Second Edition
ASNT
LEVELIN|
STUDYGUIDE
BasicACKNOWLEDGMENTS
“The Ametican Society for Nondestructive Testing, Inc. i grateful forthe volunter contributions, technical expertise,
knowledge and dedication of the following individuals who have helped make this work possible,
Mike Allgaier ~ MISTRAS Group, Inc.
Jack 8. Brenizer,J.~ Pennsylvania State University
Gina Caudill - NAWCAD NAVAIR
Gerard Hacker ~ Teledyne Brown Engineering
Jin Houf- ASNT
‘Claudia Kropas-Hughes ~ Air Force Materiel Command
Dovid G. Moore ~ Sandia National Laboratories
‘Giji Nelson ~ Sandia National Laboratories
Matthew Patience - HMT Inspection
Lis Payano ~ Port Authority of NY & NJ
Robert Plumstead
William C. Plumstead, St.~ POT Services
el j. Ruddy ~ NOV Tuboscope
Daniel Ryan ~ Siemens Power Generation
Hussein Sadek ~ Technologies Consulting International, Inc, (ICI, Ine.)
“Todd Sellmer ~ NWE, "Transportation Packsging
Ken Starry ~ IVC Technologies
Ray Tukimara
Prashant V, Wagh ~ Riyadh Geotechnique & Foundations Co.
‘The Publications Review Commitee includes:
Glenn M, Light, Chair ~ Southwest Research Institute
Terry Clausing ~ Drysdale & Associates, Inc,
Joe Mackin - 108FOREWORD
Purpose
‘This Study Guide is intended to aid individuals preparing
to take the Basic Examination as part ofthe process of.
‘becoming certified as an ASNT NDT Level II in one or
tmore NDT methods, tis equally useful for persons prepar-
ing to take a Basic Level III Examination under an employer's
personnel qualification and certification program per
SNT-TC-IA.
"The material in this Study Guide addresses the body of
kcnowledge included in the Basic Fxamination administered
under the ASN NDT Level II certification program. The
ASNT NDT Level II certification program is service,
offered by the American Society for Nondestructive Testing,
Inc, that gives NDT personnel an opportunity to have their
familiavity with the principles and practices of NDT assessed
by.an independent body. The program uses an independent
body to review credentials and uses comprebensive written
‘examinations to identify those persons who meet the criteria
for becoming an ASNT NDT Level Il for each NDT method
‘Method examinations are offered in:
Acoustic Emission Testing
Blectromagnetic Testing
Leak Testing
Liquid Penctrant Testing
Magnetic Flax Leakage
‘Magnetic Particle Testing
‘Neutron Radiographic Testing
Radiological Testing
‘Thermal/Infrared Testing
Ultrasonic ‘Testing
‘Visual Testing
NOTP: Four additional methods are listed in SNY-TC-1A
and CP-105 but do not have ASNT examinations: ground
penetrating radar, guided wave, laser methods and vibration
analysis.
‘The ASNT NDT Level II certification program requires
satisfactory completion of a 4-hout Basic Examination.
leven different NDT methods examinations are given with
durations of 2-4 hours, depending upon each methods com-
plexity To be eligible to take the ASNT NDT Level Il exami
nations, persons must qualify by virtue oftheir documented
education and experience.
‘The Basic Examination covers:
1. the administration of personnel qualification and
certification programa based on the most recent editions
of SNT-TC-1A and ANSV/ASNT CP-189,
2, materils fabrication and product technology, and
3. general principles and applications of common NDT
methods.
Bach Method Beamnination covers:
1, fundamentals and principles of the method,
2 applications and establishment of techniques and
procedures, and
3 interpretation of codes, standards, and specifications
zelating to the method.
How to Use the Study Guide
Bach section of this Study Guide begins with a discassion
of the topical material followed by alist of technical litera-
ture references and a set of representative multiple-choice
{questions covering both the material in the study guide and
{information taken from the cited references.
“The user should read through the text ofthe Study Guide
and if the discussion covers unfamiliar material, the refer-
‘enced selections should also be reviewed end studied. Finally,
the questions at the end of each section should be answered.
Success in answering the questions will help the user to
determine if more concentrated study in particular areas is
needed, Persons who are familiar with some of the topics
may wish to go directly to the questions. If they can answer
the questions confidently and correctly, additional study may
be optional.
‘This Study Guide is designed to assist individuals in their
preparation for the ASNT ND? Level If Basic Examination.
