ASNT Level III Examination

Topical Outlines and References

For a more detailed description of topical outlines, review the topical outlines listed in ASNT's Recommended Practice
No. SNT-TC-1A. All the references listed here are available from ASNT. Note that other texts are listed as references
in SNT-TC-1A, but are not currently available from ASNT. These additional references may be found at any good
engineering or materials science library.

NDT Basic PdM Basic

Length: 4 hours Questions: 135 Length: 2 hours Questions: 90
1. Personnel Qualification and Certification 2. Personnel Qualification and Certification
Programs Programs

SNT-TC-1A, 1996 edition
SNT-TC-1A, 1996 edition

ASNT CP-189, 1995 edition
ASNT CP-189, 1995 edition

ASNT Level III certification
ASNT Level III certification
2. Basics of Common NDT Methods, 3. Basics of Common PdM Methods,
including: 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
Maintenance practice
technology,
Machine components
including:
Engineering mechanics

Properties of materials, origin of
Lubrication
discontinuities, and failure modes

Materials processing (casting,
welding, forging, brazing, soldering,
machining, heat treatment, surface
treatment, adhesive bonding, etc.)

Dimensional metrology
Reference Catalog Number
NDT Handbook: Volume Nine,
Special NDT Methods, 2 nd ed. 134
SNT-TC-1A (1996 edition) 2055
ANSI/ASNT CP-189 (1995 edition) 2505

Reference Catalog Number

NDT Handbook: Volume Ten,
NDT Overview, 2 nd ed. 135
Level III Study Guide: Basic 2251R
SNT-TC-1A (1996 edition) 2055
ANSI/ASNT CP-189 (1995 edition) 2505
Introduction to NDT: A Training Guide 150
Materials and Processes for NDT
Technology 2250
ASM Handbook Vol. 17, NDE
and QC 105
AE - Acoustic Emission Testing
Length: 4 hours Questions: 135 ET - Electromagnetic Testing
1 Principles and Theory Length: 4 hours Questions: 135

Characteristics of acoustic emission 1. Principles/Theory
testing
Generation of eddy currents

Materials and deformation
Effect of fields created by eddy

Sources of acoustic emission currents (impedance changes)

Wave propagation
Properties of eddy current

Attenuation 2. Equipment Materials

Kaiser and Felicity effects, and
Probes
Felicity ratio
Through, encircling, or annular coils

Terminology (refer to acoustic
Factors affecting choice of sensing
emission glossary, ASTM 1316) 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
Process control
selection
General interpretations
3 Techniques 5. Procedures

Equipment calibration and set up for
test

Establishing loading procedures

Precautions against noise Reference Catalog Number

Special test procedures NDT Handbook: Volume Four,

Data displays Electromagnetic Testing, 2 nd ed. 129
Level III Study Guide: Eddy Current Testing 2257
4 Interpretation and Evaluation
Fundamentals of Eddy Current Testing 470

Data interpretation

Data evaluation

Reports
5 Procedures
6 Safety and Health
7 Applications

Laboratory studies (material
characterization)

Structural applications

Reference Catalog Number

NDT Handbook: Volume Five,
Acoustic Emission Testing, 2 nd ed. 130
Acoustic Emission: Techniques and Applications 752
IR - Thermal/Infrared Testing
Analysis of data for determination
Length: 4 hours Questions: 135 of accurate results
1. Principles/Theory
Halogen testing equipment

Conduction
Helium mass spectrometer testing

Convection equipment

Radiation 3. Technique/Calibration

The nature of heat and heat flow
Bubble test

Temperature measurement principles
Pressure change/measurement test

Proper selection of Thermal/Infrared testing
Halogen diode detector leak test
2. Equipment/Materials
Mass spectrometer leak testing

Temperature measurement equipment 4. Interpretation/Evaluation

Heat flux indicators
Basic techniques and/or units

Performance parameters of non-contact
Test materials and equipment effects
devices
Effects of temperature and other
3. Techniques atmospheric conditions

Contact temperature indicators
Calibration for testing

Non-contact pyrometers
Probing/scanning or

Infrared line scanners measurement/monitoring

Thermal/Infrared imaging
Leak interpretation evaluation

Heat flux indicators
Acceptance and rejection criteria

Exothermic or endothermic investigations 5. Procedures

Friction investigations
Leak testing procedures

Fluid Flow investigations
Leak testing specifications

Thermal resistance (steady state heat flow) 6. Safety and Health

Thermal capacitance investigations
Safety considerations
4. Interpretation/Evaluation
Safety precautions

