Nondestructive Examination (NDE) Technology and Codes

Student Manual

Volume 1

Chapter 2.0

Personnel Qualification and Certification

NDE Technology and Codes Student Manual Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2.0 PERSONNEL QUALIFICATION AND CERTIFICATION ...................................................... 1

Learning Objectives

2.1 Qualification vs. Certification .......................................................................................... 1

2.2 Employer-Based Certification vs. Centralized Certification ............................................ 1

2.3 Employer-Based Certification .......................................................................................... 2

2.3.1 SNT-TC-1A .................................................................................................... 2

2.3.1.1 Benefits of SNT-TC-1A ..................................................................... 3
2.3.1.2 Limitations of SNT-TC-1A ................................................................ 4
2.3.1.3 Terminology ....................................................................................... 6

2.3.2 ASNT Certification Standard (ANSI/ASNT CP-189).................................... 6

2.3.3 Qualification of Personnel for Visual Examination ....................................... 8

2.3.4 Qualification Requirements for Ultrasonic Examination Personnel .............. 9

2.4 ISO 9712 Central Certification ......................................................................................... 9

2.4.1 Term of Certification .................................................................................... 10

2.4.2 Renewal .................................................................................................... 11

2.4.3 Recertification .............................................................................................. 11

2.5 ASNT Central Certification Program (ACCP) ............................................................... 11

2.6 AWS Certification of Welding Inspectors (CWI) .......................................................... 11

2.7 Supplemental Qualification Requirements ..................................................................... 12

LIST OF TABLES

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2-1 Training Hours ............................................................................................................................... 13

2-2 Recommended Experience Time ………………………………………………………………...15

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2.0 PERSONNEL QUALIFICATION AND qualifications and meets some minimum standard
CERTIFICATION of education, training, and experience.

Learning Objectives: A number of certification systems have been

developed for use by U.S. industries. The Amer-
To enable the student to: ican Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT)
has developed several systems for the certification
1. Understand the differences between central- of NDE personnel. The American Welding
ized certification and employer-based certifi- Society has also developed a system of certifying
cation. individuals involved in the examination of welds.
Other organizations have developed certification
2. Understand the requirements of various NDE systems that are tailored to meet their specific
certification programs, including common U.S. needs.
based systems and international systems.
Those certification systems have certain
3. Identify the salient features of the Nuclear common features. They include:
Power Industry Performance Demonstration
Initiative. • Prescribed minimum levels of formal educa-
tion,
2.1 Qualification vs. Certification • Prescribed minimum levels of formal training
for each of the NDE methods,
NDE is a discipline that requires formal • Prescribed minimum levels of experience, and
training and on-the-job experience to develop an • Some form of examination or demonstration of
individual that is capable of properly performing proficiency.
the examination and obtaining meaningful results.
Users of NDE services need assurance that the 2.2 Employer-Based Certification vs. Cen-
individual performing NDE has the qualifications tralized Certification
necessary to detect the conditions of interest in a
predictable, consistent manner. There is some discord in industry regarding
employer-based certification versus centralized
The certification system has been adopted by certification. ASNT has developed an
industry to provide that assurance. Certification employer-based system for the certification of
is not to be confused with qualification. NDE personnel. Each employer is responsible for
Qualification is the ability of an individual the certification of their NDE personnel in
resulting from education, training, and experience accordance with their own procedure, which is
to perform an NDE correctly. Certification is based on SNT-TC-1A or CP-189.
written testimony that the individual has the proper