Itis not intended to be theie only source of preparation, The
Study Guide provides a general overview of subject matter
covered by the examination so that students can identify
those areas of the body of knowledge in which they need fur-
ther sine.
‘Note that references to persons who have met the criteria
forthe Level III certifications issued by ASNT ate called
ASNT NDT Level IIL This isin contest tothe person who
has met the criteria of an employer and who is identified as
the employer's Level IJ or just Leve TM,Changes in This Edition
"The second edition ofthe ASNT Level II Study Guide:
Basic builds on the first edition written by Matthew J. Golis.
‘As with the previous version, this study guide also divides the
‘subject matter into three main sections corresponding with
the three sections of the Basic Examination:
Section I certification and qualification of NDT
personnel as outlined in SNI-C-1A and CP-189.
Section II: an overview of commonly used NDT
methods.
‘Section ILL: materials and processes in manufacturing
and industry in relation to NDT technology.
‘The only difference in organization isin the numbering
‘of chapters. What wus Chapter 1 in the first edition is now
the Introduction to Section T.
Section I has been updated to reflect the latest,2011,
ccditions of two key ASNT documents: ANSV/ASNT CP-189:
ASNT Standard for Qualification and Certification of
Nondestructive Testing Persorme and Recommended Practice
No, SNT-TC-1A: Personnel Qualification and Certification in
Nondestructive Testing Likewise, te topical outlines of
the NDT methods presented in Section Ihave been drawn,
from the 2011 edition of ANSVASNT CP-105: ASNT
Standard Topical Outlines for Qualification of Nondestructive
‘Resting Personnel. To facilitate the study of these documents,
in Sections T and I, word-for-word excerpts are highlighted
in blue,
‘Questions in all three sections have been modified, as
needed, to reflect the current ASNT exam practice of offering
four unique answers per question, Also in Section 1, ques-
tions have been added forthe magnetic flux leakage testing,
method.CONTENTS
Acknowledgments tesenetitie eines
Purpose . eee iv
How fo Use the Study Guide - seedy
Changes in This Edition .
SECTION I: Administration of a Personne! Qualification and Certification Program ..
Introduction ...
References ..
Chapter 1: Recommended Practice No. SNT-TC-1A,
History of SNFIC-IA sess
Contents and intendod Uses of SNT-TC-1A
Overview of SNT-IC-1A (2011)... esse ceeeeee
Foreword .
Sections 1, 2 ond &: Scope, Defritions Gnd Nondestuctive Testing Methods
General Comments on Section 1...
Inguities for Section 1
General Comments on Sections 2 ond 3.
Section 4: Levels of Qualification .......
Inquiies for Section 4
General Comments on Section 4
Section 5: Wiitien Practice. ‘|
General Comments on Section 5....- 7 :
Section 6: Education, Taining, ond Experionce Recuirements for til Guaiticaton «
Inqulies for Section 6 ......sce++
General Comments on Section 6...
Section 7: Training Programs.
Inquires for Section 7 . 7
General Comments on Section 7
Section 8: Examinations
General Comments on Section 8.
Inquities for Section 8
Section 9: Certitication
Inquires for Section 9 sees
General Comments on Section 9... :
Section 10: Technical Performance Evaluation «1.1.4.
Inquities for Section 10... +++
General Comments on Section 10...
viSection 11: intenupted Service
General Comments on Section 1}
Section 12: Recertification... .eeeeeeeeeeeeeeseeeetsessesattseneesseesee®
General Comments on Section 12...
Inquites for Section 12
Section 13: Termination
Inquiies for Section 13,
Section 14: Reinstatement
inquiries for Section 14
General Comments on Section 14
Review Questions
Answers
Chapter 2: The ASNT NDT Level Ill Certification Program,
AGNENOT Level MCs etee ieee iret mut rere
What is an ASNT NDT LoVOIII® ....essseeseeseeseceseesenseneereees
ASNT Predictive Maintenance Level Il...
Elgibifty for ASNT Level il Exarn
NDT/PdM or PAM/NDT Conversion
Recertification
SNT-IC-1A Certification Options
Use of the ASNT NDT Lovet Il Cerification
ACCP Professional Level I :
ASNT Examination Schedule .. :
Review Questions ......