Exothermic or endothermic investigation
Pressure precautions

Friction investigations
Safety devices

Fluid flow investigations
Hazardous and tracer gas safety

Differences in thermal resistance
Types of monitoring equipment

Thermal capacitance investigations
Safety
5. Procedures Reference Catalog Number

Existing codes and standards NDT Handbook: Volume One,

Job procedure development Leak Testing (Revised), 3rd ed. 141
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

Characteristics of magnetic fields
Reference Catalog Number 2. Equipment/Materials
NDT Handbook: Volume Nine,
Magnetic particle test equipment
Special NDT Methods, 2 nd ed. 134
Inspection materials
Fundamentals of Heat and Mass Transfer 952 3. Technique/Calibrations

Magnetization by means if electric current
LT - Leak Testing
Selecting the proper method of
Length: 4 hours Questions: 135 magnetization
1. Principles theory
Demagnetization

Physical principles in leak testing 4. Interpretation/Evaluation

Principles of gas flow
Magnetic particle test indications and
• Proper selection of LT as method of choice interpretations
2. Equipment/Material
Effects of discontinuities on materials

Leak testing standards 5. Procedures

Detector/instrument performance 6. Safety and Health
factors

Vacuum pumps Reference Catalog Number

Bubble testing practices and NDT Handbook: Volume Six,
techniques Magnetic Particle Testing, 2 nd ed. 131

Absolute pressure testing Level III Study Guide: Magnetic Particle
Testing (Revised) 2253R
equipment
Principles of Magnetic Particle Testing 436

Absolute pressure hold testing of
containers

Absolute pressure leakage rate
testing of containers
NR - Neutron Radiographic Testing
Factor affecting indications
Length: 4 hours Questions: 135
Indications from discontinuities
1. Principles/Theory
Relevant and nonrelevant indications

Nature of penetrating radiation 4. Procedures

Interaction between penetrating radiation 5. Safety and Health
and matter
Toxicity

Neutron radiography imaging
Flammability

Radiometry
2. Equipment/Materials Reference Catalog Number

Sources of neutrons NDT Handbook: Volume Two

Radiation detectors Liquid Penetrant Testing, 3rd ed. 142

Nonimaging devices Level III Study Guide: Liquid Penetrant
3. Techniques/Calibrations Testing (Revised) 2255R

Blocking and filtering

Multifilm technique RT - Radiographic Testing

Enlargement and projection Length: 4 hours Questions: 135

Stereoradiography 1. Principles and Theory

Triangulation methods
Nature of penetrating radiation

Autoradiography
Interaction between penetrating radiation

Flash Radiography and matter

In-motion radiography
Radiographic imaging

Fluoroscopy
Radiometry

Electron emission radiography 2. Equipment/Materials

Microradiography
Electrically generated sources

Laminography (tomography)
Particulate radiation sources

Control of diffraction effects
Radiation detectors

Panoramic exposures
Gamma

Gaging 3. Techniques/Calibration

Real time imaging
Imaging considerations

Image analysis techniques
Film processing
4. Interpretation/Evaluation
Viewing of radiographs

Image-object relationships
Judging radiographic quality

Material considerations
Exposure calculations

Codes, standards, and specifications
Radiographic techniques
5. Procedures 4. Interpretation and Evaluation

Imaging considerations
Materials processing as it affects test results

Film processing
Causes and effects of discontinuities

Viewing of radiographs
Radiographic appearance of discontinuities

Judging radiographic quality
Nonrelevant indications
6. Safety and Health
Film artifacts

Exposure hazards 5. Procedures

Methods of controlling radiation exposure 6. Safety and Health

Operation and emergency procedures
Exposure hazards

Methods of controlling radiation exposure
Reference Catalog Number
Operational and emergency procedures
NDT Handbook: Volume Three,
Dosimetry and Film Badges
Radiography and Radiation Testing,
Gamma leak testing
2 nd ed.
Transportation regulations
128
ASM Handbook Vol. 17, NDE and QC Reference Catalog Number
105 NDT Handbook: Volume Three,
Radiography and Radiation Testing,
PT - Liquid Penetrant Testing 2 nd ed. 128
Length: 2 hours Questions: 90 Level III Study Guide: Radiographic Testing 2259
1. Principles/Theory Working Safety in Gamma Radiography 232

Principles of liquid penetrant process

Theory

Proper selection of PT as method of choice

Liquid penetrant processing
2. Equipment/Materials

Methods of measurement

Lighting for liquid penetrant testing

Materials for liquid penetrant testing

Testing and maintenance of materials
3. Interpretation/Evaluation

General
UT - Ultrasonic Testing
Correction Methods
Length: 4 hours Questions: 135 2. Equipment
1. Principles/Theory • Sensors

