Non-Destructive Testing Certification
NDT Certification of all levels of Non-Destructive Testing personnel is the responsibility of their employer or other agency to meet certain qualifications, which are established by the industry. This shall be based on the demonstration of satisfactory qualification as described in the employer’s written practice. Certification is a process of providing written testimony that an individual is qualified to do certain work.
At the option of the employer, an outside agency may be engaged to provide NDT Level III services. In such instances, the responsibility of certification of the employees shall be retained by the employer.
The qualifications of an individual are based on education, the level of training, work experience, and the ability to pass a near vision acuity and color contrast differentiation test. NDT certification is very important for NDT personnel working in the field, are often making critical judgments that can have safety and/or significant financial consequences. NDT personnel must have a great deal of confidence in the results of their work. Since many of the NDT methods do not produce a record of the inspection results, certification presents objective evidence of the knowledge and skill level of the individual performing an inspection.
Personnel records shall be maintained on file by the employer for the duration specified in the employer’s written practice.
Candidate for certification in NDT Method should have sufficient following to ensure qualification in those NDT methods in which they are being considered for certification.
Education
Training
Experience
Examination
Vision Test
Documentation of prior certification may be used by an employer as evidence of qualification for comparable levels of certification.
NDT Methods
NDT Certification can be obtained in the number of methods, which are listed in the table below.
METHOD | ABBREVIATION |
---|---|
Acoustic Emission Testing | AE |
Electromagnetic Testing | ET |
Leak Testing | LT |
Liquid Penetrant Testing | PT |
Magnetic Particle Testing | MT |
Neutron Radiographic Testing | NRT |
Radiographic Testing | RT |
Thermal/Infrared Testing | TIR |
Ultrasonic Testing | UT |
Vibration Analysis Testing | VA |
Visual Testing | VT |
NDT Levels
Level I: Qualified to properly perform specific calibrations, specific NDT, specific evaluations for the accept or reject determinations according to written instruction and to record results. An NDT Level I personnel should receive necessary instruction and supervision from a certified NDT Level II or III individual.
Level II: Qualified to set up and calibrate equipment and interpret and evaluate results with respect to applicable codes, standard, and specifications. Should be thoroughly familiar with scope and limitations of methods for which qualified and should exercise assigned responsibility for on-the-job training and guidance of trainees and NDT Level I personnel. He should be able to organize and report the results.
Level III: Qualified to develop, qualify and approve procedures, establish and approve techniques, interpreting codes, standards, specification, and procedure and designate the particular NDT Methods, techniques, and procedure to be used. Should have sufficient practical background in applicable materials, fabrication and product technology to establish techniques and acceptance criteria when one is otherwise available. An NDT Level III Personnel Should be capable of training and examining Level I and II personnel.
NDT Certification Bodies
There are a number of organizations that have produced documents that recommended or specify the minimum qualifications for certification. The following is a partial list of certification bodies for the certification of NDT personnel.
The following are partial lists of documents pertaining to the certification of NDT personnel used in the US.
Examinations
Level I and II General Examination – A general examination is a written test which covers the general principals of particular NDT Method
Specific Examination – A specific examination test relates to specifications, code, procedure, equipment and technique which are used by the employer and requires a specific level of expertise from their NDT personnel.
Practical Examination- a practical examination tests the ability to operate the necessary equipment, calibration, evaluation, interpretation of result and accept or reject of the part under inspection