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The Europeans have a different philosophy and

have developed centralized certification programs 2.3.1 SNT-TC-1A
where the NDE technician is certified by a
National Certifying Body (NCB). SNT-TC-1A is a document that provides
recommendations for the qualification and certifi-
The employer-based certification system is cation of NDE personnel. SNT-TC-1A was first
typically tailored to meet a company’s specific published in 1967 and has been revised over the
needs. That is, the certification can be job or years to address the changing needs of industry.
product specific. The certification is only valid as This recommended practice provides a framework
long as the individual is employed by that com- for each employer to develop his own procedure or
pany. “Written Practice” for the qualification and
certification of NDE personnel within his organi-
Each of the centralized certification systems zation.
have standardized requirements for certification.
Compared to employer-based certification sys- The employer is permitted to modify the
tems, the centralized certification systems may recommendations of SNT-TC-1A. The
require the candidate to have more formal training employer’s Written Practice describes in detail
and experience. The centralized certification how the employer provides for the qualification
systems require the individual to have a thorough and certification of their NDE personnel. The
understanding of the NDE method and broad based Written Practice is the key element to the
experience. The benefit for the NDE technician is employer-based certification system.
that the certification is issued by a recognized body Each company must have a Written Practice
or organization (e.g., NCB). Centralized that is unique to its organization; therefore, it is
certification allows the individual to carry the important that the company’s Written Practice be
certification to a new company when changing reviewed in advance. Some companies that
employers. provide NDE services have very sound
qualification and certification programs. A great
2.3 Employer-Based Certification deal of effort is expended for training and
upgrading of its personnel. Other companies may
Two ASNT certification systems are have limited resources and minimize the efforts
employer-based and used by U.S. companies that expended for the certification of their employees.
are involved with commercial nuclear reactors and A thorough review of each company’s Written
power plants. These systems are the ASNT Practice is a primary way of determining the
Recommended Practice SNT-TC-1A and the strength of a company’s commitment to providing
ASNT Standard for Qualification and Certification adequate training, qualification, and certification
of Nondestructive Testing Personnel CP-189. for their NDE personnel.
These documents are referenced in various ASME
Code sections. SNT-TC-1A describes three categories of

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qualification for individuals engaged in NDE. and product technology to establish techniques and
to assist in establishing acceptance criteria when
Level I - An NDE Level I individual has met none are otherwise available. The NDE Level III
the minimum requirements (i.e., formal training should have a general familiarity with other
and experience) for Level I certification. A Level appropriate NDE methods, as demonstrated by the
I individual should be qualified to properly ASNT Level III basic examination or other means.
perform specific calibrations, specific NDE, and The NDE Level III, in the methods in which
specific evaluations for acceptance or rejection certified, should be capable of training and
determinations according to written instructions examining NDE Level I and II personnel for
and to record the results. The Level I should certification in those methods.
receive guidance from a certified Level II or III
individual. It should be noted that the “trainee” is de-
scribed as “an individual who is in the process of
Level II - An NDE Level II individual should being trained, qualified, and certified.
be qualified to set up and calibrate equipment and
to interpret and evaluate results with respect to Level I, II and III personnel must be recertified
applicable codes, standards, and specifications. periodically depending on the code edition and
The NDE Level II should be thoroughly familiar specification. SNT-TC-1A 2001 or earlier
with the scope and limitations of the methods for requires Level I and II technicians to recertify
which he/she is qualified and should exercise every three years and level III technicians to
assigned responsibility for on-the-job training and recertify every five years. The 2006 edition
guidance of trainees and NDE Level I personnel. allows for all to recertify at five year intervals.
The NDE Level II should be able to organize and
report the results of NDE. SNT-TC-1A has served as the foundation for a
number of other certification schemes. CP-189,
Level III - An NDE Level III individual should NAS-410, MIL-STD-410, and others use the same
be capable of developing, qualifying, and descriptors for levels of certifications.
approving procedures, establishing and approving
techniques; interpreting codes, standards, specifi- 2.3.1.1 Benefits of SNT-TC-1A
cations, and procedures; and designating the
particular NDE methods, techniques, and proce- SNT-TC-1A offers industry a number of
dures to be used. The NDE Level III should be benefits. The significant benefits include:
responsible for the NDE operations for which
qualified and assigned and should be capable of • It requires employers to analyze their
interpreting and evaluating results in terms of position on certification and the
existing codes, standards, and specifications. The documentation of their program.
NDE Level III should have sufficient practical • Through the Written Practice, the
background in applicable materials, fabrication, employer has an implied responsibility

