ASTM E2833-12(2018)

Standard Practice for Certification Bodies that Certify Personnel Engaged in Inspection and Testing of Construction Activities and Materials Used in Construction, Including Special Inspection

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This practice provides basic criteria for the development and operation of a certification body, the development and operation of a certification program, and the development and use of customary mechanisms to evaluate a candidate’s knowledge, skill, and ability.  
4.2 The basic criteria provided by this practice are intended to be supplemented by more specific criteria serving the requirements of the certification body.  
4.3 The certification body and its program, accredited according to the requirements of ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024 and this practice, shall be considered as having met the full intent of this practice.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice provides supplemental requirements to those of ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024 for bodies that certify personnel engaged in inspection and testing of construction activities and materials used in construction, including Special Inspection. ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024 provides generic requirements that can be adapted to any discipline where assurance that certified individual meets the requirements of the certification scheme. Therefore, certification bodies certifying personnel engaged in inspection and testing of construction activities and materials used in construction, including Special Inspection, must meet the requirements of this practice and ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024.  
1.2 This practice may be used as a reference by:  
1.2.1 Developers of standards requiring personnel certification in inspection and testing of construction activities and materials used in construction, including Special Inspection, as a reference to harmonize terminology and reduce confusion among users;  
1.2.2 Personnel certification bodies that establish criteria and certify construction inspection, construction testing, and Special Inspection agency personnel against specific requirements,  
1.2.3 Accreditation bodies that accredit certification bodies, and  
1.2.4 Users and specifiers as a reference when requiring personnel certification.  
1.3 This practice follows the format of ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024 and provides additional requirements where needed.  
1.4 Certification may be specific to a single test or inspection method or practice or a grouping or collection of methods or practices (any such method, code, or practice being hereinafter referred to as “method,” or collectively as “methods”).  
1.5 Personnel certification is an important aspect of the quality system of agencies engaged in inspection and testing of construction activities and materials used in construction, including Special Inspection. Certification of personnel is required to meet the personnel qualifications of Practice E329.  
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 28-Feb-2018
• ICS: 03.120.20 - Product and company certification. Conformity assessment
• Technical Committee: E36 - Accreditation & Certification
• Drafting Committee: E36.20 - Certification/Registration Bodies

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E2833-12 - Standard Practice for Certification Bodies that Certify Personnel Engaged in Inspection and Testing of Construction Activities and Materials Used in Construction, Including Special Inspection
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2018
• Refers: ASTM E329-23 - Standard Specification for Agencies Engaged in Construction Inspection, Testing, or Special Inspection
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Refers: ASTM E329-18 - Standard Specification for Agencies Engaged in Construction Inspection, Testing, or Special Inspection
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2018
• Refers: ASTM E329-14a - Standard Specification for Agencies Engaged in Construction Inspection, Testing, or Special Inspection
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2014
• Refers: ASTM E329-14 - Standard Specification for Agencies Engaged in Construction Inspection, Testing, or Special Inspection
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2014
• Refers: ASTM E329-13c - Standard Specification for Agencies Engaged in Construction Inspection, Testing, or Special Inspection
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2013
• Refers: ASTM E329-13b - Standard Specification for Agencies Engaged in Construction Inspection, Testing, or Special Inspection
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2013
• Refers: ASTM E329-13a - Standard Specification for Agencies Engaged in Construction Inspection, Testing, or Special Inspection
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2013
• Refers: ASTM E329-13 - Standard Specification for Agencies Engaged in Construction Inspection, Testing, or Special Inspection
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2013
• Refers: ASTM E329-11c - Standard Specification for Agencies Engaged in Construction Inspection, Testing, or Special Inspection
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2011
• Refers: ASTM E329-11b - Standard Specification for Agencies Engaged in Construction Inspection, Testing, or Special Inspection
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2011
• Refers: ASTM E329-11a - Standard Specification for Agencies Engaged in Construction Inspection, Testing, or Special Inspection
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2011
• Refers: ASTM E329-11 - Standard Specification for Agencies Engaged in Construction Inspection, Special Inspection, or Testing Materials Used in Construction
• Effective Date: 15-Mar-2011
• Refers: ASTM E329-10 - Standard Specification for Agencies Engaged in Construction Inspection, Special Inspection, or Testing Materials Used in Construction
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2010
• Refers: ASTM E329-09 - Standard Specification for Agencies Engaged in Construction Inspection and/or Testing
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2009

