ICNDT Guide to
Qualification andCertificationof Personnel for
Inspection, Testing andCondition Monitoring
Published on behalf of ICNDT by the Publishing Department, The British Institute of Non-Destructive Testing,
Newton Building, St George’s Avenue, Northampton NN2 6JB, UK.
Tel: +44 (0)1604 89 3811 | Fax: +44 (0)1604 89 3861 | Email: info@bindt.org | Web: www.bindt.org

www.icndt.org

1 April 2012

ICNDT Guide to
Qualification andCertificationof Personnel for
Inspection, Testing andCondition Monitoring
1 April 2012
ICNDT will update this document periodically and will provide the latest version online via its website:www.icndt.org. Users of the document are strongly advised to check that they have the latest version of the document
and the referenced standards. Readers use the material herein at their own risk.
©2012 ICNDT2

ICNDT GUIDE TO QUALIFICATION AND CERTIFICATION
OF PERSONNEL FOR INSPECTION, TESTING AND CONDITION MONITORING

Contents
FOREWORDS ...................................................................................................................................................... 3
1. BACKGROUND ............................................................................................................................................... 4
2. RECOMMENDATIONS ON QUALIFICATION AND CERTIFICATION............................................................... 5
3. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE EMPLOYER ........................................................................................................... 5
4. REQUIREMENTS FOR NDT PERSONNEL CERTIFICATION BODIES ................................................................ 8

ICNDT GUIDE TO QUALIFICATION AND CERTIFICATION
OF PERSONNEL FOR INSPECTION, TESTING AND CONDITION MONITORING

Foreword by Chairman of ICNDTThe competence of those carrying out non-destructive testing is an essential pre-requisite for the achievement ofquality and reliability. Qualification and certification of NDT personnel in accordance with international standards
such as the unified EN ISO 9712 (Non-destructive testing – Qualification and certification of personnel) helps toassure the competence of NDT personnel and thereby assists global business and safety standards.
The ICNDT, with a track record exceeding 50 years in international cooperation in NDT, is dedicated to supporting
best practice in the implementation of standards through this Guide. As Chairman, I express thanks to my colleagues
in ICNDT, ISO and CEN for their assistance in preparing this document.
Mike Farley
Chairman, ICNDTAPPENDICES ........................................................................................................................................................ 9
Appendix 1:

The role of ICNDT and its regional groups in the harmonisation of qualificationand certification ........................................................................................................................... 10

Appendix 2:

Bibliography ................................................................................................................................ 14

Appendix 3:

Qualification and certification of NDT personnel in accordance with EN ISO 9712: 2012 .......... 15

Appendix 4:

Qualification of NDT personnel in accordance with EN ISO 20807 and ISO TS 11774 ............... 16

Appendix 5:

ASME position on recognition and acceptance of central certification programmes ..................... 18

Appendix 6:

Non-destructive testing under the European Pressure Equipment Directive (97/23/EC) ................. 20

Appendix 7:

Basic principles of NDT ............................................................................................................... 21

Appendix 11: Code of practice for personnel certification bodies ...................................................................... 28
Appendix 12: ICNDT membership directory ...................................................................................................... 28

Foreword by Chairmen of ISO TC135 and CEN TC138
Since the effectiveness of any application of non-destructive testing depends upon the capabilities of the persons
who perform or who are responsible for the test, a procedure was developed to provide a means for evaluating anddocumenting the competence of personnel whose duties require the appropriate theoretical and practical knowledgeof the non-destructive tests that they perform, specify, supervise, monitor or evaluate. An added incentive stems fromthe worldwide comparability of a wide range of industrial applications requiring common non-destructive testing
approaches.
It is recognised that the efforts of ICNDT have made a valuable contribution to the implementation of the numerous
schemes for qualification and certification of NDT personnel. An extensive application of this Guide within industry
will improve reliability of industrial products and safety of the worldwide community.
Hajime Hatano
ISO TC135 Chairman

Patrick Fallouey
CEN TC138 Chairman

Foreword by Chairman of the PGP and Editorial Committee
The original Guide, ‘ICNDT Recommended Guidelines for Qualification and Certification of NDT Personnel according
to ISO 9712’, was published in June 2004 at the 16th WCNDT in Montreal, based on a first draft produced by
Mr G Nardoni. The first update was approved for publication at the 17th WCNDT in Shanghai. This version is published
to coincide with the 18th WCNDT in Durban and the agreements in ISO and CEN to unify ISO 9712 and EN 473
in a new standard EN ISO 9712, to be published in 2012, and the developments underway in ICNDT to create aninternational Multilateral Recognition Agreement.
ICNDT will update this document periodically and will provide the latest version online via its website (www.icndt.
org). Users are strongly advised to check that they have the latest version of this document and the referenced
standards. Comments and suggestions are welcome and should be sent to the ICNDT secretariat.
Douglas Marshall
Chairman PGP and Editorial Committee

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ICNDT GUIDE TO QUALIFICATION AND CERTIFICATION
OF PERSONNEL FOR INSPECTION, TESTING AND CONDITION MONITORING

1. Background
The prime purpose of this Guide, which has been prepared under the auspices of the International Committee for
Non-Destructive Testing (ICNDT), is to promote best practice in the qualification and certification of NDT personnel
according to the international standard EN ISO 9712.
The competence of NDT personnel is a key element in achieving reliability in non-destructive testing (NDT) and isvital to ensure the quality and safety of products and installations. The ICNDT Guide is of importance to all tiers in the
management of NDT operations: regulators, inspection bodies, certification bodies, industry, NDT service companies
and supervisors of NDT personnel.
The ICNDT has promoted worldwide dissemination of NDT technologies and the harmonisation of personnel
certification schemes for more than 45 years. The decision by ICNDT to promote the adoption of EN ISO 9712 asa basic standard for third-party qualification and certification of NDT personnel arises from the need to achieve amore consistent standard of basic knowledge and practical competence. Such standardisation becomes ever more
important as the globalisation of trade increases.
Third-party qualification and certification is widely recognised as conferring a number of advantages:l It complies with an internationally agreed ISO standard that is increasingly being adopted worldwide;l It utilises an internationally developed training syllabus;l Examinations (theory and practical) are provided directly by certification bodies or through authorised qualifying
bodies and authorised examination centres under the control of certification bodies (many of which are linked tonational NDT societies);

ICNDT GUIDE TO QUALIFICATION AND CERTIFICATION
OF PERSONNEL FOR INSPECTION, TESTING AND CONDITION MONITORING

2. Recommendations on qualification and certification
Recommendations to users of central third-party certification
When central third-party certification is appropriate, it is recommended that regulators and industry define the levelsof competency of NDT personnel who are certified in accordance with EN ISO 9712 by a certification body accredited
to ISO IEC 17024.
Regulators, users and auditors of NDT operations should recognise the importance of employers of NDT personnel
properly fulfilling their responsibilities to authorise personnel to work after first confirming that their employees areadequately trained, experienced and qualified.

