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Certification for NDT Training
HOW TO CERTIFY YOUR NDT PERSONNEL (an article from TestNDT, Brea, CA, USA)
When NDT was first introduced as an inspection tool most of the early users were either self taught or had simple
instructions from the equipment manufacturers in operating principles.
Within the larger corporations and in military applications several internal training programs and operator
qualification procedures were developed.
SNTTC1A
In the early and mid 60's the "Society for Nondestructive Testing" decided to take the bull by the horns and tasked a
technical committee to develop a set of guidelines which could be used by employers to develop their own "In
house" employer based training, qualification and certification programs.
• This set of guidelines was not a mandatory set of rules, but a set of "Guidelines" which could be changed by the
employer to suit their particular requirements.
• This set of guidelines was first printed in 1966 and was called SNT TC 1A (which was an abbreviation for
Society for Nondestructive Testing Technical Council the first document published, hence 1A).
• This form of employer based certification has been widely accepted throughout the USA as the mainstream form of
NDT certification.
A Brief overview of the main highlights follows:
Task 1. Develop a "Written Practice".
This is an internal company procedure which details how employees are trained, qualified and certified to perform
NDT functions for the company.
Within the Written Practice are found details of:
• NDT "methods" and "techniques" used. (A method is an overall concept of inspection, such as Radiography or
Ultrasonic or Penetrant Testing).
• (A technique is how the method is used, e.g. "water washable, fluorescent" is a "technique" of applying
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thePenetrant "Method" of NDT).
• Levels of qualification and responsibilities assigned to each level. Usually there are 3 levels of certification.
Level I is basically an operator, capable of performing specific tasks to written instructions under supervision and
reporting the results.
Level II personnel have more responsibility and are capable of performing independent equipment "set up" and
"calibrations" and can also interpret the results of inspections in accordance with codes and specifications. Level II
workers can also perform on the job training and guidance of Level 1 personnel and trainees.
Level III personnel can establish or approve procedures and techniques and interpret paperwork necessary to meet
customer requirements. Assistance in developing acceptance criteria may also be given by the Level III. The Level III
is usually responsible for the NDT operations at the facility.
• Level III's should also have a sound knowledge of other NDT methods and manufacturing processes. (The duties of
the Level III may be subcontracted to an outside agency).
• The exact duties of the various levels may be altered to suit the companies' applications.
• Details of "Training", "experience", and "examination" requirements for company based certification.
• The "Written Practice" should be maintained on file and it is necessary to have a "Written Practice" before any
certification is granted.
Task 2. Formal (classroom) training
The structured training program(s) meeting the requirements of Table 1. and the guidelines of SNTTC1A should be
successfully completed. (To successfully complete a training program, sufficient examinations must be passed to
ensure that the necessary information has been comprehended).
Task 3. Experience
Employees cannot be certified until they have achieved the minimum experience level detailed in the "Written
Practice". This experience must be documented and kept in the certification records file.
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Task 4. Qualification Examination
The Level III(s) responsibilities include approval / grading of examinations administered for certification purposes.
The actual administration of written examinations can be subcontracted to a designee of the Level III.
Level I / II examinations consist of:
• A physical exam of the near vision acuity and color response of the candidates eyes.
• A written "General" examination to test the candidates knowledge of the methods basic principles.
• A "Specific" examination will be based on the equipment, procedures (including the "Written Practice" and the
techniques used in the performance of their job).
• The minimum recommended numbers of questions for the specific examination are twenty.
• A "Practical" assessment of performing typical inspection work is also necessary. This evaluation should be
performed to an audible criteria (at least a 10 point checklist).
With the exception of the vision examination, at least 70% must be scored in each part of the qualification
examinations and an "average" score of at least 80% must be achieved.
Task 5. Certification
Providing that all of the previously detailed criteria have been satisfied and documented evidence exists of
satisfactorily completing each task the candidate can be certified by the
"Certifying Authority" (a person(s) designated in writing in the "Written Practice" ) to sicin a letter of certification.
Summary
SNTTC1A was developed and issued with the intent of providing a level of uniformity across the NDT profession.
It has achieved this to a large degree, however, the facility to change the recommendations of SNTTC1A to meet
employer requirements is often abused. This results in some employer base certification programs being somewhat
lower in achievement than the intent. Unfortunately there are no ASNT auditors performing evaluations of the
interpretations applied to individual company "Written Practices". The only auditors are the customers quality
representatives, who in many instances are not familiar with the intent of SNTTC1A.
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