Working Group 1on Qualification
and Certification

INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR
NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING
Report of ICNDT WG1 on interpretation of ISO 9712:2012
Introduction

ISO 9712 was published in June 2012. It was a real step forward on the way of harmonization of third party certification. It combined two previousstandards EN 473:2008 and ISO 9712:2005. A lot of unclear provisions were eliminated. Standard became more practicable to use. In spite of thissome provisions of the standard still allow PCBs, especially young and inexperienced, to interpret them in different way.
In order to avoid a threat to harmonization process ICNDT Working group 1 “Qualification and certification of NDT personnel” has drafted the Reporton interpretation of ISO 9712:2012 which has advisory nature only.
Para.

Statement to be interpreted

Interpretation of statement

3.3… under the supervision of personnel
having a qualification acceptable to the certification
body

It is recommended for CB to define criteria for acceptance of qualification ofsupervision personnel in order to meet requirements of paragraph 3.25. It is
recommended that qualification of supervision should be at least ISO 9712 Level 2 orequivalent (e.g. ASNT Level 2 or ASNT SNT TC 1A level 2).

3.25

qualified supervision
supervision of candidates gaining experience by NDT
personnel certified in the same method undersupervision or by non-certified personnel who, in theopinion of the certification body, possess theknowledge, skill, training, and experience required toproperly perform such supervision

WG1 feels that non-certified supervisor is not suitable for qualified supervision.
However if it is the case CB should require from applicant to submit CV ofcandidate’s non-certified supervisor.
It is recommended for CB to define requirements to experience of non-certified
supervisor. Experience should be not less than Level 3 experience duration according
to Table 3 of ISO 9712:2012 for the method concerned.

5.2.2 b)shall publish specifications for training courses that
include the syllabi which embody the content ofrecognized documents, e.g. ISO/TR 25107 or equivalent

It is recommended for CB to use syllabi from ISO/TR 25107 as minimum
requirements to draft specifications for training courses. ASNT CP-105 and IAEA
TecDoc 628 could be taken as equivalent. In case of using another documents CB
should define equivalence with ISO/TR 25107 prior to use.

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INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR
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Working Group 1
on Qualificationand Certification

5.4.1 е)prepare and conduct examinations under theresponsibility of an examiner authorized by thecertification body, using only those examinationquestionnaires and specimens established or approvedby the certification body for that purpose

CB should develop examination questions according to documented procedure. CB
should invite examiners, representatives of industry and training organizations who
has ISO 9712 Level 3 or ASNT Level 3 for drafting of new examination questions
and evaluating of problematic questions already in use. CB should implement theprocess of verification and validation for examination questions. CB can purchaseexamination questions, e.g. ICNDT question bank. In this case examination questions
shall be verified and approved by CB.
CB should establish examination questionnaires that shall be used by examination
centers. If examination questionnaires are formed by AQB or examination centers
themselves examination questionnaires shall be verified and approved by CB.
Examination specimens should be established by CB. AQB or examination centerscan propose new examination specimens to use. In this case examination specimens
shall be verified and approved by CB

5.5.1

If the candidate is unemployed or self-employed, thedeclaration of education, training and experience shallbe attested to by at least one independent party
acceptable to the certification body.

Unemployed or self-employed candidate should provide CB with the declaration ofeducation, training and experience that shall be confirmed by ISO 9712 or ASNT
certified level 2 or 3.

5.6 b)

provide verifiable documentary evidence that therequired experience has been gained under qualified
supervision;

A signature of personnel described in the WG1 Report, rev.3 for Clauses 3.3 and 3.25
could be sufficient as verifiable documentary evidence.

7.2.1

The candidate shall provide documentary evidence,
acceptable to the certification body, that he hassatisfactorily completed training in the method and level
for which the certification is sought

It is recommended for CB to have documented procedure for authorization of training
organization. In order to be authorized training organization (TO) should comply with
ISO/TR 25108. Training certificates issued by those training organizations can beaccepted by the CB.
If candidate presents training certificate issued by unauthorized TO, CB should define
requirements to documentary evidence to be accepted by CB, e.g. compliance withpublished syllabus, duration, percent of attendance etc.
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Working Group 1
on Qualification
and Certification

INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR
NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING
7.2.2.

For all levels, the candidate shall satisfactorily complete Specifications for training courses published by CB should include both theoreticala course of theoretical and practical training recognized and practical parts based on ISO/TR 25107 or equivalent document, e.g. ASNT CPby the certification body105 and IAEA TecDoc 628. Authorized training organizations shall fulfill thoserequirements. Level 3 practical training may include drafting of NDT procedures or
critical review of existing NDT procedures.

7.2.3.

