If you’re quoting aerospace, defense, or space work, AS9100 certification is often the price of entry. This guide explains what AS9100 is, how machine shops get certified, where to buy the standard, and how to estimate how many U.S. manufacturers hold it—backed by linked government data for context.
What Is AS9100 (and Why Do Machine Shops Need It)?
AS9100 (Rev. D) is the aerospace sector’s quality management system (QMS) standard. It builds on ISO 9001 and adds aviation, space, and defense requirements like risk management, configuration control, product safety, FOD prevention, and counterfeit parts mitigation. For job shops, it proves you can document, control, and trace every step—from incoming material to final inspection.
Do you need it to quote? Many primes and Tier-1 suppliers flow down AS9100 as a requirement. If you aim to produce flight or mission-critical parts, AS9100 can move you from “capable” to “qualified” in supplier portals and RFQs.
AS9100 vs. AS9110 vs. AS9120 (Quick Table)
| Standard | Primary Audience | Typical Job-Shop Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| AS9100 | Organizations that design and/or manufacture for aviation, space, defense | High – Precision machining, fabrication, assembly |
| AS9110 | Maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) | Low unless you perform repair/overhaul |
| AS9120 | Distributors/stockists of aerospace parts | Low unless you also distribute parts |
All three are maintained by the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG) and align with ISO 9001, adding aerospace-specific controls where needed.
Where to Get the Standard Text (and How to Verify Certificates)
Buy the official standard: Purchase the current AS9100/9100 specification from SAE/IAQG. You’ll need this to implement your QMS correctly and to prepare for audits. See the official SAE listing and the IAQG standard page for details.
Verify certifications in OASIS: After certification, your organization appears in IAQG’s Online Aerospace Supplier Information System (OASIS). Buyers and primes use OASIS to validate certificates, scopes, and audit status. You can search by country, standard (e.g., 9100), and company name to confirm status when you’re vetting suppliers or proving your own credentials.
How to Get AS9100 Certified (Machine-Shop Path)
The certification process is structured and repeatable. Most successful shops follow five steps:
- Gap analysis & implementation. Map processes (sales order to shipment), write procedures, build risk tools, define inspection/FAI practices, calibrate gaging, and formalize supplier control.
- Internal audit & management review. Required by the standard and best done by trained internal auditors or a qualified consultant.
- Stage 1 audit (readiness). Your Certification Body (CB) reviews documentation and readiness.
- Stage 2 audit (certification). On-site process audits; close any nonconformities with corrective actions.
- Surveillance & recertification. Annual surveillance audits; full recertification on a 3-year cycle.
Choose an accredited registrar: In the U.S., ensure your CB is accredited for aerospace (AQMS) by ANAB (ANSI National Accreditation Board). ANAB-accredited certificates are recognized within the IAQG scheme and appear in OASIS.
How Many Manufacturers in the U.S.—and How Many Hold AS9100?
There’s no single government tally of AS9100 certificates (AS9100 is an industry standard, not a regulation). The authoritative certification registry is OASIS (IAQG). To estimate the U.S. number at any moment, filter OASIS by Standard: 9100 and Country: United States to see current, accredited listings.
For market context grounded in official U.S. statistics: the U.S. Census Bureau reports the size and scope of manufacturing through several programs. County Business Patterns (CBP) publishes annual counts of establishments (locations) by sector, and Statistics of U.S. Businesses (SUSB) provides counts of firms by sector and state. You can use these to understand the total manufacturing base, then compare that to OASIS counts for a penetration estimate.
- Census: County Business Patterns (CBP) – methodology & data access
- Census: Interactive CBP 2022 by industry (select NAICS 31–33)
- Census: SUSB 2022 annual data tables (firms & establishments)
Helpful benchmark: An official U.S. Army release noted that globally, “only about 27,000 organizations have earned AS9100,” compared to over a million ISO 9001 certificates. That underscores that AS9100 is a relatively selective credential worldwide. The U.S. share of those AS9100 sites can be approximated by querying OASIS for current U.S. listings and comparing to total manufacturing firms from SUSB.
FAQ for Job Shops
Is AS9100 required by law? No—customers require it in contracts. It’s widely mandated by primes and large Tier-1s.
How long does certification take? If you’re already ISO 9001, many shops complete AS9100 in 3–6 months; starting from scratch can take 6–12 months depending on scope and readiness.
How do customers verify our cert? They check your OASIS listing. Keep your scope, sites, and audit dates current.
Next Steps for Job Shops Ohio
Want help scoping your project? Build a simple plan: (1) process map and document list, (2) supplier control and FAI/inspection templates, (3) internal audit schedule and training, (4) shortlist ANAB-accredited CBs for competitive quotes, and (5) OASIS readiness checklist. With that in place, you can quote aerospace work with confidence.
