ASNT Certification Guide

NDT Level III / PdM Level III

Certification Requirements
ASNT NDT Level III certification is available in eleven (11) NDT methods: AE, ET, IR, LT, MT, NR, PT, RT, UT, VA, and
VT. ASNT PdM Level III certification is a available in two (2) PdM methods: IR and VA. Certification will be granted after
eligibility requirements have been documented and the candidate has passed the required examinations. Either
certification will be valid for five (5) years, beginning on the date that the method examination was passed.

Candidates must meet education and experience requirements prior to taking examinations by satisfying one of the
following eligibility criteria:

Graduated from a minimum four-year college or university curriculum with a degree in engineering or a physical
science, plus one year (12 months) of experience in nondestructive testing in an assignment comparable to that of
an Level II in the applicable test method(s), as defined in ASNTs Recommended Practice No. SNT-TC-1A, latest
edition; OR
Completed with passing grades at least two full academic school years of engineering or a physical science study
at a university, college, or technical school, plus two years (24 months) of experience in nondestructive testing in
an assignment comparable to that of an Level II in the applicable test method(s), as defined in ASNTs
Recommended Practice No. SNT-TC-1A, latest edition; OR
Four years (48 months) of experience in an assignment at least comparable to that of an Level II in the applicable
test method(s), as defined in ASNTs Recommended Practice No. SNT-TC-1A, latest edition.

First time candidates must take a Basic examination. To become certified as an ASNT NDT Level III in any method, the
NDT Basic examination and the Method examination must be passed. To become certified as an ASNT PdM Level III, the
PdM Basic examination and the IR and/or VA Method examinations must be passed. Additional certifications may be
attained by taking and passing additional Method examinations. A Basic examination need only be taken once as long as
certification is continuously maintained.

References
For a more detailed description of topical outlines, review the topical outlines listed in ASNT's ANSI/ASNT CP-105-2006,
ASNT Standard Topical Outlines for Qualification of Nondestructive Testing Personnel. All the references listed here are
available from ASNT. Note that other texts are listed as references in CP-105, but are not currently available from ASNT.
These additional references may be found at any good engineering or materials science library.

Question And Answer (Q & A) Books

Each Q & A book contains recommended Level I, II, and III questions and answers. An excellent way to learn vital
material and prepare yourself for testing situations.

Individual Books Catalogue Number

Acoustic Emission Testing Method (Book G), 1995 2032
Eddy Current/Flux Leakage Testing Method (Book E), 1995 2030
Magnetic Particle Testing Method (Book B), 1994 2027
Neutron Radiographic Testing Method (Book F), 1994 2031
Liquid Penetrant Testing Method (Book D), 2003 2029
Radiographic Testing Method (Book A), 1996 2026
Ultrasonic Testing Method (Book C), 1994 2028
Visual and Optical Testing Method (Book I), 1999 2034A
Leak Testing Books:
Bubble Leak Testing (Book HB), 2003 2033B
Halogen Diode Detector (Book HH), 1994 2033H
Mass Spectrometer Leak Testing (Book HM), 1996 2033M
Pressure Change Measurement Testing (Book HP), 2003 2033P
Packages
All four leak testing methods 2033A
Any two leak testing methods 2033C
Complete Set of Q&A books, plus the 2006 SNT-TC-1A & the CP-105 Topical Outlines 2191