Answers .
fons
Chapter 3: ANSI/ASNT CP-189 (2011) .....cseceseceeeseeenerrerneee
Overview . te
Section 1: Scope
Section 2: Definitions
Section 3: Levels cf Qualification
Section 4: Qualification Requirements
Section $: Qualfication and Cerification
Section 6: Exarninations uae :
Section 7: Expiration, Suspension, Revocation, and Reinstatement of Employer Certification
Section &: Employer Recertification
Section 9: RECOM «1... seeeeeecseeseeses ees
1 Referenced Publications ..
Section 1
Review QUEStIONS 6... seeeeeeeseesteee
Answers... Seveuete seared nee
Section Il: Overview of NDT Methods .
Chapter 4: General Applications of Various NDT Methods ..........eeere0e
Overview of the ASNT Basic Exornination
Topical Qutlines, Reference Resources and Review Questions
vii
seeeee
at
a
a
a
BBRES
28
29
35
37
3?
37
AT
9
28
AeAcoustic Emission Tesling (AE)
Topical Outline
Acoustic Emision esting Revew Questions
Becttomagnetic Testing (ET} .-....
Topical Outing
Bectromagnelic tesiing Review Questions
Leak Testing (UN).
Topical Ov'tne
Leak Testing Review Questions
Liquid Penetrant Testing (PT)
Liguid Penetrant testing Review Questions
Magnetic Fux Leakage Testing (MFL)
Topical Otine
Magnetic Fux Leakage Tasting Reviow Questions .
Magnetic Particle Testing (MT)
Topical Outing
Magnetic Paticte Tesing Review Questions
Neutron Radiographic Testing (NR)
Topical Outine .....
Neutron Radiographic Testing Review Questions
Radiographic Te
Topical Outline
Radiographic Testing Review Questions
Thermal/infrared Testing {IR} .
Topical Outline
Tharmai/Initored Testing Review Questions...
Uttrosonie Testing (UT)
Topical Outine
Ultrasonic Testing Review Questions
Visual Testing (VT)
Topical Outing
Visual Testing Review Questions .
Answers to Review Questions
49
49
49
50
Sl
sl
sl
SI
54
4
254
54
95
56
+55
55
Sebee
59
59
so
62
262
2
SBaRRRRERS
70
270
70
wh
weed
weed
weed
76Section Ill: Materials, Fabrication and Product Technology .
Chapter 5: Materials and Processes for NDT Technology .......
Oveniawitiniuimiaioeeie :
Review Gueslion: uiranuuauniit en
Chapter 1: "Relation of NDT to Manufacturing” ....
Chapter 2: “introduction to Manufacturing Technology"
Chapter 3: “Propertios of Materials”... ses eeeeeteeeseeesseee
Chapter 4: “The Nature of Materials and Solld State Changes in Metal
Chapter 5: "Ferrous Metals"... eee ccs eecee
‘Chapter 6; “Nonferrous Metals and Plostics" ...
Chapter 7: "The Nature of Manufacturing”
Chapter 8: “The Casting Process”
Chapter 9: “The Welding Process” . : a
‘Chapter 10: “Welding Processes and Design” .......scsseceeee
Chapter 11: “Plastic Flow" Wiese ceeeeneeetaetteceee
Chapter 12: *MllWork, Forging, and Powder Metallurgy”...
Chapter 13: “Pressworking of Sheet Metal”
‘Chapter 14: "Machining Fundamentals"
Chapter 15: “Miscelaneous Processes”
Chapter 16: “Surface Finishing”...
Chapter 17: “Inspection”...
Answers fo Review Questions
Appendix 6.6.6.6.
sees eee tee eeeee bees AOSSECTION!
ADMINISTRATION OF A
PERSONNEL QUALIFICATION
AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAMINTRODUCTION
Qualification and certification of NDT personnel, based on some standardized approach that i recognized and agreed
to by buyers and sellers of ND'T-related inspections, is widely practiced throughout industry. Recommended Practice No,
SNE-TC-1A: Persoriel Qualification and Certification in Nondestructive Testing was the rst document widely used for this
purpose. Another document initially issued by ASNT in 1991, reissued in 1995, 2001, 2006 and 2011, is ANSI/ASNT CP-18%
‘Standard for Qualification and Certification of Nondestructive Testing Personnel, This dacament differs froma SNT-TC-LA in
that itis an ANSI Standard and contains clearly defined minimum requirements that must be satisfied in their entirety. The
Basic Examination of the ASNT NDI Level Il certification program addresses the most recent editions of both ofthese
documents,
‘SNI-TC-1A (2011) andl ANSI/ASNT CP-189 (2011) willbe analyzed paragraph by paragraph in the following chapters.