Recommendations to certification bodies
Certification bodies are urged to provide certification to EN ISO 9712 in order to maximise the value of theircertification. In anticipation of future harmonisation, their training syllabuses should encompass the requirements of
ISO/TR 25107.

Recommendations to national standards bodies
In adopting the international standard EN ISO 9712, the ISO member body is strongly urged to apply it without
deviation from the original text in order to ensure that it acts as a harmonising influence. Failure to do so could resultin a refusal to recognise or accept NDT personnel certification issued by certification bodies operating to national
standards with deviations created under ISO guide 21.

l It provides a harmonised standard for training, qualification and certification of NDT personnel and can be used as thebase level for more specific employer-based or third-party certification relevant to particular products or installations.
ISO 9712: 2005 (the third edition) gives more detailed requirements for practical examinations (including details of practicalexamination specimens and their defect content) to determine the practical ability of the candidate, to better harmonise
practical examinations and to provide guidance on the definition of industrial and product sectors to aid international
harmonisation. Further harmonisation is possible by using the ISO/TR 25107 ‘Guidelines for Training Syllabuses’.
The central role of EN ISO 9712 among standards for third-party certification, the historical development of NDT
personnel certification and ICNDT’s role is explained within this Guide.
Correct use of third-party qualification and certification of NDT personnel is dependent on the employers’ recognitionof responsibility for NDT personnel. This is important in terms of good quality management practices (outlined in
ISO 9001: 2008 at clause 6.2 – Human Resources), product liability, meeting the requirements for accreditation andmeeting the requirements of product standards and codes, such as the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code andthe European Pressure Equipment Directive (97/23/EC). An explanation of the employer’s responsibilities is provided.
In each of the regions where ICNDT has members (Africa, the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacificregion), ISO 9712 has been adopted as a basis for third-party certification schemes. For example, Brazil and Argentina
have accredited certification schemes which comply with ISO 9712 and Canada also has a certification scheme basedon the standard. In the USA, the American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) has introduced ANSI/ASNT
standard CP 106, which is closely aligned with ISO 9712. Many other countries in Latin America: Uruguay, Peru,
Bolivia, Colombia and Venezuela, are developing national schemes based on ISO 9712. In the Asia-Pacific region,
Australia, Japan and China, among many other countries, have introduced schemes based on ISO 9712. In Europe, alarge number of countries have schemes which comply with EN ISO 9712. A listing of certification schemes and theircurrent status is provided.
The ICNDT is endeavouring to promote international recognition of third-party certification schemes through a global
Multilateral Recognition Agreement (MRA) and details are given. In many countries around the world, certification
bodies that provide EN ISO 9712 certification have gained accreditation or approval by government agencies or
accreditation bodies in both voluntary and regulatory sectors. This is discussed later in the Guide.
Details of other approaches to NDT personnel certification can be referenced at www.efndt.org (for aerospacecertification to EN 4179) and www.asnt.org (for in-company certification to SNT-TC-1A).

3. Responsibilities of the employer
An employer of NDT personnel carries important responsibilities for the overall quality of NDT operations. Theseshould be reflected in the employer’s quality procedure for NDT (which may be known as the written practice1).
The employer retains these responsibilities whether he uses in-company certification, third-party certification or a
combination of both.
This section of the ICNDT Guide clarifies the employer’s responsibilities within the framework of using personnel
qualified to EN ISO 9712 and gives guidance on how the employer should fulfil these responsibilities. In this context,
the employer (or responsible agency) is defined as ‘the organisation for which the candidate works on a regular basis’.
If the individual is self-employed, he shall assume all responsibilities specified for the employer or responsible agency.
It is a central tenet of the standard that the employer has overall responsibility for the results of NDT operations and isfully responsible for the authorisation of his staff to work. In practice, this must include checking that the NDT tasks
to be carried out are within the scope of the individual’s certification (sector, method and level) and, if they are not,organising additional job-specific training and/or examinations (see Figure 1).
The employer is responsible for introducing candidates to the certification body and for documenting the candidate’s
education and prior experience. (If the candidate is unemployed or self-employed, the declaration of education,
training and experience shall be attested to by at least one independent party.)
The employer must ensure annually that employees meet the visual acuity requirements of the certification body andmust keep records of work experience that will be needed to demonstrate continuity of satisfactory work activity without
significant interruption. This is important both for his own quality assurance and to support renewal/recertification.
To fulfil these responsibilities the employer should prepare and implement a quality procedure (or written practice)covering at least the above responsibilities and maintain adequate records.
1

See, for example, SNT-TC-1A published by ASNT.

56ICNDT GUIDE TO QUALIFICATION AND CERTIFICATION
OF PERSONNEL FOR INSPECTION, TESTING AND CONDITION MONITORING
The quality procedure, which shall additionally cover the correct administration and control of NDT personnel inorder to meet the quality requirements of the company, its customers and relevant international or national regulations,will include reference to:l Applicable codes and standards;

ICNDT GUIDE TO QUALIFICATION AND CERTIFICATION
OF PERSONNEL FOR INSPECTION, TESTING AND CONDITION MONITORINGCOMPANY NAME:OPERATOR’S NAME:SCOPE OF CERTIFICATION (sector, method, level):l General responsibilities of Levels 1, 2 and 3;
l Certification required (sector, method, level);l Persons designated by the employer to be responsible for issuing the authorisation to operate;l Control of in-house training and examination supplementary to that carried out during the ISO 9712 qualificationand certification process. This will include job-specific training for tasks outside the scope of the individual’scertification and updating with respect to new equipment or techniques;l Responsibility for maintenance of records. The employer must maintain records for each of his NDT personnel
including:

Requirement

Evidence

Accepted

Valid test certificate for near vision acuity:
Valid certificate of unimpaired colour vision:
Work experience (in months according to level):
Training hours (in hours according to level):
Successful completion of qualification examination:– training;

Issued ISO 9712 certification:– education;

Job-specific training:– work experience;

In FileProduct/materials– vision test results;– certification examination results.
If these are complete and acceptable, then the employer issues the necessary authorisation to discharge the duties ofLevel 1, 2 or 3 in a defined area of competence.

NDT equipment/systems
NDT instructions/procedures
SafetyThe best way for this to be done is through an employer’s Certificate of Authority to Work and this should be signedby an appropriately designated person on behalf of the employer (see Figures 1 and 2).

Responsible Level 3 Acceptance
Signature:
Name:
Position:
Date:
Figure 2. Employer checklist leading to authorisation to work

If all of the above are acceptable, and the employer is satisfied that the above named employee can be authorised tocarry out work for this company in respect of the method and level indicated, the authorisation to work is signed forthe employer by the Company Authorised Person.

