NDT Certification Systems
There are multiple NDT certification systems worldwide, but they can generally be divided into two main types: “employer-based” and “central” certification systems.
Employer-based certification systems are systems in which the employers are responsible for the administration of the training and the qualification examinations of their own employees, as well as the documentation of the required training, examinations and experience in accordance with an employer-based standard or recommended practice. Most employer-based systems do allow the employer to accept training and examination services provided by outside agencies provided it is properly documented and the employer has determined that the content of those services meet their own company requirements as described in the employer's Written Practice.
Upon proof of qualification, the employer may issue a certificate, which can be a formal certificate or in letter format, and can authorize their personnel to perform NDT tasks. In all employer-based systems, the employer is responsible for authorizing their personnel to perform such work. Because employer-based certification is usually tailored to an employer's specific needs, the resulting certifications expire when an employee leaves the company that issued the certification.
Central certification systems are systems in which the qualification examinations are administered by an independent third-party certification body based on a central certification standard. To be eligible to sit for these examinations, prospective candidates must provide acceptable documentation of their training and experience to the certification body. Upon successful completion of the third-party examinations, the certification body will issue a certificate attesting to the fact that the named certificate holder has met the requirements and passed the examinations described in the third-party certification system. The employer can then choose to accept the third-party certificate(s) as proof of qualification. As with employer-based systems, the employer has the ultimate responsibility to certify (authorize) the certificate holder to perform NDT tasks.
Levels of Qualification
Most certification programs have three levels of NDT qualification: Level I, Level II and Level III. Because the requirements for the levels are very similar, the descriptions provided here are from the 2006 edition of the ASNT Recommended Practice No. SNT-TC-1A.
An NDT Level I individual should be qualified to properly perform specific calibrations, specific NDT and specific evaluations for acceptance or rejection determinations according to written instructions and to record results. The NDT Level I should receive the necessary instruction and supervision from a certified NDT Level II or III individual.
An NDT Level II individual should be qualified to set up and calibrate equipment and to interpret and evaluate results with respect to applicable codes, standards and specifications. The NDT Level II should be thoroughly familiar with the scope and limitations of the methods for which he is qualified and should exercise assigned responsibility for on-the-job training and guidance of trainees and NDT Level I personnel. The NDT Level II should be able to organize and report the results of NDT tests.
An NDT Level III individual should be capable of developing, qualifying and approving procedures, establishing and approving techniques, interpreting codes, standards, specifications and procedures, as well as designating the particular NDT methods, techniques and procedures to be used. The NDT Level III should be responsible for the NDT operations for which he is qualified and assigned and should be capable of interpreting and evaluating results in terms of existing codes, standards and specifications. The NDT Level III should have sufficient practical background in applicable materials, fabrication and product technology to establish techniques and to assist in establishing acceptance criteria when none are otherwise available. The NDT Level III should have general familiarity with other appropriate NDT methods, as demonstrated by an ASNT Level III Basic examination or other means. The NDT Level III, in the methods in which he is certified, should be capable of training and examining NDT Level I and II personnel for certification in those methods.
Trainee: Though not a certification level, a trainee is a person who is in the process of being initially trained, qualified and certified, and should work with a certified individual. A trainee may not independently conduct, interpret, evaluate or report the results of any NDT test.
NDT Instructor: The term “NDT Instructor” is used in the ANSI/ASNT standard CP-189, ASNT Standard for Qualification and Certification of Nondestructive Testing Personnel, to describe an individual with the skills and knowledge to plan, organize and present classroom, laboratory, demonstrati