Selected inquities and responses taken from published interpretations offered by the SNT-TC-IA Interpretation Panel are
included to assist individuals in understanding some of SNT-TC- 14's philosophical intentions. The responses should be
considered as clarifications ofthe intent of the recommended practice. ‘The inquiries and responses are verbatim based on
‘the way they were written in the year indicated inthe inquiry number. They do not addeess subsequent changes mack to
later editions of SIVI-'C-1A. CP-189 interpretations are available on the ASNT website at www.asnt org.
“The general structure and some of the details of the ASNT NDT Level II certification program and how it supports the
‘manner in which SNI-TC-1A and CP-189 are implemented throughout industry ae also covered in Chapter 2.
References
ANSWASNT CP-188: ASNT Standard for Qualification and Certification of Nondestructive Testing Personnel. :
‘Columbus, OH: The American Society for Nondestructive Testing, Ine, 2011.* ;
(CP-ASNT- LB: ASNT NDT Level I Program. Columbus, OH: The American Society for Nondestructive Testing, Ine.
Revision dat: 17 jly 2010. Available at: hltp//www.asn.org/certification/leveliifep-asnt-Ib,pdt
Recommended Practice No. SNT-IC-1A: Personnel Qualification and Certification in Nondestructive Testing.
Columbus, OH: The American Society for Nondestructive Testing, Inc. 2011."
Available from ASNT,CHAPTER 1
Recommended Practice No. SNT-TC-1A
History of SNT-TC-1A fee
"The reasons for which Recommended Practice No
‘SNT-TC-1A was created and the manner in which it evolved
‘were described in an article published in Materials
valuation, October 1968, Vol.26, No. 10, pp. 124-144, by
Harold Hovland and Cat! B. Shavs tiled," How to Qualify
‘and Certify NDT Personnel” The following excerpts outline
how this important recommended practice came into
existence:
‘With the increasing complexity and number of.
nondestructive test methods n use and with greater reliance
upon nondestructive testing, industry has not been able to
rectult and train personnel in large enough numbers and in
2 timely fashion to fillthe need. Many customers found that
they were not receiving the nondestructive test examinations
‘they fet they had patd to receive,
Large segments of the economy, such as the Government
and prime contractors, found it expedient to put the
responsibilty forthe training and qualification, and verification
of the qualifications of nondestructive test personne! upon the
‘manufacture. Ths resulted inthe generation of a number of
documents dealing with the question of the tralning,
qualification, and certfication of nondestructive test personnel.
[Although these documents all pertain to the same subject and.
have the same objective In their details they were often
conflicting, thereby causing undue cost to American industry.
Beginning about 1959, a fev corpavations, government
agencies, and other technical societies inquired of ASNT as to
whether the taining and qualification of nondestructive test
personnel vas properly the comain of the Society.
In 1961, the Sociaty, through its Technical Councl assigned
Task Group to study the feasibility of preparing @ document
that would deal with the taining requirements and the
documentation thereof for the qualification of nondestructive
test personne... the Task Group endeavored to prepare a
recommended practice which could contain the consensus of
‘expert opinion regarding the training of personnel and an
average of requirements for formal education, time for or-the
job taining, and documentation.
‘The resulting SNF-TC-1A is recommended practice forthe
qualification and certification of nondestructive test personnel
Itprovides a format which industry can follow in writing an
individualized procedure for the qualification and certification of
personnel which meets the needs and requirements unique to
teach segment of industry.
Contents and intended Uses of
SNT-TC-1A
‘The following information has been excerpted from
the same article cited above. The text ofthis arid has been
modified to include changes made in subsequent editions of
SNT-TC-IA.
