Financial Help with Training

Typically these are the considerations usually put forward for those NDT operators looking to move up to Level 3 – there are others of course – your Company needs you to; maybe there is more money or more responsibility on offer. But whatever the reason there are still plenty of candidates for the Level 3 exams.

First Things First

Let’s however start off with a review of exactly what a Level 3 is and what he/she can do and of course what exams are needed.

There are two types of Level 3 programme available – the eligibility requirements are pretty much the same and the best route in my opinion is work experience at the Level 2 in your chosen method of around 6 years. Alternative eligibility parameters come into play depending on your level of relevant education but we recommend that your best starting point is good practical work experience in a variety of NDT methods over a number of years.

The first type of Level 3 programme is provided by the Central Certification Programmes – EN4731 (PCN2), ISO 97123 (PCN) and the ASNT Level 3 Certification programme; then secondly are the Employer-based Certification Programmes essentially all based around SNT-TC-1A4, which have their own specific requirements but must all be documented within the Company Written Practice.

A Level 3 within an employer based programme can only be a Level 3 for that Company within the limits of their Quality System requirements reflected in the Written Practice.

ASNT NDT L3 examinations are fairly straightforward to explain:

You must pass the Basic ASNT Examination and you must pass a Method Examination.

PCN Level 3 requires that:

You must pass the Basic PCN Examination and you must pass a Method Examination, plus for PCN you must hold the relevant Level 2 Certificate at the time of the examination – or pass the Level 2 practical within the Method exam

Basic Examination

Both systems follow the same pattern – all questions are multiple choice and all cover:

· Questions on the certification system (for example SNT-TC-1A/CP18910 or PCN Gen).
· Product Technology
· Other NDT Methods at Level 2

Variation:

PCN questions on its General document allow use of the document; ASNT questions do not.
PCN only asks questions on four methods at Level 2 including the method being examined (and if you hold a PCN Level 2 you are exempt those questions relating to the Method held). ASNT, however, asks questions in 11 NDT methods at Level 2 and no exemptions are allowed.

For the ASNT Basic exams you will be given about 135 multi choice questions to be answered in 4 hours; for PCN there are a maximum of 100 multichoice questions to be answered in 3 hours.

Method Exam

ASNT covers all the following at Level 3:

Ultrasonic Testing*
Visual Testing*
Radiographic Testing*
Neutron Radiography Testing
Liquid Penetrant Testing*
Thermography/Infrared Testing
Magnetic Testing*
Leak Testing
Eddy Current Testing*
Vibration Analysis
Acoustic Emission

* PCN currently covers those methods identified with an asterisk, plus Time of Flight Diffraction (TOFD) and, most recently, Alternating Current Field Method (ACFM). Additionally, any PCN Method exams may be broken down into sectors which maybe examined separately at Level 3. For example, as stated earlier, ASNT only examines in UT whereas PCN Level 3 UT would be castings, welds, wrought products, axle testing or time of flight.

Further, PCN requires a Specific test and a Practical test (the writing of a procedure) which are not required by the ASNT Level 3 programme. The ASNT method paper has 90 questions for (MT, PT and VT) and 130 questions for the other Methods; the PCN Method paper is divided into general – 30 questions, Specific 20 questions and the drafting of at least one procedure (plus the Level 2 practical exam if not already held).

ASNT publishes a Recommended Practice SNT-TC-1A for the Employer to establish a Company Written Practice as to how the Company trains its NDT Personnel. The current issue is 2001, although it is not unusual for a Company to quote the ’96 or ’92 version. Employer based certification is only valid through the requirements of the Written Practice and provides certification to Levels 1, 2 and 3 to the specific products and Procedures of the Employer. Please note that Company Level 3 to a Written Practice based on SNT-TC-1A is not to be confused with ASNT NDT Level 3 already described under Central Certification.

SNT-TC-1A

A Company Level 3 exam will follow the requirements of the Written Practice, which will be based on SNT-TC-1A as follows:

Basic Examination (required only once when more than one method examination is taken):

15 questions relating to understanding the SNT-TC-1A document.

20 questions relating to applicable materials, fabrication and product technology.

20 questions that are similar to publishes Level 2 questions for other appropriate NDT methods.

Method Examination (for each method):

30 questions relating to fundamentals and principles that are similar to published ASNT Level 3 question for each method.

15 questions relating to application and establishment of techniques and procedures that are similar to the published ASNT level 3 question for each method.

20 questions relating to capability for interpreting codes, standards and specifications relating to the method.

Specific Examination (for each method):

20 questions relating to specifications, equipment, techniques and procedures applicable to the employer’s product(s) and methods employed and to the administration of the employer’s written practice.

The employer may delete the specific examination if the candidate has a valid ASNT Level 3 certificate in the method and if documented evidence of experience exists, including the preparation of procedures to codes, standards, or specifications and the evaluation of test results.

Note there is no practical exam here or indeed a requirement to hold a Level 2 practical.

There are a wide range of texts prepared by eminent NDT technologists from around the world which can be used as resource material, as well as an increasing number of trainers accredited to provide training at Level 3.

You need to be prepared to spend a bit too, here is a rough estimate of costs:

a) Likely Exam fee (based on 2005 fees for new candidates)

Entry fee £300
Each exam £200

Lets say you will take Basic £200
MT £200
UT £200
Plus Entry Fee £300

Non ASNT member fee £ 55

Total for two methods say £955

b) Books: Basic Level 3 Study Guide
Product Technology Book
Major cover all texts

Each Method: Level 3 Study Guide
Major Method Texts
Question & Answer Book

For Basic, MT, UT – say £1000

c) Training - say

1 x 5 days for each exam plus
1 x 5 days review in March 2004

4 weeks at say £2-3000

d) Ball park figure say £5000 to cover Basic, MT and UT