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to train and formally examine NDE

personnel. Since SNT-TC-1A is an employer-based
• It implies customer responsibility to certification system, the individual’s certifications
review and evaluate the Written are terminated upon leaving the company.
Practice to ensure its adequacy with
respect to the Terms and Conditions It is the new employer’s responsibility to
• It provides a basic certification recertify new personnel. This can be an expensive
approach that can be referenced in undertaking for a small company that may employ
contracts or purchase orders. NDE personnel on a short-term contract basis.
• If the qualification concept is followed,
it will result in significant training The certification process entails several key
activity and personnel development in steps. An outline of the certification process is as
preparation for certification. follows:
• It offers the employer the flexibility to
modify (i.e., by either increasing or • The employer must develop a Written Practice
reducing) the certification requirements for the qualification and certification of NDE
to meet specific needs. personnel.
• The employer must verify that the candidate
2.3.1.2 Limitations of SNT-TC-1A has met the education, training, and experience
for the specific method for which certification
SNT-TC-1A is a recommended practice. As is sought.
such, an employer can apply the recommendations • The candidate must be tested to verify that the
of SNT-TC-1A in its entirety, or increase/reduce knowledge and skills required for certification
the recommendations to suit the company’s exist. This is a multistep process consisting of
purpose. the following tests:

The result is that most companies have differ- - General knowledge of the examination
ent Written Practices for the certification of their method,
NDE personnel. This can cause difficulties for - Specific knowledge of the method as applied
organizations that purchase NDE services and to the specific products,
requires careful evaluation by the purchaser. - Practical application of the examination
The Written Practice is key in determining the method (e.g., hands-on demonstration),
level of competency of the personnel performing - Vision test to verify that the candidate meets
NDE. Unfortunately, many companies that re- the physical requirements of the job, this
quire the services of an NDE provider do not includes an annual near vision test and color
adequately review the Written Practice and per- vision tests every five years.
sonnel documentation to determine if the com-
pany’s needs will be met.

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A review of the definitions of each certified certify their own NDE Level III personnel.
level indicates that the Level III individual is ASNT does not certify the individual under the
responsible for the administration of the NDE SNT-TC-1A system.
program within a company. Therefore, the
strength of the company’s NDE program is A complete review of the certification docu-
greatly dependent on the competency of the mentation for each individual to provide NDE
Level III. services is essential.

SNT-TC-1A permits a Level III to be SNT-TC-1A recommends certain

certified in one of the following ways: documentation be maintained for each certified
individual. This documentation should be
Examination - An employer can develop available for review by their customers or
and administer the Level III tests. The agencies. Therefore, it is essential that a
questions must be approved by a qualified thorough customer review of the Written
person. Practice, certification records, and the supporting
qualification data be completed. SNT-TC-1A
Outside agency - An employer can contract recommends the maintenance of the following
with an independent outside agency that would for each certified employee:
develop and administer the tests.
• Name of the certified individual,
ASNT - The employer can accept the results • Level of certification and NDE method,
of ASNT administered tests as totally or partially • Educational background and experience,
satisfying test requirements as defined on the • Statement of satisfactory completion of
company’s Written Practice. training in accordance with the employer’s
Written Practice,
Grandfathering - For a six month period • Results of vision tests,
from September 1976 to February 1977,
• Current test copies or evidence of successful
applications for Level III grandfathering were
completion of examinations,
accepted by ASNT. (Over 700 individuals were
• Other suitable evidence of satisfactory
granted an ASNT Level III certificate through
qualifications,
this process).
• Examination grades or a written statement
where tests were administered by an outside
The ASNT Level III certificate offers wider
agency or ASNT,
recognition and a degree of portability. Still, it
• Dates of certification and/or recertification,
must be understood that each employer must
and dates of assignment to NDE, and
• Signature of the employer’s certifying
authority.