ls tended that SNETC-TA serve guide fo each
eevpeyer ater preparing thelr specie personne quafcaon
and creation dogimen recut ot wen pte)
SNFTE Tasette Scope ad dtins, hss the test
methods ant expan the various levels of qualiatons.The
eee ene
tre oxmined and certifed. The question res, “how do
document cerfeation in my prtalr procedure The pont 0
teember hee tht the procedute este by any wer oF
thrdoeament must sas the requrements of th company
ndimantbe acetal tothe companys customs thin
eee ce
ont merely ofthe ecards ofthe talnng programs the
amination od he grades ofthe examinations. It ay equi
S craeate tat states exply tata pata pein
ied oa ver level ora spect method ema ke the
fo ofa cad upon which an employer etfs the level of
trang ond gual of is pesomel
The employer asthe same responsi forthe
qeteton ar creticason ef ts NOT personel thas or
the product Fr ample, eventhough an employer may
prose a complete product and sl hg roi under the
‘company’s own name, the employer still eas full responsibility
toe tomer er the qua) otha prod and forthe
peo being what the company purports tbe. The
ie ee
thom ad el the suit ay complete produc then aga the
trnayer may manufacture elcomponents ofthe product. In
any of these cose te employer beso certain esponsbii,
“Teemployeris response hat wet beng sls Indeed
arlene tobe dct ret cara requement of
Chl, tet not the user and that tl no cestoy
poe
The employer may choos to exis any of these
prerogatives inthe ting uation and certain ofits
personnel The compary may employ persons prev) tolned
Tracey thse peoperhowaer, re esporsity maul be
the same sifthey hed been ward and quali byte
trope The employer may conde a ling program 3sBasic | SECTION
‘recommended in the documents, examin these individuals,
and certify them as to thelr qualification to do the work. The
‘employer wil exercise this responsibilty through a person Inthe:
‘organization who is qualified as a Level li, and who ts qualified
to train or provide the taining of the personnel under them and
to exercise judgment as to the qualification ofthese personnal
‘The employer may elect to utilize the Level ll services of an
outside agency to provide the training, develop, administer and
‘grade the examinations for certification. Regardless of the
‘method used for training and examination of thelr personnel,
tie responsiblity for ensuring that the program utilized
complies with their writen practice les withthe employer.
Sample questions for general examinations are available
from ASNT Headquarters. Each question cites the eference used
toidentify the correct answer. Itis intended that the Level Il
consider these questions as examples only and should not use
them verbatim for qualification examinations n adaltion to the
Jeneral examination, speeciic written examination is required,
Itis intended that the specific examination reflect the
{equipment thats used by the employee being exatnined, that
Feflect the requirements of the procadures normally used by the
‘employer, and that it satisfy the specific requirements of ary
‘customer of the employer
‘A Practical Examination is also necessary. The Practical
Examination is primarily a hands-on test and an examination to
determine that the examinee understands and knows how to
use the written procedures and the equipment Test objects
should be representative of those that the inspector wil most
likely encounter Critical points of reference should be
predetermined for which the examinee will be ofeded in the
Practical Examination. This may include such things as close
adherence to the procedure, action taken when the procedure
cannot be followed, handling of the parts being tested,
Interpretation of test results, disposition and the manner in
Which a report is written.
Note the emphasis in the foregoing text on the intent thet
SNP-TC-14 should be used as guideline, nota fixed
requirement. Thisis teafirmed in 1.2 ofthe Scope section
(.1) of SNT-TC-1A (2011) as fllows:“This document pro-
Vides guidelines for the establishment ofa qualification and
certification system.” Likewise, in the Foreword, i states,
“This recommended practice is not intended to be used a8 a
strict specification”
From a factual point of view, very few employers will
conform exacly to all the specific recommendations of
SNT-TC-1A. Deviation from the recommendations of
SNT-TC-1A should be documented in the employer’
written practice.
Overview of SNT-TC-1A (2011)
‘This section provides a paragraph-by-paragraph
overview of SNP-TC-1A including excerpts fram the docu-
‘ment, popular inquiries and offical responses provided by
the ASNT SNT“1C-1A Interpretation Panel along with more
general comments,
Foreword
‘Te Foreword (pil) of SNT-TC-1A (2011) states in part
‘This Recommended Practice establishes the general
framework fora qualification and certification program. ln
‘Addition, the document provides recommended educational,
‘experience and training requirements for the diferent test
‘methods. Supplementary documents include question and
‘answer lists, which may be used in composing examinations for
nondestructive testing personnel.
This Recommended Practice snot intended to be used as
strict specification. tis recognized, however, that contracts
Fequite programs which meet the Intent ofthis docutnent. For
such contracts, purchaser and supplier must agree upon
‘acceptability ofan employer's program,
The verb should” has been used throughout this document
to-emphasize the recommendation presented herein. itis the
‘employer’ responsiblity to address specific needs and to
‘modify these guidelines as appropriate ina written practice. In
the employers written practice, the vers*shall’Is tobe used in
Place of shoul co emphasize the employers needs»
Sections 1, 2 and 3: Scope, Definitions
and Nondestructive Testing Methods
Sections 1,2 and 3 (Scope, Definitions andl Nondestruc-
tive Testing Methods) om pp. 1-2 of SNT-7C-1A (2011) are
reprinted below in fal
1.0 Scope
1.1 itis recognized thatthe effectiveness of
Roncestructive testing (NDT) applications depends
'upon the capabilities ofthe personnel who are
«esponsible for and performs NDT. This Recommended
Practice has been prepared to establish guidelines for
the qualification and certification of NDT personnel
‘whose specific jobs require appropriate knowledge of
the technical principles underlying the nondestructive
tests they perform, witness, monitor, or evaluate
1.2 Thisdocument provides gulielines forthe establishment
‘of a qualification and certification program.
