NDT Personnel Qualification and Certification

NDTMA 2015 Annual Conference

The American Society for Nondestructive Testing

NDT Personnel Qualification and

Certification

Golden Nugget Hotel, Las Vegas, NV February 10-13, 2015


Overview

§  Recommended Practice No. SNT-TC-1A

§  ASNT Level III Certification

§  ASNT Level II Certification

§  ASNT Central Certification Program (ACCP)



SNT-TC-1A Recommended Practice No. SNT-TC-1A Personnel Qualification and Certification in NDT The first document widely used for the qualification and certification of NDT personnel.



History of SNT-TC-1A 1961: The Society, through its Technical Council, assigned a task group to study the feasibility of preparing such a document. The Task Group endeavored to prepare a recommended practice containing the consensus of expert opinion for training and qualification of NDT personnel: Recommended Practice No. SNT-TC-1A



Contents of SNT-TC-1A

§  Scope and definitions for employer-based programs

§  Explains the various levels of personnel qualification

§  Provides recommended training and experience times

§  Recommends General, Specific & Practical Examinations



ASNT Position on the Use of SNT-TC-1A

“...SNT-TC-1A is published to serve as a guideline to employers in

establishing their own written practice for the qualification and

certification of NDT personnel. It is not intended to be a strict

specification. The intent is to provide guidelines for proficiency

levels required for personnel involved in nondestructive testing…”

Materials Evaluation, July 1980



ASNT Level III Certification

In 1977, the Society offered NDT Level III examinations for the first time. Examinations administered by ASNT in eleven different NDT methods are now offered throughout the United States and other countries. Over 5,000 individuals hold ASNT NDT Level III certificates in nearly 14,000 test methods.



What is an ASNT Level III? An ASNT NDT Level III is an individual who has passed the ASNT Level III Basic & Method Examinations.

Employers can accept the ASNT certificate as proof of having passed those examinations and, provided all other certification requirements have been met, can certify that person as an NDT Level III.



Level III Eligibility Criteria

Must meet one of the following three sets of requirements:

Degree in engineering, physics, or science from a four year curriculum plus one year experience in NDT comparable to that of a Level II in the applicable test method or; Completion of two years of engineering or science study at a university, college, or technical school with passing grades plus two years NDT experience comparable to that of a Level II in the applicable test method or: Possession of four years of experience in an assignment at least comparable to that of an NDT Level II inspector in the applicable test method(s).



Level III Examinations

The NDT Basic Examination covers the administration of Level III, SNT-TC-1A and CP-189 certification programs; Materials, fabrication and product technology (general knowledge), General principles and applications of commonly used NDT methods.



Level III Examinations

Each Method Examination addresses the method

fundamentals and principles, the establishment of

method techniques, and the interpretation of

codes, standards, and specifications relating to

that specific NDT test method.



Level III Recertification ASNT NDT Level III certification must be renewed at 5-year intervals. Renewal is done by re-examination or by earning and documenting 25 renewal points. Point categories and values are shown on the ASNT Level III Renewal Application, which is online.

http://www.asnt.org/certification/leveliii/app-liiir-25.pdf



NDT Level II Certification Available for MT, PT, RT, UT & VT

Provides standardized General & Specific written examinations*

Employer administers Practical exams and completes certification requirements

Is a transportable certification

*Same exams are used for ACCP Level II



NDT Level II Recertification

Must affirm continued active employment for at least 36 months during the current 5-year certification period

Must affirm having spent at least 12 of the past 24 months in Level II functions

Must document continued NDT involvement during the current 5-year certification period by submitting a minimum of 12 points in activities shown in Table 1 of the ASNT Recertification document



ASNT Central Certification Program What is ACCP?

§  ASNT Central Certification Program (ACCP) is a third-party central certification program.

§  Created to meet the needs of Industry where 3rd party certification is required.



Developed by ASNT to:

§ Meet industry needs § Establish standard levels of

competency § Provide independent third party

personnel certification § Meet or exceed international

requirements (ISO-9712)



ACCP Key Elements

§  Performance based certification program designed to improve NDT reliability

•  Contains written & hands-on performance demonstration examinations

•  Provides consistency in testing performance requirements

§  Psychometric principles applied to assure integrity & professional recognition



ACCP Key Elements

§  General/Method Exams

§  Specific Exams

§  Technique Specific Practical Exams (includes preparation of instruction) Can include industry sector exams like

API, owner/user, etc.



ACCP Key Elements

§  Magnetic Particle Testing - Practical's –  Yoke –  Bench

§  Liquid Penetrant Testing - Practical's §  Water Washable §  Post-Emulsifiable §  Solvent Removable

§  Visual Testing - Practical's –  Direct

–  Indirect



§  Radiographic Testing

•  Gamma (RAM) w/film interpretation

•  X-ray w/film interpretation •  Combo (Gamma & X-ray) w/film interpretation

§  Ultrasonic Testing

•  Straight & Angle Beam (welds) •  Straight & Angle Beam (castings & Forgings)



ACCP Key Elements General Industry (GI)

•  Intended for personnel working to multiple industry codes, standards & specification for general construction needs

Pressure Equipment (PE) •  Intended to address the needs of the Power Generation

and Oil & Gas industries

•  Designed for those working to ANSI/ASME B&PV Code, B31.1 & B31.3 Codes Etc.



ACCP Key Elements

§  Authorized Examination Centers (AECs)

In key locations throughout the world

§  Web-based written examinations at AECs

Other Venues under development

§  Future Test Center Options under review with high priority to meet industry, owner/user, service providers, etc. needs.



Accreditation of Exam Centers

§  AEC’s must meet Quality Systems and are audited.

§  Selection is based on the regional market need and the qualifications of the applying organization.

§  In addition to AEC’s examinations can be performed at locations under authorizations as SES’s (special exam session)



Moving Forward

§  ACCP has yet to be embraced – no regulatory mandate – employer based remains the most cost effective approach.

§  Multiple certification schemes rarely benefit industry

§  Limited workforce – lack of consistency between trained/qualified technicians.

§  Industry will have to be the driving force but consistent and standardized testing is a MUST.



Moving Forward

ASNT is a volunteer managed organization! §  Motivated board, volunteers and leaders to be solution for

standardized certification and world acceptance. §  Well funded – high capability to get samples and programs

in place to service industry & members. §  Current AWS reciprocal agreement §  Current RESNET MOU in place

Looking for ways work together with others

Partner with API (QUTE – QUSE – QUPA) , ASME, ANDE ?



Welcoming Joint Opportunities § Examination Delivery

Established Test Centers

§  Potential Targets (embrace your full needs) UTT for Corrosion/Pitting

OPENING DOORS – Let’s work together



Summary §  Recommended Practice No. SNT-TC-1A:

- Employer-based examinations - Recertification required for new employees - Subject to variability between employers

§  ASNT Central Certification Program (ACCP) - Third party exams given by ASNT - Transportable certification - Standardizes measurement of knowledge and performance

§  Motivated to serve the needs of our industry and membership


Documents

NDT Personnel Qualification and Certification