3.

May time spent in formal training establishing the certification date based Therefore, in strict conformance with
beyond minimum requirements be on all qualifications being met regardless SNT-TC-1A (1975 edition), a practical
applied to experience? of the final order of completion? examination is required. Together with
Specific Examination, the grades may
Response Response constitute from 0.4 to 0.6 percentile
1. No. See Inquiry 80-12: The SNT-TC-1A does not recommend a weight factor. There is no
employer’s written practice should sequence for completing the various recommended distribution for weight
specify the time period over which requirements for certification. The factors between the Specific and
simultaneous experience should be employer’s written practice shall cover Practical Examination. The employer
credited. See also Inquiry 76-1. all phases of certification, but the written may choose any distribution. The
2. Yes, if the working hours in the MT practice need not specify the sequence in response to Inquiry 78-6 states with
method in the month total 44 or which requirements are completed. The regard to 8.6.3, “The specific percentile
more and all other requirements for certification date may not be based on weight factors used should be clearly
certification are satisfied. completion of an individual requirement, stated in the employer’s written practice
*Withdrawn in June 1990. See such as an examination, but must be and should be based on the particular
Inquiry 89-3. concurrent with or subsequent to the date needs of the employer.”
3. No. It is not intended that formal of completion of all requirements for Paragraph 9.3 of the SNT-TC-1A
classroom training in excess of certification. (1975 edition) provides that certification
minimum requirements be shall be based on Paragraphs 6, 7 and 8
substituted for experience. Hours but permits modification of those
spent in hands-on examination in Inquiry 85-7 requirements by the employer’s written
excess of minimum training practice. Therefore, the ultimate response
A question has arisen with regard to
requirements may be counted to the inquiry will be determined by the
the validity of “Level III certification by
toward experience when that basis of the content of the employer’s
appointment” in the case of the owner of
provision is contained in the written practice.
a company certifying himself.
employer’s written practice.
Response Inquiry 85-9
Inquiry 85-4 See Inquiry 81-9.1: An employer may 1. Can the personnel already approved
certify any employee as Level III by the 1980 edition conduct the test
1. Can an employer, acting as the provided the individual has the
certifying agency, certify a of both eddy current testing and
qualifications required by the employer’s magnetic leakage flux testing
Level III individual to SNT-TC-1A written practice.
criteria if that individual is a without any additional education
self-employed consultant? and/or qualification test?
2. If so, what method of certification Inquiry 85-8 2. If not, can the personnel already
should be used and what objective approved by the 1980 edition
Paragraph 8.6.3(C-2) of SNT-TC-1A conduct the testing of only the eddy
evidence should be available?
(1975 edition) requires a percentile current test? Is qualification based
weight factor 0.4 to 0.6 for on the 1980 edition effective only
Response
Specific-Practical NDT Level III concerning the eddy current test? If
1. Yes. A self-employed consultant examination grades. Is it acceptable to it is effective, is it necessary that
qualifies as an employee within the interpret this paragraph as follows? the personnel already approved by
intent of 2.1.5 and 2.1.7. either the 1980 edition or the 1984
2. The employer’s written practice Examination Weight Factor edition be identified respectively?
should describe a method of General 0.5 Wg
certification in accordance with the Specific 0.5 Ws Response
provisions of SNT-TC-1A. The Practical N/A Wp
objective evidence should be as 1. To be qualified and certified in the
described in the employer’s written magnetic flux leakage method,
Response
practice and should include personnel shall receive additional
In strict conformance with the education and a qualification
evidence of education, training,
recommendations contained in the examination in accordance with
experience and appropriate
SNT-TC-1A (1975 edition), the following SNT-TC-1A.
examinations.
apply to Level III examination and 2. Personnel certified in the eddy
certification: 8.5.3(c) Practical current method in accordance with
Inquiry 85-5 Examination Proficiency shall be SNT-TC-1A (1980 edition) are
demonstrated in selecting, specifying and qualified to perform only the eddy
See Inquiry 84-2. writing specifications and/or procedures current method. The certification
for the performance of the applicable record for an individual should
Inquiry 85-6 nondestructive tests using appropriate indicate the edition of SNT-TC-1A
reference material. applicable at the time of
Is it the intent of SNT-TC-1A that examination.
qualification requirements such as visual 8.6.3(c) NDT Level III
acuity, color vision and sufficient work Examination Grades:
experience be completed before the General 0.4 to 0.6
examination date and that the Specific-Practical 0.4 to 0.6
examination date be used as the final
certification date in lieu of the employer