1.3. These guidelines have been developed by the
‘American Society for Nondestructive Testing Ine, to
aid employers in recognizing the essential factors to
‘be considered in qualifying personnel engaged in any
of the NDT methods list in Section 3,OHAPTER 1 Recommencied Practice No. SNI-TC-1A
14 tis tecognized that these guidelines may not be
approprlatefor certain employers'cicumstances
and/or appllations.n developing a written practice
a8 required la Section 5, the employer should review
the detalled recommendations presented herein and
_maaify them, as necessary, to meet particular needs.
Such modification may alter but sall not eliminate
basi provisions ofthe program suchas traning,
experiance, testing and recertification, Supporting
technical rationale for modification of detailed~
recommendations should be provided in an Annex to
the writen practice
2.0. Definitions
21 Terms included in this document are defined as
follows
211 Certifies
qualification.
24.2. Certifying Authority: the person or persons
properly designated in the written practice to
‘sign certifications on behalf ofthe employer.
213 Certifying Agency: te employer of the
personnel being certified
2.1.4 Closed Book Examination: an examination
administered without access to reference
‘material except for materials supplied with or
{nthe examination. (See 8)
21.5 Comparable: being at an equivalent or similar
level of NDT responsibilty and cificuty as
determined by the employer's NDT Level
2.6 Documented: the condition of being in
written form.
21.7 Employer: the corporate, privat, or public
entity, which employs personnel for wages,
salary, fes, or other considerations.
2.1.8 Experience: work activites accomplished in a
specific NOT method under the direction of
qualified supervision including the
performance ofthe NDT method and related
activities but not including time spent in
‘organized training programs.
219 Grading Unit: A Qualification Specimen can
be divided Into sections called grading units,
Which do not have to be equal length or be
equally spaced. Grading units are unfiawed or
flawed and the percentage of fawed/unfawved
‘grading units required should be approved by
the NOT Level Il
21.10 Limited Certification: nondestructive test
methods may be further sulbcvided into
limited isciplines or techniques to meet
specific employer's needs; these are NOT
Level I certifications, bt to a limited scope.
1 vritten testimony of
2.111 Nondestructive Testing: a process that
Involves the inspection, testing, or evaluation
‘of materials, components and assembles for
materalsdlscontinultes, properties and
machine problems without further impairing
(oF destroying the part's serviceabilly
“Throughout this document the term NOT
applies equaly tothe NDT methods used for
‘material Inspection, flaw detection or
predictive maintenance (PAM) applications.
2.1.12 Outside Agency: company or individual
‘tho provides NDT Level Il services and whose
‘qualifications to provide these services have
been reviewed and approved by the employer
engaging the company or individual.
2.1.13 Qualification: demonstrated ski,
demonstrated knowledge, documented
‘raining and documented experience required
‘or personnel to properly perform the duties
‘of a specific job
2.114 Recommended Practice: a set of guidelines
toassist the employer in developing uniform
procedures for the qualification att
certification of NDT personnel to satisty the
‘employers specific requirements
2.415 Technique: a category within an NDT method;
{or example, ultrasonic thickness testing
2.16 Training: an organized program‘developed to
Impart the knowledge and skils necessary for
qualification,
2.1.17 Written Practice: written procedure
developed by the employer that dotalls the
requirements for qualification and certification
of their employees.
3.0 Nondestructive Testing Methods
‘Qualification and certification of NDT personnel in
accordance with this Recommended Practice is
applicable o each ofthe following methods:
Acoustic Emission Testing
Electromagnetic Testing
Ground Penetrating Radar
Guided Wave Testing
LaserTesting Methods
LeakTesting
Liquid Penetrant Testing
Magnetic Flux Leakage
Magnetic Particle Testing
‘Neutron Radiographic Testing
Radiological Testing
Thermal/nfrared Testing
Uttrasontc Testing
Vibration Analysis,
Visual TestingBasic | SECTION!
General Comments on Section 1
Paragraph 1.4 was modified in the 2011 edition to pro
vide users with additional guidance to ensure that when
‘users develop a written practice, the fundamental require-
rents of SNT-TC-1A are maintained and that any modifica-
‘tions are documented with a rationale fr the deviations.
