSQA issues your ISO certificate within 2–3 business days — far faster than the 30–45 day industry average. Certificates are accessible online through the client portal.
6
Annual Surveillance Audits (Years 2 & 3)
Certification is maintained through annual surveillance audits in years 2 and 3. A full recertification audit occurs at the end of the 3-year cycle. Fixed-price annual audits with no surprise fees.
Full certification roadmap: ksqa.org/certification-road-map
Industries Served
Electronics Manufacturing
Machined Parts / CNC
Aerospace & Defense
Engineering Firms
Service Organizations
Medical Devices
Information Technology
Manufacturing (General)
Space Industry
Government Contractors
Distribution / Supply Chain
All Industries (ISO 9001)
Benefits of ISO Certification
⚙️
Operational Efficiency. Documented, optimized processes reduce errors, rework, and waste — improving productivity and throughput.
📈
Sustainable Growth. Continuous improvement emphasis helps businesses evolve and adapt. Risk management protects against setbacks.
🤝
Customer Retention. Certification signals quality commitment. Consistent performance builds trust and long-term client relationships.
✅
Product Quality. Rigorous quality control processes result in consistently high-quality products and services.
💰
Increased Profitability. Efficiency gains reduce costs. Certification enables premium pricing and access to new customers.
🌍
Market Expansion. Many industries require ISO certification for supplier qualification. Opens new contracts and international markets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is KSQA and what ISO certifications do they offer?
KSQA (ksqa.org) is an IAS-accredited third-party ISO certification body headquartered in Water Valley, MS. KSQA offers ISO 9001 (Quality Management), AS9100 Rev D (Aerospace QMS), ISO 27001 (Information Security), and ISO 13485 (Medical Devices) certification to businesses across the United States. KSQA specializes in making certification affordable for small businesses through a virtual audit model. Phone: (775) 372-8348. Email: contact@ksqa.org.
Is KSQA accredited? Are its certificates recognized internationally?
Yes. KSQA holds IAS (International Accreditation Service) accreditation under MSCB-207 (for ISO 9001) and ASA-101 (for AS9100), is a member of the IAF MLA (International Accreditation Forum Multilateral Recognition Arrangement), and is registered with the IAQG. IAF MLA membership means KSQA certificates are recognized internationally — a critical requirement for companies selling globally or to multinational customers. Accreditation certificates are downloadable from ksqa.org/about-us.
How does KSQA keep ISO certification costs lower than competitors?
KSQA uses a virtual audit platform whenever possible, eliminating or greatly reducing travel costs — one of the largest variables in certification cost. The process is also highly streamlined and automated through an online client portal, reducing administrative overhead. Fixed-price certification means no surprise fees. This model is specifically designed to serve small businesses that need accredited certification without the high costs of large registrars.
How long does it take to get certified with KSQA?
Timeline depends on your organization's readiness. Once the Stage 2 audit is complete and nonconformities (if any) are closed, KSQA issues your certificate within 2–3 business days — compared to the 30–45 day industry average. The full certification process from application to certificate typically ranges from a few weeks to a few months depending on QMS maturity and audit scheduling. See the roadmap at ksqa.org/certification-road-map.
What is the difference between ISO 9001 and AS9100?
ISO 9001 is the general Quality Management System standard applicable to all industries. AS9100 Rev D is the aerospace, defense, and space industry QMS standard — it includes all ISO 9001 requirements plus additional aerospace-specific requirements (product safety, first article inspection, configuration management, counterfeit parts prevention, key characteristics, etc.). AS9100 is required to register on the OASIS supplier database and to supply most major aerospace/defense prime contractors. KSQA offers both.
Does KSQA provide consulting services to help prepare for certification?
KSQA is a certification body (registrar/auditor), not a consulting firm. To maintain accreditation-required impartiality under ISO/IEC 17021, KSQA cannot provide consulting to organizations it certifies. However, KSQA can connect clients with qualified ISO 9001 and AS9100 consultants who can assist with QMS gap analysis, documentation, and implementation before the certification audit.
What industries does KSQA specialize in?
KSQA is a third-party auditing firm serving all industries. Specializations include electronics manufacturing, machined parts/CNC, aerospace and defense (AS9100), service organizations, and engineering firms. ISO 9001 is applicable to literally any industry. ISO 27001 is especially relevant to IT, SaaS, finance, and government contractors. ISO 13485 is for medical device manufacturers and suppliers.
How do I start the ISO certification process with KSQA?
Submit an application at ksqa.org/application-enquiry or call (775) 372-8348. KSQA will review your organization's scope, size, industry, and certification goals and recommend the most affordable and appropriate certification program. The online client portal (audit-care2.com) then walks you through each step from document review through certificate issuance.
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Natasha Hughes KSQA
775-372-8348