Interpreting SNT-TC-1A 11
Inquiry 86-1 4.3.2. While it is good practice to
perform all NDT in accordance with a
3. If an individual is “internally”
certified as a Level III in Company
If an inspector has been given an eye written procedure, SNT-TC-1A only A, can that individual act as an
examination and found to have a prescribes written documents for the “external” Level III authority for
red/green color deficiency, can he be control and administration of NDT Company B and administer exams
qualified to perform magnetic particle personnel training, examination and for Level I and II personnel in
testing and liquid penetrant testing certification. See Paragraph 5.1. It does Company B?
providing the following color test is not prescribe that there exist a written
administered by a Level III? procedure applicable to each examination Response
1. Magnetic particle: a test shall be performed. The participation of ASNT
conducted using welds with known 1. No, as established by a precedent of
Level III is not a requirement under any Inquiry 86-2, though on a slightly
discontinuities to assure their aspect of SNT-TC-1A.
detection. A second test of different subject. “The participation
production welds shall be given to of ASNT Level III (i.e., a holder of a
evaluate the inspector’s ability to Inquiry 86-3 valid ASNT Level III certificate) is
distinguish between relevant and not a requirement under any aspect
Regarding the need for reexamination of SNT-TC-1A.” The employer’s
nonrelevant indications. The of Level II technician on changing
inspector’s certification shall be written practice should specify the
employers, it is our belief that provided requirements.
restricted to using only those colors that evidence exists of an examination to
used in the above tests, such as 2. No. See Inquiry 85-7.
SNT-TC-1A rules, the new employer may 3. Considering the response to
black powder, gray powder and/or recertify the technician to the previously
orange powder. Inquiry 81-9.2 and Inquiry 83-4.1
attained level providing he is satisfied and 83-4.2, the answer is yes,
2. Liquid penetrant: a test shall be that the technician meets the other
conducted using welds with known provided the Level III is acting as
conditions set by ASNT, regarding period Company B’s agent.
discontinuities to assure their of employment and date of recertification.
detection. A second test of
production welds shall be given to Response Inquiry 86-7
evaluate the inspector’s ability to
distinguish between relevant and Inquiry 78-4.1 and Inquiry 80-9 It is requested that clarification be
irrelevant indications. established the precedent that the provided regarding whether an
examination referred to in Paragraph individual qualified in accordance with
Response 10.2 be administered by the “new” the 1984 edition is also qualified in
employer or obtain copies of the accordance with previous editions of
The color vision examinations examinations taken by the candidate at SNT-TC-1A, as referred by the ASME
described are in compliance with the the previous employer. This step is Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code.
intent of the SNT-TC-1A (1980 edition), necessary to ensure the quality of the
Paragraph 8.1.1.2 as well as the same examinations and to meet the Response
paragraph of the 1984 edition and documentation needs of
Paragraph 8.2(a2) of the 1975 edition Inquiry 85-2 established the
Paragraph 9.6.1.6. precedent that an individual once
and with prior Inquiry 78-11.2 and
Inquiry 81-15. The examinations should certified need not recertify to another
be documented in the written practice Inquiry 86-5 edition of SNT-TC-1A. However, as
required by Section 5 of those editions. addressed in Inquiry 84-1, “Any or all
1. It is, of course, clear from editions [of SNT-TC-1A] could be
SNT-TC-1A that a company can use referenced in the employer’s written
Inquiry 86-2 an external Level III authority to practice,” depending upon the
conduct Level I and Level II specification or code referencing
May a Level II as per ASNT examinations and to underwrite its
guidelines SNT-TC-1A legally inspect, for SNT-TC-1A to interpret what is required.
own certification procedures. I have If the individual is certified to the latest
example, the lifting devices of an always assumed that this Level III
industrial plant without a written edition of SNT-TC-1A, they are also
authority should be officially considered to meet the
procedure and a report of approval of an certified by ASNT and his name
ASNT Level III? recommendations of earlier editions.
would therefore appear on a current
list of such persons, issued annually
Response by you. Is this correct? Inquiry 87-1
The question of whether or not 2. It is also possible for a company to In accordance with the intent of
compliance with any provision of certify its own internal Level III SNT-TC-1A (1975, 1980 and 1984
SNT-TC-1A is legally necessary is authority “with or without an editions), is it acceptable to allow credit
beyond the scope of SNT-TC-1A and examination” provided it meets toward RT Level I qualification and
must be determined in the laws, codes other requirements of SNT-TC-1A certification for RT work time
and standards applicable to the facility of and of its own written practice. If experience which has been acquired
material being inspected. In situations an examination is administered, I while working as a trainee with and
where SNT-TC-1A is applicable, an NDT have assumed that it should at least under the direct supervision of certified
Level II may interpret and evaluate be carried out by an external Level I RT technicians who have met all
results with respect to the applicable authority certified at Level III by federal and/or agreement state
codes, standards and specifications and ASNT. Is this a true assumption? requirements for qualifications and
may report the results, as provided in designation as industrial radiographers?

12 Interpreting SNT-TC-1A