Qualification and Certification

in NDE
Roots and the way of
EN 473 / ISO 9712

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

NDT
Non destructive testing is the examination of
materials and components without changing or
destroying their usefulness
NDT plays a crucial role in everyday life and is
necessary to assure safety and reliability
Typical examples are found in aircraft, motorvehicles,
pipelines, bridges, trains, power stations, refineries
and oil platforms which are all inspected using NDT

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

NDT Personnel
Knowledge and experience of the NDTPersonnel are the main keys for good
NDT-Results
Since more than 80 years these people
are specially trained
The first trainings where simple on-thejob trainings

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

NDT Personnel

Later on, a classroom training was added

and finished with an examination
The next step was a recommendation for the
Certification of NDT-Personnel, first
published in the USA 1967
Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Examination

Training

Eye Test

Experience

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Authorization

Certification by employer
First certificates were given by the
employer
He was responsible for training,
examination, certification, for storing the
files
This had to be described in a Written
Practice

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Certification by employer
Problems:
The certification is different from company
to company
Every customer is checking the system
with review and approval (multiple cost)
Some employers misuse the flexibility

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Central Certification
Beginning 1974 National NDT-Societies all
over the world started to offer a Central
Certification
After an examination by an independent
examiner, an independent certification
body is giving the certificates

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Central Certification
The certificates are widely accepted
The qualification is cost efficient
There is no difference from one employer
to another

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Central Certification
The good acceptance of the central
certification led forward to internationally
recognized programs
Between 1987 and 1993 CEN and ISO
developed the standards
EN 473 and ISO 9712

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Central Certification
After some years of experience both
organizations improved and revised the
documents
They added a training syllabus and
requirements for training organizations

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Requirements of EN 473

Certification

Examination

Experience

Training

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Level of competence
Three levels of competence are defined:
Level 1 - the basic operator
Level 2 the advanced operator
Level 3 the supervisor

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Level 1
May be authorized to:
a) set up NDT equipment,
b) perform the tests,
c) record and classify the results of the
tests in terms of written criteria,
d) report the results
Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Level 2
Set up and verify equipment settings,
perform and supervise tests,
interpret and evaluate results according
to applicable standards, codes or
specifications,
prepare written NDT instructions
organize and report the results.
Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Level 3
Assume full responsibility for a test facility or
examination centre and staff,
establish and validate NDT instructions and
procedures,
designate the particular test methods,
procedures and NDT instructions to be used,
carry out and supervise all level 1 and level 2
duties.

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Requirements
Requirements for experience, training and
examination differ from Level to Level
They also depend on the NDT method

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Experience in Months
Method

Level 1

Level 2

Ultrasonic

Magnetic
Particle

Penetrant
Testing

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Pre - Education for Level 3

at least three years accredited in
science or engineering college or
university programme
technical school or
at least two years of engineering or
science study at an accredited college or
university
No degree
Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Experience
(months)
12

24

48

Training
In Level 1 and 2 a formal training is
required
The training has to be accepted by the
certification body
The time requirements are depending on
the NDT-method
UT1: 40 hours; UT2: 80 hours
Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Training
For Level 3 preparation for examination
may be achieved in different ways:
By attending training courses, conferences or
seminars,
alternatively by studying books, periodicals
and other specialized printed materials.

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Examination
Prior to examination, every candidate has
to fulfill the requirements for training and
experience
Then he is able to apply for the
examination, performed under the control
of the certification body

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Examination Level 1 and 2

Examination with three parts:
General Written(90 Min)
Knowledge of basic principles

Specific Written (90 Min)

Knowledge of procedures, codes
and instructions

Practical hands on (120 min):

Performing tests on different
objects with real defects

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Training and examination

Level 3

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Demand of EN 473:
5.3.3.2 Level 3 personnel have demonstrated,...

b) sufficient practical knowledge , to select

NDT-methods, establish NDT techniques ...

c) a general familiarity with other NDT methods

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Level 3 Knowledge
Level 2
practical

