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NDT Certification Options Explained

The document discusses certification options in non-destructive testing (NDT). It notes that NDT technicians are often unclear about the certification process and options available. The certification process varies between countries, adding to the confusion. The article aims to outline the main certification system types and provide guidance for those without access to advanced certification methods. While harmonization efforts are ongoing, differences remain between international certification standards that limit mutual recognition of certifications globally. The document seeks to simplify the understanding of common NDT certification options and clarify the differences between qualification and certification terminology.

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14 views1 page

NDT Certification Options Explained

The document discusses certification options in non-destructive testing (NDT). It notes that NDT technicians are often unclear about the certification process and options available. The certification process varies between countries, adding to the confusion. The article aims to outline the main certification system types and provide guidance for those without access to advanced certification methods. While harmonization efforts are ongoing, differences remain between international certification standards that limit mutual recognition of certifications globally. The document seeks to simplify the understanding of common NDT certification options and clarify the differences between qualification and certification terminology.

Uploaded by

Levend Ser
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Certification Options in NDT

Edward A. GINZEL

Materials Research Institute, Waterloo, ON, Canada; e-mail: eginzel@[Link]

Abstract
Increasingly the writer has seen questions on the Discussions Forum on [Link] posted by
technicians unclear of the options of NDT certification available. Questions about how to get
certification and which certification is best seem to reflect a general unfamiliarity with the process.
But in all fairness to the NDT novices, the processes are not uniform around the world so some of
the answers to their questions may not always be understood due to variations from country to
country. This article is an attempt to point out some of the basic differences of the main system
types and to offer ideas for those faced with the prospect of lack of certification options in advanced
methods. Harmonisation of the main international methods of qualification and certification has
been on-going but there are still a few differences that need to be addressed to allow worldwide
mutual recognition to the two main third-party options.

Introduction
This article is an effort to simplify the understanding of the certification options commonly used in
NDT. When would-be NDT technicians ask; “Which certification is best?” they are perhaps not
aware of all of the facts. In some cases they have no choice as to which certification to get. But
some agencies can actually accommodate several options. Today NDT technicians often find it is
convenient to hold more than one option of certification. Efforts are being made to have mutual
recognition of certifications; however, unless we can agree on a common set of requirements this is
still a future goal.

Those in NDT may have noted that the industry is filled with semantic details. That is at least true in
the English speaking countries. For example there is often great significance whether a blemish
detected is identified as a discontinuity, a flaw or a defect. The dictionary may consider them
synonyms, but from an NDT-interpretation perspective they can be the difference between an
acceptable condition and a rejectable one. Yet a “procedure”, a ‘technique” and a “written
instruction” can all mean the same thing, depending on the industry or industrial sector you practice
NDT in.

Another such quandary seems to exist in the minds of many technicians and would-be technicians
with the terms “qualification” and “certification”. To some these mean the same thing (e.g. a
technician might state "I am ISO qualified"); however, the official terms in NDT circles hold a
different meaning for each. In some cases (e.g. nuclear work) you may hold a certificate in an NDT
method, but because a particular inspection apparatus or technique is used with that NDT method
you must first be “qualified” to do the work. Yet in many other cases you may have all the training
and capabilities to carry out the work as well as anyone, but you are not permitted on the job site
because some regulator or auditor has noted that you do not hold the certification required by the
regulating Code.

Certification Options - 2009 Page 1 of 9

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