COMPANY NAME:
This authorisation is issued to:

Figure 1. Elements of personnel certification

who has demonstrated having successfully met the requirements of the Company Quality Procedure (COMPANY
X – DOCUMENT REF) in respect of education, training, work experience and examination and is authorised toperform NDT as follows:
MethodTechnique

Level

Date ofISO 9712
certification

Due date of
Signature of
renewal or
authorised
recertification company
representative

Figure 3. Authorisation to perform non-destructive testing

Date

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ICNDT GUIDE TO QUALIFICATION AND CERTIFICATION
OF PERSONNEL FOR INSPECTION, TESTING AND CONDITION MONITORINGICNDT GUIDE TO QUALIFICATION AND CERTIFICATION
OF PERSONNEL FOR INSPECTION, TESTING AND CONDITION MONITORING

4. Requirements for NDT personnel certification bodies
Specific requirements for NDT personnel certification bodies (NDT PCB)EN ISO 9712[1] is the latest internationally recognised and widely accepted standard for qualification and third-party
certification of NDT personnel, replacing ISO 9712 and EN 473.

General requirements for personnel certification bodies (PCB)
EN ISO 9712 requires that the certification system shall be controlled and administered by a certification body that conforms
to the requirements of the standard EN ISO/IEC 17024[3]. A PCB in compliance with EN ISO/IEC 17024 will be impartial inits decisions on certification and will ensure that assessments leading to certification are fair, valid and reliable.

Quality management system (QMS)
EN ISO/IEC 17024 requires a QMS that is capable of supporting and demonstrating the consistent fulfilment of therequirements of ‘this international standard’ (clause 11.2 in DIS 17024: 2011). The standard states that an ISO 9001
compliant management system would fulfil the requirement.

Accreditation
Accreditation is third-party attestation, by an authoritative body, conveyed in a formal document of the competence of
PCBs to carry out specific conformity assessment tasks and to give confidence in their activities and their outcomes. The
accreditation process is intended to increase the confidence of users in the status of a certification body. Accreditation
reduces the risk for users of certification by ensuring that accredited certification bodies are competent to carry out
the work they undertake within their scope of accreditation. Requirements for accreditation bodies are detailed in EN
ISO/IEC 17011[2].
There is an international grouping of accreditation bodies known as the International Accreditation Forum (IAF), andthere is also a European equivalent known as the European Accreditation of Certification (EAC). Accreditation bodies
that are members of the IAF and EAC are required to operate at the highest standard and to require the conformity
assessment bodies (CAB) that they accredit to comply with appropriate international standards, such as EN ISO 9712,
which in turn requires conformance to EN ISO/IEC 17024.
The Certification Executive Committee of the European Federation for NDT (EFNDT) has prepared specific guidance
to accreditation bodies assessing personnel certification bodies for compliance with EN ISO/IEC 17024: 2003. At thetime of writing, the EFNDT guidance is published as a CEN Technical Report (CEN/TR 16332). This document willneed to be withdrawn or updated with the publication of EN ISO/IEC 17024: 2012.
The EAC has a Multilateral Agreement (MLA), which is operated in compliance with EN ISO/IEC 17040[4], covering recognitionof accreditations of personnel certification bodies. At the time of writing, the IAF does not have an MLA covering the operationsof its members offering accreditation to ISO IEC 17024, though it is expected to implement such an MLA in the future.
Accreditations granted by signatories to the EAC MLA facilitate the development of Multilateral Recognition Agreements(MRA) amongst groups of PCBs operating certification of persons for specific activities such as NDT, which in turnshould allow accredited conformity assessment certificates, for example for EN ISO 9712, gained in one part of theworld to be recognised elsewhere in the world.
Currently, it is not viable to establish a globally accepted benchmark for ICNDT member countries operating
certification of NDT personnel through accreditation bodies that are members of the International Accreditation
Forum (IAF). The reasons for this are:l There is no MLA between IAF ISO/IEC 17024 accreditation bodies.
l Many prospective and ICNDT member countries do not have accreditation bodies that are members of IAF.
l Lack of uniformity since considerable variation exists in the conformity assessment process used by the accreditation
bodies for NDT personnel certification.
l Accreditation assessments undertaken by bodies that do not use supporting experts during assessments lack credibility.

APPENDICES
Appendix 1:

The role of ICNDT and its regional groups in the harmonisation of qualificationand certification .......................................................................................................................... 10

Appendix 2:

Bibliography ................................................................................................................................ 14

Appendix 3:

Qualification and certification of NDT personnel in accordance with EN ISO 9712: 2012 ........ 15

Appendix 4:

Qualification of NDT personnel in accordance with EN ISO 20807 and ISO TS 11774 .............. 16

Appendix 5:

ASME position on recognition and acceptance of central certification programmes ................... 18

Appendix 6:

Non-destructive testing under the European Pressure Equipment Directive (97/23/EC) ............. 20

Appendix 7:

Basic principles of NDT............................................................................................................... 21

Appendix 11: Code of practice for personnel certification bodies .................................................................... 28
Appendix 12: ICNDT membership directory ..................................................................................................... 28910ICNDT GUIDE TO QUALIFICATION AND CERTIFICATION
OF PERSONNEL FOR INSPECTION, TESTING AND CONDITION MONITORING

Appendix 1: The role of ICNDT and its regional groups in theharmonisation of qualification and certification
Introduction
This section highlights the role of the ICNDT members and the regional groups of ICNDT with respect to qualificationand certification of NDT personnel, and summarises the 50 years of dedication by ICNDT to this field. It also references
the documents produced on qualification and certification of NDT personnel, the very effective liaison with ISO
TC135 on the harmonisation of standards, and provides some details concerning on-going work.

Foundation of ICNDTThe first World Conference on NDT was held in 1955 by a group of European countries, USA, Japan, China, India andthe USSR. Its main objective was to gather scientists and technologists from all over the world in order that they could
pool together their common experiences in promoting the development of the application of NDT.
ICNDT, as an international organisation, was formed on 15 March 1960, just prior to the 3rd World Conference on
Non-Destructive Testing, which was held in Tokyo, Japan, from 16-21 March 1960.
ICNDT is a non-profit association devoted to the development of the science and practice of non-destructive testingin conjunction with existing NDT societies and recognised regional groupings of NDT societies.
ICNDT has recently broadened its horizons and has set itself a number of important objectives:l To be the international organisation that acts as the prime focus on non-destructive testing for the benefit of theinvolved community and the public in generall To promote international collaboration in all matters relating to NDT
l To encourage the foundation, growth, development and cooperation of national and regional societiesl To assign the place and organisation of the World NDT Conference to an appropriate NDT society or group ofsocieties, at intervals of four years
l To establish with continental groupings of NDT societies initiatives for implementing ICNDT policyl To encourage the formulation of international standards on non-destructive testing in collaboration with theInternational Organization for Standardization (ISO) and other standards bodies
l To establish an ICNDT Multilateral Recognition Agreement (MRA) of NDT personnel certification and thedevelopment of a process for the ICNDT assessment and approval of NDT personnel certification bodies.