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NDT Basic PdM Basic
Length: 4 hours Questions: 135 Length: 2 hours Questions: 90
1. Personnel Qualification and Certification Programs 2. Personnel Qualification and Certification Programs
SNT-TC-1A, 2001 edition SNT-TC-1A, 2001 edition
ASNT CP-189, 2001 edition ASNT CP-189, 2001 edition
ASNT Level III certification ASNT Level III certification
2. Basics of Common NDT Methods, including: 3. Basics of Common PdM Methods, including:
Acoustic emission testing Infrared testing
Electromagnetic testing Vibration analysis
Leak testing Oil/lube analysis
Liquid penetrant testing Motor circuit analysis
Magnetic particle testing Alignment
Neutron radiographic testing Thermal testing
Radiographic testing System performance
Thermal/infrared testing 4. Machinery Technology
Ultrasonic testing Machine design
Visual testing Electrical components
3. Materials, fabrication, and production technology, Maintenance practice
including: Machine components
Properties of materials, origin of discontinuities, Engineering mechanics
and failure modes Lubrication
Materials processing (casting, welding, forging,
brazing, soldering, machining, heat treatment, Reference Catalog Number
surface treatment, adhesive bonding, etc.) NDT Handbook: Volume Nine,
nd
Dimensional metrology Special NDT Methods, 2 ed. 134A
SNT-TC-1A (2006 edition)* 2070
Reference Catalog Number ANSI/ASNT CP-189 (2006 edition)* 2507
NDT Handbook, Second Edition: Volume 10,
NDT Overview 135
ASNT Level III Study Guide: Basic 2251R
SNT-TC-1A (2006 edition)* 2070
ANSI/ASNT CP-189 (2006 edition)* 2507
Materials and Processes for NDT Technology 2250
ASM Handbook Vol. 17, NDE and QC 105

* CP-105, ASNT Standard Topical Outlines for

Qualification of Nondestructive Testing Personnel. is
included when SNT-TC-1A or CP-189 is purchased.

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AE - Acoustic Emission Testing ET - Electromagnetic Testing
Length: 4 hours Questions: 135 Length: 4 hours Questions: 135
1 Principles and Theory 1. Principles/Theory
Characteristics of acoustic emission testing Generation of eddy currents
Materials and deformation Effect of fields created by eddy currents
Sources of acoustic emission (impedance changes)
Wave propagation Properties of eddy current
Attenuation 2. Equipment Materials
Kaiser and Felicity effects, and Felicity ratio Probes
Terminology (refer to acoustic emission glossary, Through, encircling, or annular coils
ASTM 1316) Factors affecting choice of sensing elements
2 Equipment and Materials Read out selection
Transducing processes Instrument design considerations
Sensors 3. Techniques/Calibrations
Sensor attachments Factors which affect coil impedance
Sensor utilization Selection of test frequency
Simulated acoustic emission sources Coupling
Cables Field strength
Signal conditioning Comparison of techniques
Signal detection Calibrations
Signal processing Techniques - general
Source location 4. Interpretation/Evaluation
Advanced signal processing Flaw detection
Acoustic emission test systems Sorting for properties
Accessory materials Thickness gaging
Factors affecting test equipment selection Process control
3 Techniques General interpretations
Equipment calibration and set up for test 5. Procedures
Establishing loading procedures
Reference Catalog Number
Precautions against noise NDT Handbook, Third Edition: Volume 5,
Special test procedures Electromagnetic Testing 145
Data displays ASNT Level III Study Guide: Eddy Current
4 Interpretation and Evaluation Testing 2257
Data interpretation Fundamentals of Eddy Current Testing 470
Data evaluation
Reports
5 Procedures
6 Safety and Health
7 Applications
Laboratory studies (material characterization)
Structural applications
Reference Catalog Number
NDT Handbook, Second Edition: Volume 5,
Acoustic Emission Testing 130
Acoustic Emission: Techniques and Applications 752

