2026 AAR M-1003 Quality Assurance Training Class Schedule
Course Date Location Registration Links
38th Annual AAR Quality
Assurance Industry Conference		 February 17-19 St. Petersburg, FL 2026 Quality Assurance Conference
Basic Auditor Training Class March 24-26 San Diego, CA BAT-Mar 2026-San Diego CA
April 14-16 Mexico City, MX (Spanish) BAT-Apr 2026-Mexico City MX
June 2-4 Kansas City, KS BAT-Jun 2026-Kansas City KS
July 21-23 Calgary, CA BAT-Jul 2026-Calgary CA
September 15-17 Virginia Beach, VA BAT-Sept 2026-Virginia Beach VA
October 27-29 Nashville, TN BAT-Oct 2026-Nashville TN
Advanced Auditor Training Class March 10-12 Mira Loma, CA AAT-Mar 2026-Mira Loma CA
May 19-21 Kansas City, MO AAT-May 2026-Kansas City MO
September 29 - October 1 Marmaduke, AR AAT-Sept 2026-Marmaduke AR
October 13-15 Monclova, MX (Spanish) AAT-Oct 2026-Monclova MX

CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:
Note: The training class materials are regularly updated to reflect the current M-1003 specification. The Basic Auditor class is a prerequisite to the Advanced Auditor class.

M-1003 Basic Auditor Training Class:

The M-1003 Basic Auditor Training is intended to improve the participant’s knowledge, background, and skills needed in conducting M-1003 internal or external audits. This course provides a thorough review of the M-1003 requirements; development of an organization’s Quality Assurance Manual/Procedures; and administration of a facilities audit program. Personal auditing experience is gained through active interaction in class discussions.
Cost $1250

M-1003 Advanced Auditor Training Class:

The M-1003 Advanced Auditor Training Seminar is designed for those parties seeking in-depth training in AAR Quality Assurance Program auditing techniques and practices. Attendees must have successfully completed the AAR Basic Auditor Training seminar. The attendee must have performed at least one internal or external audit prior to attending the seminar. The course will include case study work, a detailed quality assurance manual review using the QAPE checklist, and various role-playing activities. Hands-on experience is obtained though participation in an on-site compliance audit. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is required for this class including hard hats, safety glasses, hearing protection, and steel toe shoes.
Cost $1250

When is the next QA Conference?

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) Quality Assurance Committee (QAC) is pleased to announce the 38th Annual AAR Quality Assurance Industry Conference February 17-19, 2026 in St. Petersburg, FL – See Registration Link below.

QA-Conference 2026-St Petersburg FL
QA 2026 Flyer

How do I pay for the Training Courses? 

To students for AAR M-1003 Classes:

Please note that for payment, credit card is always preferred.  If a purchase order is the only available method for payment, all terms and conditions of the purchase order MUST be removed prior to submission.  If terms and conditions remain, the registration will be voided.

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A los estudiantes para las clases AAR M-1003:

Tenga en cuenta que para el pago, siempre se prefiere que se haga con tarjeta de crédito. Si una orden de compra es el único método disponible para el pago, DEBEN eliminarse todos los términos y condiciones de la orden de compra antes de enviarla. Si los términos y condiciones permanecen, el registro será nulo.

What is the cost of the M-1003 Training Courses?

The three-day M-1003 Basic and Advanced Auditor Training Courses cost $1,250. Both classes include continental breakfast and full lunch each day.

Who should attend the M-1003 Training Courses?

The courses are ideal for the following people: • Any individual requiring a working knowledge and understanding of the M-1003 Specification for Quality Assurance • Quality professionals and consultants that are new to the railroad industry. • Railroad industry quality managers and supervisors responsible for training internal QA auditors and implementing a Quality Management System.

How do I register for an M-1003 Training Course?

An AAR Circular Letter will be released when event registration has opened.

2026 QA Conference Presentations

  1. Accelerating Innovation through Collaboration - MxV Rail - Kari Gonzales
  2. Quality vs Compliance - Jeremy Melani
  3. New M-1003 Revisions - Mark Michel
  4. Safety and Quality Program - Ray Morgan
  5. Mechanical Committee Update - Ron Hynes
  6. Welding Standards Applications - John Gronberg
  7. Change Management & Continual Improvement - Impact - Alan Kneipp
  8. 2.19 Change - Risk Management & Improvement - Tony Parolisi
  9. CI in Motion How TTX Uses Data AI and Discipline to Drive Quality and Safety - Chad Thompson
  10. Artificial Intelligence in Railway Inspection - Anish Poudel
  11. Tank Car Committee Update - Ken Dorsey and Anthony Ippolito
  12. Value of Quality - Jeremy Melani
  13. 2026 Mandatory Element 2.5 Production Inspection and Test Planning - Stacy Lyons
  14. 2026 Mandatory Element 2.6 Corrective and Preventive Actions - Arturo Castanon
  15. 2026 Mandatory Element 2.11 Inprocess Inspection - Michael Ruby
  16. 2026 Mandatory Element 2.12 Final Inspection - Steve Vanderhoff
  17. How to Audit 2.24 - Design Control - Josh Paserba
  18. AAR Technical Approval Process - Karen Carriere
  19. AAR Online Automated Audit Report - Adalia Herrera and Mark Rusovick
  20. Specially Equipped Freight Car Committee - Dave Hendrixon
  21. Welding II - AWS Designated Inspector - John Gronberg
  22. SimWell Presentation - Steve Blatney

