The Certification Process
Training
The training can be obtained from NDT Training Center AB, but can also be done internally at a company or with other training center. Before the certification, NDT Training Center will approve that the training meets the required requirements. If such training is to be included in the certificate, the course certificate and the certificate of course content must be presented.
Guidelines for course content: see ISO/TR 25108.
The course coverage must meet the requirements contained in SS-EN ISO 9712, see below:
Method Hours of training
ET1 40
ET2 48
ET3 48
MT2* 40
MT3 32
PT2* 40
PT3 24
VT2* 40
VT3 24
RT1 40 (radiation protection course is not included)
RT2 80
RT3 40
UT1 64 (valid for Nordtest examination, or else 40 h)
UT2 80
UT3 40
PAUT1 40
PAUT2 40
DRT 32
Remark
The above times indicate general requirements. Course coverage can be adjusted and shorter if the certification is to be limited in scope or increased for Level 3 certification if the person does not have sufficient undergraduate education. See further in the governing document (EN ISO 9712).
Vision test
The candidate must show a verification that he or she has visual ability as described below:
- Appearance: Will be able to read Jaeger number 1 or Times Roman N4.5 or equivalent as well
- Color appearance: shall be able to distinguish contrasts needed for the affected NDT method. One common method is to use Ishihara’s test.
Vision test can also be conducted in connection with the examination at NDT Training Center in Västerås.
Examination
The examinations are the knowledge tests that are conducted to demonstrate sufficient knowledge within the relevant method and level. It is conducted under controlled forms at an examination center within NDT Training Center AB under the supervision of an approved examiner.
Grade 1 and 2 tests are divided into three parts: General Exam, Special Exam and Practical Exam.
For level 3, the test is divided into a base part (general part) and a method part.
The basic part includes knowledge tests in:
- Material knowledge, crash mechanics and manufacturing methods (Sub-sample A)
- Certification System (part B)
- General knowledge of the NDT methods (part C).
The methodology test will demonstrate knowledge in the applied method and consist of:
- General knowledge of the applied method (part D)
Special tests regarding knowledge of standards and norms for the relevant sector (part E)
Issue of a testing procedure (part F)
—
General test
In the general test, no tools except calculators are allowed. The time for the test is usually 1 hour. The questions are always multiple choice type with four answer options where one correct answer should be marked. The number of questions varies slightly depending on the level and method:
- ET, RT and UT: 40 questions
- MT, PT and VT: 30 questions
Special exam
On the special exam, applicable standards and tables (approved by the examiner) may be used. The time for the test is usually 1.5 hours. Typically, the multiple choice questions are four response options. Normally, the sample consists of 30 questions, but may vary depending on the limitation or extension of certificate permissions.
In order to be approved, at least 70% of the questions on a written exam must be answered correctly. This applies regardless of method or level.
Practical test
The practical test consists of the student being able to detect known defects in selected objects. The number of items varies according to method, level and selected sectors (eg. welding, castings or multi-sector). The time for practical tests is usually 4 to 8 hours.
The students are allowed to use their own equipment during examination. One condition is that the equipment is approved by the examiner and that it is calibrated.
In order to be approved for the practical test, a 70% result must be reached.
Deductions are obtained if defects found in the facit are not detected and if defects are reported that are not in the facit. If such maandatory defects are not detected, the student automatically fail the examination.
The practical part for level 2 also includes writing a work instruction which is supposed to be aimed at a level 1 person. The duration of this test is 1.5 hours.
Re-certification
If the result of a partial test (general, special, practical or work instruction) falls below 70%, the student may re-submit the test. Two attempts are allowed. Re-certification can be done not earlier than 30 days and within two years after the ground examinations in accordance with the rules of EN ISO 9712. Has the examination been made under 2012 (according to EN 473) then it must be carried out within 30 days and within one year after the ground exam.
Certifiering
When all requirements are met, the student or employer applies for certification. This is done by completing the form “application for certification” and sending it to NDT Training Center AB. The student will not get a certificate automatically as the exam is approved so you must apply for it.
The application must clearly state all the information requested, especially those relating to internship tasks. If required, NDT Training Center may request additional information. Together with the application, the student must send a visual test (if not performed by NDT TC), and a certificate of attestation (if the training is not held by NDT TC).
As the student signs the application, she or he at the same time agrees to comply with the ethical rules that apply to EN ISO 9712 and Nordtest. These rules can be found on the NDT TC website under “Download”.
In legal terms, the certification body owns the issued certificates. For this reason, NDT TC also has the right and obligation to withdraw the certificate in case of gross violation of the ethical rules.
For certification, certain time is required for work experience in the requested sector. This period may vary from a few months up to several years for certain methods or levels. The experience must be obtained within two years after the approved examination.
Below is the required number of months of practical experience for the respective method and level:
|
|
ET |
PT |
MT |
RT |
UT |
VT |
PAUT |
DRT |
|
Level 1 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
– |
|
Level 2* |
9 |
3 |
3 |
9 |
9 |
3 |
3 |
4 |
|
Level 3** |
18 |
12 |
12 |
18 |
18 |
12 |
12 |
12 |
*In case of direct access to Level 2, the time for Level 1 is counted (eg direct access to PT 2 gives a time of 1+3 months).
**With direct access to level 3, the time for level 2 is counted (eg direct access to UT 3 gives a time of 12+18 months). These requirements assume that the examiner has approved education from the upper secondary school or equivalent, otherwise the time shall be multiplied by a factor of 2.
Even if a person receives a signed certificate from NDT Training Center, it is not valid until the certificate holder has been authorized by the employer for the duties relevant to the validity of the certificate (see further under the Authorization section). The certificate’s validity is 5 years which starts when the examination is approved.
Authorization
Authorization means that the employer certifies that the certificate holder meets specified requirements regarding company routines, industry experience, special skills for certain applications etc. When all this is met, the employer signs the certificate on the designated field. Only now is the certificate valid for use.
Subsequently, the certificate shall be authorized annually, whereby the employer certifies that the person maintains the competence.
The annual authorization is repeated until the certificate is 5 years old, then a renewal of the certificate is requested.
Extension
After the certificate’s first validity period of 5 years, it may be extended for a further five-year period. For an extension, the certificate holder must fill out the form “application for extension” and send it to NDT TC.
The requirement for the extension to be approved by NDT TC is that the certificate holder has continuously worked for the previous five-year period (has not been held for a continuous period of more than 12 months) and may have an approved synthesis.
The certificate is valid for a second five-year period and will also be authorized annually. After 5 years of the second period of validity (10 years after the first issue of the certificate), the certificate holder shall undergo a 10-year recertification to continue to be certified.
10 year recertification
There is no formal requirement for training for re-certification but it is recommended, partly because it helps to be approved for the exam. In addition, during the refresh training, new standards and techniques are announced in the method.
Nordtest recertification generally means half the number of practical items compared to the basic examinations.
For level 3, the structured merit system can be applied. This means that the certificate holder can earn credits for his level 3 work within the method that forms the basis for the recertification. If sufficient marks can not be achieved, re-certification with a test must be conducted, which means part B and D for Level 3 (the Certification System Exam or the Specific Method Submission). At the 10 year re-certification for Level 3, it will also be verified that the certificate holder still possesses the right knowledge for the practical execution. If this can not be confirmed, a practical exam corresponding to what level 2 is undergoing must be performed.
When the requirements for recertification are met, the form “Application for Recertification” is filled in and sent to NDT TC. Together with the application, a visual test must also be submitted.