CP-ASNT-1E
ASNT NDT Level III Program
1. Scope
1.1. It is recognized that the effectiveness of nondestructive testing NDT and predictive maintenance
(PdM) applications depends upon the capabilities of the personnel who are responsible for, and
perform, NDT or PdM. The ASNT NDT Level III program provides third-party certification for
NDT or PdM personnel whose specific jobs require appropriate knowledge of the technical
principles underlying the test they perform, witness, monitor, or evaluate.
1.2. This document establishes the system for ASNT NDT Level III certification in nondestructive
testing and predictive maintenance in accordance with Recommended Practice No. SNT-TC-1A:
Personnel Qualification and Certification in Nondestructive Testing (SNT-TC-1A).
Certification under this system results in the issuance of an ASNT Certification Services, LLC
certificate attesting to the fact that the certificate holder has met the published guidelines for the
Basic and Method Examinations as detailed in SNT-TC-1A.
2. Definitions
2.1. ASNT Certification Services, LLC certification: The process whereby ASNT Certification
Services, LLC certifies that an individual has met the Basic and Method Examination guidelines
of SNT-TC-1A.
2.2. ASNT NDT Level III: An individual who, having passed ASNT Certification Services, LL
administered Basic and Method(s) Examinations, holds a current, valid ASNT Certification
Services, LLC NDT Level III certificate in at least one method.
2.3. Certification: Written testimony of qualification.
2.4. Employer: the corporate, private, or public entity that employs personnel for wages or salary and
is responsible for authorizing personnel to perform NDT or PdM.
2.5. Examination, NDT Basic: a Level III written examination of knowledge of materials science and
processes technology, NDT personnel qualification and certification, and the basic principles of
NDT methods.
2.6. Examination, PdM Basic: a Level III written examination of knowledge of machinery
technology, PdM personnel qualification and certification, and the basic principles of PdM
methods.
2.7. Examination, Method: a Level III written examination on the principles, theory, techniques and
applications within an NDT/PdM method.
2.8. Examination, Specific: an examination on specifications, equipment, techniques, and procedures
applicable to the employer’s product(s) and methods.
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2.9. Experience: work activities accomplished in the applicable NDT/PdM method under the
direction of qualified supervision, including the performance of the method and related activities
but not including time spent in organized training programs.
2.10. Qualification: demonstration or possession of education, skills, training, knowledge, and
experience required for personnel to properly perform NDT to a level as specified in this
document.
2.11. Recertification: The process of extending one’s certification after the initial period of validity
and maintaining certification for a specified period thereafter.
2.12. SNT-TC-1A: The NDT Personnel Qualification and Certification in Nondestructive Testing
document providing the guidelines for the establishment of qualification and certification
programs for NDT.
2.13. Training: an organized program developed to impart the knowledge and skills necessary for
qualification.
3. Certification Outcome
3.1. An ASNT NDT Level III certificate holder shall have the skills and knowledge to establish
techniques, to interpret codes, standards, and specifications, and to prepare or approve
procedures and instructions.
3.2. An ASNT NDT Level III shall also have general familiarity with other nondestructive testing
methods, shall 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 shall 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.
3.3. An ASNT PdM Level III shall also have general familiarity with other predictive maintenance
methods, shall 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 shall have
knowledge of applicable machinery technology in order to establish techniques and to assist in
establishing acceptance criteria when none are otherwise available.
4. Eligibility for Examination
4.1. ASNT Certification Services, LLC has no restrictions relative to the gender, creed, race, or
nationality of applicants.
4.2. Candidates shall have a combination of education and experience in accordance with the
guidelines in SNT-TC-1A.
4.3. When applying for examination(s), the candidate shall document the validity of the personal
information requested, including education and experience needed to establish eligibility.
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4.4. The candidate shall agree to abide by the code of ethics for ASNT NDT Level III personnel.
4.5. A maximum of three (3) examinations in any Method or the Basic Examination is permitted
within a two (2) year period.
4.5.1. A candidate that fails the initial Basic or Method Examination shall not be permitted to
retake the examination for thirty (30) days from the date of failure.
4.5.2. A candidate that fails the Basic or Method Examination for a second (2nd) time shall not
be permitted to retake the examination for ninety (90) days from the date of failure.
4.5.3. A candidate that fails the Basic or Method Examination for a third (3rd) time shall not be
permitted to retake the examination for one (1) year from the date of failure and must
reapply as a new candidate. In no case, shall an individual be permitted to sit for an
examination more than three (3) times in a two (2) year period.
5. Qualification Examinations
5.1. Eligibility. All ASNT NDT Level III Candidates must successfully complete both:
5.1.1. a Basic Examination, regardless of the method(s) for which the candidate seeks
certification; and
5.1.2. a Method Examination, which is given at the candidates’ request, in one or more of 11
different NDT methods, or two PdM methods.
5.2. Examination Descriptions
5.2.1. NDT Basic Examination: This written examination consists of 135 questions that assess
the candidate’s knowledge of:
5.2.1.1. other NDT methods as required for ASNT NDT Level II Personnel;
5.2.1.2. materials, fabrication, and product technology; and
5.2.1.3. qualification and certification according to the ASNT, SNT-TC-1A, and
ANSI/ASNT CP-189, latest edition.