World Conferences on NDT (WCNDT)The NDT World Conference organised by ICNDT was the first concrete expression of the desire to cooperate in thedissemination of NDT. The 1st World Conference was held in Brussels in 1955 as a tribute to Gevaert, the producerof X-ray film, which sponsored international meetings in Antwerp.
Subsequent world conferences are listed below. Forthcoming conferences will be in Durban, South Africa (April 2012)
and in Munich, Germany (2016).

ICNDT GUIDE TO QUALIFICATION AND CERTIFICATION
OF PERSONNEL FOR INSPECTION, TESTING AND CONDITION MONITORINGl Hanover 1970 – Discussions at World Conference
The 1967 discussions had a strong impact on ICNDT. Three years later, at the 6th World Conference in Hanover in
1970, the first contributions on the qualification and certification of NDT personnel were given by France, Germany,
Japan, the United Kingdom and the USA. At that meeting the following statement on personnel certification was
made:“Representatives of each country will submit statements on the qualification system prevailing in their country.
These topics should form a topic for discussion at a specific session. In the meantime, statements of the present
position will be communicated to ICNDT members.”l Warsaw 1973 – Formation of Task GroupIn Warsaw in 1973, ICNDT, during its 10th meeting, appointed a Task Group for the preparation of guidelines
dealing with the qualification and certification of NDT personnel.
l Cannes 1976 – ICNDT WH 76 – Liaison with ISO
The first document of the ICNDT Task Group on qualification and certification of NDT personnel was presented at
the round table discussion in Cannes in 1976, during the 8th World Conference. The document was a comparisonof all the existing schemes among the members of ICNDT. This was the first step towards a more complete seriesof guidelines on the qualification and certification of NDT personnel. Recommendations were made to make ISO
knowledgeable on the importance of a working group on NDT. It was agreed at this ICNDT meeting to forward the
document to ISO TC135.
l Melbourne 1979 – Initiation of ICNDT document on minimum technical requirements for qualification andcertification of NDT personnel
In 1979 in Melbourne, during the 9th World Conference on NDT, a further step forward on the topic of thequalification and certification of NDT personnel was made. Based on the Cannes document and the information
available the following statements were made:“Two types of certification schemes are present in the world: independent body certification and employer-based
certification. Mutual recognition of NDT certificates may be possible and the working group shall try to facilitate
this.”“Three levels of qualification are generally applied by the majority of the country members.”
In the same meeting it was decided to prepare a document on the minimum technical requirements for each levelof qualification relative to the different methods of NDT (RT, UT, PT, MT, ET and LT).
l Moscow 1982 – Review of draft document WH-85
After extensive work, in which all the main countries of the world were involved, the minimum technicalrequirements for qualification and certification of NDT personnel were presented in Moscow at the 15th ICNDT
meeting. It received general consensus with minor changes made in order to give more completeness in the
document.
l Las Vegas 1985 – Final approval of WH-85

Besides the need to establish, improve and disseminate NDT techniques, the need for harmonisation of qualificationand certification of NDT personnel has grown through the years, with this topic becoming the focus of many ICNDT
meetings and an important topic of discussion during the world conferences. Those world conferences that resulted
in signification advances in the field of qualification and certification of NDT personnel were:In 1985 in Las Vegas, during the 11th World Conference, the document received final approval for publication as
an ICNDT document:l Montreal, 1967 – Qualification and certification of NDT personnel

The document was sent to ISO TC135 and was used as a reference in the preparation of the ISO 9712 standard on
the qualification and certification of NDT personnel, which was published in 1992.

In 1967, during the 5th World Conference on NDT held in Montreal, ICNDT adopted the following resolutions:“The Committee agrees that the appropriate time has arrived for the establishment of an ‘International
Recommendation on the Qualification of NDT Personnel’ prepared by a task group of ICNDT.”“All delegates are requested to promote, through their national standardisation organisations, the importance of
establishing an ISO Technical Committee to deal with NDT.”ICNDT WH-85, ‘The Complete Recommendations on International Harmonisation of Training, Qualification andCertification of NDT Personnel’ (November 1985).

l New Delhi 1996 – ISO 9712 standard
The 24th ICNDT meeting highlighted the work carried out by ISO TC135 in editing the ISO 9712 standard and its
extensive application in the member countries. It was noted that the implementation of ISO 9000 would encourage
certification in accordance with ISO 9712.

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ICNDT GUIDE TO QUALIFICATION AND CERTIFICATION
OF PERSONNEL FOR INSPECTION, TESTING AND CONDITION MONITORINGl Copenhagen 1998 – ICNDT seminar on ISO 9712
In 1998 in Copenhagen, during the 25th ICNDT meeting, it was decided to create a common framework, which
would comply with ISO 9712. In addition, it was proposed to prepare a guidance document for the application of
ISO 9712. Following these proposals it was decided at the ICNDT PGP meeting in China (Shantou) to organise thefirst ICNDT seminar on ISO 9712 certification during the world conference in Rome.
l Rome 2000 – Updating ICNDT WH-85
During the 27th ICNDT meeting in Rome, a complete revision of the document ICNDT WH-85 relative to minimum
technical requirements was handed directly to the ISO TC135 chairman. Many interesting items relative to global
mutual recognition of NDT schemes emerged from the ISO 9712 seminar.
l Brisbane 2001 – ICNDT Recommended Guidelines for Qualification and Certification of NDT Personnel
according to ISO 9712
During the PGP meeting held in Brisbane, recognising that an increasing number of schemes are aligned to ISO
9712 (including EN 473, ACCP, etc), it was proposed to draft ICNDT Guidelines for Qualification and Certification
of NDT Personnel based on ISO 9712.
l Montreal 2004 – ICNDT Recommended Guidelines for Qualification and Certification of NDT Personnel
according to ISO 9712

ICNDT GUIDE TO QUALIFICATION AND CERTIFICATION
OF PERSONNEL FOR INSPECTION, TESTING AND CONDITION MONITORING

IAEA/ICNDT cooperation
In the promotion of NDT in developing countries, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and ICNDT haveforged a strong relationship based on mutual cooperation. In particular, ICNDT experts participate in many IAEA
projects that involve the training, qualification and certification of NDT personnel.

ICNDT achieves legal status in 2008
ICNDT was formally registered as a legal non-profit international association in Vienna in 2008, in accordance with
the Austrian Corporations Act. An up-to-date list and contact addresses are given on the ICNDT website at www.icndt.
org

ICNDT website
Information on all ICNDT activities is provided on the ICNDT website (www.icndt.org). This site serves to improveand strengthen links between NDT societies and regional groups. ICNDT also publishes a regular journal.

