Certification

Setting the Standard for Excellence in Personnel Qualification &

Certification for the Nondestructive Testing Profession

The American Society for Nondestructive Testing

...creating a safer world

ASNT Certification Programs

Setting the Standard for Excellence
in Personnel Qualification Certification
ASNT NDT Level III

page 12

ASNT NDT Level II page 23

Radiography and
IRRSP (Industrial

page 45
Radiation
Safety Personnel)
Central Certification page 6
ACCP Level II page 7
ACCP Professional Level III page 8-9
Getting Started page 9

ASNT develops and provides certification

programs to meet the needs of industry and
serve its mission of creating a safer world.

ASNT is accredited as a certification body by the U.S. member to ISO,

the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), in accordance with ISO/IEC 17024.

ASNT NDT Level III

About The American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT)
For nearly half a century, ASNT certification has been the standard for the nondestructive testing
(NDT) industry. ASNTs certification process has improved the quality of the profession, and provided
an accepted means for members to demonstrate they have met the requirements of the industry.
For employers, ASNT certification is an impartial validation of the competence of NDT personnel
in the field.

There are four ASNT certification programs:

ASNT NDT Level III Program
ASNT Central Certification Program (ACCP)
ASNT NDT Level II Program
Industrial Radiography and Radiation Safety Personnel (IRRSP) Program
The ASNT NDT Level III Program and the Industrial Radiography and
Radiation Safety Personnel (IRRSP) Program are accredited by
ANSI to ISO/IEC 17024:2003

ASNT NDT Level III Program

The ASNT Level III Program provides third-party certification for NDT personnel whose specific jobs
require appropriate knowledge of the technical
principles underlying the tests they perform,
n ASNT NDT Level III certificate
witness, monitor, or evaluate.

Certification under this system results in the issuance

of an ASNT certificate attesting to the fact that the
certificate holder has met the published guidelines
for the Basic and Method examinations as detailed in
Recommended Practice No. SNT-TC-1A. This does not
constitute license or authorization to perform NDT, as
the employer has the sole responsibility for authorizing
employees to perform NDT.

holder should have the skills and

knowledge to establish techniques,
to interpret codes, standards, and
specifications, and to prepare or
approve procedures and instructions.

An ASNT NDT Level III or ASNT PdM Level III should also have general familiarity with other
NDT methods, be capable of conducting or directing the training and examination of testing personnel
in the methods for which the ASNT NDT Level III is qualified, and have knowledge of materials,
fabrication, and product technology in order to establish techniques and to assist in establishing
acceptance criteria when none are otherwise available.

Qualification Exams
All ASNT NDT Level III candidates must successfully complete both: a Basic Examination, regardless of
the method(s) for which the candidate seeks certification; and a Method Examination, which is given at
the candidates request, in one or more of 11 different NDT methods. Once certified, the Basic Examination need not be retaken unless the certificate holder allows all ASNT NDT Level III certificates to expire.

ASNT NDT Level III

Basic Examination:

Method Examination:

This written examination consists of

135 multiple choice questions that assess
the candidates knowledge of other NDT
methods as required for ASNT NDT Level II
personnel; materials, fabrication, and

This written examination consists of a minimum

of 90 multiple choice questions that assess
the candidates knowledge and application of
fundamentals, principles, and techniques for
that method in which certification is sought.

product technology; and qualification

and certification according to the ASNT
Recommended Practice No. SNT-TC-1A,
and ANSI/ASNT CP-189, latest edition.

The Method Examination may include a portion

that examines the candidates ability to
comprehend an NDT specification and
apply its requirements.

Addressing the Level III Specific Examination is the

responsibility of the employer.

Certification and Validity

Based on successful completion of the necessary qualification

examinations, ASNT will issue the candidate an ASNT certificate
and a wallet card. Initial certification is valid for five years, with
the certification period to start on the date that a candidate
successfully passes both the Basic and Method examinations.

ASNT NDT Level II

ASNT NDT Level II Program
The ASNT NDT Level II certification program was developed to provide standardized Level II written
examinations that employers may use to satisfy the general and specific examination guidelines of
paragraphs 8.3 and 8.4, respectively, of Recommended Practice No. SNT-TC-1A.

Qualification Exams
Candidates applying for initial certification must take both the general examination and at least one
specific examination in each test method for which certification is sought. Candidates may take the
General Industry or the Pressure Equipment Specific examination, or if they seek certification in both
industry sectors, they may take both sector-specific examinations.

