Is an NDT global normative standardization better than

employer-based recommended practices and standards?

Faculty ofAeronautical Engineering, Pontifical Bolivarian University,

Circular 1a No. 70-01, Medellin, Colombia

The work of NDT technicians is of great importance within the industry, a well-trained technician
can perform tests that result in the prevention of failures either in components or structures. Any
person wishing to be an NDT technician must meet basic training, knowledge and experience
requirements to ensure or support the reliability of the tests and thus their results. Certified
personnel must not only know how to run the tests, but also properly interpret their results, know
their applications, limitations, among others.[1]

Knowing, that the professional capacity of the person who is performing the NDT tests is
decisive, makes necessary the existence of recommended practices or standards to ensure that
the qualification process of the person trying to obtain a certification as an NDT technician, at
any of its levels, is appropriate. Such practices must be approved by the competent aeronautical
authority so that each company based on the standard of its choice can develop its own written
practice, in this case the employer is directly responsible for the certification process for its
NDT personnel. Some of the FAA-approved recommended practices are ANSI/ASNT CP-189-
2001, NAS 410, and SNTC-TC-1A. [1] There is another type of regulatory framework approved
by the aeronautical authority in which the personnel qualification process is carried out by an
independent agency and therefore the certification is carried out by an external rating body, that
normative framework is known as ISO-9712. [2]

Taking into account the variety of existing regulatory frameworks and the differences that might
exist between them, which will be exposed throughout this paper, and which could hinder the
standardization of processes in the industry, in addition to the lack of independence of the
certifying entity in cases where the same employer certifies its technicians. Is there a question
of whether or not would be more appropriate to have a global normative standardization for the
certification of NDT personnel?

First of all, it is important to mention some of the differences between the regulatory
frameworks, the first and most notorious of all, as mentioned above, is related to who performs
the qualification process and grants the required certificate, being in some cases the employer
or a neutral agency depending on the regulatory framework chosen ANSI/ASNT CP-189-2001,
NAS 410 and SNTC-TC-1a or ISO-9712. In addition to this there are differences in the number
of training hours and experience required by each standard, and in terms of the content of the
different recommended practices, for example, the SNTC-TC-1A provides recommendations
for developing a written practice [3], while ANSI/ASNT CP-189-2001 and NAS 410 contain
the minimum training, examination and certification requirements of the NDT personnel. [4][5]

Already knowing some of the differences between the different methods, it is important to
consider the advantages and disadvantages between the different certification programs. In
 those where it is necessary to develop a written practice by each company that provides NDT
services, adjustments can be made so that training and certification are focused at the specific
needs of the company, this can lead not only to cost reduction but also to a less tedious and strict
process of qualification and certification of the personnel [6], which is ultimately an important
advantage for companies that use this type of certification program. However, having a
regulatory framework that allows international harmonization like ISO-9712 would ensure
uniform levels of competence and testing standards in all countries, which would bring benefits
for companies around the world. Furthermore, the fact that the certification process is carried
out by an independent body gives greater reliability to the process which in turn increases the
confidence of all stakeholders. A global certification system allows to monitor that the
certification bodies comply with the established rules, in addition, since the process is performed
by external accredited body provides an international recognition to whoever obtains a
certification as NDT technician at any of its levels. [7]

Finally, in order to conclude and answer the question posed at the beginning of this essay, taking
into account the differences between processes with their respective advantages and
disadvantages, it is possible to state that having a global standardization regulation for the
qualification and certification processes for NDT personnel is more adequate than the one
commonly used based on written practices carried out by the employer based on approved
standards, not only because of the reliability that this type of certification process provides to
stakeholders thanks to its independence, but also because having a global regulatory framework
would allow to improve the level of training, which is fundamental in the field of non-
destructive testing, and create homogeneity of criteria in the certification requirements. Added
to all of the above is the fact that having a global standard would allow technicians to own their
certification and that it does not depend on their place of work, without exonerating the
employer from watching over the constant training of their personnel and evaluating their
performance.

References

[1] Federal Aviation Administration. Advisory Circular Advisory Circular. Advis Circ [Internet].
2012;(August):1–20. Available from:
http://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC 90-114.pdf

[2] Standardization FOR, Normalisation DE. International Standard Iso. 1987;1987.

[3] Testing N. 2001 ® 1941. 2001.

[4] Industries HTA. This Revised Standard is Equivalent in Technical Content to : 2003;(1):1–19.

[5] Society TA, Testing N. for Qualification and Certification of Nondestructive Testing 2001
Edition. 2001.

[6] Marini R, Ranos P, Α HAIS. Current Issues in Qualification and Certification of Non-
Destructive Testing Personnel in the Aerospace Industry. 2006;(January 2005):1–6.

[7] Rodríguez R. CERTIFICACIÓN ACREDITADA DE LAS COMPETENCIAS TÉCNICAS

DEL PERS ONAL QUE REALIZA DE ENS AYOS NO DES TRUCTIVOS Rodolfo
RODRÍGUEZ,. 2015;(August):1–15.