World Conferences on NDT (promoted by ICNDT)
Conference No

Year

City

Country

The first edition approved by the ICNDT Editorial Committee was published and circulated to delegates at the 16th
WCNDT.

1st WCNDT

1955

Brussels

Belgiuml Shanghai 2008 – Update of Guide including ICNDT recommendations and ICNDT workshop on harmonisationof EN 473 and ISO 9712

2nd WCNDT

1957

ChicagoUSA

3rd WCNDT

1960

Tokyo

Japan

4th WCNDT

1963

LondonGreat Britain

5th WCNDT

1967

Montreal

Canada6th WCNDT1970

Hanover

Germany

7th WCNDT1973

Warsaw

Poland8th WCNDT1976

CannesFrance9th WCNDT

1979

Melbourne

Australia

10th WCNDT

1982

Moscow

Russia11th WCNDT1985

Las Vegas

USA

12th WCNDT1989

Amsterdam

The Netherlands

13th WCNDT1992

San Paulo

Brazil14th WCNDT1996

New Delhi

India

15th WCNDT

2000

Rome

Italy

16th WCNDT2004

Montreal

Canada17th WCNDT

2008

ShanghaiChina

18th WCNDT

2012

DurbanSouth Africa

A new edition of the Guide incorporating important recommendations from ICNDT was approved for publication.
A workshop was held with participation from ISO TC135 and CEN TC138 to explore the differences between thestandards EN 473 and ISO 9712. It was concluded that the differences were not significant and it was announced
that the two committees would work together to achieve a single harmonised standard. ICNDT was invited to
become a formal liaison member of TC135.

The role of NDT societies
In most countries, the major catalyst for establishing a certification scheme is the national NDT society. The society
provides a focus for information on NDT technologies, training and certification and, through the ICNDT, a link to
the international NDT community. More than 62 countries have established NDT societies (see www.icndt.org) andICNDT continues to assist the formation of new societies.

The role of ICNDT regional groups
The regional groups within ICNDT have a primary role in the promotion of NDT and in providing information on how
to set up an NDT society. Regional groups also have a strong focus on the recognition and harmonisation of NDT
personnel certification schemes within that region and alignment of these certification schemes to ISO 17024.
Four regional groups are active:l Asia-Pacific Committee;
l Pan American Committee;l European Federation for NDT – www.efndt.org;
l African Federation of NDT – www.afndt2008.com.tn.
Each regional group has their own constitution which, in terms of both strategy and policy, is complementary to thatof ICNDT. Regional conferences play an important role in the development and promotion of NDT.

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Appendix 2: Bibliography
This section provides a list of the latest editions of standards dealing with or impacting upon the qualification andcertification of personnel engaged in testing, inspection and condition monitoring.
1. EN ISO 9712: 2012

Non-destructive testing – Qualification and certification of NDT personnel (not yet at
FDIS)

2. EN ISO/IEC 17011: 2012 Conformity assessment – General requirements for accreditation bodies accrediting
conformity assessment bodies
3. EN ISO/IEC 17024: 2012 Conformity assessment – General requirements for bodies operating certification of
persons (not yet at FDIS)
4. EN ISO/IEC 17040: 2005 Conformity assessment – General requirements for peer assessment of conformity
assessment bodies and accreditation bodies
5. EN ISO 20807(2004) Non-destructive testing – Qualification of personnel for limited applications of
non-destructive testing

6. ISO TS 11774(2011) Non-destructive testing – Performance-based qualification

It should be noted that the above list is not exhaustive, and the status of the referenced standards should be ascertainedby reference to ISO before use.

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Appendix 3: Qualification and certification of NDT personnel
in accordance with EN ISO 9712: 2012
Two ‘major’ third-party certification systems have coexisted for several years: EN 473 and ISO 9712. Following
several initiatives from industry and ICNDT, the two certification committees in charge of these standards (ISOTC135 and CEN TC138) decided in 2009 to launch a harmonisation process intending to produce a unique
EN ISO standard. This process has involved more than 20 countries and has succeeded in producing EN ISO 9712,
which will be published in the third quarter of 2012.
The standard covers the qualification and certification of NDT personnel in one or more of ten NDT methods:
acoustic emission testing, eddy current testing, infrared thermographic testing, leak testing (hydraulic pressure tests
excluded), magnetic testing, penetrant testing, radiographic testing, strain testing, ultrasonic testing and visual testing(direct unaided visual tests and visual tests carried out during the application of another NDT method are excluded).
The responsibilities of the certification body, its authorised qualifying bodies (where used) and examination centres
are defined, and the role of the employer is clarified. Three levels of qualification are defined (Levels 1, 2 and 3).
Qualification is ‘specific’ to a defined industrial or product sector(s).
Eligibility for certification is specified covering vision requirements for all levels, minimum training requirements andthe required duration of industrial experience.
Qualification examinations are defined – comprising both written and practical parts – for each level, with minimum
numbers of questions and, for Levels 1 and 2, test specimens specified.
Rules are specified governing administration of certification, including the conditions for renewal and recertification.
The main changes from the previous EN and ISO standards are:l clarification of the roles of the certification body, the authorised qualifying bodies (where used) and examination
centre;l modification of the required training hours (with a rewrite of the relevant clause);l ISO/TR 25107 Training Guidelines referenced as a basis for certification bodies to define their training syllabuses(other documents demonstrated as equivalent may be used);l a rewrite of the clause about required experience (for more clarity);
l introduction of ‘digital certificates/e-assessment’; andl for Level 3 recertification, deletion (compared to ISO 9712) of a precise requirement for demonstration of practicalskill (practical test), replaced by demonstrated evidence of this skill (to be accepted by the certification body).

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Appendix 4: Qualification of NDT personnel in accordancewith EN ISO 20807 and ISO TS 11774
Introduction
EN ISO 9712 establishes the general requirements for the qualification and certification of personnel for a wide rangeof competencies defined by the application of NDT methods to products, such as castings, forgings and welded
constructions used in specified industry sectors.
In certain circumstances it may be necessary or desirable for economic or safety reasons to qualify NDT personnel for specified
limited applications, and the two documents referred to in this Appendix provide a framework for such qualification activities.

