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 ASNT’s 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 ASNT’s
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 ASNT’s 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 • Snell’s 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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 The American Society for Nondestructive Testing, Inc.
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