Should I start with SOC 2 Type I or go straight to Type II?
Type I or Type II First?
Start with Type I unless you have a specific reason to skip it. Type I gets you a report in 4–8 weeks. Type II requires a 3–12 month observation period before you even begin the audit. If a prospect is waiting on your SOC 2 report, Type I unblocks the deal now.
Decision Framework
| Your Situation | Recommendation | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Active deal blocked on SOC 2 | Type I first | Gets a report in weeks |
| No urgent deals, controls already mature | Go straight to Type II | Avoid paying for two audits |
| First-time compliance, unsure of readiness | Type I first | Validates controls before committing to observation period |
| Buyer explicitly requires Type II | Type II | Match the buyer's requirement |
| Budget constrained | Type I first | Lower initial cost |
The Type I First Strategy
Most startups follow this sequence:
- Get audit-ready for Type I (4–6 weeks)
- Complete Type I audit (2–3 weeks)
- Start Type II observation period immediately
- Complete Type II audit after 3–6 months
This gives you a report to share with prospects within 6–8 weeks while you build the Type II track record in the background.
When to Skip Type I
Skip Type I if all three conditions are true:
- You have had controls in place for 3+ months already
- No prospect is waiting on your report right now
- You want to avoid paying for two separate audits
Some auditors offer a combined Type I + Type II engagement where they assess design (Type I) at the beginning of the observation period and operating effectiveness (Type II) at the end, issuing a single report.
Cost Implications
Type I typically costs $7,000–$15,000 for the auditor. Type II costs $10,000–$25,000. If you do both sequentially, you pay both fees. A combined engagement may save 15–25% versus two separate audits.
Screenata supports both paths — Type I from $299, Type II from $499/month.