Nature of sound waves
Signal Conditioning

Modes of sound wave generation
Instruments

Velocity, frequency, and wavelength
On-Line Monitoring
of sound waves
Equipment Response to

Attenuation of sound waves Environments

Acoustic impedance
Performance Based

Reflection 3. Techniques/Calibration

Refraction and mode conversion
Calibration

Measurement and Techniques

Snell’s law and critical angles

Correction Techniques

Fresnel and Fraunhofer effects
4. Analysis/Evaluation
2. Equipment/Materials

Data Analysis

Pulse/echo instrumentation

Data Evaluation

Digital thickness instrumentation
5. Procedures

Transducer operation and theory
6. Safety and Health

Transducer operation/manipulations

Resonance testing equipment Reference Catalog Number

Couplants NDT Handbook: Volume Nine,

Calibration blocks Special NDT Methods, 2 nd ed. 134
The Vibration Analysis Handbook 177

Cables/connectors

Test specimen

Miscellaneous materials
3. Techniques/Calibrations

Contact

Immersion

Comparison of contact and
immersion methods

Remote monitoring

Calibration (electronic and
functional)
4. Interpretation/Evaluations

Evaluation of base metal product
forms

Evaluation of weldments

Evaluation of bonded structures

Variables affecting test results

Evaluation (general)
5. Procedures

Specific applications

Codes/Standards/Specifications

Reference Catalog Number

NDT Handbook: Volume Seven,
Ultrasonic Testing, 2 nd ed. 132
Level III Study Guide: Ultrasonic Testing 2261
Ultrasonics: Fundamentals, Technology,
Applications 341

VA - Vibration Analysis
Length: 4 hours Questions: 135
1. Principles/Theory

Physical Concepts

Data Presentation

Sources of Vibration
 VT - Visual Testing
Length: 2 hours Questions: 90 4. Interpretation/ Evaluation
1. Fundamentals
Equipment including type and

Vision and light intensity of light

Ambient conditions
Material including the variations of

Test object characteristics surface finish
2. Equipment Accessories
Discontinuity

Magnifiers/microscopes
Determination of dimensions (i.e.:

Mirrors depth, width, length, etc.)

Dimensional
Sampling/scanning

Borescopes
Process for reporting visual

Video systems discontinuities

Automated systems
Personnel (human factors)

Video technologies
Detection
5. Procedures and Documentation

Machine vision

Hard copy

Replication

Photography

Temperature sensitive markers and
surface comparators
Audio/video

Chemical aids
Electronic and magnetic media

Photography 6. Safety

Eye
Electrical shock
3. Techniques/Calibration
Mechanical hazards

Diagrams and drawings
Lighting hazards

Raw materials
Chemical contamination

Primary process materials
Radioactive materials

Joining processes
Explosive environments

Fabricated components

In-service materials Reference Catalog Number
NDT Handbook: Volume Eight,

Coatings Visual and Optical Testing, 2 nd ed. 133

Other applications Level III Study Guide: Visual and

Requirements Optical Testing 2263
ASM Handbook: Vol. 17, NDE and QC 105
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

Radiographic Testing Method (Book A), 1996 2026
Magnetic Particle Testing Method (Book B), 1994 2027
Ultrasonic Testing Method (Book C), 1994 2028
Liquid Penetrant Testing Method (Book D), 1996 2029
Eddy Current Testing Method (Book E), 1995 2030
Neutron Radiographic Testing Method (Book F), 1994 2031
Acoustic Emission Testing Method (Book G), 1995 2032
Visual and Optical Testing Method (Book I), 1999 2034A
Leak Testing Books:
Bubble Leak Testing (Book HB), 1994 2033B
Halogen Diode Detector (Book HH), 1994 2033H
Mass Spectrometer Leak Testing (Book HM), 1996 2033M
Pressure Change Measurement Testing (Book HP), 1994 2033P

Packages
All four leak testing methods 2033A
Any two leak testing methods 2033C
Complete Set of Q&A books, plus Recommended Practice No. SNT-TC1A, 1996 Edition 2180

The American Society for Nondestructive Testing, Inc.

1711 Arlingate Lane • PO Box 28518 • Columbus, OH 43228-0518
Phone: (614) 274-6003 • (800) 222-2768 • FAX: (614) 274-6899
Order books online at www.asnt.org.