Our solution:
Practical
Knowledge
How to Test

Modular

Upgrade
Examination

Level 3
Basic

Level 3
Main Method

General Overview
Materials/processes
Method principles
Advantages/Problems
Method selection

High Level
Knowledge
in every
single
Method

Examination

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Examination

Level 3 Examination
1. A practical examination for the test method (4
hours)
2. A written examination (6 parts) for the general
overview (8 hours)
3. A written examination (3 parts) for the deep
knowledge of the single method (8 hours)
Examination 1 and 3 must be passed for every
method, in witch he wants to become a level 3
person
Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Certification
After a person has fulfilled every
requirement for experience, training and
examination he can apply for certification
The Certification Body is checking it and
granting certificates

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Certification
Wallet card

Certificate A4

Limited validation

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Validation
The validation period starts, if every
requirement for certification is fulfilled,
normally with the day of the last
examination
A certificate according to EN 473 is valid
for a maximum of 5 years

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Validation
After 5 years the certificate can be
renewed, if there is evidence of
continuous work, stated by the employer
After another 5 years, it can be recertified,
but only by examination

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Implementing a
QM System

Certification
of
Personnel

Organizing
Examinations

Tasks of the
Certification
Body
Catalog of
questions

Documentation

Supervising and
training of Examiners

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Summary
Central Certification of NDT Personnel is a
common way in Europe
The Standard EN 473 in second edition is
describing such a system
More than 100.000 certificates show the big
acceptance on the market

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Digital Radiology
The first course on Imaging NDE, before: Radioscopy
Level 1 & 2, each 4 days
Special Topics:
- Imaging systems, check of image quality, optimisation
- Images of welding and casting defects
- Exercises
- Filtering and noise reduction (Level 2)
- Automatic and interactive defect recognition (Level 2)
Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Qualification and
Certification
beyond the Standards?

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Many companies need

Senior Experts for multiple NDT-methods:

Level 3
+

with two or more

main methods

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Examination
Examination
Materials/
processes

EN 473

25
20
QuestionsQuestions

4 selected
NDT-methods
60
Questions

SNT-TC
1A

All 10
NDTmethods

NDTManagement

20
20
20
Questions Questions Questions

Examination 1

Examination 2

Exam. 3

240 min.

80 min.

40 min.

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Summary of new Level 3 quality initiative

Examination I
+

Examination II

Examination III

NDT-Select

2 Main Method Examinations

NDT-Master
Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Some Data
about
DGZfP
(German Society for Non-Destructive testing)

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

The DGZfP
Education and Training Ltd.
Since more than 70 years, training of testing personnel
is one of the main tasks of the DGZfP which has now
a long tradition and is performed with great conscious.
Since 1956, more than 35,000 inspectors have been
trained.
The DGZfP offers a comprehensive training program in
six regional training centers and several authorized
training locations.
This network makes the DGZfP to one of the largest
training organizations for NDT personnel in Europe.
Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Training Centers
Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Quality
Costumer satisfaction is our goal
Our training organization fulfills the
requirements of ISO 9001:2000
The training content is controlled by
a governing board of NDT-experts
from industry, institutes and
suppliers
Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Formal Reasons
A quality management
system designed to
satisfy ISO 9001 :
2000 would be
considered to satisfy
these guidelines.

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Benefit for the Organisation

Talking about quality
brings the idea of
customer satisfaction in
every mind
It is changing the
behavior of our
colleagues

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Benefit for the Organisation

A certified quality
system attracts
costumers

3000

2500

2000

15 0 0

10 0 0

500

0
1

11

13 15 17

19 2 1 2 3 2 5 2 7 2 9 3 1 3 3 3 5 3 7 3 9 4 1 4 3 4 5 4 7 4 9 5 1 5 3
KW

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Benefit
Continuous
optimization of the
work
Procedures and
documentations as
Backup

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Benefit for employees

Involvement and
Influence
Information
Continuous education

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Benefit for customers

Market

Fulfillment of
requirements
Public statement that
quality is important

Company

Thank you for your attention!

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein