Certification Guidelines - SNT-TC-1A
Certification Guidelines - SNT-TC-1A
Certification Guidelines - SNT-TC-1A
It should also be noted that SNT-TC–1A is revised every few years, but there is no
requirement that the latest version be adopted by your company. Some industries have
standardized on the requirements stipulated in the 1984 issue.
Copy and modify the issue of SNT-TC-1A that you choose, onto your company’s stationary.
This is now your Written Practice. Have your Level III sign it and get your customer’s Level III’s
O.K.
The Level II inspector has more experience and training, and more responsibility. A Level II
inspector must be capable of setting up and calibrating his instruments, performing the
inspection, and interpreting the results of the inspection against the requirements of the
applicable specification or code.
The Level II may also be required to supervise Level I inspectors and give on the job training.
You may contract with outside companies to provide training or some Level III services.
Your Written Practice should be written to meet your needs and that of your customers. You
can modify the requirements as needed to make your Written Practice practical for your firm,
keeping in mind your customers’ needs and those that may be stated in other documents that
you must comply with.
B - Training
Each inspector must successfully complete a training program that complies with the
requirements of SNT-TC-1A* or your Written Practice. Please note that it is perfectly
acceptable and possibly preferable to modify your Written Practice to require additional training
and certification for special tests such as crack sizing or the use of non-standard or specialized
methods. It may also be modified when inspectors will be required to perform limited/specific
tests. Examples of this are:
Visible Dye Penetrant Inspection, Magnetic Particle Testing with hand-held Yokes, Ultrasonic
Thickness Gauging with Digital Thickness Gauges, Ultrasonic Testing of Rails, etc.
To successfully complete a training program the student is required to pass a general, specific,
and practical exam to ensure that he has the necessary understanding of the method and skills
to perform the test.
Please note that training and certification are separate activities. They are administered at
different times and the tests given are for different purposes. Training can be provided by any
capable individual that has the knowledge, experience and teaching skills required to impart
the necessary information and skills needed.
C - Experience
Employees cannot be certified until they have met the minimum experience level detailed in
the Written Practice This experience must be documented and kept in the certification records
file.
Phone: 913-685-0675 [email protected]
Fax: 913-685-1125 www.ndtsupply.com
NDT Supply.com, Inc.
7952 Nieman Road
Lenexa, KS 66214-1560 USA
D - Qualification Examination
The Level III has the responsibility to review or grade examinations administered for
certification purposes. The actual administration of written examinations can be subcontracted
to a designee of the Level III.
2. A written General examination which tests knowledge of the methods’ basic principles.
3. A written Specific examination about the specific equipment, procedures and techniques
used on the job.
4. A Practical test demonstrating the candidates’ ability to perform typical inspection work.
Grades: At least 70% must be scored in each part of the qualification examinations and an
"average" score of at least 80% must be achieved.
E- Certification
Providing that all of the previously stated criteria have been satisfied and documented, the
candidate can be certified by the Certifying Authority (an employee of the company designated
in writing in the Written Practice) to sign a document of certification.
Under SNT-TC-1A only an employee of your firm can act as the Certifying Authority. An
outside agency contracted to provide level III services cannot certify your employee. They can
state that all tests have been passed and that the criteria specified in your written practice
have been met and that in their opinion the candidate is recommended for certification.
Summary:
The intent of Employer based certification by the American Society for Nondestructive Testing
is to provide a guideline for employers to follow to assure that NDT Inspectors are qualified to
do their job to the satisfaction of their employer and their customers.
Comment:
Some people want SNT-TC-1A to be a specification requiring all people performing any NDT
inspection to be fully trained and tested in all aspects of the test method. This is not SNT-TC-
1A’s purpose or intent. There are other documents such as CP-189 and NAS-410 that do have
this intent, but not SNT-TC-1A which can be as broad or as limited as you need it to be.