Editing Nondestructive testing (section)

==Personnel training, qualification and certification==

Successful and consistent application of nondestructive testing techniques depends heavily on personnel training, experience and integrity. Personnel involved in application of industrial NDT methods and interpretation of results should be certified, and in some industrial sectors certification is enforced by law or by the applied codes and standards.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.ndt.net/news/files/ICNDTGuidelinesJuly2012.pdf
|title=ICNDT Guide to Qualification and Certification of Personnel for NDT
|year=2012
|publisher=International Committee for NDT
}}</ref>

NDT professionals and managers who seek to further their growth, knowledge and experience to remain competitive in the rapidly advancing technology field of nondestructive testing should consider joining NDTMA, a member organization of NDT Managers and Executives who work to provide a forum for the open exchange of managerial, technical and regulatory information critical to the successful management of NDT personnel and activities. Their annual conference at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas is a popular for its informative and relevant programming and exhibition space

===Certification schemes===

There are two approaches in personnel certification:<ref>{{cite conference|author=John Thompson|title=Global review of qualification and certification of personnel for NDT and condition monitoring|conference=12th A-PCNDT 2006 – Asia-Pacific Conference on NDT|date=November 2006|location=Auckland, New Zealand}}</ref>

# '''Employer Based Certification''': Under this concept the employer compiles their own ''Written Practice''. The written practice defines the responsibilities of each level of certification, as implemented by the company, and describes the training, experience and examination requirements for each level of certification. In industrial sectors the written practices are usually based on recommended practice SNT-TC-1A of the [[American Society for Nondestructive Testing]].<ref>Recommended Practice No. SNT-TC-1A: ''Personnel Qualification and Certification in Nondestructive Testing'', (2006)</ref> ANSI standard CP-189 outlines requirements for any written practice that conforms to the standard.<ref>ANSI/ASNT CP-189: ''ASNT Standard for Qualification and Certification of Nondestructive Testing Personnel'', (2006)</ref> For aviation, space, and defense (ASD) applications [https://www.aia-aerospace.org/standards/ NAS 410] sets further requirements for NDT personnel, and is published by [https://www.aia-aerospace.org/standards/ AIA – Aerospace Industries Association], which is made up of US aerospace airframe and powerplant manufacturers. This is the basis document for EN 4179<ref name="EN4179">EN 4179: "Aerospace series. Qualification and approval of personnel for non-destructive testing" (2009)</ref> and other (USA) [https://www.nist.gov/about-nist NIST-recognized aerospace standards] for the Qualification and Certification (employer-based) of Nondestructive Testing personnel. [https://global.ihs.com/search_res.cfm?&csf=AIA&input_doc_number=NAS410&input_doc_title=&org_code=AIA%2FNAS NAS 410] also sets the requirements also for "National NDT Boards", which allow and proscribe personal certification schemes. [https://global.ihs.com/search_res.cfm?&csf=AIA&input_doc_number=NAS410&input_doc_title=&org_code=AIA%2FNAS NAS 410] allows ASNT Certification as a portion of the qualifications needed for ASD certification.<ref>AIA NAS410</ref>
# '''Personal Central Certification''': The concept of central certification is that an NDT operator can obtain certification from a central certification authority, that is recognized by most employers, third parties and/or government authorities. Industrial standards for central certification schemes include ISO 9712,<ref name="ISO9712">ISO 9712: ''Non-destructive testing -- Qualification and certification of NDT personnel'' (2012)</ref> and ANSI/ASNT CP-106<ref>ANSI/ASNT CP-106: "ASNT Standard for Qualification and Certification of Nondestructive Testing Personnel" (2008)</ref> (used for the ASNT ACCP <ref>"ASNT Central Certification Program", ASNT Document ACCP-CP-1, Rev. 7 (2010)</ref> scheme). Certification under these standards involves training, work experience under supervision and passing a written and practical examination set up by the independent certification authority. EN 473<ref name="EN473">EN 473: ''Non-destructive testing. Qualification and certification of NDT personnel. General principles'', (2008)</ref> was another central certification scheme, very similar to ISO 9712, which was withdrawn when CEN replaced it with ''EN ISO 9712'' in 2012.

