ICNDT – WCNDTJoint Workshop onCertification ofPersonnel 2024 Report
ICNDT is formally registered as a legal association inVienna in accordance with the Austrian Corporations
Act and has a bank account to conduct financial
business transactions.

The constitution meets the requirementsof the Austrian Corporations Act.

This is the report on a Joint ICNDT – EFNDT Workshop held in Lisbon
at the ECNDT July 2023.

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INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING
Summary Report for ICNDT – EFNDT Joint Certification Workshop 2023

Introduction.

A joint WCNDT – ICNDT workshop entitled ICNDT Certification Workshop was held during the 20th WCNDTconference held in Incheon Korea. It was a well-attended workshop with seven presentations provided by attendees
to the conference and ICNDT members with lively discussion after each paper
Papers were given by: Sajeesh K Babu Chair of ICNDT, NDTSS – SGNDT Certification Scheme in compliance with ISO
9712:2021 & SS ISO 9712:2022. David Bajula vice chair of ASNT CMC and Chair of ISO TC 135 TAG, Administrationof ASNT- 9712 Certification Program – Achieving Operational Excellence; Diwakar Joshi, Indian Society for NDT andMember of ICNDT WG1, International Certification in NDT (ICN) from ISNT; ; Mike Farley past Chair of ICNDT, MutualRecognition of Personnel Certification as an aid to the globalisation of NDT; Harold Jansen SAIW Manager and ICNDT- ICEC Chair, ICNDT Examination Question Bank; Colin Bird ICEC Secretary, Education Gaps between Level 3 andAdvanced Technology; Patrick Boulton PCN Certification Engineer.
This report summarises the presented papers and suggests some conclusions. There is a link to the ICNDT website
where the presentations can be foundINTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING
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Summary Report for ICNDT – EFNDT Joint Certification Workshop 2023