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IR - Thermal/Infrared Testing Analysis of data for determination of accurate
Length: 4 hours Questions: 135 results
Halogen testing equipment
1. Principles/Theory Helium mass spectrometer testing equipment
Conduction 3. Technique/Calibration
Convection Bubble test
Radiation Pressure change/measurement test
The nature of heat and heat flow Halogen diode detector leak test
Temperature measurement principles Mass spectrometer leak testing
Proper selection of Thermal/Infrared testing 4. Interpretation/Evaluation
2. Equipment/Materials Basic techniques and/or units
Temperature measurement equipment Test materials and equipment effects
Heat flux indicators Effects of temperature and other atmospheric
Performance parameters of non-contact devices conditions
3. Techniques Calibration for testing
Contact temperature indicators Probing/scanning or measurement/monitoring
Non-contact pyrometers Leak interpretation evaluation
Infrared line scanners Acceptance and rejection criteria
Thermal/Infrared imaging 5. Procedures
Heat flux indicators Leak testing procedures
Exothermic or endothermic investigations Leak testing specifications
Friction investigations 6. Safety and Health
Fluid Flow investigations Safety considerations
Thermal resistance (steady state heat flow) Safety precautions
Thermal capacitance investigations Pressure precautions
4. Interpretation/Evaluation Safety devices
Exothermic or endothermic investigation Hazardous and tracer gas safety
Friction investigations Types of monitoring equipment
Fluid flow investigations Safety
Differences in thermal resistance
Thermal capacitance investigations Reference Catalog Number
5. Procedures NDT Handbook, Third Edition: Volume 1,
Existing codes and standards Leak Testing 141
Job procedure development ASNT Level III Study Guide: Leak Testing 2266
6. Safety and health
Safety responsibility and authority MT - Magnetic Particle Testing
Safety for personnel Length: 2 hours Questions: 90
Safety for client and facilities
1. Principles/Theory
Safety for testing equipment
Principles of magnets and magnetic fields
Reference Catalog Number Characteristics of magnetic fields
NDT Handbook, Third Edition: Volume 3, 2. Equipment/Materials
Infrared and Thermal Testing 143 Magnetic particle test equipment
Fundamentals of Heat and Mass Transfer 952 Inspection materials
ASNT Level III Study Guide: Infrared and 3. Technique/Calibrations
Thermal Testing 2265 Magnetization by means if electric current
Selecting the proper method of magnetization
LT - Leak Testing Demagnetization
Length: 4 hours Questions: 135 4. Interpretation/Evaluation
Magnetic particle test indications and
1. Principles theory interpretations
Physical principles in leak testing Effects of discontinuities on materials
Principles of gas flow 5. Procedures
Proper selection of LT as method of choice 6. Safety and Health
2. Equipment/Material
Leak testing standards Reference Catalog Number
Detector/instrument performance factors NDT Handbook, Second Edition: Volume 6,
Vacuum pumps Magnetic Particle Testing 131
Bubble testing practices and techniques ASNT Level III Study Guide: Magnetic Particle
Absolute pressure testing equipment Testing (Revised) 2253R
Principles of Magnetic Particle Testing 436
Absolute pressure hold testing of containers
Absolute pressure leakage rate testing of
containers
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NR - Neutron Radiographic Testing PT - Liquid Penetrant Testing
Length: 4 hours Questions: 135 Length: 2 hours Questions: 90
1. Principles/Theory 1. Principles/Theory
Nature of penetrating radiation Principles of liquid penetrant process
Interaction between penetrating radiation and Theory
matter Proper selection of PT as method of choice
Neutron radiography imaging Liquid penetrant processing
Radiometry 2. Equipment/Materials
2. Equipment/Materials Methods of measurement
Sources of neutrons Lighting for liquid penetrant testing
Radiation detectors Materials for liquid penetrant testing
Nonimaging devices Testing and maintenance of materials
3. Techniques/Calibrations 3. Interpretation/Evaluation
Blocking and filtering General
Multifilm technique Factor affecting indications
Enlargement and projection Indications from discontinuities
Stereoradiography Relevant and nonrelevant indications
Triangulation methods 4. Procedures
Autoradiography 5. Safety and Health
Flash Radiography Toxicity
In-motion radiography Flammability
Fluoroscopy
Reference Catalog Number
Electron emission radiography
NDT Handbook, Third Edition: Volume 2,
Microradiography Liquid Penetrant Testing 142
Laminography (tomography) ASNT Level III Study Guide: Liquid Penetrant
Control of diffraction effects nd
Testing, 2 ed. 2255R
Panoramic exposures
Gaging
Real time imaging
Image analysis techniques
4. Interpretation/Evaluation
Image-object relationships
Material considerations
Codes, standards, and specifications
5. Procedures
Imaging considerations
Film processing
Viewing of radiographs
Judging radiographic quality
6. Safety and Health
Exposure hazards
Methods of controlling radiation exposure
Operation and emergency procedures
Reference Catalog Number
NDT Handbook, Third Edition: Volume 4,
Radiographic Testing 144
ASM Handbook Vol. 17, NDE and QC 105