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• Certification expiration date. salary, fees, or other considerations.

• Signature of the Level III that verified • Experience is the work activities
the qualification of the candidate for accomplished in a specific NDT method
certification. under the direction of qualified supervision
The employer-based system of certification including the performance of the NDT
has been in use for many years. The method and related activities but not
effectiveness of the “certification” is only as including time spent in organized training
good as the company’s commitment to the NDE programs.
program. • Limited Certification is the restriction of a
method to a technique or a subdivided
2.3.1.3 Terminology method that meets the employer’s use of a
limited scope of a particular NDE method.
SNT-TC-1A (2006 Edition) includes a glos- • Outside Agency is a company or individual
sary of terms relating to the certification process who provides NDE Level III services and
that has been adopted by the NDE industry. whose qualifications to provide these
Some of the common terminology is defined as services have been reviewed by the employer
follows: engaging the company or individual.
• Qualification is demonstrated skill, demon-
• Certification is written testimony of strated knowledge, documented training, and
qualification. documented experience required for
• Certifying Authority is the person or persons personnel to properly perform a specific
properly designated in the Written Practice to NDE method.
sign certifications on behalf of the employer. • Recommended Practice is a set of guidelines
• Certifying Agency is the employer of the to assist the employer in developing uniform
individual being certified. procedures for the qualification and
• Closed-book examination is an examination certification of NDE personnel to satisfy the
administered without access to reference employer’s specific requirements.
material, except for materials supplied with • Training is the organized program developed
or in the examination. to impart the knowledge and skills necessary
• Comparable is being at an equivalent or for qualification.
similar level of NDT responsibility and • Written Practice is the document which pro-
difficulty as determined by the employer’s vides guidelines for the establishment of a
Level III. qualification and certification program.
• Documented is the condition of being in
written form.
• Employer is the corporate, private, or public
entity which employs personnel for wages,

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2.3.2 ASNT Standard for Qualification and The descriptions and responsibilities of the
Certification of NDE Personnel Trainee, Level I, Level II, and Level III are
(ANSI/ASNT CP-189) similar to those contained in SNT-TC-1A.
NDE training must be provided by a
Since SNT-TC-1A is a “recommended qualified instructor. One requirement for the
practice” or a set of guidelines, the variability in instructor includes a current ASNT Level III
company’s written practices has been a major certificate in the method being instructed. If the
problem. ANSI/ASNT CP-189 is a national instructor does not have an ASNT Level III
consensus standard that addresses the uniformity certificate, then a four year degree in
missing in employer based certification engineering, science, or technology, and an
programs. adequate knowledge of the method being taught
is acceptable. If the instructor has a two year
CP-189 is based on SNT-TC-1A, however degree in engineering, science, or technology
CP-189 stipulates the minimum requirements of and five or more years of experience as a Level II
a certification Program. It establishes minimum or equivalent is required. An individual with a
requirements for education, training, experience, high school diploma must have at least ten years
and examinations that must be met to be NDE experience as a Level II or equivalent in the
considered for certification. method being taught.

The employer is required to have a The certification and supporting documenta-

certification procedure that must meet the tion requirements closely parallels those of
minimum requirements for training, experience, SNT-TC-1A.
documentation, tests etc. as prescribed in
CP-189. The employer cannot deviate from the Also, like SNT-TC-1A, an individual’s
minimum certification requirements as was certification is terminated when employment is
permitted under SNT-TC-1A. terminated and may also be terminated for cause.
Level I, II and III NDE personnel must be
The standard describes five levels of recertified every five years.
qualification instead of three. The five levels
are: CP-189 offers the industry an
employer-based certification standard that
• Trainee, addresses many of the perceived weaknesses of
• Level I, SNT-TC-1A.
• Level II,
• Level III, and CP-189 requires each employer to have a
• NDE Instructor. Level III that holds a valid ASNT Level III
certificate. The services of an outside agency
may be retained to provide Level III Services if