This duration is based upon candidates possessing
adequate mathematical skills and prior knowledge ofmaterials and processes. If it is not the case, additional
training may be required by the certification body.

7.2.3.

When creating industrial sectors as defined in Annex A, It is recommended for CBs operating product sectors to develop Matrix:
the certification body should consider whether the Method/Level/sector/ Training hours
minimum training requirements in Table 2 are sufficient
L1
L2
L3
or should be increased

It is recommended for CB to define a minimum level of basic education received bycandidate which can confirm that candidate possesses adequate mathematical skills
and prior knowledge of materials and processes. It could be secondary education forLevel 1 and Level 2 and vocational education for Level 3 or equivalent.

1 sector
2 sectors
3 sectors

It is recommended for CBs operating industrial sectors to increase the number oftraining hours given in Table 2 depending on product sectors from which industrial
sector is composed.
7.2.5.

for candidates who have graduated in a relevant subject
from technical college or university, or have completed
at least two years of relevant engineering or sciencestudy at college or university, the total required numberof training hours may be reduced by up to 50 %.
NOTE It is appropriate for the subject to be relevant tothe NDT method (chemistry, mathematics or physics)

Based on the national education system (for example, European Qualification
Framework EQF) CB should define which subject is relevant to particular NDT
method. Number of training hours may be reduced by 50 % if subject is NDT itself orif candidate have completed full course of relevant engineering or science study atcollege or university.
Candidate asking for reduction of training duration should submit a copy of his
degree certificate or technical college certificate.

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INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR
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Working Group 1on Qualification
and Certification

and/or to the product or industry sector (chemistry,metallurgy, engineering, etc.).
7.3.1.

The minimum duration of experience to be gained in thesector where the candidate is seeking certification shallbe as given in Table 3, with the possible reductions
given in 7.3.3. When the candidate is seeking
certification in more than one method, the total time ofexperience shall be the sum of the experience in eachmethod.

It is recommended for CBs to interpret the first paragraph as following:
The minimum duration of experience to be gained in the sector and NDT method onwhich the candidate is seeking certification shall be as given in Table 3, with thepossible reductions given in 7.3.3. When the candidate is seeking certification in morethan one method, the total time of experience shall be the sum of the experience ineach method. When the candidate is seeking certification in more than one sector thetotal time of experience should be increased. CB should define percentage ofincreasing taking into account item 7.3.3.1, third bullet.

7.3.1.

For Level 2 certification, the intent of this International
Standard is that work experience consists of time as aLevel 1. If the individual is being qualified directly to
Level 2, with no time at Level 1, the experience shallconsist of the sum of the times required for Level 1 andLevel 2. No reduction in the period of experience shallbe allowed.

Requirement “No reduction in the period of experience shall be allowed” isapplicable if candidate is seeking certification in one NDT method. In other case item
7.3.3 is applicable.

7.3.1.

For all levels, a minimum period of experience prior toexamination shall be defined by certification body (afraction or percentage of the total requirement in Table
3, as appropriate).

It is recommended that for level 1 candidate the minimum experience prior toexamination can be 0%.
For level 2 candidate - not less than the period of experience for level 1. For level 3 not less than 50%.
Item 7.3.3.2 may be applicable in this case.
In all cases certification can be made after gaining of appropriate experience.

7.3.2.

If the individual is being qualified directly from Level 1to Level 3, with no time at Level 2, the experience shallconsist of the sum of the times required for Level 2 andRequirement “No reduction in the period of experience shall be allowed” isapplicable if candidate is seeking certification in one NDT method. In other case item
7.3.3 is applicable.
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INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR
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Working Group 1
on Qualificationand Certification

Level 3. No reduction in the period of experience shallbe allowed.

Direct access for non-certified personnel to Level 3 requires the total period ofexperience for Levels 1, 2 and 3

7.3.3.1

When considering possible reduction in the duration ofexperience, the certification body should take into
consideration following elements:⎯ The quality of experience can be variable, and skills
may be assimilated more quickly in an environment
where the experience is concentrated and has a highdegree of relevance to the certification sought⎯ When gaining experience simultaneously in two or
more surface NDT methods, i.e. MT, PT and VT, theexperience gained in the application of one NDT
method may be complementary to the experience gainedin one or more other surface methods.
⎯ Experience in one sector of an NDT method for which
certification is already held may be complementary to
the experience in a different sector of the same NDTmethod.
⎯ The Level and quality of education possessed by thecandidate should also be considered. This is particularly
the case for the Level 3 candidate but it can also be
applicable for other levels.

The quality of experience and quality of education is very difficult to evaluate. It isrecommended do not take this provision into account when considering possible
reduction in the duration of experience.

