Table of Content
- Why is it Important for an NDT Inspector to be Certified?
- 5 Best Certifications for NDT Technicians
- Which Certification is the Best Certification for an NDT Technician?
- Key Takeaways
In the manufacturing, aerospace, construction, and oil and gas industries, among others, non-destructive testing, or NDT, is essential for guaranteeing the integrity and safety of a variety of structures, components, and materials. NDT technicians are responsible for conducting tests and inspections using various methods to detect flaws or irregularities without causing damage to the tested materials.
Why is it Important for an NDT Inspector to be Certified?
The interpretation of results in NDT is not easy, unlike the other methods. For example — when it comes to destructive testing, such as hardness or tensile testing, the outcomes can be directly readable from the screen. On the other hand, NDT results cannot be read directly, thus demanding additional competence in evaluation. Consequently, codes and standards proclaim that the inspector should complete their education, training, and experience.
In most cases, the inspectors must have either Level I, II, or III Certifications in the test procedure. If the NDT Inspector has not fulfilled the qualification criteria, he/she should be slowed from engaging in NDT activities. This is so because there is zero assurance that the candidate has sufficient skills to analyze the results, and it becomes extremely risky to accept the results.
A candidate, before completing his/her, is considered an "NDT Trainee." An NDT trainee has to work under Level I or Level II supervision. The trainee must not perform the testing procedures all alone. According to the SNT TC 1A — “A trainee is a person being initially trained and is yet to be qualified and certified. The trainee should work with a certified individual. The trainee shall not independently conduct, interpret, evaluate, or report the results of any NDT test”. Level I certification provides enough assurance that the inspector has the required competency to perform equipment calibration and carry out the testing as per the NDT Process. Plus, Level II NDT Inspectors also possess the skills for interpretation of the results and evaluation. They must have proper knowledge of NDT Standards and Codes.
5 Best Certifications for NDT Technicians
NDT technicians are crucial in conducting tests and inspections without causing damage to materials. Acquiring certifications validates their skills and knowledge, with five must-have certifications discussed below. Here's a list of 5 certifications for NDT Technicians:
1) NDT-Radiographic Film Interpretation of Pipeline Welds (NDT)
This certification program is specially designed for inspectors, radiographers, surveyors, and engineers who desire to interpret radiographs but do not have a better knowledge of Radiography Principles. Radiographic Film Interpretation Course is developed for personnel responsible for judging the radiography quality and making informed decisions related to the identity & extent of the defects indicated. Training in radiographic interpretation delivers crucial knowledge based on radiographic theory & practice to facilitate interpreters to review the quality of radiographs and empirical interpretation of welds and castings.
2) Certified Welding Inspector (CWI)
The Certified Welding Inspector certification is recognized worldwide, nationally, and internationally. Successful organizations have come out depending on this AWS Certification when making sure that this is the highest grade of quality workmanship.
3) Aboveground Storage Tanks Inspector Certification (API)
The American Petroleum Institute (API) originated this certification program and issued Supplement 1 to API 653, Tank reconstruction, alteration, and repair. This specific certification program promotes safe storage and substance management of petroleum products in a way that safeguards the public, employees, and the environment. The certification program was created with the participation of storage tank users/owners/and set up a uniform national program that will help the local and state governments in aboveground storage tank rules and regulations.
4) NACE Coating Inspector Program (CIP)
The NACE Coating Inspector Program (CIP) is a valuable certification program offered by the National Association Of Corrosion Engineers (NACE). This program is designed to provide NDT aspirants with the proper knowledge and skills to inspect and examine coating systems utilized in marine, industrial, and other sectors. The CIP encompasses three levels: Level 1 Coating Inspector, Level 2 Coating Inspector, and Level 3 Senior Coating Inspector. Each & every level has its own pack of requirements, such as laboratory training, classroom instruction, field experience, and passing an exam.
5) Certified Penetration Testing Professional (CPENT)
The Certified Penetration Testing Professional, also known as CPENT, states the standards and codes of penetration testing skill development. EC-Council’s Certified Penetration Tester (CPENT), program helps you to understand how to perform an efficacious penetration examination in an enterprise network environment that must be exploited, attacked, evaded & defended.
Suppose you are someone who has been working in flat networks. In that case, CPENT’s live exercise range will help you understand your skills and caliber to the next level by instructing you how to pen test IoT systems or OT systems, how to write your exploits, develop your tools, double pivot to gain access to hidden networks, conduct progressed binaries exploitation, and also customize scripts/exploits to go into the deep-seated segments of the network.
Get More Information Here: CPENT Program by EC-Council
Discover The Most Prestigious NDT Certifications You Must Have
Which Certification is the Best for an NDT Technician?
The best certification for an NDT technician is the NDT- Radiographic Film Interpretation of Pipeline Welds, which is the most common among NDT technicians. You should know that the National Center awards this certification for Construction Education and Research. In order to become a certified NDT Technician with NDT-Radiographic Film Interpretation of Pipeline Welds, you will have to pass the exam with good grades. This certification does not need more than two years of work experience.
Key Takeaways
- Engineers and NDT technicians use NDT Methods to evaluate the integrity and quality of the product, observe abnormalities or defects, and make an informed decision about their maintenance or usage.
- It is highly important for the inspectors to be certified and have the proper knowledge & skills to execute testing procedures. To know more about the relevant subject, contact the experts at OnestopNDT