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the employer does not have an on-staff ASNT Section XI waives this prerequisite, thereby
Level III certificate holder. permitting Level III qualification to be
Section V of the 2007 Edition with 2008 through the employer examination process or
Addenda of the ASME Code requires that NDE by ASNT examination. Also, the employer
personnel be qualified in accordance with either has the option of using an outside agency to
the 2006 Edition of SNT-TC-1A, or the 2006 administer the examinations.
Edition of ANSI/ASNT CP-189, or ASNT
ACCP. It further states that qualifications in 2.3.3 Qualification of Personnel for Visual
accordance with an earlier edition of Examination
SNT-TC-1A, CP-189 or ACCP be considered
valid until the individual is recertified. The Section XI also requires compliance to
recertification must be in compliance with SNT Appendix VI for the training, qualification, and
-TC-1A (2006), CP-189 (2006) or ACCP. certification of visual examination personnel.
This mandatory appendix requires the
Section XI of the 2007 Edition of the ASME preparation of a written practice in accordance
Code requires each employer to prepare a written with ANSI/ASNT CP-189 with the following
practice (or certification procedure) in specific and/or additional requirements:
accordance with CP-189 1995. It also requires
that personnel performing NDE be qualified and 1. Experience as specifically defined for the
certified using that written practice, which is in VT-1, VT-2, and VT-3 categories (reference
accordance with CP-189. It permits existing Appendix VI-4110 of Section XI).
certifications based on earlier editions of CP-189
to remain valid until recertification, which must 2. Specific subjects must be included in the VT
then be in accordance with the 1995 Edition of training program (reference Appendix VI
CP-189. Supplement 1 of Section XI).

Section XI amends two provisions in CP-189 3. Examinations for Level I, II, and III
as follows: personnel must be approved, administered,
and graded by a Level III.
1. Levels I and II are required to be recertified
every five (5) years in lieu of the three (3) 4. A passing grade of 80% is required for each
years specified in CP-189. The Level III examination rather than the minimum of 70%
recertification is at five (5) years intervals as permitted by CP-189.
required in CP-189.
5. If an examination is failed, the candidate
2. CP-189 requires the possession of a Level III must receive additional training as
certificate issued by ASNT, as a prerequisite determined by the Level III. The
to employer Level III recertification. examination questions to be used for the

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reexamination must contain at least 30% new

or reworded questions.
5. Table VII-4220-1 contains details regarding
The practical or Demonstration Examination initial training which includes:
test specimens set must contain at least 50% Level Classroom Laboratory
different flaws than those use on the I 40 hrs 40 hrs
II 40 hrs 40 hrs
examination that was failed.
III 40 rs 0
These additional or supplemental 6. A grade of 70% is necessary to receive credit
requirements contained in Article VI must be for the training unless a qualification
reflected in the employer’s written practice. examination is given at the conclusion of the
training.
2.3.4 Qualification Requirements for
Ultrasonic Examination Personnel 7. If the course examination is failed, additional
training in those areas of weakness, as
Section XI contains a mandatory Appendix identified in the examination, must be
(VII) for the qualification of Ultrasonic administered.
Examination personnel. This appendix contains
additional or supplemental requirements to those 8. There is also a ten (10) hour (minimum)
in CP-189 including: supplemental training requirement that must
be given annually.
1. Minimum hours of experience as defined in
Table VII-4110 are greater than those 9. Requirements for examination questions and
required by CP-189, for all three levels. test specimens for the Practical Examination
are extensive and are detailed in VII-4310.
2. Detailed experience records must be main- Level I and II qualification examinations are
tained by the employer and a Level III is described in VII-4320 and, Level III
responsible for reviewing the documentation Qualifications are contained in VII-4330.
to determine if it meets the employer’s
written practice requirements. Appendix VIII contains the requirements for
Ultrasonic Examination system performance
3. The NDE instructor must have completed a demonstration.
40-hour course in training and teaching tech-
niques, or have a current certificate for 2.4 ISO 9712 Central Certification
teaching/instructing.
An internationally recognized standard for
4. Specific training course subjects are centralized certification is ISO 9712,
contained in Supplement 1 to appendix VII. Nondestructive Testing—Qualification and