Inquiries for Section 1
"NOTE: the responses of the SNI-TC-1A Interpretation
Panel are clatfications of intent and ate subject tothe state-
ment ofthe Scope in each edition of SNT-TC-1A, paragraph
1.4,"Itis recognized that these guidelines may nat be appro-
priate for certain employers circumstances andJot applica-
tions, In developing a weritten practice as required in Section
5the employer should review the detailed recommendations
presented herein and modify them, as necessary, to mect par-
ticular needs” The inquiries must be stated in general terms
only because the Interpretation Panel cannot serve as arefer-
cee between a buyer and seller or otherwise become involved
in any specific ease. Inquiries are numbered to inciude the
year of the inquiry and refer tothe edition of SNT-TC-1A in
cffectin that yeat, unless atherwise stated in the question,
[New editions of SNT-7C-1A were published in these years:
1968, 1975, 1980, 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2003, 2007 (2006
edition) and 2011. All inguires reprinted below are taken
from the ninth edition of Interpreting SNT-TC-LA, published
‘by ASNT in 2012.
Ingutry 76-4
‘In Paragraph L.1,note the statement regarding “personnel
whose specifi jobs require appropriate knowledge of the
nondestructive tests they perform, witness, monitor or eval-
uate!" The SNT-TC-1A Interpretation Panel acted on the fol-
losing inquiry about this section,
Inquiry
Paragraph 1.1 of SNI-TC-1A refers to individuals who
“perform, witness, monitor or evaluate” nondestructive tests,
Isit intended that individuals whose principal functions are
to witness, monitor or evaluate nondestructive tests be quali-
fied in the same manner as those whose principal function is
to perform nondestructive tests?
Response:
Itis intended thatthe employer designate through the
‘writen practice as recommended in Paragraph 5 specifi
{jobs that requite knowledge ofthe technical principles of
nondestructive testing, The employer should test the state-
ment of Paragraph 1.1,".. personnel whose specific jobs
require appropriate knowledge of the technical principles
‘underlying the nondestructive tests they perform, witness,
‘monitor of evaluate” agains the specific job elements of the
personne! in question in order to establish whether or not the
specific job requires knowledge of nondestructive testing.
Inquiry 80-8
Paragraph 1.4 very clearly states the i
detailed recommendations of SNT-TC-IA should be i
sat that the
reviewed and modified by the usr to satisfy unique needs
‘This allowance was originally incorporated in recognition of
the fact that each manufacturer or each service organization
has. different clientele. Customer or clientele requirements
ultimately determine what is acceptable between buyer and
seller, even to the details of qualifying NDT personnel
navi:
1. May an employer deviate from the guidelines to meet his
specific needs?
2, Is our company's specific written practice acceptablet
Response:
1, Yea in accordance with Paragraph 1.4 of SNT-TC-1A, the
employer should modify the guidelines to meet his needs.
2, Itis against ASNT policy to jndge the applicability of
‘company documents. As a general comment, itis the
‘employer’ prerogative to establish his criteria for
certification, It is then the customer’ prerogative to
accept or roject those criteria,
Inquiry 04-1
Inquiy: 5
1, [sit the intent of Paragraph 14 that an employer ean
modify the “Guidelines” of SNT-TC-14 to the extent that
Level IT and Level IT NDT personnel can be “certified”
without any examinations if written this way i the
written practice?
2. What ae the limits that are intended regarding how much
the employer can deviate from SNT-TC-1A as writen? If
no limits are given, the employer can change the entixe
context of SNT-TC-14 to eliminate all certification
exams. Is thatthe intent?
Response:
1. No, The provisions of Paragraph 1 allow modification of
the detailed recommendations; itis not intended to allow
elimination of the basic provisions of the document.
2, No. Paragraph 9.2 requites certification in accordance
‘with "Seeton 8, amination" as described in the
‘employers writen practice.
General Comments:
SNT-TC-1A allows for modification of detailed recom-
‘mendations as necessary to meet particular needs. The intent
is that there be a technical rationale to support such modifi-
cation, Elimination of requirements, such a training, experi
ence and examination, goes beyond modification of detailed
requirementsInquiry 78-7
ASNT has received frequent inquiries from a variety of
sources regarding mandatory imposition of the recommen~
dations of SNVF-TC-1A into firm and inflexible requirements.