Paper Summaries
Administration of ASNT- 9712 Certification Program – Achieving Operational ExcellenceDavid Bajula presented a detailed paper on the ASNT- 9712 Certification Program highlighting the change
from the previous ACCP to ISO 9712:2021 edition.
David stated that ASNT has now transitioned out of ACCP and is now fully compliant with ISO 9712:2021 and that
ASNT were seeking global mutual recognition agreements.
David’s presentation detailed that the new ISO 9712:2021 certification scheme included both hands- on andcomputer- based examinations providing consistency where employer based programs may not.
He provided a detailed presentation of the psychometric testing that is performed on the examination system ofboth the theoretical examination questions and the practical examinations. As part of the presentation, he
provided a detailed look at the psychometric used by the ASNT scheme. In particular he demonstrated the use ofAnghoff values for assessing the suitability and level of questions showing the rejection levels for questions. Ifthey are either too hard or too easy questions are rejected and sent for re-assessment. He detailed thepsychometric testing on examination test pieces including defect characterisation candidate results. Inconclusion he provided a very detailed look at the control put into the ASNT certification system.
International Certification in NDT (ICN) from ISNT
Diwakar Joshi presented the work of ISNT emphasising the importance of education and that NDT is central tomuch of the plant and machinery in this world.
The main emphasis of the presentation was education stating that NDT technicians only perform successful workwhen they are fully educated with not just the basic NDT techniques but understanding their own and thetechnique limitations. As part of the presentation robust training was emphasised and that the ISNT system has
minimum education requirements for the level 1, 2 and 3 certifications. As an example, the Level 3 certificate
holders require a minimum of a Diploma in Engineering or two years science or engineering further education. Itwas noted that ISO 9712 does not specify a minimum education level.
As part of the education provision within the ISNT system, ISNT is organised into 19 regions/chapters whichorganise seminars, webinars and college courses in addition to the larger conferences organised by ISNT.
In conclusion, Mr Diwakar Joshi emphasised education in addition to a well- run central certification system tocreate NDT technicians fully educated for their work is gaining popularity within India.
NDTSS – SGNDT Certification Scheme in compliance with ISO 9712:2021 & SS ISO 9712:2022
Sajeesh Kumar Babu presented a detailed examination of the Singapore certifications scheme with respect to ISO
9712:2021. In particular, Sajeesh noted that ISO 9712:2021 is potentially expensive and time consuming toadminister with the detailed checks that are required and the detailed sector specific examinations andrequirements. Sajeesh explained how NDTSS has created a simple but detailed semi-automated certification
scheme including simple to use application forms for examination candidates.
One of the key features of the NDTSS scheme was the simple approach to re-certification - accepting certificatesrecognised under the IAF MRA for ISO/IEC 17024 & ICNDT/EFNDT MRAs and held at acceptable examination
centres as defined in their scheme manual. In particular, NDTSS recognises all ICNDT Schedule 2 MRAcertificates.
Sajeesh introduced the on-line theory examination system which uses the same platform as being launched byICNDT ICEC for its Examination Question Bank. This system provides statistical information about each questionINTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING
5Summary Report for ICNDT – EFNDT Joint Certification Workshop 2023
and candidate , thereby giving information for psychometric testing of the examination questions. The securityof the system and the control of the examination material was emphasised.
The certification system provides the technicians an efficient on-line method of logging their NDT activities withrespect to the recertification process providing an instant report on their progress to use for the renewal of theircertificate. A further aid to the technician is the provision of reminders when their certificate is within 9 monthsof requiring renewal.
In conclusion NDTSS has developed a highly efficient certification scheme to aid both the technicians and thescheme management based upon and complying with ISO9712:2021.
Mutual Recognition of Personnel Certification as an aid to the globalisation of NDTMike Farley opened his presentation with a reminder to all that designing, building and operation of plant andmachinery is a globalised business. He emphasised that this is true for all sectors where safety is important andparticularly where complex supply chains are present. To enable this global business, we need NDT certificates
which are globally recognised. This being supported by the ICNDT MRA and the ICNDT Guide.
Mike provided a short historical recap of how ICNDT has successfully started and coordinated MRA activities
since 2008 with the start of the ICNDT Schedule 1 MRA launched in 2013 in Croatia aiding more efficient trading.
Now the ICNDT MRA covers much of the world’s NDT economy With NDT societies in 47 countries signed up torecognise certification provided by 20 certification bodies globally.
In conclusion, Dr Farley said that although systems are in place through the MRA to achieve harmonisation at ahigh level of quality, the vision of widespread mutual recognition is still unfulfilled.
To avoid unnecessary
costs, wasting of time, frustration and de-motivation we need Certification Bodies to find more opportunities torecognise training, experience, examinations and certificates gained in the other PCBs in the ICNDT MRA
Schedule 2. We need other bodies/codes (examples are ASME, EN4179/ NAS410, ANDE) to recognise ISO
9712 certification. If the MRA did not exist it would need to be invented and it will become more important asskills shortages worsen

ICNDT Examination Question Bank
Harold Jansen provided a detailed presentation of the ICNDT On-line Examination Question Bank (EQB). This
presentation included an on-line demonstration to the audience who were given a QR code to log in and try theEQB during the presentation.
Harold presented his mission to provide a global NDT question bank “benchmark” which is cost effective anduser friendly. The challenge to provide a question bank fully compliant with ISO and other standards.
The strategic intent of ICNDT is to make the EQB available in 10 international business languages to ISO
9712:2021 and ISO/TS25107. All questions are to be referenced to accepted handbooks, publications orstandards and available in all the accepted NDT techniques.
He showed tables of the current distribution of questions within the EQB stating this needed to be improved toprovide the necessary distribution of questions according to ISO 9712.
The demonstration showed how ICNDT would licence the EQB out to approved PCBs and how they would control
the issue and delivery of the questions to their candidates. The demonstration showed how the exam was to becontrolled with respect to marking and issue of the test results.
From the live demonstration he showed how the anonymous candidates in the audience performed in the exam
showing the questions and marks and their overall scores in the examination. This demonstrated the sectors

INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING6Summary Report for ICNDT – EFNDT Joint Certification Workshop 2023
within the examinations and the performance of the test group and individual candidates. The demonstration
showed how the results can be used quickly and efficiently to provide psychometric results for the individualquestions within the EQB.
Harold stated that ICNDT WG1 will be used to update and review the current questions and then add questions
to the examination bank. Further any PCB which offered services such as translating the EQB into additional
languages will receive the EQB at a suitable reduced licence fee. Questions were asked during the presentation
about the cost of the licence. Harold stated that the intention was that there should be a small annual fee with acharge per examination. The charge currently is being discussed but expected to be less than €5 per exam.
In conclusion, a detailed presentation of the ICNDT on-line EQB was provided with a statement that it is theintention of it becoming available to ICNDT MRA members within a year. There was also a request for WG1members to volunteer effort in support of the EQB. Already a number of individual and PCBs within the MRA
have volunteered their assistance.
Education Gaps Between Level 3 and Advanced Technology
Colin Bird presented the case that NDT Level 3 personnel by the requirements of ISO 9712 are technicians aretechnicians and not fully qualified engineers. ISO 9712 does not provide a minimum education standard for NDTtechnicians however some PCB and institutions do require minimum education standards.
He pointed out for advanced NDT technology, such as array technology, the physics and mathematics involved isat a level much higher than the requirements for NDT Level 3s. and beyond the level of understanding of mostNDT trainers This is not a fault of training establishments, equipment manufacturers, or the level 3s themselves.
It is an evolved situation within NDT due to the with the rapid advancement of highly processed data. He
questioned “How can a level 3 in charge of procedure qualification where there is advanced technology including
AI possibly know how to qualify the procedure or technique?”. There is an education gap. He suggested thatcollaboration between universities, equipment manufacturers is required and it may be necessary for training
establishments to send their trainers on specialist courses to increase their knowledge of the physics of these
new technologies.
The presentation was followed with a good discussion and an overall agreement that the current provision oftraining for advanced technologies training needs to be improved.
Education with Respect to NDT Certification
Patrick Boulton presented how BINDT guides NDT education with the aim of both complying with and advancing
general NDT education within the UK and out with the UK. He gave the example of additive manufacturing which
is a relatively new manufacturing method providing NDT challenges. E.g. What are the material properties?; howdoes the manufacturing process effect the type and distribution of defects and flaws?; what are the likely inservice conditions and what defects will be created in service?. How do technicians select the appropriate NDTtechniques for these components?
The ISO 9712 standard states that the training durations specified assume that candidates have adequate
knowledge of materials and processes, and mathematics.
Patrick stated that BINDT has created a number of on-line self -teaching courses in materials and processes. Thesecontrol the time you spend on each slide and provides self -testing within the course, before progress to the next
topic or level.
He also stated the requirement BINDT is considering how to ensure candidates have adequate knowledge inmathematics.

Conclusions

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Summary Report for ICNDT – EFNDT Joint Certification Workshop 2023

A well supported and effective workshop was held during the 20th WCNDT conference in Incheon, Korea 2024.
There was lively questioning at the end of the workshop with only time limiting the questions.
It is concluded that there were two overall themes to the workshop:
1. Global harmonisation to ISO9712 is a necessity for the NDT global economy.
2. NDT Education needs to be broader and have a greater depth than that required for the current certificationlevels to meet the demand for new inspection technologies and new manufacturing processes and materials.
3. It was noted that during the debate at least 3 PCBs are examining and, in some cases, requiring theexamination candidates to demonstrate an education to a greater depth and breadth than required by ISO9712.

Acknowledgements
The author of this summary report wishes to thank the presenters for their contributions to a very successful
workshop and also thanks the contributors for their permission to publish their presentations.
The presentations can be read in full on the ICNDT web pages under https://www.icndt.org/ICNDTActivities/ICNDT-Documents.
Colin Bird ICEC Secretary for ICNDTINTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING
8Summary Report for ICNDT – EFNDT Joint Certification Workshop 2023

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