In the United States employer based schemes are the norm, however central certification schemes exist as well. The most notable is ''ASNT Level III'' (established in 1976–1977), which is organized by the [[American Society for Nondestructive Testing]] for Level 3 NDT personnel.<ref>{{cite book |author=Charles Hellier |title=Handbook of Nondestructive Evaluation |publisher=McGraw-Hill |year=2003 |isbn=978-0-07-028121-9|pages=1.25}}</ref> ''[https://www.precoinc.com/industrial/about/certifications-standards NAVSEA 250-1500]'' is another US central certification scheme, specifically developed for use in the naval nuclear program.<ref>{{cite book |author=Charles Hellier |title=Handbook of Nondestructive Evaluation |publisher=McGraw-Hill |year=2003 |isbn=978-0-07-028121-9|pages=1.26}}</ref>

Central certification is more widely used in the European Union, where certifications are issued by accredited bodies (independent organizations conforming to [https://blog.ansi.org/2019/07/ansi-iso-iec-17024-accreditation-personnel/ ISO 17024] and accredited by a national accreditation authority like [https://www.ukas.com/ UKAS]). The [[Pressure Equipment Directive]] (97/23/EC) actually enforces central personnel certification for the initial testing of [[steam boiler]]s and some categories of [[pressure vessel]]s and [[piping]].<ref>''Directive 97/23/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 May 1997 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States concerning pressure equipment'', Annex I, paragraph 3.1.3</ref> European Standards harmonized with this directive specify personnel certification to EN 473. Certifications issued by a national NDT society which is a member of the [https://www.efndt.org/ European Federation of NDT] ([https://www.efndt.org/ EFNDT]) are mutually acceptable by the other member societies <ref>EFNDT/SEC/P/05-006: ''[http://www.efndt.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=McGXzQepYA0%3D&tabid=408&mid=1707 Agreement for EFNDT multilateral recognition of NDT personnel certification schemes]'' (2005)</ref> under a multilateral recognition agreement.

Canada also implements an ISO 9712 central certification scheme, which is administered by [[Natural Resources Canada]], a government department.<ref>http://www.nrcan-rncan.gc.ca/smm-mms/ndt-end/index-eng.htm : The NDT Certifying Agency (CANMET-MTL)</ref><ref>The relevant national standard for Canada is CAN/CGSB-48.9712-2006 "Qualification and Certification of Non-Destructive Testing Personnel.", which complies with the requirements of ISO 9712:2005 and EN 473:2000.</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Charles Hellier |title=Handbook of Nondestructive Evaluation |publisher=McGraw-Hill |year=2003 |isbn=978-0-07-028121-9|pages=1.27}}</ref>

The [[aerospace]] sector worldwide sticks to employer based schemes.<ref>R. Marini and P. Ranos: "[http://www.ndt.net/article/ecndt2006/doc/Th.3.6.5.pdf Current Issues in Qualification and Certification of Non-Destructive Testing Personnel in the Aerospace Industry]", ''ECNDT 2006 - Th.3.6.5''</ref> In America it is based mostly on the Aerospace Industries Association's (AIA) AIA-NAS-410 <ref>AIA-NAS-410: "Aerospace Industries Association, National Aerospace Standard, NAS Certification and Qualification of Nondestructive Test Personnel"</ref> and in the European Union on the equivalent and very similar standard EN 4179.<ref name="EN4179"/>  However EN 4179:2009 includes an option for central qualification and certification by a [https://www.bindt.org/NANDTB/ ''National aerospace NDT board'' or ''NANDTB''] (paragraph 4.5.2).

===Levels of certification===

Most NDT personnel certification schemes listed above specify three "levels" of qualification and/or certification, usually designated as ''Level 1'', ''Level 2'' and ''Level 3'' (although some codes specify Roman numerals, like ''Level II''). The roles and responsibilities of personnel in each level are generally as follows (there are slight differences or variations between different codes and standards):<ref name="ISO9712"/><ref name="EN4179"/>

* '''Level 1''' are [[technician]]s qualified to perform only specific [[calibration]]s and tests under close supervision and direction by higher level personnel. They can only report test results. Normally they work following specific work instructions for testing procedures and rejection criteria.
* '''Level 2''' are [[engineers]] or experienced technicians who are able to set up and calibrate testing equipment, conduct the inspection according to codes and standards (instead of following work instructions) and compile work instructions for Level 1 technicians. They are also authorized to report, interpret, evaluate and document testing results. They can also supervise and train Level 1 technicians. In addition to testing methods, they must be familiar with applicable codes and standards and have some knowledge of the manufacture and service of tested products.
* '''Level 3''' are usually specialized engineers or very experienced technicians. They can establish NDT techniques and procedures and interpret codes and standards. They also direct NDT laboratories and have central role in personnel certification. They are expected to have wider knowledge covering materials, fabrication and product technology.