7.3.3.3

In all cases, the candidate shall be required to show thatfor each of the NDT method and sector combinations
for which he seeks certification, he has at least half ofthe experience required, and this shall never be less than
one month in duration.

It is recommended for CBs operating product sectors to define experience
requirements for each possible NDT method and product sector combinations. Item
7.3.3.1, third bullet, should be taken into account.

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INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR
NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING

Working Group 1
on Qualification
and Certification

7.3.3.5

Up to 50 % of the practical experience time may beachieved by an appropriate practical course, the durationof which may be weighted by a maximum factor of five(5). This procedure shall not be used in conjunction withthat described in 7.3.3.4. The course shall beconcentrated on practical solutions of frequently
occurring testing problems, should involve a significant
element of testing known defective specimens, and theprogramme shall be approved by the certification body.

It is recommended for CB to define criteria for determining factor. Training duration,
number of samples, discontinuities and reports to be quantified for each factor
increment reduction, viz. 6 hrs + 3 UT (having a combined total of 6 flaws) test
samples inspected for 1 factor increment.

7.4.

The certification body may consider replacing therequirements in a) by compliance with an appropriate
alternative

CB should establish valid alternatives as Tumbling E chart or other and should
specify who has the capacity to carry out the tests. It could anybody within thecertification body appointed for that purpose.

8.1

The qualification examination shall cover a given NDT
method as applied in one industrial sector or one ormore product sectors. The certification body shall define
and publish the maximum amount of time allowed forthe candidate to complete each examination, which shallbe based upon the number and difficulty of thequestions. The average time allowed for questions
requiring narrative answers shall be determined by thecertification body.

The average time allowed should be no longer than two minutes per multiple choicequestion for general examination.
The average time allowed should be no longer than three minutes per multiple choicequestion for specific examination.
For Level 3 the average time allowed should be no longer than three minutes permultiple choice question.
The average time allowed should be no longer than ten minutes per question requiring
narrative answer.

8.2.1.

The general examination shall include only questions
selected in an unpredictable way from the certification
body’s or authorized qualification body’s collection ofgeneral examination questions valid at the date ofexamination.

CB is responsible for creating and maintaining of Examination Question Bank (EQB).
AQB can use CB’s EQB only. AQB can propose new questions. They can beincluded in CB’s EQB after appropriate verification and approval by CB.

6INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR
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8.2.2.

Working Group 1
on Qualification
and Certification

If the specific examination covers two or more sectors,
the minimum number of questions shall be at least 30,
evenly spread between the industrial or product sectors
concerned (see Annex A).

It is recommended for CBs operating product sectors to apply for specificexamination 20 questions per sector.

8.2.3.2

Each specimen shall be uniquely identified and have amaster report which includes all of the equipment
settings used to detect specified discontinuities
contained within the specimen, which shall be uniquely
identified by an appropriate permanent marking toensure that it is completely traceable. Such marking
shall not interfere with the practical testing or inspectionof the specimen and shall, wherever practicable, beconcealed from the candidate while the specimen isbeing used for examination.

It is recommended for CBs to conceal the marking of examination specimens
wherever it’s possible, e.g. big examination samples with stickers.
In order to avoid leaking information about small specimens to candidates CB should
increase the number of such specimens as much as possible.

8.5.2

A candidate who fails to obtain the pass grade for any
examination part, may be re-examined twice in thefailed part(s), provided that the re-examination takes
place not sooner than one month, unless further training
acceptable to the certification body is satisfactorily
completed, nor later than two years after the original
examination.

If a failed candidate wishes to re-sit the failed part of an examination before 30 days
they are required to sit a training course or take one –to – one training covering thearea of weakness and provide evidence of this to CB upon application forreexamination. CB should recommend candidate which part of syllabus he/she shallretake.

11.3.2.

The individual shall successfully complete an
It is recommended that CB should include at least five additional questions on theexamination that includes a minimum of 20 questions on requirements of the certification scheme in Level 3 recertification examination.
the application of the test method in the sector(s)concerned which demonstrates an understanding of

It is recommended for CBs operating industrial sectors to apply for specificexamination minimum 30 questions evenly spread between product sectors fromwhich industrial sector is composed.

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INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR
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Working Group 1
on Qualification
and Certification

current NDT techniques, standards, codes orspecifications, and applied technology and, at the optionof the certification body, five additional questions on therequirements of the certification scheme
8.6.2.

A certified Level 3 individual changing sectors or
adding another sector for the same NDT method isexempt from the need to retake the basic examinationand the Level 3 part D of the main method examination(see Table 7)

If Level 3 individual did not pass Level 2 practical examination in industrial sector
covering product sector concerned or does not have Level 2 in product sector
concerned he has to take Level 2 practical examination in the relevant product sector.

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