Overview

ASTM E2833-12(2018) establishes a set of supplemental requirements for certification bodies that certify personnel involved in the inspection and testing of construction activities and materials, including Special Inspection. This standard is designed to work in conjunction with ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024, which provides the general criteria for operating personnel certification programs. ASTM E2833-12(2018) ensures that certification schemes for construction inspection, construction testing, and Special Inspection personnel meet the unique needs of the construction industry, providing confidence in the competence of certified professionals and supporting the quality system requirements outlined in ASTM E329.

Key Topics

• Certification Bodies: The standard defines foundational criteria for developing and operating certification bodies specifically tailored to the construction industry.
• Certification Program Development: It outlines the processes for designing and implementing certification schemes to validate the knowledge, skill, and ability of candidates.
• Examination and Evaluation: Both written and monitored performance examinations are required, ensuring practical and theoretical competence. The scope of examinations includes apparatus use, specimen preparation, procedures, calculations, and error recognition.
• Supplemental Requirements: ASTM E2833-12(2018) supplements ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024, providing more detailed industry-focused criteria where generic standards require adaptation.
• Accreditation and Compliance: Certification bodies compliant with both ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024 and ASTM E2833-12(2018) meet the full intent of this standard, supporting international recognition and harmonization.
• Quality Assurance: Personnel certification, as mandated by this standard, is essential for construction agencies to fulfill quality system requirements, particularly under ASTM E329.
• Legal and Ethical Considerations: The practice mandates adherence to legal and governmental requirements regarding examination fairness, confidentiality, and due process in certification revocation.

Applications

• Certification of Construction Personnel: Organizations seeking to certify inspectors, testers, and Special Inspection personnel can utilize this standard to ensure robust and reliable certification processes.
• Standardization of Industry Practices: Developers of standards and accreditation bodies reference ASTM E2833-12(2018) to ensure consistent terminology and requirements across the industry, minimizing confusion and discrepancies.
• Accreditation of Certification Bodies: Accreditation bodies utilize these criteria to evaluate whether certification organizations meet international best practices in personnel competence assessment for the construction sector.
• Specification by Owners and Project Sponsors: Project owners, specifiers, and responsible code officials use this standard as a reference to require or verify legitimate certification of construction inspection and testing personnel for compliance and risk management.
• Quality System Compliance: Agencies engaged in the inspection and testing of construction materials and activities adopt this standard to fulfill recognized quality management and personnel competence requirements.

Related Standards

• ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024: Conformity Assessment – General Requirements for Bodies Operating Certification Systems of Persons. Forms the primary basis for the development and operation of personnel certification bodies, with additional construction-specific requirements provided by ASTM E2833-12(2018).
• ASTM E329: Specification for Agencies Engaged in Construction Inspection, Testing, or Special Inspection. Requires personnel certification, which may be satisfied under the provisions of ASTM E2833-12(2018).
• World Trade Organization (WTO) TBT Principles: ASTM E2833-12(2018) aligns with international standardization principles, supporting global trade acceptance.