By design, this document lists recommendations which are
intended to be used selectively in support of the individual
needs ofeach employer. However, due in part to such
requests for some type of mandatory requirements doca-
rient, ANSIASNT CP-189 was developed as a standard that
establishes the minimum requirements for the qualification
and certification of NDT personnel. ASNT always intended
thatthe recommendations of SNT-TC-1A be applied with
flexibility and reason, recognizing that business enterprises
often may need to satisfy differing customer requirements,
Inquiy
1, Should personnel wito operate (oltrasonic) digital thickness
‘measurement equipment be qualified and certified?
2. To what Level should such personnel be certified?
3. Does ASNT anticipate a change in SNT-TC-1A thet would,
provide specific recommendations for qualifying and
certifying such personnel?
Response:
41, Whether any NDT personnel should be certified depends
solely upon the noeds of the employer and the
requirements of the employer's customers or lientele,
Likewise, the level to which personnel should be certified
dlepends upon the same factors as in [1.] above, Note that
parageaph 4.1 of SNT-TC-14 provides for subdivision
within the levels as needed,
3. Paragraph 1.4 and paragraph 4.1 of SNT-TC-1A are
intended to provide the employer with adequate flexibility
to accommodate a variety of special needs as documented
in the written practice. While the recommended training
course outline of SNT-TC-4 does not specifically address
digital thickness measurement, the principles of pulse-echo
techniques are those involved. The trang course outline
does provide for instruction inthe employers specific
‘equipment uses and, as with the remainder of SNT-TC-1A,
the training course outline should be modified, if necessary,
to meet employers speciic nee,
2
Inquiry 80-4
“Two other inquities pertain to this concept. Both,
inquiries have the same response.
tnguity:
NDT examiners in our employ who perform examina-
tons using liquid penetcant ase only the visible dye, solvent
removable, penetrant technique. Since our examiners do
not have need to be qualified in the other liquid penetrant
techniques, is it permissible to modify the number of general
and specific questions as well as the hours of training and
‘work experience to satisfy requirements of SNT-TC-1A for
Level and Level I examiners?
“CHAPTER | Recommended Practice No. SNT-IC-IA
Response:
wIts the intent that SNT-TC-1A i recommended
practice and that itis a guideline which should be modified
by the employer as necessary to meet his particular needs,
‘The employer should determine his needs, determine the
necessary qualifications of his examiners to meet those needs
and describe those in his writen practice
General Comments on Sections 2 and 3
In Section 2, Definitions, each of these terms should be
carefully studied, For example, some NDT practitioners may
not clearly understand the difference between qualification
and certification. Considering each term as representing &
process, the process of qualifying personnel involves assess-
rent ofthe adequacy of the skis, training and experience of
personnel being considered for cortain tasks. The process of
‘qualifying may require that education and training be
imparted on such personnel. Assessment of qualifications
often requires that the personnel be examined, Following the
process of qualification, inlividuals meeting or exceeding the
‘minimum qualification requirements of the employer can be
certified, ‘That is, the employer provides evidencythat a qual-
‘lying process was followed. Such evidence backs up the
cemployer’s assertion that certain individuals are qualified to
perform certain critical functions and is the employer's “cer-
tification” thatthe evidence of qualification exists.
Limited certifications for Ultrasonic Thickness,
Radiographic Film Interpreter and Digital Radfoscopy have
been added to this edition. These certifications are intended
to be limited in the scope of qualification, but not the respon-
sibilities of the Level IT individual as defined in Section 4.
‘There is no Level [limited certification
Fundamental in frce enterprise is the tenet that producers
of goods and suppliers of services are ultimately esponsible
forthe quality and effectiveness of such goods and services
as well as bearing responsibility for shortcomings and fil-
ures, Therefore, regardless ofthe details of the processes by
which individuals became qualified, the direct employer of
the personnel being certified must bear the end responsibil
ty for conferring a certification and, thereby, can be the only
“certifying agency. Such absolute responsibility does not
preclude the use of outside services by employers to assist in
{imparting and/or assessing qualifications of individuals
being certified. The use of outside services does not relieve
the employer from responsibilty, nor can the employer abro-
{gate or delegate this responsibility to an outside agency.
SNP-TC-1A has been referenced by certain codes and
specifications to be used, in effect, as a model for employers
to develop a written practice concerning some method of
NDT not currently covered in SNT-TC-1A.
Review Questions for Sections 1, 2. and 3
Based on the foregoing discussion, answer the questions
con pp. 29-30 relating to SNI-TC-14 and the administration
‘of aqualitication and certification program in NDT.