ASNT NDT Level II

Level II General Examination:

Level II Specific Examination:

The general written examination is a two-hour,

50-question, multiple-choice examination
addressing the fundamentals, principles, and
theory found in the applicable Level II Topical
Outlines in the ANSI/ASNT CP-105: ASNT
Standard Topical Outlines for Qualification of
Nondestructive Testing Personnel.

The specific written examination is a two-hour,

40-question, multiple-choice examination based
on an NDT procedure covering the equipment,
operating processes, and techniques that a Level II
might encounter while performing NDT tasks in the
applicable industry sector. These procedures were
developed by ASNT NDT Level IIIs who work in the
applicable industry sector and are based on codes,
standards, and specifications commonly used in
that sector.

Passing the general and at least

one specific examination will
result in the issuance of an
ASNT NDT Level II certificate.

Certification and Validity

Passing the general and at least one specific examination will result in the issuance of an ASNT
NDT Level II certificate and wallet card, which attests that the certificate holder has successfully
completed ASNT NDT Level II general and specific examinations in the NDT method(s) and
industry sectors indicated on the certificate.
Employers should review the ASNT NDT Level II program document to determine whether
these examinations meet the requirements of their companys written practice. Employers
are responsible for administering the visual acuity, practical, and any job-specific examinations
required by their written practice to complete the certification process.

ASNT IRRSP

IRRSP Certification Program

ASNT Industrial Radiography and Radiation Safety Personnel (IRRSP) certification is
applicable to those individuals who perform or supervise industrial radiography utilizing
radiation-producing equipment. Three separate certifications are offered in the program:
Radioactive Materials (RAM, or gamma), X-ray, or a combination of both X- and
gamma radiography.

Exams cover the principles,

4

regulations, basic equipment

operation, and safety procedures
applicable to the type of radiation
producing equipment for which
ASNT IRRSP certification is sought.

ASNT is designated by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory

Commission (NRC) as an Independent Certifying
Organization and administers the IRRSP certification
program in strict compliance with policies and
procedures approved by the NRC. IRRSP certification
is also recognized by the Conference for Radiation
Control Program Directors (CRCPD).

IRRSP Exams
ASNT certification is by examination only and consists of a written portion administered by ASNT
and a practical portion administered by an institution recognized by ASNT. The written examination
consists of two categories, RAM and X-ray, which are offered individually or together as a
combination examination. The exams cover the principles, regulations, basic equipment operation,
and safety procedures applicable to the type of radiation producing equipment for which
ASNT IRRSP certification is sought.

Qualification Requirements
To be considered eligible to sit for the ASNT IRRSP Certification Exam, the candidate
must have the following minimum documented training and experience.

ASNT IRRSP
Exam

Minimum Training
Requirements

Minimum Experience
Requirements

Radioactive Materials
(RAM or Gamma)

40 hrs

320 hrs

X-ray Technologies

40 hrs

160 hrs

Combo
(RAM & X-ray)

40 hrs

320 hrs RAM

160 hrs X-ray

Acceptance and Validity of IRRSP Certification

The acceptance of IRRSP certification by an agreement state is determined by the state in question
on a case-by-case basis. Questions regarding acceptability should be directed to the department
governing the states radiation control program. A listing of state regulatory agencies can be found
at nrc-stp.ornl.gov/asdirectory.html.
ASNT IRRSP certification is valid for five years from the date that all certification requirements have
been met, unless suspended or revoked for cause.

Central Certification

ACCP Level II & Professional Level III Certification

The ASNT Central Certification Program (ACCP) was developed to improve NDT reliability
by providing standardized requirements administered by an accredited certification body.
The program provides prospective employers with NDT personnel that have achieved a
high level of performance and competency within the NDT profession.

Central vs. Employer-Based Certification

Central certification is the process of certification by an independent, nationally recognized body
providing confidence to interested parties as to the programs validity, impartiality, and integrity
as it relates to the competence of personnel in the field of NDT.

Certification in accordance with the guidelines ASNT Recommended Practice No. SNT-TC-1A is
an employer-based system, meaning that the employers are responsible for the qualification and
certification of their own personnel. Central certification is administered and maintained by an
independent body that provides uniform certification requirements for all certificate holders.
Regardless of the certification program, the ultimate responsibility for authorizing a person
to perform NDT remains that of the employer.

Advantages of Central Certification

With central certification, employers will be able to hire NDT personnel without the need
to administer exams before they can begin work, a savings in time and money. It provides
a uniform standard for the profession and brings more credibility to the industry.
Significantly, it raises the quality bar for NDT.
Companies with employees holding the credential bring a clear market distinction to
offer their customers when bidding for business.
Companies contracting for NDT services can select from contractors with personnel who
have qualified to standardized examinations developed and administered by an independent
third party rather than by the vendor.