2025 QA Conference Presentations

  1. Accelerating the Innovation Lifecycle - MxV Rail - Kari Gonzales
  2. Keynote Speaker - Rail Supply Institute - Patty Long
  3. AAR DC & Mechanical Committee Update - Ron Hynes
  4. FRA Update - Process Control - Larry Strouse
  5. RCCA - Natural Process - John Gronberg
  6. Management Responsibility 2.4 - Stacey Lyons
  7. Corrective and Preventive Action 2.6 - Margaret Zero
  8. How to Prepare for M-1003 Audit - Josh Paserba
  9. How to Audit NDT Program - Jim Dinell
  10. CSTCC and WABL Committee - Dan Gutscher and Dan Carter
  11. AAR MID Technical Inspections - Mike Wiley
  12. Process Control 2.15 - Michael Ruby
  13. Training 2.22 - Darrell McCreless
  14. Tank Car Facility Audits - Jeremy Killian and Tracey Smith
  15. QAPE Best Practices - John Gronbert
  16. Requirements for In-House Calibrations - Tom Delafosse
  17. Railway Supply Institute QAC Update - Jeffrey Ostrander
  18. Creating a Culture of Continuous Improvement - Jeremy Melani
  19. Wood Ties - Nate Irby
  20. Paperless Inspection Documentation - Debra Lynch
  21. Workshop I - Welding Planel - Larry Strouse - Kevin Rawlins - John Gronberg - Craig Mayhew
  22. Workshop II - Inspection of Interior Coatings - Ken Campbell and Jeff Cameron

2024 QA Conference Presentations

  1. Opening Remarks - Sanjay Varma
  2. Featured Speaker - MxV Rail Update - Kari Gonzales
  3. Audit Quality Task Force Update - Karen Carriere
  4. Workshop Information - Tony Parolisi
  5. Automated Single Car Airbrake Test Device - Mark Michel
  6. FRA Update - Larry Strouse
  7. Benefits of an Effictive Training Program - Jim Dinell and Gary Alderson
  8. QAPE Checklist & Auditor Survey - Tom Cavanaugh and Gordana Halvadzija
  9. AAR Update - Nichole Fimple
  10. Tank Car Committee Update - Ken Dorsey and Joe McCann
  11. Auditing to Multiple Standards - Josh Paserba
  12. Featured Speaker - Railway Supply Institute - Patti Long
  13. IIRX Database - Mark Rusovick
  14. Improvement and Change Management - Jay Standish
  15. Auditing Change Management 2.19 - John Gronberg
  16. M-1003 2024 Revisions - Chris Gouran and Ray Morgan
  17. 2024 Mandatory Element 2.5 Test Plan - Michael Ruby
  18. 2024 Mandatory Element 2.7 Document Control - Benedict Okine
  19. 2024 Mandatory Element 2.8 M&T Equipment - John Cross
  20. 2024 Mandatory Element 2.21 Internal Audits - Margaret Zero
  21. AAA Brake Systems Committee - Heath Bushel

2023 QA Conference Presentations

  1. Featured Speaker - MxV Rail Update - Kari Gonzales
  2. CSTCC & WABL Committee Update - Dan Gutscher & Dan Carter
  3. Risk Based Approach to Quality - Larry Strouse
  4. Rail Industry Regulatory Structure - Jason Riggs
  5. Technical Inspection vs Quality System Auditing - Mike Yon & Alex Velasco
  6. ANSI Z1.4 Sample Methodology - Steve Geneva
  7. M-1003 Quality Management Program - Gordana Halvadzija
  8. Auditing a Coatings Shop - Ken Campbell
  9. Railway Supply Institute - Donna Jacobi
  10. Advanced Product Quality Planning - Steve Geneva
  11. Featured Speaker – AAR - Ian Jefferies
  12. 2.10 Incoming Inspection - John Gronberg
  13. 2.11 In-process Inspection - Tom Cavanaugh
  14. 2.12 Final Inspection - Brandon Box
  15. 2.21 Internal Quality Audits - Ray Morgan
  16. IIRX Database Accounts - Mark Rusovick
  17. M-1003 Auditee Preparedness - Josh Paserba
  18. Effective Corrective Action Evaluation - Steve Berkshire & Arturo Castanon

2022 QA Conference Presentations

2021 QA Conference Presentations