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Certification of Personnel. This international • It will have a stringent code of ethics.

standard establishes a system for the • It will be ultimately responsible for the
qualification and certification of personnel that certification scheme, including technical and
are engaged in “industrial” NDE. This administration requirements.
standard provides for the certification of • It will approve examination centers and
individuals through a central independent body monitor them on a periodic basis.
that is referred to as the Certification Body • It will be responsible for and maintain all
(CB). appropriate records.
The system employs test centers to
administer tests for certification. This is in Examination Centers must meet the
contrast to employer-based certification where following requirements:
each employer administers his own
certification tests. The concept of centralized • Established by the CB;
certification standardizes the requirements for
• Adequate qualified staff, facilities, and
the qualification and certification of the NDE
equipment;
personnel. It affords a greater degree of
• Use only examinations and documents
transportability of an individual’s NDE
established and/or approved by the CB; and
credentials.
• Use only specimens prepared or approved by
the CB for the practical examinations.
The CB is described as the agency that
complies with EN45013, and administers proce-
The program does not require the employer
dures for certification of NDE personnel in
to have a written practice or procedures
accordance with the requirements of ISO 9712.
describing the system of qualification and
The requirements that are needed in order to be a
certification. The fact that a company endorses
CB include the following:
the ISO program includes all the requirements
stipulated by ISO 9712.
• It must be a non-profit organization.
• It shall have no direct involvement in training
The training requirements included in ISO
of NDE personnel.
9712 are somewhat different then those of
• It must be recognized by the NDT SNT-TC-1A and CP-189. Table 2-1 compares
community or the International Organization the training stipulated in SNT-TC-1A, CP-189,
for Standardization (ISO) member body of and ISO 9712 programs.
the country concerned.
• It must initiate, maintain, and promote the Likewise, the experience requirements of
national certification scheme. ISO 9712 differ from those of either SNT-TC-1A
• It will administer the procedures for or CP-189. The experience requirements are
certification. reduced if the candidate has earned a degree in

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NDE from a college or university. Table 2-2 2.5 ASNT Central Certification Program
compares the experience stipulated in the three (ACCP)
programs.
ACCP builds upon the existing ASNT Level
2.4.1 Terms of Certifications III certification program. In addition to passing
All ISO 9712 certifications are valid for a the ASNT administered written tests; the Level
period of five years. The certifications are III candidate also must pass a hands-on Level II
terminated if: demonstration of proficiency and a written
• The individual moves on to a different procedure preparation examination.
industrial sector (e.g. shipbuilding to
petrochemical); The ACCP provides a transportable
• Unethical behavior is found certification and ultimately will provide central
• A physical disability occurs certification for Level I, Level II, and Level III
• A physical disability that prevents the NDE personnel.
certified individual from performing
work activities Examination centers will be approved and
• The individual fails to meet the visual located to support the program geographically.
acuity requirements.
• The individual experiences a significant The certifications will be industry specific
interruption in examination performance. and recertification will be required when
working in a different industry sector.
2.4.2 Renewal
Certification can be renewed for a second 2.6 AWS Certification of Welding Inspectors
five year term when there is evidence of: (CWI)
• Satisfactory vision test every twelve
The American Welding Society has a central
months and;
certification program for the certification of
• Continued satisfactory work activity
welding inspectors. The program is the QC-1,
without significant interruption.
Standard for AWS Certification of Welding
Inspectors.
2.4.3 Recertification
Recertification is required on the tenth
The program requires the candidate to
anniversary. Recertification is accomplished by
provide documented evidence of visual welding
the satisfactory completion of a simplified
inspection or related work experience, and it
written test (Level III) or a practical test (Level
requires the successful completion of a three part
I and II.)
examination.

