Qualification Requirements for

NDT Level II Inspectors

vs.
NDT Personnel Performing
“Contractor Oversight Only”
(No Inspection for Acceptance)

NDT Working Group Topic

3-5 May 2011
SERMC - Mayport Naval Station
Presenter – Richard Adams
NSSA RMC Det. Naples Italy
NDT Level II Inspection Personnel OJT
Requirements (Contractor Oversight Only)
OBJECTIVES:

I. Discuss the current requirements for Hours of

Training and Experience

II. Discuss some “Problematic Issues” relating to the

acquisition of “On The Job Training” for NDT Level II
Inspection Personnel

III. Propose a more realistic expectation for “On The

Job” Training requirements specific to NDT
Personnel performing “Oversight of Contractors Only”
I. Hours of Training and Experience;
Requirements

• NAVSEA Technical Publication 271

• Guidelines of SNT-TC-1A
• Local Written Practice
• NAVSEA S9086-CH-STM-020, CH 074 Volume 2
(Military Only)
• COMFLTFORCOMINST 4790.3 REV. B, Vol. VII, Ch 11
– Qualification per NSTP 271
– Qualification per NAVSEA0900-LP-001-7000
210

280

840

210
II. Problems acquiring “On The Job Training”
for NDT Level II Inspection Personnel
Factors impacting the acquisition of NDT OJT

• Limited Opportunity to conduct NDT (work not there)

– Smaller work packages
– Modular systems installed shipboard
– Longer time spans between availabilities
– Prioritization of maintenance activities
– Limitations to the type of work that can be
accomplished in overseas locations
III. A more realistic expectation for “On The
Job” Training requirements
• COMFLTFORCOMINST 4790.3 REV. B, Vol. VII, Ch 11,
paragraph :

• 11.3.3 Nondestructive Test Personnel Requirements.

Specialized training, experience and certification in the
applicable Nondestructive Testing (NDT) method is
required for each individual performing PE, PVI, process
quality audits and actual accomplishment of the NDT
method.
• Unless otherwise specified herein, NDT personnel
shall be certified in accordance with references (f) and
(g), as applicable.
III. A more realistic expectation for “On
The Job” Training requirements
• COMFLTFORCOMINST 4790.3 REV. B, Vol. VII, Ch 11,
paragraph :

• 11.3.3.1 Training/Qualification. Training programs may

be developed by the RMC or attained from Portsmouth
Naval Shipyard (PNS). ……..
• Work-time-experience required as a prerequisite for NDT
certification must be obtained by actual experience or by
performance of PR, PE, PVI or process quality audits of
a contractor's inspection functions in the applicable NDT
method under the guidance of a certified Level II
(Inspector) or Level III (Examiner).
III. A more realistic expectation for “On The
Job” Training requirements
• COMFLTFORCOMINST 4790.3 REV. B, Vol. VII, Ch 11,
paragraph :

• 11.3.3.4 Certification Maintenance. Examiner personnel

are to recertify at ……..
• Inspector personnel will recertify and perform
documented verification of use of the applicable NDT
method at intervals specified in reference (f). The
required periodic maintenance of certification for
Inspector personnel may consist of actual performance
of the applicable NDT method, or by performance of a
documented PR, PE, PVI or by a process quality audit in
the applicable NDT method.
III. A more realistic expectation for “On The
Job” Training requirements
• OJT Hours currently required:
– Currently 210 hours required for VT / PT
– Currently 280 hours required for MT
– Currently 840 hours required for UT

• Proposal applicable to NDT Personnel performing “Oversight of

Contractors Only” and not performing NDT for acceptance:

– VT / PT / MT / UT – 80 hours of OJT (per method)

– This OJT shall consist of:
• Hands on utilizing the applicable NDT Method under the
direct cognizance of a Level II Inspector or Level III Examiner
• NDT Procedure Review and Evaluation to the requirements
of NSTP 271 & N/S 7000 as applicable
• Performing PE, PVI, process quality audits and actual
accomplishment of the NDT method
Conclusion
• NDT Level II Inspector Training is a Requirement
• Classroom / administrative training can be controlled by
management / Level III Examiners
• OJT Hours currently required are very difficult (if not
impossible) to obtain based on available workload
• NDT Personnel performing “Contractor Oversight Only
must be able to ensure Contractor NDT Procedures’
conformance to NSTP 271
• NDT Personnel performing Contractor Oversight Only”
must be able to ensure the NDT Inspector (KTR) is in
compliance with his procedure
• Realignment of the OJT Requirement can better serve
the US Govt. in it’s role of Contractor Oversight resulting
in significant saving and a more realistic approach to the
qualification of our NDT Personnel.