Subject: Clarification of the content of the Level 3 “basic” examination per
EN4179:2021
Background
EN4179:2017 was ambiguous in terms of the content of the Level 3 “basic”
examination:
“…For Level 3, the general examination questions shall address the general knowledge of other methods as defined within this standard as well as the method for which certification is sought….” (7.1.2)
The interpretation could either be taken as the basic examination must contain questions on the other methods indicated within this standard, per para 1.3 OR the basic examination must contain questions on the other methods used, as defined by the employer’s Written Practice as per para 7.1.2.
There was no unified view on which interpretation was correct.
In order to clarify this situation, attain consistency across industry and assist the Outside Agencies in issuing a valid Level 3 basic examination, the Aerospace Non Destructive Test Board Forum (ANDTBF) took the initiative to provide direction on what the Level 3 basic examination should contain (ANDTBF/10), and the UK NANDTB replicated this in issue 1 of this document (NANDTB AD12, 2018). These requirements are broadly consistent with the ISO 9712 Basic examination.
EN4179:2021 has been updated to state within 7.1.3:
“c) For Level 3, the general examination questions shall address the general knowledge of other test methods used by the employer at the initial certification as well as the test method for which certification is sought.
d) Passing a “basic” examination covering the other NDT methods used before passing any NDT method examination shall be considered satisfactory evidence the other NDT methods have been satisfactorily covered.
e) Possession of a current ASNT, ISO 9712, or NANDTB certificate at the
appropriate level by the candidate may be satisfactory evidence that the general examination requirement is satisfied as defined in the employer’s written practice.”
In response, the ANDTBF has recently voted to withdraw ANDTBF/10.
However, ambiguity remains. EN4179:2021 does not state whether ALL the other test methods used by the employer need to be included on the exam, nor provide a requirement on the number of questions to be included, how to approach
NANDTB AD-012 Issue 2 dated 13/02/2023
UK NANDTB ADVISORY AD-012
transferability of the examination result between employers who may use a different suite of NDT methods, etc. This poses a potential problem e.g. for Outside Agencies to demonstrate the validity of Level 3 examinations.
The UK NANDTB has therefore taken the decision to maintain UK NANDTB AD012 in the interim, while formal clarification and consistency is obtained via the next iteration of NAS410/EN4179 development.
Statement
In addition to the minimum 40 general examination questions in the NDT method for which certification is being sought, a separate ‘Other NDT Methods’ examination shall be administered to a Level 3 candidate as a one time only examination.
The Examination shall comprise general knowledge questions covering at least four NDT methods as required for Level 2 and chosen by the candidate from the list of common methods per EN4179. These four methods shall include at least one volumetric method (UT or RT).
Each NDT method shall be addressed by a minimum of 15 closed book questions,
total number of questions is 60 minimum.
The pass mark is 80%. The exam/score is not to be used as part of the composite score.
Actions
All level 3 basic examinations issued from the initial issue date of issue 1 of this advisory, must comply with the above requirements to be recognised by the UK NANDTB.
NOTE: No retrospective action need be taken for previous Level 3 examinations,
provided they are maintained in accordance with the standard.
