Cost & Timeframe for Gaining Nadcap Certification

For aerospace suppliers pursuing Nadcap accreditation, understanding the typical costs and time investment required is helpful for planning purposes. While timeframes and budgets vary based on the scope, preparing properly is the best way to control expenses and minimize delays. This article outlines typical certification costs and timeframes, along with factors that can impact the timeline.

Preparation Costs

The upfront preparation phase incurs a variety of costs as companies prepare processes, documentation, and staff for the in-depth certification audit. Hiring expert Nadcap consultants is advisable to guide preparations. Consultant fees often range from $10,000 to $75,000 depending on the breadth of services provided.

There is also significant staff time invested in Nadcap training, conducting internal audits, developing documentation, and implementing process improvements. Estimating several months of lead time for this work is prudent depending on the organization’s size and scope of certifications sought.

Creating and organizing the Nadcap documentation system itself requires an investment, whether using internal resources or external technical writers. Plan for a documentation budget based on the number of procedures and records required.

Optimizing processes and equipment to comply with Nadcap standards also involves costs. Budget for any necessary upgrades, additional testing capabilities, or expanded quality oversight identified during gap assessments.

Certification Costs

The application fees paid to the Performance Review Institute (PRI) must be factored in, as there are costs associated with each special process certification sought. For example, heat treating certification may cost $3,000 while chemical processing is $2,500.

The onsite audit itself incurs fees based on the number of auditors required, length of visit, travel expenses, and administrative costs levied by PRI. Budget at least $10,000 but this could exceed $30,000 for broader certifications.

Once the onsite audit is complete, any nonconformities noted must be addressed through corrective actions. The associated material, staffing, and implementation costs can tally up quickly if major deficiencies exist.

Finally, upon being certified, annual Nadcap accreditation fees ranging from $3,000 to $5,000 per certification must be paid to maintain active status. These recurring fees should be built into budgets.

Preparation Timeframe

The pre-audit preparation phase usually takes 6 to 12 months for most companies. Initially, assign an internal coordination team and develop a detailed project plan and timeline.

Compiling and organizing the required documentation will take 2-3 months in most cases. Writing or revising procedures and building records management systems is time-intensive.

Conducting internal audits and closing any identified gaps through additional training, equipment adjustments, or process changes often spans 2-4 months. Most firms find two rounds of internal audits helpful prior to the real audit.

Finally, allot 1-2 months for completing the application packages, finalizing submission documentation, and paying fees to activate the certification process.

Onsite Audit Timeframe

After application submission, expect a 1-2 month waiting period for PRI to process applications and assign auditors. Coordinating audit dates with the auditors may take another 1-2 months when factoring in availability and travel logistics.

The onsite audit itself usually lasts 5-7 days, depending on how many special processes are certified. More processes and larger/complex facilities lengthen the audit duration.

Closing any nonconformities noted in the audit through corrective actions averages 1-6 months following the onsite visit. The timeline depends on the number and severity of findings.

Total Time Investment

The typical total timeline for Nadcap accreditation runs 12-18 months on average. However, this varies significantly based on the readiness of processes and documentation at the outset. Proper upfront preparation prevents delays during the certification audit and closing phases. Maintenance and continuous improvement after certification require ongoing effort as well.

While the Nadcap journey demands dedication, companies report recouping their investment many times over through sustained quality, operational efficiency, and lucrative new aerospace contracts only accessible to certified suppliers.