Prepared By: Ashish Singh SNT-TC-1A/CP-189 Edition: 2016

S.N SUBJECT ASNT SNT TC-1A ANSI/ASNT CP-189

1. Recommended practice for Recommended standard for
Used establishing guidelines for minimum requirements of
qualification and certification of qualification and certification of NDT
NDT Personnel. Personnel.
2. 1) J-2 Requirements 1) J-1 Requirements
2) Annually examination 2) Annually examination
Near 3) Not less than 12 inch 3) Not less than 12 inch
Vision 4) At least one eye 4) at least one eye
Acuity 5) Ability to perceive Ortho-Rater 5) Ability to perceive Ortho-Rater 9,
8, Minimum or smaller pattern Minimum or smaller pattern
acceptable. acceptable.
6) Expired in last day of the month 6) Expired in last day of the month
of expiration. of expiration.
3. 1) For colour differentiation at the 1) For colour differentiation at the
time of first certification and after time of first certification and after
Color every 5 years. Every recertification time.
Contrast 2) Capability of distinguishing and 2) Capability of distinguishing and
Differentiating differentiating contrast among differentiating contrast among
colors or shades of gray. colors or shades of gray.
4. 1) Any designated person can train Any one of the following –
NDT Instructor as per written practice. 1) ASNT NDT Level 3 in method to be
2) Personal/outside agency who sought.
trains is hired by employer. 2) Equivalent to BS in Engineering,
(Anybody can train) physical science or technology. And
possess adequate knowledge in NDT
method to be sought.
3) Graduate of Two years school of
science, engineering or NDT and
have a 5 years’ experience as NDT
Level-II or equivalent.
4) Ten year or more experience as a
NDT Level-II or equivalents.
NDT Instructor shall be designated
by NDT Level-III.
5. Written Employer develop own written Standard demand that a minimum
Practice practice based on guidelines and set of requirements be meet by
may modify recommendation as employers. Requires employer to
necessary where guidelines are establish procedure for
appropriate for certain employer certification. (In definition
circumstance. Applied with additional term interpretation and
flexibility and reason. evaluation)
*Written practice shall be approved *Procedure shall be approved by
by the employer NDT Level III. the NDT Level III designated by the
employer.
6. Responsibility Responsible for administered and Responsible for administered and
of NDT Level 3 grading of exam of Level I, II and III grading of exam of Level I & II
Personnel. But employer is Personnel in method he has valid
responsible to ensure that ASNT Level III certificate.(Including
examination are in accordance with practical examination) also
Prepared By: Ashish Singh SNT-TC-1A/CP-189 Edition: 2016

employer written practice(whether employer responsible for having an

in house or outside services) ASNT NDT Level III develop and
(Employer will delegate the exam administer and grade Level III
and to grading the qualified specific and practical exam.
representative of the NDT Level III Employer is responsible to ensure
and record it.) that above is as per procedures.
7. Outside Outside service may be used by Outside service may be used by
Service employer who shall ensure that employer but employer shall be
such services are in accordance responsible for such services
with employer written practice. accordance with employer written
procedure and CP-189 standard. But
NDT Level 3 of outside service is
responsible for services.
8 Passing Grade Each exam administered to have Each employer administered
passing compositing grad of at least certification exam requires each
80% and each 70%. 70% and average grade of 80%. All
(Does not say equal in weight) exam equal in weight in
determining the average of grad.
9 Experience Work activities accomplices in Actual performance during work
specific NDT method under the resulting in acquisition of skill and
direction of qualified supervisor knowledge- Class room training
including performance, but not does not considered. But may
time spent in organized training include laboratory and on the job
programs. training as defined by the
employer’s written procedure.
10 Documented training and Previous training and experience
Previous experience comparable to Level I, II accepted by employer if verified and
training and & III prior to employer’s documented (for Level I & II).
establishment of written practice is For Level III Employer to verify and
experience
considered. Prior certification document current valid ASNT NDT
documentation used as an Level III Certificate.
evidence of qualification.
11 LEVEL 1 & LEVEL 2 EXAMINATION
A General Exam Questions approved by NDT Level Questions approved by NDT Level III.
III. Written exam addressing basic
Written exam addressing basic principle of applicable NDT method.
principle of applicable NDT Closed book (chart, tables, formula,
method. graph may be provided by NDT Level
Closed book(graph, tables, III).
specification, procedure, code may Question for general Level I & II
be provided) similar in type to those published
Question should be devised by ASNT.
covering to degree required in
employer written practice.
Devised by Level III.
Sample from ASNT intended as
example only.
Prepared By: Ashish Singh SNT-TC-1A/CP-189 Edition: 2016

B Specific Exam Approved by NDT Level III. Approved by NDT Level III.
Exam should address equipment, NDT Level III shell determines
operating procedures and NDT whether to provide appropriate
Technique used in specific procedures, specifications and
assignment to degree required by standards or codes.
the employer written practice. Exam shell address equipment’s,
Exam should also cover procedures; test technique’s used in
specification, code and acceptance performance of assign duty.
criteria used in employer NDT
Procedure.
C Practical Exam Approved by NDT Level III. Approved by NDT Level III.