ISO 20807 (Non-destructive testing – Qualification of personnel for limited
applications of non-destructive testing)International standard ISO 20807 establishes a system for the qualification of personnel who perform NDT applicationsof a limited, repetitive or automated nature, such as:

ICNDT GUIDE TO QUALIFICATION AND CERTIFICATION
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The candidates shall provide evidence of current valid NDT Level 2 or 3 certification in the method for which he or she is tobe qualified. For NDT Level 2 personnel, the certification may be from a nationally recognised employer-based programme
or a certification body accepted by the ICS. For NDT Level 3 personnel, the certification shall be from a certification body.
Candidates for qualification shall have sufficient training and specific practical experience to ensure they are capableof performing non-destructive tests using the qualified NDT procedure. The experience may be obtained with the useof virtual training systems, or by examining representative specimens, with relevant and non-relevant discontinuities
that may be located in a laboratory, or analysing recorded data from automatic, digital or analogue systems.
The discontinuities in the specimens that the candidates shall report may be actual or simulated and shall range insize from the minimum detectable using a qualified procedure to not more than the maximum size specified.
The qualification body shall be responsible for the administration and grading of examinations and shall appoint the
NDT qualification examiner.
Periodic performance demonstration. The frequency and content of periodic performance demonstration shall be
determined by the ISC.
The ISO TS 11774 process is represented in flowchart form in Figure 4.

l eddy current and electromagnetic sorting of materials;
l eddy current and electromagnetic testing of tubular products during manufacture;l normal beam ultrasonic testing of plate materials during manufacture;l ultrasonic thickness testing.
As a provision outside the scope of ISO 9712 requirements, limited NDT is the practice of a test method for a particularapplication requiring specific training and experience, ie an application which is limited, repetitive or automated.
Annex A to ISO 20807 serves to provide examples of syllabuses for the training and examination of personnel seeking
qualification to this international standard.
The methodology set out in ISO 20807 may be applied to the qualification of personnel for any limited application of NDT. However,
it is not intended that qualification for limited applications be substituted for qualification and certification under ISO 9712, which
includes provision for a reduction in the duration of training and experience required for eligibility in limited applications.

ISO TS 11774 (Non-destructive testing – Performance-based qualification)
The technical specification ‘ISO TS 11774 Non-destructive testing – Performance based qualification’ has the scope toprovide a method for qualification of non-destructive testing personnel, procedures and equipment for specific NDT
conducted in accordance with documented procedures to achieve a required level of performance.
Implementation will require cooperation between applicable industry sector committees (ISCs) and qualification
bodies to assure that specific performance expectations are addressed.
The qualification methodology described is based upon the candidate’s ability to demonstrate capability in detecting
and sizing critical discontinuities equivalent to those to be detected and sized in the performance-based qualification
programme as established by the ISC.
Second-party (employer-based) qualification and approval (for example in accordance with ANSI/ASNT CP-189),
or qualification and third-party certification (for example in accordance with ISO 9712 or EN 473), followed by onthe-job training, may not provide the required degree of confidence for safety critical inspections and this technicalspecification provides criteria to assist in preparing an individual for performance-based qualification examinations.
Qualification to this ISO TS is limited to specific applications, using the specific documented procedure in theperformance-based qualification programme.

Process
The NDT procedure shall first be qualified and the personnel qualification is valid only when the essential parameters
are applied and controlled as defined within the procedure. The procedure qualification shall demonstrate thecapability to resolve mandatory detectable discontinuities under representative conditions.

Figure 4. The ISO TS 11774 process

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Appendix 5: ASME position on recognition and acceptance ofcentral certification programmes
The ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code includes specific requirements for NDT and for the qualification or
certification of NDT personnel in appropriate sections. This code is used all around the world, including in regions
such as Europe, where compliance with other regulations, for example the Pressure Equipment Directive, is facilitatedby the use of third-party certification and in countries where third-party certification is mandatory.
In 2003, following presentations from EFNDT and the European Boilermakers’ Association, each seeking to avoid
unnecessary double certification, to take advantage of the benefits of third-party certification and to facilitate meeting
the requirements of the PED, ASME advised a revision to the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section V, Article
1. An amended paragraph T120 was approved and published in the 2003 Addenda – see Figure 5. The option is
also included in Code Sections I and VIII, Divisions 1, 2 and 3. Although there is no reference to specific central
certification programmes other than ACCP, these amendments allow the use of national or international central
certification programmes, such as those complying with EN ISO 9712, to fulfil the examination requirements of theemployer’s written practice, which must be in accordance with SNT-TC-1A or ANSI/ASNT CP189.
It is notable that ICNDT’s recommendations in this Guide are consistent with the key principles of ASME code
requirements:
l an employer’s written practice is requiredl NDT personnel shall be qualified by examination
l the employer retains responsibility.
Employers working to ASME codes who choose to follow this option now prepare a written practice (based on
the recommendations of SNT-TC-1A/CP189), which references certification in accordance with third-party/central
schemes that comply with ISO 9712 and/or EN 473. A reference to CP106 would also meet the specified requirement.
Employers must specify the additional training and examinations that are necessary to provide a bridge between thescheme’s training and examinations and the specific ASME NDT procedures and/or specific employer’s needs (forexample for the application of TOFD or phased arrays).
In Code Case N-788 ‘Third-Party NDE Certification Organizations, Section XI, Division 1’, approved 9 April 2010,
Section XI has defined the requirements for third-party certification organisations, which may be used in lieu of
employer-based certification of Level 2 and 3 NDE personnel. Specific requirements (on QA to USA standards andtraining) are defined over and above those implicit in EN ISO 9712 certification.

Figure 5. ASME letter and amended paragraph T120

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Appendix 6: Non-destructive testing under the European
Pressure Equipment Directive (97/23/EC)

Appendix 7: Basic principles of NDTIntroduction

Acoustic emission testing (AT)The Pressure Equipment Directive – 97/23/EC – was formally adopted by the European Parliament and Council on
29 May 1997 and was published in the Official Journal of the European Communities, No L181, on 9 July (ISBN 011
916 0927). It came into force on 29 November 1999 and compliance with its requirements has been mandatory since
29 May 2002.

The principle of the method is based on the detection of acoustic waves emitted by a material due to its local stress/
strain excitation, crack initiation and/or crack propagation.

The purpose of the directive is to harmonise national laws regarding the design, manufacture and conformity
assessment of pressure equipment and assemblies (vessels, storage containers, heat exchangers, shell and water tube
boilers, industrial pipework, safety devices and pressure accessories), subject to an internal pressure greater than
0.5 bar above atmospheric.

A magnetic field, generated by a coil fed with alternating current, produces induced currents (eddy currents) in the
test-piece. Such currents affect the impedance of the coil that generates them. The presence of any discontinuity in theeddy current causes variations in their intensity and flow and, in turn, the impedance of the coil. The corresponding
signal fluctuation is represented on a meter or oscilloscope and may indicate the presence of a defect.

Equipment is categorised within four levels (I to IV) according to the degree of hazard: category III and IV equipment
will require conformity assessment by ‘notified bodies’ and ‘recognised third-party organisations’.