The examination consists of; • General Knowledge—written

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• Specific—code interpretation – written and;

• Practical—hands on demonstration of visual Visual examiners must also meet the supple-
inspection of test samples ment requirements of Appendix VI that describes
the supplemental requirements for the qualifica-
There are three levels of certification tion and certification of Visual Examination
• Certified Associate Welding Inspector Personnel.
(CAWI)
• Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) Note that the ASME differentiates between
• Senior Certified Welding Inspector (SCWI). inspection and examination. Inspections are
performed by Authorized Inspectors and
The QC-1 program offers a certification Owner’s Representatives. Examinations and
scheme that is independent of the employer and tests are performed by the manufacturer (e.g.,
is, therefore, completely portable. fabricators, installers, etc). Therefore, the
ASME refers to NDE rather than nondestructive
The certification must be renewed every testing (NDT).
three years by providing documented evidence of
continued examination or related activities.
Every nine years, recertification is by testing.

2.7 Supplemental Qualification Requirements

The power utility industry has adopted

supplemental programs for the qualification and
certification of Visual Examinations and
Ultrasonic Examination personnel. The
requirements of these programs are contained in
Appendix VII (UT) and Appendix VI (VT) of
Section XI of the ASME Boiler and Pressure
Vessel Code.
As discussed in 2.3.3, Section XI requires
NDE personnel to be qualified and certified in
accordance with the requirements of CP-189.
Individuals engaged in ultrasonic examination
must also meet the requirements of Appendix
VII that describes the supplemental requirements
for the qualification and certification of
Ultrasonic NDE personnel.

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Table 2-1 Training Hours1

SNT-TC-1A, 20062 CP-189-20063 ISO 97124

Eddy Current Examination

Level I 40 40 40

Level II 40 40 40

Penetrant Examination

Level I 4 4 16

Level II 8 8 24

Magnetic Particle Examination

Level I 12 12 16

Level II 8 8 24

Radiographic Examination

Level I 40 40 40

Level II 40 40 80

Ultrasonic Examination

Level I 40 40 40

Level II 40 40 80

NOTES:
1. Recommended for high school graduate.
2. Training for Level III personnel not specified in SNT-TC-IA.
3. CP-189 training for Level III personnel is considered satisfied by the possession of an
ASNT Level III certificate.
4. ISO 9712 does not specify training hours for a Level III.

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Table 2-2. Recommended Experience Time

SNT-TC-1A, 2006 CP-189-2006 ISO 9712-92

Hours/Months Hours Months
Eddy Current Examination
Level I 210*/400** 210*/400** 3
Level II 630*/1200** 630*/1200** 9
Level III *** *** ***
Penetrant Examination
Level I 70*/130** 70*/130** 1
Level II 140*/270** 140*/270** 3
Level III *** *** ***
Magnetic Particle Examination
Level I 70*/130** 70*/130** 1
Level II 210*/210** 210*/400** 3
Level III *** *** ***
Radiographic Examination
Level I 210*/400** 210*/400** 3
Level II 630*/1200** 630*/1200** 9
Level III *** *** ***
Ultrasonic Examination
Level I 210*/400** 200*/400** 3
Level II 840*/1200** 630*/1200** 9
Level III *** *** ***
*Minimum Hours in Method
**Total Hours in NDT
***The level III experience requirements vary significantly for the three documents. Refer
to the individual documents for specific requirements.

USNRC Technical Training Center 2−14 Rev 0409