ACCP Level II
ACCP Level II
ASNT widened the scope of its certification offerings in 1996 to include Level II certification with the
ASNT Central Certification Program (ACCP) Level II certification. The ACCP Level II examinations include General, Specific, Practical, and Instruction Preparation examinations in five NDT methods (MT,
PT, RT, UT, and VT). ACCP Level II certification meets the requirements of the ANSI/ASNT National
Standard CP-106, Nondestructive TestingQualification and Certification of Personnel, the
U.S. adoption of ISO 9712 .

An ACCP Level II should:

Have the skills and knowledge to set up and calibrate equipment, conduct tests, and
interpret, evaluate, and document results in accordance with procedures approved by an
ACCP Professional Level III or ASNT NDT Level III.
Be thoroughly familiar with the scope and limitations of the method to which certified.
Be capable of directing the work of trainees and Level I personnel.
Be able to organize and report NDT results.
Be capable of developing an NDT instruction in conformance with a procedure.
Be knowledgeable in the NDT subject matter contained the NDT Body of Knowledge for
Level II in the applicable test method(s).

Certified Welding Inspector (CWI)

or Senior Certified Welding Inspector

(SCWI) certification may apply for
ACCP Level II VT certification for
Direct Viewing in the General Industry
Sector without further examination.

AWS/ACCP Level II Agreement

Through an agreement between the American Welding Society (AWS) and ASNT, personnel holding
currently valid Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) or Senior Certified Welding Inspector (SCWI)
certification granted by AWS examination may apply for ACCP Level II VT certification for
direct viewing in the general industry sector without further examination.
Personnel that can document three years of experience in the pressure equipment sector may
apply for that sector for a nominal fee. Personnel whoreceived their CWI or SCWI certification(s)
through a reciprocity agreement with another certification body are not eligible for this process.

ACCP Professional Level III

ACCP Professional Level III Certification

The ASNT Central Certification Program (ACCP) Professional Level III certification includes the
same Basic and Method examinations that are used in the ASNT NDT Level III program and
adds Practical and Procedure Preparation examinations for a more comprehensive certification.
Personnel that hold currently valid ASNT NDT Level III certificates in the applicable test
methods do not need to retake the Basic or Method examinations.

Qualification Exams
The ASNT Central Certification Program requires the successful completion of examinations in
any of five NDT test methods: Magnetic Particle Testing (MT), Liquid Penetrant Testing (PT),
Ultrasonic Testing (UT), Radiographic Testing (RT), and Visual Testing (VT).

Level II Applicants Have to Pass These Four Examinations:

1. The General Written Examination covers the fundamentals, principles and theory
of the test method.
2. The Specific Written Examination covers specific applications of the test method
in accordance with codes and standards used in the applicable industry sector.
3. The Practical Examination applicants are required to demonstrate their ability to
perform the test method on test samples containing known defects.
4. The Instruction Preparation applicants are required to prepare a written instruction
for the test method that is sufficiently detailed to permit another practitioner to recreate
the same inspection.

ACCP Professional Level III

Level II certification can be attained in individual techniques within a test method or may
cover all techniques.
In addition to the prerequisite Level II qualifications and experience, Level III applicants must pass the
following four examinations:
1. The Basic Examination covers knowledge of
certification processes, materials and processes and
general knowledge of other NDT test methods.
2. The Method Examination covers specific knowledge
of that test method.
3. Practical Examination in which applicants are required
to demonstrate their ability to perform the method
on test samples containing known defects.
Note: The Practical examination is waived for
personnel who took the Practical Examination as
an ACCP Level II.

ASNTs International Service

Center certification staff will
happily assist you with program
questions or application information.

4. Procedure Preparation Examination in which applicants

are required to write an NDT procedure based on a
supplied NDT standard.

Getting Started
Additional information and certification applications are available on ASNTs website at
www.asnt.org/certification. Here, you can also find information about different method examinations,
exam schedules, refresher courses, and more.
Also, ASNTs International Service Center certification staff will happily assist you with program
questions or application information. Please contact a member of the Certification Services staff team at
(800) 222-2768.

Reference Materials for ASNT Certifications

Codes and Standards
Recommended Practice No. SNT-TC-1A
ANSI/ASNT CP-105
ASNT Standard Topical Outlines for
Qualification of Nondestructive Testing Personnel
ANSI/ASNT CP-189, latest edition
ASNT NDT Level III Study Guides
And more online at www.asnt.org/shopasnt

The American Society for Nondestructive Testing

...creating a safer world

www.asnt.org/certification
800.228.2768