5.2.2. PdM Basic Examination: This written examination consists of 90 questions that assess
the candidate’s knowledge of:
5.2.2.1. other PdM methods as required for ASNT NDT Level II Personnel;
5.2.2.2. applicable machinery technology; and
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5.2.2.3. qualification and certification according to the ASNT, SNT-TC-1A, and
ANSI/ASNT CP-189, latest edition.
5.2.3. Method Examination: This written examination consists of a minimum of 90 questions
that assess the candidate’s knowledge and application of fundamentals, principles, and
techniques for that method in which certification is sought. The Method Examination
may include a portion that examines the candidate’s ability to comprehend a specification
and apply its requirements.
5.3. NDT/PdM or PdM/NDT Conversion
5.3.1. Personnel with currently valid NDT Certificates in Methods for which PdM Certification
is available may attain PdM Certification in those Methods by successfully completing
the PdM Basic Examination.
5.3.2. Personnel with currently valid PdM Certificates may attain NDT Certification in those
Methods by successfully completing the NDT Basic Examination.
5.4. Employer Responsibility
5.4.1. Additional, specific examinations may be required by employers, customers, or other
bodies. Examinations for specialized NDT/PdM techniques or unique product forms are
the responsibility of the employer and are outside the scope of this document.
5.5. Examination Grading
5.5.1. The grading of qualification examinations shall be done by the International Service
Center (ISC) Certification Department in accordance with nationally accepted
psychometric principles.
6. Examination Results
6.1. Candidates that successfully pass all required examinations for ASNT Certification Services,
LLC certification, shall be issued certification documents as described in 7.0, Certification.
6.2. Candidates that do not pass all required examinations for ASNT Certification Services, LLC
certification will be sent written notification of their results and may reapply to retake the failed
examinations.
6.3. For employers wishing to use ASNT Certification Services, LLC as a third-party examination
source for the purpose of adding methods for in-house Level III personnel, examination results
will be sent by letter only. No certificate will be issued.
6.4. Notification of results will be sent to each candidate within thirty (30) business days from the
date of the examination.
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7. Certification
7.1. Based on successful completion of the necessary qualification examinations, ASNT Certification
Services, LLC will issue the candidate an ASNT Certification Services, LLC certificate and
wallet card.
7.2. ASNT Certification Services, LLC certification attests to an individual having satisfied the
requirements for the Basic and Method Examinations as detailed in SNT-TC-1A. This does not
constitute license or authorization to perform NDT or PdM, as the employer has the sole
responsibility for authorizing employees to perform NDT/PdM. The employer, through a Level
III, or other designated person as denoted in the employer’s written practice, should review the
individual’s qualification records for satisfactory completeness prior to authorizing the individual
to perform NDT or PdM. These records shall be retained as specified SNT-TC-1A.
7.3. ASNT NDT and PdM Level III certificates and wallet cards remain the property of ASNT
Certification Services, LLC and shall be surrendered to ASNT Certification Services, LLC on
demand.
8. Validity
8.1. Initial certification shall be valid for a period of (5) years, with the certification period to start on
the date that a candidate successfully passes both the Basic and Method Examinations.
8.1.1. When the Basic Examination is passed, that result shall remain valid for a period of 5
years from the examination date. If the Method Examination is not passed within that
period, the Basic Examination must be retaken.
8.1.2. When the Method Examination is passed, that result shall remain valid for a period of 2
years from the examination date. If the Basic examination is not passed within that
period, the Method examination must be retaken.
8.2. Certification shall be revoked if ASNT Certification Services, LLC determines that an ASNT
Certification Services, LLC certificate holder has violated the ASNT Certification Services, LLC
NDT Level III Code of Ethics.
9. Recertification
9.1. Recertification is required at five (5) year intervals in order to extend certification beyond the
initial or previous period of validity.
9.2. Certified individuals may recertify in one of the following two ways:
9.2.1. By examination, prior to expiration of certification in the applicable method. The Basic
Examination does not have to be taken again as long as certification is continuously
maintained; or
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9.2.2. By application through points, demonstrating a combination of active employment and
continuing participation/education in NDT/PdM.
9.3. Personnel that attempt renewal by examination and fail an examination may not renew by points
in that test method until the examination has been passed.
10. Applicant Rights
10.1. Appeals, Complaints, and Disputes: An appeals process exists for the resolution of appeals,
complaints, and disputes received from candidates, certified persons, their employers and other
parties regarding the certification process, qualification criteria, or the performance of certified
persons.
10.2. Confidentiality: Information gained in the course of the certification process shall not be
disclosed to any third party except as required by law.
11. Program Changes
Changes to the ASNT NDT Level III program are posted on the ASNT Certification Services, LLC
Website, at asntcertification.org under the “Certification” link, and notification of changes will be
published in the ASNT monthly periodical, Materials Evaluation magazine.
12. Accommodation for Disabilities
ASNT Certification Services, LLC will make appropriate accommodations for persons with documented
disabilities. Candidates should contact the ISC Certification Department prior to examination dates to
arrange special accommodations.
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