Grow your certification business with independent AI assurance
Become a Licensed Certification Body
Artificial intelligence is transforming every industry. Organisations are deploying AI systems across customer service, healthcare, financial services, cybersecurity, human resources, critical infrastructure and operational decision making. As AI adoption accelerates, so does the demand for independent assurance that these systems are governed responsibly and that appropriate controls are in place to manage AI related risks.
Trust AI Standards has created a unique opportunity for certification bodies, audit firms, governance consultancies, cybersecurity organisations and assurance providers to participate in one of the fastest growing assurance markets globally.
By becoming a Trust AI Standards Licensed Certification Body, your organisation can deliver independent AI governance certification services, help organisations demonstrate responsible AI practices and establish a leadership position in the emerging AI assurance market.
Why AI governance certification is becoming a major business opportunity
The rapid growth of artificial intelligence has created a significant governance challenge for organisations worldwide. While AI adoption has accelerated dramatically, governance, oversight, accountability and assurance practices have often struggled to keep pace.
Organisations are increasingly being asked by customers, regulators, investors, boards and procurement teams to demonstrate that their AI systems are safe, ethical, responsible and trustworthy.
At the same time, new regulations such as the EU AI Act are introducing formal obligations for organisations developing, deploying and operating AI systems. Similar expectations are emerging globally through national AI strategies, regulatory guidance, procurement requirements, industry standards and responsible AI frameworks.
This growing demand for accountability is creating a substantial market opportunity for organisations capable of providing independent AI assurance and certification services. Many certification bodies already support customers with cybersecurity, privacy, governance, risk management, quality management and compliance certifications. AI governance certification represents a natural extension of these services and provides an opportunity to develop new recurring revenue streams while supporting existing customers on their AI governance journey.
What is the Trust AI Certification Scheme?
The Trust AI Certification Scheme is an internationally aligned AI governance certification programme designed to provide independent assurance that an organisation’s AI governance practices align with recognised international principles, regulatory expectations and industry good practice.
The scheme consists of two certification levels.
Trust AI Essentials
Baseline AI assurance through a structured assessment, evidence review and independent validation process.
Trust AI Essentials Plus
Enhanced AI assurance through a more rigorous assessor led assessment methodology that includes interviews, sampling, validation, testing and corroboration of governance controls and practices.
Both certification levels are assessed against the same Trust AI Standard and Trust AI Risk Tier Model. The difference lies in the depth of assurance rather than the requirements being assessed.
Why certification bodies are partnering with Trust AI Standards
Building expertise in AI governance is increasingly important for certification bodies seeking to remain relevant in a rapidly changing market.
Trust AI Standards provides Licensed Certification Bodies with access to an established and professionally managed certification programme, allowing them to focus on delivering assessments and supporting customers rather than developing and maintaining certification frameworks themselves.
Licensed Certification Bodies benefit from:
- A published AI governance standard
- An established certification scheme
- A structured Risk Tier Model
- Defined certification methodologies
- Assessor qualification pathways
- Certification registry services
- Marketing and business development support
- Ongoing scheme development and oversight
This allows certification bodies to expand their service portfolio quickly and confidently while maintaining consistency and credibility across all certifications issued under the Trust AI Certification Scheme.
Who should become a Licensed Certification Body?
The programme has been designed for organisations already involved in certification, assurance, governance, risk management, cybersecurity, compliance, auditing or AI governance.
Typical Licensed Certification Bodies include:
- ISO Certification Bodies
- IASME Certification Bodies
- Cybersecurity consultancies
- Governance, Risk and Compliance consultancies
- Audit and assurance firms
- AI governance advisory organisations
- Risk management consultancies
- Professional services organisations supporting regulated industries
Organisations with expertise in ISO 27001, ISO 42001, ISO 9001, ISO 22301, internal audit, cybersecurity assurance, privacy, governance and risk management are particularly well positioned to expand into AI governance certification.
How the Trust AI Certification Body programme works
Trust AI Standards authorises qualified organisations to operate as Licensed Certification Bodies. Once approved, Licensed Certification Bodies may deliver Trust AI Essentials and Trust AI Essentials Plus certification assessments using qualified Trust AI Assessors.
Certification activities are supported by Trust AI Standards through assessor qualification programmes, certification methodologies, assessment guidance, quality assurance oversight and ongoing scheme governance. This ensures that certifications are delivered consistently and that organisations receiving certification can demonstrate independent AI assurance against a recognised and internationally aligned framework.
A growing market with long term potential
Artificial intelligence is expected to influence almost every sector of the global economy over the coming decade. As organisations continue to adopt AI systems, the need for governance, accountability, transparency, assurance and certification is expected to grow significantly.
Organisations that establish AI governance certification capability today will be well positioned to support customer demand, develop specialist expertise and build long term recurring certification revenue streams.
For certification bodies seeking to expand beyond traditional assurance markets, AI governance certification represents one of the most significant growth opportunities currently available.
Apply to become a Licensed Certification Body
Trust AI Standards is actively seeking qualified certification bodies, assurance providers, audit firms, cybersecurity consultancies and governance organisations to join its global network of Licensed Certification Bodies.
If your organisation is interested in delivering independent AI assurance and certification services, we would be delighted to discuss the programme and help you explore the opportunity. Apply today and help shape the future of independent AI assurance.