Level I Candidate should demonstrate Candidate shall demonstrate

ability to operate necessary proficiency using applicable NDT
equipment, record and analyse method to examine at least one test
results. sample for each technique used in
At least one selected specimen. job and documenting results. Test
sample shall be representative of
Candidate should demonstrate the products that candidate will be
proficiency performing applicable encounter in performing job
NDT method one or more sample functions.
approved by NDT Level III, Written check list by Level III
Evaluating results to the degree of administrating the exam that include
responsibility as describe in at least proficiency in use of
employers written practice. equipment, technique, procedure,
test sequence, calibration,
At least 10 Check points requiring, documentation
understanding of test variables and If Level 1 shell interpret or evaluate
employer procedural requirements. results, check list shell include it.

Level II Selecting and performing At least one sample per technique

applicable NDT Technique within and two sample per method by
the method and by interpreting interpreting, evaluating and
and evaluating the result on one or documenting results.
more samples approved by NDT
Level III. Check list to include at least above
and also satisfactory detection and
At least 10 different check points. location of discontinuities, proper
extent of exam, accuracy,
completeness of interpretation and
evaluation.
Passing Level I and Level II practical
exam shall be detection of
discontinuities previously described
by NDT Level III.
12 Level III Examination
Basic difference Employer can certifies even if no ASNT Level III is must.
have ASNT Level III
Prepared By: Ashish Singh SNT-TC-1A/CP-189 Edition: 2016

A Basic Exam 1) 15 questions from SNT-TC-1A. No Basic Exam.

2) 20 questions related to
applicable Materials, Fabrication Covered in ASNT Level III Exam
and Product Technology.
3) 20questions similar to published
NDT Level II questions for other
NDT Methods.

Total 55 Questions.

(Valid ASNT Certificate fulfils the

above requirements.)
B Method Exam 1) 30 questions related to No Method Exam.
Fundamental and principle similar
to published ASNT NDT Level III Covered in ASNT Level III Exam
questions for each method.
2) 15 questions related to
Application and establishments of
technique and procedures, similar
to published ASNT NDT Level III
questions for each method.
3) 20 questions related to capability
of interpreting codes, standards
and specifications related to NDT
method.

Total 65 Questions.

(Valid ASNT Certificate fulfils the

above requirements.)
C Specific Exam 20 questions related to For each method-Employer shall
specifications, equipment’s, administer written exam. At least 30
techniques, and procedures questions related to NDT
applicable to the employer requirements of specifications or
products and methods employed standards used by employer –
and to the administration of the copies of specifications, standards
employer’s written practice. given as reference material during
exam.
Employer may delete specific
exam if candidate has valid ASNT
Level III certifications or ACCP
Professional Level III and
documented evidence of
experience in preparing of NDT
Procedures exit to codes,
standards and specifications and
evaluation of test results
Prepared By: Ashish Singh SNT-TC-1A/CP-189 Edition: 2016

D Practical Exam No Practical Exam. Written Practical:

The candidate shall prepare an NDT
procedure appropriate to the
employer’s needs.

However, if documented experience

demonstrates that the candidate has
previously prepared acceptable NDT
procedures in the method using the
specifications, codes, and standards
that are applicable to that employer,
a written practical examination is
not required.
If experience is substituted for the
written practical examination, the
employer shall document the
pertinent practical experience of the
NDT Level III candidate.

Demonstration Exam:
If the NDT Level III will be required
to perform tests or evaluate test
results, the practical examination
shall include the same
demonstrations of the candidate’s
ability to perform, which is required
for Level II Practical exam.
13 Re- Failed – Wait 30 days or receive Failed- Wait 30 days or received
Examination suitable additional training as additional documented training
determined by NDT Level III. covering deficiencies that cause
failure. Shall not be re-examined
using previously failed examination
or specimen. Exam can not be
administered by self or subordinate.
14 Certification Certification of all level of NDT Certification of all level of NDT
Responsibility personal is responsibility of the personal is responsibility of the
employer. employer.
At the option of employer an
outside agency may be engaged to
provide NDT Level III services, but
the responsibility of the
certification is retained by the
employer.
Personal certification record shall
be maintained on file by employer
with necessary 12 points

Name of individual, level of

certification, etc.
Prepared By: Ashish Singh SNT-TC-1A/CP-189 Edition: 2016

15 Re- NDT Level I, II & III: NDT Level I & II:

certification Recommended max. Recertification 1) Every five years:
intervals for all Levels are 5 Years. The individual may be recertified if
1) Evidence of continuing the individual has at least 350 hours
satisfactory technical performance. of documented experience using the
2) Re-examination of those applicable method over the five-
portions deemed necessary by year certification interval and has
employer NDT Level III. successfully passed a specific
examination.
Certification expires on the last
day of the month of expiration. 2) At least every 10 years:
The individual must repeat the full
When new technique are added to examination.
the employers written practice,
NDT Level III personnel should NDT Level III:
receive applicable training, take NDT Level III personnel shall be
applicable examination and obtain recertified by the employer every
the necessary experience, such that five years by verifying that the
the NDT Level III meets the individual’s ASNT Level III certificate
requirement of new technique in is current in each method for which
the Table 6.3.1A, prior to their next recertification is sought
recertification date, in the
applicable method.
16 No any comments. Expiration :
1) When employment with the
employer is terminated.
2) On the last day of the month of
expiration at the end of five years.
3) For NDT Level III individuals, when
the ASNT Level III certificate has
expired.
17 No any comments. Suspension:
1) The vision examination interval
exceeds one year. Certification is
reinstated concurrently with passing
the vision re-examination.
2) The individual has not performed
the duties in the method(s) for
which certified during any
consecutive 12-month period.
3) The individual’s performance is
determined to be deficient in the
required method or technique for
specific documented reasons.
4) For NDT Level III personnel, when
the ASNT Level III certificate has not
been renewed.
18 Revocation Revocation: Revocation:
1) The employer certification shall 1) The individual has not performed
be deemed revoked when the duties in the method(s) for
employment in terminated. which certified during any
Prepared By: Ashish Singh SNT-TC-1A/CP-189 Edition: 2016

2) An NDT Level I, II & III Certificate, consecutive 24-month period.

whose certification has been 2) NDT Level III personnel, the ASNT
terminated may be certified to the Level III certificate has been
former NDT Level by a new revoked.
employer based examination, 3) An individual’s conduct is deemed
Provide all the condition are met to by the employer to be or have been
the new employer satisfaction: unethical or incompetent.
1) The employee has proof of prior
certification.
2) The employee was worked at
least 6 month before termination.
3) The employee is being certifying
within 6 month of termination.
4) If the employee not meeting the
above requirements, should
receive additional training as
deemed appropriate by NDT Level
III.

19 Reinstatement Reinstatement: Reinstatement:

Terminated certificate of NDT Level 1) Suspended Certifications:
I, II & III may be reinstated to the A) For NDT Level I & II shall be
former NDT Level without a new determined by the NDT Level III.
examination. If he fulfil the B) For NDT Level III certifications
following conditions: shall be determined by the
employer, except that the
1) The employee has maintained requirement for ASNT Level III
the personnel certification records certification may not be waived.
required in section 9.4.
2) The employee certification did 2)Expired or Revoked Certifications:
not expire during termination. An NDT Level I, Level II or Level III
3) The employee is being reinstated whose certification has expired due
within six month of termination. to termination of employment may
be reinstated to the former NDT
level, without a new examination,
providing all of the following
conditions are met:
1) The employer has maintained the
personnel certification records
required in Section 9.
2) The employee certification did
not expire during termination.
3) The employee is being reinstated
within 12 months of termination.
20 Training Hours Training hours can be adjusted Training hours is fixed. (No based
(depending on qualification) as on qualification.)
describe in employers written
practice.

Required experience shall be

documented in the method by hours
Prepared By: Ashish Singh SNT-TC-1A/CP-189 Edition: 2016

with supervision or NDT Level III

approved.

21 Additional In some cases for some methods Interpretation:

training time recommended for Determination whether indication
Level I are greater than Level II are relevant.
because of difference in Evaluation:
complexity and manipulative skills. Determination of significance of a
relevant indication
Recommended training hour in a Recommended training hours are
particular method are listed as independent of candidate’s
function of candidate’s education education. (Are fixed)
(Not experience)
Level I, II & III (Education is not a
must).
Eye exam can be done by NDT Level Administered in accordance with a
III or somebody designated by NDT procedure, and by personnel,
Level III. approved by an NDT Level III
designated by the employer.
No practical exam for NDT Level III. Level III Exam has Practical &
demonstration.
No basic and method exam.
Only Specific and Practical Exam.
22 An examination administered An examination administered
Closed Book without access to reference without access to reference material
material except that supplied with except that supplied with or in the
Exam or in the examination. examination.
SNT-TC-1A Does not provide -------------------------------------------------
recommendation about Overtime

If a candidate spent 50% of time in If a candidate spent 50% of time in

RT, 25% in MT, 25% in PT with total RT, 25% in MT, 25% in PT with total
monthly hours 144, he can claim monthly hours 144, he can claim
work time experience of 144 hours work time experience of 144 hours
for each of three methods. for each of three methods.
23 Should Shell

Red Color: Important