ASNT SNT TC 1AÂ
PERSONNEL QUALIFICATION AND CERTIFICATION IN NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING
The American Society for Non-destructive Testing
This Recommended Practice establishes the general framework for a qualification and certification program.
In addition, the document provides the educational, experience and training recommendations for the different test methods.
The verb "should" has been used throughout this document to emphasize the recommendation presented herein.
It is the employer's responsibility to address specific needs and to modify these guidelines as appropriate in a written practice.
In the employer's written practice, the verb "shall" is to be used in place of "should" to emphasize the employer's needs.
Certification:
written testimony of qualification.
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Certification of NDT Personnel is responsibility of Employer.
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Certifying Authority:
the person or persons properly designated in the written practice to sign certifications on behalf of the employer.
Certifying Agency:
the employer of the personnel being certified.
Employer:
the corporate, private, or public entity, which employs personnel for wages, salary, fees, or other considerations.
Limited Certification:
non-destructive test methods may be further subdivided into limited disciplines or techniques to meet specific employer' s needs; these are NDT Level II certifications, but to a limited scope.
Non-destructive Testing:
a process that involves the inspection, testing, or evaluation of materials, components, and assemblies for materials' discontinuities, properties, and machine problems without further impairing or destroying the part's serviceability.
Outside Agency:
a company or individual who provides NDT Level III services and whose qualifications to provide these services have been reviewed by the employer engaging the company or individual.
Qualification:
demonstrated skill, demonstrated knowledge, documented training, and documented experience required for personnel to properly perform the duties of a specific job.
Recommended Practice:
a set of guidelines to assist the employer in developing uniform procedures for the qualification and certification of NDT personnel to satisfy the employer's specific requirements.
Technique:
a category within an NDT method; for example, ultrasonic thickness testing.
Training:
an organized program developed to impart the knowledge and skills necessary for qualification.
Written Practice:
a written procedure developed by the employer that details the requirements for qualification and certification of their employees.
Levels of Qualification:
There are three basic levels of qualification.
While in the process of being initially trained, qualified, and certified, an individua! should be considered a trainee.
A trainee should work with a certified individual. The trainee should not independently conduct, interpret, evaluate, or report the results of any NDT test.
NDT Level I.
An NDT Level I individual should have sufficient technical knowledge and skills to 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.
NDT Level II.
An NDT Level II individual should have sufficient technical knowledge and skills to 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 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.
NDT Level III.
An NDT Level III individual should have sufficient technical knowledge and skills to be capable of developing, qualifying, and approving procedures, establishing and approving techniques, interpreting codes, standards, specifications, and procedures and designating the particular NDT methods, techniques, and procedures to be used.
The NDT Level III should be responsible for the NDT operations for which 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 certified, should have sufficient technical knowledge and skills to be capable of training and examining NDT Level I, II, and III personnel for certification in those methods.
Written Practice
The employer shall establish a written practice for the control and administration of NDT personnel training, examination, and certification.
The employer's written practice shall be reviewed and approved by the employer's NDT Level III.
A person may be qualified directly to NDT Level II with no time as a certified NDT Level I, provided the recommended training and experience consists of the sum of the hours recommended for NDT Level I and Level II.
If an individual is certified in a technique, the minimum additional experience required to qualify for another technique at the same level may be reduced by up to 50 percent, as defined in the employer's written practice.
Personnel being considered for initial certification should complete sufficient organized training.
The organized training may include instructor-led training, personalized instruction, virtual instructor-led training, computer-based training, or web-based training.
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All qualification examination questions should be approved by the NDT Level III responsible for the applicable method.
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An NDT Level III should be responsible for the administration and grading of examinations.
All NDT Level I, II, and III written examinations should be closed-book except that necessary data, such as graphs, tables, specifications, procedures, codes, etc., may be provided with or in the examination.
Questions utilizing such reference materials should require an understanding of the information rather than merely locating the appropriate answer.
For NDT Level I and II personnel, a composite grade should be determined by simple averaging of the results of the general, specific, and practical examinations described below.
Examinations administered by the employer for qualification should result in a passing composite grade of at least 80 percent, with no individual examination having a passing grade less than 70 percent.
When an examination is administered and graded for the employer by an outside agency and the outside agency issues grades of pass or fail only, on a certified report, then the employer may accept the pass grade as 80 percent for that particular examination.
Near-Vision Acuity.
The examination should ensure natural or corrected near-distance acuity in at least one eye such that the applicant is capable of reading a minimum of Jaeger Number 2 or equivalent type and size letter at the distance designated on the chart but not less than 12 in. (30.5 cm) on a standard Jaeger test chart.
This eye test should be administered annually.
Color Contrast Differentiation.
The examination should demonstrate the capability of distinguishing and differentiating contrast among colors or shades of gray used in the method as determined by the employer.
This should be conducted upon initial certification and at five-year intervals thereafter.
General (Written - for NDT Levels I and II)
The general examinations should address the basic principles of the applicable method.
In preparing the examinations, the NDT Level III should select or devise appropriate questions covering the applicable method to the degree required by the employer's written practice.
Specific (Written - for NDT Levels I and II)
The specific examination should address the equipment, operating procedures, and NDT techniques that the individual may encounter during specific assignments to the degree required by the employer's written practice.
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The specific examination should also cover the specifications or codes and acceptance criteria used in the employer's NDT procedures.
Practical (for NDT Level I and II)
The candidate should demonstrate familiarity with and ability to operate the necessary NDT equipment, record, and analyze the resultant information to the degree required.
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At least one flawed specimen or component should be tested and the results of the NDT analyzed by the candidate.
While it is normal to score the practical on a percentile basis, practical examinations should contain checkpoints that failure to successfully complete will result in failure of the examination.
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Certification of NDT personnel to all levels of qualification is the responsibility of the employer.
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.
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NDT personnel may be re-examined any time at the discretion of the employer and have their certificates extended or revoked.
Periodically, as defined in the employer's written practice, NDT Level I and II personnel should be Re-evaluated by the NDT Level III administering a practical examination.