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RT - Radiographic Testing UT - Ultrasonic Testing
Length: 4 hours Questions: 135 Length: 4 hours Questions: 135
1. Principles and Theory 1. Principles/Theory
Nature of penetrating radiation Nature of sound waves
Interaction between penetrating radiation and Modes of sound wave generation
matter Velocity, frequency, and wavelength of sound
Radiographic imaging waves
Radiometry Attenuation of sound waves
2. Equipment/Materials Acoustic impedance
Electrically generated sources Reflection
Particulate radiation sources Refraction and mode conversion
Radiation detectors Snells law and critical angles
Gamma Fresnel and Fraunhofer effects
3. Techniques/Calibration 2. Equipment/Materials
Imaging considerations Pulse/echo instrumentation
Film processing Digital thickness instrumentation
Viewing of radiographs Transducer operation and theory
Judging radiographic quality Transducer operation/manipulations
Exposure calculations Resonance testing equipment
Radiographic techniques Couplants
4. Interpretation and Evaluation Calibration blocks
Materials processing as it affects test results Cables/connectors
Causes and effects of discontinuities Test specimen
Radiographic appearance of discontinuities Miscellaneous materials
Nonrelevant indications 3. Techniques/Calibrations
Film artifacts Contact
5. Procedures Immersion
6. Safety and Health Comparison of contact and immersion methods
Exposure hazards Remote monitoring
Methods of controlling radiation exposure Calibration (electronic and functional)
Operational and emergency procedures 4. Interpretation/Evaluations
Dosimetry and Film Badges Evaluation of base metal product forms
Gamma leak testing Evaluation of weldments
Transportation regulations Evaluation of bonded structures
Variables affecting test results
Reference Catalog Number
NDT Handbook, Third Edition: Volume 4, Evaluation (general)
Radiographic Testing 144 5. Procedures
ASNT Level III Study Guide: Radiographic Specific applications
nd
Testing, 2 ed. 2259R Codes/Standards/Specifications
Working Safety in Gamma Radiography 232 Reference Catalog Number
NDT Handbook, Second Edition: Volume 7,
Ultrasonic Testing 132
ASNT Level III Study Guide: Ultrasonic Testing 2261A
Ultrasonics: Fundamentals, Technology,
Applications 341

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VA - Vibration Analysis VT - Visual Testing
Length: 4 hours Questions: 135 Length: 2 hours Questions: 90
1. Principles/Theory 1. Fundamentals
Physical Concepts Vision and light
Data Presentation Ambient conditions
Sources of Vibration Test object characteristics
Correction Methods 2. Equipment Accessories
2. Equipment Magnifiers/microscopes
Sensors Mirrors
Dimensional
Signal Conditioning
Borescopes
Instruments
Video systems
On-Line Monitoring
Automated systems
Equipment Response to Environments Video technologies
Performance Based Machine vision
3. Techniques/Calibration Replication
Calibration Temperature sensitive markers and surface
Measurement and Techniques comparators
Correction Techniques Chemical aids
4. Analysis/Evaluation Photography
Data Analysis Eye
Data Evaluation 3. Techniques/Calibration
5. Procedures Diagrams and drawings
6. Safety and Health Raw materials
Primary process materials
Reference Catalog Number Joining processes
NDT Handbook, Second Edition: Volume 9, Fabricated components
Special NDT Methods 134 In-service materials
The Vibration Analysis Handbook 177 Coatings
Other applications
Requirements
4. Interpretation/ Evaluation
Equipment including type and intensity of light
Material including the variations of surface finish
Discontinuity
Determination of dimensions (i.e.: depth, width,
length, etc.)
Sampling/scanning
Process for reporting visual discontinuities
Personnel (human factors)
Detection
5. Procedures and Documentation
Hard copy
Photography
Audio/video
Electronic and magnetic media
6. Safety
Electrical shock
Mechanical hazards
Lighting hazards
Chemical contamination
Radioactive materials
Explosive environments
Reference Catalog Number
NDT Handbook: Second Edition: Volume 8,
Visual and Optical Testing 133
ASNT Level III Study Guide: Visual and
Optical Testing 2263
ASM Handbook: Vol. 17, NDE and QC 105

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