Keywords: ASTM E2833-12(2018), certification bodies, personnel certification, construction inspection, construction testing, Special Inspection, ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024, ASTM E329, quality assurance, accreditation, construction industry standards.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: E2833 −12 (Reapproved 2018) An American National Standard
Standard Practice for
Certification Bodies that Certify Personnel Engaged in
Inspection and Testing of Construction Activities and
Materials Used in Construction, Including Special
Inspection
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2833; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 1.5 Personnel certification is an important aspect of the
quality system of agencies engaged in inspection and testing of
1.1 This practice provides supplemental requirements to
construction activities and materials used in construction,
those ofANSI/ISO/IEC 17024 for bodies that certify personnel
including Special Inspection. Certification of personnel is
engaged in inspection and testing of construction activities and
required to meet the personnel qualifications of Practice E329.
materials used in construction, including Special Inspection.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024 provides generic requirements that can
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
be adapted to any discipline where assurance that certified
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
individual meets the requirements of the certification scheme.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
Therefore, certification bodies certifying personnel engaged in
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
inspection and testing of construction activities and materials
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
used in construction, including Special Inspection, must meet
the requirements of this practice and ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024.
2. Referenced Documents
1.2 This practice may be used as a reference by:
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.2.1 Developers of standards requiring personnel certifica-
E329 Specification for Agencies Engaged in Construction
tion in inspection and testing of construction activities and
Inspection, Testing, or Special Inspection
materials used in construction, including Special Inspection, as
2.2 ANSI/ISO/IEC Standards:
a reference to harmonize terminology and reduce confusion
ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024 Conformity Assessment – General
among users;
Requirements for Bodies Operating Certification Systems
1.2.2 Personnel certification bodies that establish criteria
of Persons
and certify construction inspection, construction testing, and
Special Inspection agency personnel against specific
3. Terminology
requirements,
3.1 The definitions in Section 3 supplement the terms and
1.2.3 Accreditation bodies that accredit certification bodies,
definitions provided in ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024.
and
1.2.4 Users and specifiers as a reference when requiring 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
personnel certification. 3.2.1 agency, n—an organization, or part thereof, authorized
by the project sponsor or his duly authorized representative to
1.3 This practice follows the format of ANSI/ISO/IEC
inspect, test, or both, construction and materials used in
17024 and provides additional requirements where needed.
construction as required by the project specifications.
1.4 Certification may be specific to a single test or inspec-
3.2.1.1 inspection agency, n—an agency whose personnel
tion method or practice or a grouping or collection of methods
make visual observations and field measurements of construc-
or practices (any such method, code, or practice being herein-
tion activities and materials used in construction.
after referred to as “method,” or collectively as “methods”).
(a) Discussion—An inspection agency may collect and
1 2
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E36 on Accredi- For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
tation & Certification and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E36.20 on contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Certification/Registration Bodies. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved March 1, 2018. Published March 2018. Originally the ASTM website.
approved in 2012. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as E2833 – 12. DOI: Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
10.1520/E2833-12R18. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E2833 − 12 (2018)
submit samples identified with respective portions of the use of customary mechanisms to evaluate a candidate’s
construction for laboratory evaluation. The inspection agency knowledge, skill, and ability.
and testing agency may be one organization or separate
4.2 The basic criteria provided by this practice are intended
organizations.
to be supplemented by more specific criteria serving the
3.2.1.2 Special Inspection agency, n—a third-party inspec-
requirements of the certification body.
tion agency approved by the applicable building official to
4.3 The certification body and its program, accredited ac-
perform Special Inspections.
cording to the requirements of ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024 and this
3.2.1.3 testing agency, n—an agency whose personnel
practice, shall be considered as having met the full intent of
measure, examine, test, or otherwise determine the character-
this practice.
istics or performance of construction activities and materials
5. Requirements for Certification Bodies
used in construction.
5.1 This practice does not impose additional requirements
3.2.2 applicant, n—a person who has submitted an applica-
on the policies and procedures of the certification body beyond
tion to be accepted into the certification process.
those of ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024.
3.2.3 candidate, n—an applicant who has fulfilled specified
prerequisites and has been admitted to the certification process. NOTE 1—ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024 includes requirements for the certifi-
cation body to develop and maintain policies and procedures that are “fair
3.2.4 certification body, n—an organization that offers or
and equitable” to all certification candidates and certificants in addressing
operates, or both, a certification program.
granting, maintaining, renewing, expanding and reducing the scope of a
certification and suspending or withdrawing a certification. ANSI/ISO/
3.2.5 competence, n—demonstrated ability to apply knowl-
IEC 17024 addresses the structure of the certification body to give
edge or skills, or both, and, where relevant, demonstrated
confidence to interested parties in its competence, impartiality and
personal attributes as defined in the certification scheme.
integrity including the involvement of a “scheme committee” responsible
for the development and maintenance of certification schemes. It specifi-
3.2.6 computer-based testing (CBT, also e-exam, computer-
cally requires the certification body to demonstrate that any training and
ized testing, and computer-administered testing), n—a method
related activities are independent of the certification process to ensure
of administering examinations in which the responses are
confidentiality and impartiality. ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024 addresses
...