Infrared thermographic testing (TT)Non-destructive testing
For pressure equipment, non-destructive tests of permanent joints must be carried out by ‘suitably qualified personnel’.
For pressure equipment in categories III and IV, NDT personnel must be approved by a ‘third-party organisation’(RTPO) recognised by a member state pursuant to Article 13.
Certificates of competence in compliance with EN ISO 9712: 20122 issued by a recognised third-party organisation(RTPO) and covering the testing of permanent joints (in effect, welds) are presumed to satisfy the requirements of thedirective because EN 473 is a harmonised standard. But, there are alternative acceptable methods of fulfilling therequirements of the directive, as detailed in CEN/TR 15589: 2006 (Non-destructive testing – Code of Practice for theapproval of NDT personnel by recognised third-party organisations under the provisions of Directive 97/23/EC).
Further information is available at www.efndt.org under the section ‘Pressure Equipment’.

NDT methods covered by ISO 9712

Eddy current testing (ET)Infrared thermography (thermal imaging) is a method of observing the appearance of an object in terms of its surface
temperature. It is a non-contact as well as non-destructive method of instantaneously determining minute variationsof surface temperature that can be indicative of discontinuities at or below the surface scanned. The TT method
is particularly useful for plant and machinery condition monitoring, electrical systems condition monitoring andmonitoring of buildings for insulation failure. It can be applied as a ‘passive’ or ‘active’ technique, the latter requiring
the application of heat to the object under test and the monitoring of the dissipation of that heat on the surface, whichis influenced by sub-surface properties.

Leak testing (LT)
When a penetrating flaw is present through a wall separating two environments at different pressures, the fluid at ahigher pressure passes to the lower-pressure environment at a flow rate which is proportional to its velocity. In somecases the turbulence caused at the point of flow generates wideband noise, which can be detected by a transducer
tuned to specific frequencies or, if a gas (typically helium) is injected, by a mass spectrometer.

Magnetic testing (MT)The method is based on magnetic flux leakage at a discontinuity when a high-intensity magnetic field is introduced
into the test object, which must be ferromagnetic.

Penetrant testing (PT)The method is based on the phenomenon of capillary action, that is the tendency for a liquid to rise within a capillarytube, and on the physical properties of the liquid, viscosity and surface tension.

Radiographic testing (RT)
The method is based on the change of attenuation of electromagnetic radiation (X- and gamma rays) caused by thepresence of a discontinuity or changes in material density when passing through the test material.
An informative Annex ZA will be included in EN ISO 9712, which will state: “This European standard has been
prepared under a mandate given to CEN by the European Commission and the European Free Trade Association toprovide a means of conforming to essential requirements of the new approach directive (97/23/EC) (PED).
2

Once this European standard is cited in the Official Journal of the European Communities under that directive and has
been implemented as a national standard in at least one member state, compliance with the clauses of this standard
given in Table ZA.13 confers, within the limits of the scope of this European standard, a presumption of conformity
with the corresponding essential requirements of that directive and associated EFTA regulations.
Table ZA.1 will show the relationship between EN ISO 9712 and Directive 97/23/EC by reference to specific clausesof the standard.
3

Strain gauge testing (ST)Strain testing covered by ISO 9712 is strain measurement using electric resistance strain gauges. When a test object issubjected to a strain, a strain gauge adhered to the test object is subjected to the same strain. This causes a change inthe electrical resistance of the strain gauge. The change in resistance is detected as the change in the output voltageof the bridge circuit to which the strain gauge is connected.

Ultrasonic testing (UT)
Ultrasonic testing is based on the phenomenon of acoustic wave reflection or diffraction upon encountering obstacles
to propagation within a material. If the obstacle lies normal to the incident ultrasonic beam, the wave is reflected backto its generating source. In the case of time-of-flight diffraction (TOFD), waves are diffracted from the tips of cracks.

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Visual testing (VT)Visual testing is a non-destructive testing method applied using specialised equipment such as mirrors, magnifiers,
borescopes, fibrescopes, gauges, closed-circuit television (CCTV) using light sources and special lighting, as well as
computer-enhanced systems, imaging systems and special optical systems.

Advanced NDT methods or techniques
Foreword
Whilst these methods or techniques are not explicitly covered by ISO 9712, several certification bodies offer (or aredeveloping) certification complying with the standard, and others offer certification which requires an ISO 9712
certificate in ultrasonics or radiography as a precursor.

Phased (ultrasonic) arrays
A conventional UT probe consists of a single piezoelectric element, while that for phased array UT has multiple
piezoelectric elements contained within the probe. Each piezoelectric element is independently controlled throughthe electronic timing of the pulses to synthesise these individual wavelets, which can then be directed and steered tocontrol the resultant ultrasonic beam.
Whereas a conventional probe has one focal length and one orientation, a single phased array probe allows the user
to change the shape and focal point of the ultrasonic beam to optimise each inspection. The acoustic energy can befocused and delay laws can be applied to steer the acoustic beam.
Dynamic depth focusing allows measurements to be made at several depths in the same amount of time as it takes tocarry out a single depth measurement using a conventional probe and with similar accuracy because of the focusingof the beam.
Additionally, because the angle can be swept over a wide range, it is possible to inspect areas to which conventional
ultrasonic methods are not applicable.
Phased arrays can reduce inspection times by eliminating, or at least reducing, the need for mechanical scanning, ieprobe movement, because of the ability to move the beam by electronic means. When piezoelectric elements in aphased array UT probe are divided into groups, the speed of inspection can be increased by electronic manipulation
instead of scanning with a probe.
This elimination or reduction of mechanical scanning also increases the reliability of flaw sizing and measurement byeliminating changes in (or loss of) coupling, which is a risk each time the probe is moved.

Ultrasonic time-of-flight diffraction (TOFD)
In conventional pulse-echo systems, it is the specular reflections that are interrogated. This may be from the flat
surface of a lack of side-wall fusion or from a small facet of an irregular slag inclusion. Where time-of-flight diffraction(TOFD) differs is in that it detects reflectors by the signals diffracted from the extremities of those reflectors, such as
the ‘corners’ and ‘ends’ of cracks.
Two angled compression wave probes are used in tandem mode, one each side of the weld to be inspected. Becauseof the beam width (divergence) in moderate plate thicknesses, the majority of the thickness of the weld area isintercepted.
Time-of-flight diffraction inspection actually produces three useful signals because of the transducer arrangement andoperation in a pitch-catch mode.
The first is the lateral wave, caused by propagation of the sound between the transmitter and receiver in a direct pathjust under the examination surface.
The second signal, LL, is the primary backwall signal, caused by the direct reflection of the L wave from the back wall.
A third signal is another backwall signal created by mode conversions on this surface (longitudinal wave to shear wave).
During a normal scan, the three signals appear consistently. However, when a flaw is present, signals will appear inthe ‘time window’ between the lateral wave and the back wall. The depth of the flaw can be calculated from the arrival
time of the flaw signals to the arrival time of the backwall signal and the probe separation distance.

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Depending on which direction the probes are moved over the component surface, it is possible to construct ‘endview’ (B-scan TOFD) or ‘side-view’ (D-scan TOFD) cross-sectional slices. TOFD can also utilise synthetic aperture
focusing or beam modelling software to minimise the effects of beam divergence, thereby providing more accurate
location and sizing information.
TOFD is generally recognised as the most accurate ultrasonic technique for measuring the through-wall height ofplanar flaws that lie perpendicular to the surface and as a method for detecting and quantifying crevice corrosion at
the weld root. It is widely used in the petrochemical and nuclear industries for the inspection of butt welds in pressure
vessels and pipework and is often used to provide critical flaw sizing data for input to engineering critical assessments(ECA).
The TOFD technique is suited for the detection and sizing of all types of internal discontinuities, especially planar
discontinuities. However, the detection of small near-surface flaws can be more difficult due to the presence of thelateral wave response, which often occupies several millimetres of the surface layer.
The technique is less reliable where there are large numbers of reflectors, such as cluster porosity or multiple slag
inclusions, and in coarse-grained materials such as some stainless steels.

Ultrasonic guided waves (or long-range UT)
Guided wave ultrasonic testing is a relatively new technology. It uses ultrasound, that is to say sound at frequencies
beyond the range of human hearing, and so it is useful to introduce the principles of guided wave ultrasonics byreferring to conventional ultrasonic NDT.
Guided waves use frequencies in the KHz range and wave modes that penetrate the whole wall thickness of the test
object. Therefore, in a plate for example, the plate must be thin enough and the wavelength of the ultrasound longenough for waves on the opposite surfaces to interact. These are known as plate or Lamb waves.
A unique characteristic of plate waves is that they change velocity with frequency. They are described as being‘dispersive’, because a pulse of plate waves, containing as it does a spectrum of frequencies, will broaden as itpropagates. The lower frequency components travel more slowly than those of a higher frequency.
In the case of pipe, they are known as guided waves. A symmetrical circular wave is transmitted from a ring ofpiezoelectric or EMAT transducers clamped around the pipe. The particle displacements are similar but, because thepipe acts as a wave guide, the pulses can be propagated over even longer distances.
Long-range ultrasonic testing uses guided waves to test rods, cables and rails, but almost exclusively to test pipes,
mainly in the oil, gas and chemical industries. It has the advantage of full volume coverage and the ability to test long
lengths of structure from one point. Inaccessible regions can also be inspected from an accessible location.

Real-time and digital radiography
Real-time radiography provides an image which can be viewed on a screen and enhanced by the use of digital
imaging software.
Conventional RT ‘revelation’ is by means of exposing a film to ionising radiations, and the film is viewed usingtransmitted light after developing. Conventional film is often replaced today by specific transducers converting theelectromagnetic rays of ionising radiations directly into electrical signals displayed on a computer screen.
Fluoroscopy is an RT technique where the image is directly produced and viewed on a screen coated with salts that
emit light based on the radiation they receive and, once amplified by an intensifier, it is possible to see them in realtime on a TV monitor.
Radioscopy produces an image of the intensity of ionising radiations generated on a luminescent screen. Radiation
is absorbed by the screen and directly converted into visible light. Mostly zinc sulphide (ZnS) has been applied as aconverting material.
Computed radiography (CR) has been applied for about 20 years in medicine and biology, but CR systems
have only recently been developed for NDT applications. However, up to the present these systems cannot fully
replace classical radiography in NDT. On the other hand, new areas of NDT application can be accessed since
the high sensitivity of imaging plates allows significantly smaller exposure periods, and the resulting images can bedigitally enhanced.

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Digital radiography (DR) employs the same techniques as conventional RT, only changing the medium where theimage is displayed. In DR, electronic receivers are excited by ionising radiations and the resulting image is stored indigital form and can be enhanced by means of suitable software, and can be transmitted by electronic means, whichmakes evaluation possible at a distance. Once cleared of the electronic image, the electronic receivers can be reused
multiple times.

Neutron radiography
Neutron radiography can be used to detect hydrogenous material inside metal assemblies. Applications lie in thefield of corrosion monitoring, examination of complex castings and explosive fillings. The neutrons pass through theobject to be tested and an image (similar to an X-ray) is generated. Neutrons are generated from radio-isotopes, atomic
reactors and particle accelerators. Extensive safety precautions must be taken.

Advice on choice of NDT method
For further information on NDT techniques and a link to a useful method selector chart, visit:
http://www.icndt.org/Home/WhatisNDT.aspx

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Appendix 11: Code of practice for personnel certification
bodiesNDT personnel certification bodies (PCB) seeking ICNDT approval and/or registration under the ICNDT Multilateral
Agreement on Recognition of Certification are obliged to sign an undertaking to comply with this Code of Practice
and, inter alia, they shall:
1. Maintain compliance with the standard(s) and specification(s) detailed on their certificate of accreditation or the
ICNDT certificate of approval, notifying the ICNDT Certification Executive Committee (CEC) of any change instatus, or in the standards with which the certification scheme that they operate to complies;
2. Promote recognition and acceptance in their own country of the certificates of conformance issued by other NDT
PCBs registered under the ICNDT Multilateral Recognition Agreement (MRA);
3. Keep confidential all examination material, including examination questions and specimens, in secure conditions
with strictly controlled access only to authorised individuals;
4. Conduct their business in a responsible manner and utilise fair and equitable practices in dealing with clients andcandidates;
5. Perform their professional duties with proper regard for the physical environment and the safety, health and wellbeing of certificate holders and candidates for certification;
6. Protect to the fullest extent possible, consistent with the wellbeing of the public and the provisions of this Code ofPractice, any information given to them in confidence by an employer of certificated NDT personnel, candidates
and certificate holders, or members of the public;
7. Avoid conflicts of interest with employers of certificated NDT personnel or candidates, but when unavoidable
forthwith disclose the circumstances to the employer or candidate;
8. Not falsify nor permit misrepresentation of their accreditation, ICNDT approval or registration under the ICNDTMRA;
9. Refrain from making unjustified statements or from performing unethical acts which would discredit the NDT
profession or the ICNDT;
10. Immediately report to the ICNDT CEC any perceived violation(s) of this Code of Practice by any party.
11. Accept the right of the ICNDT, and provide unhindered access to a nominated representative of the ICNDT, toinvestigate any alleged infringements of this Code of Practice.

Appendix 12: ICNDT membership directory
For an up-to-date list of ICNDT member societies and contact details, go to: http://www.icndt.org/Directory.aspx

ICNDT Guide to
Qualification andCertificationof Personnel for
Inspection, Testing andCondition Monitoring
Published on behalf of ICNDT by the Publishing Department, The British Institute of Non-Destructive Testing,
Newton Building, St George’s Avenue, Northampton NN2 6JB, UK.
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1 April 2012