ISO/TC 135/SC 7 - Personnel qualification

This document specifies requirements for the qualification and certification of personnel who perform industrial non-destructive testing (NDT) in the following methods. a) acoustic emission testing; b) eddy current testing; c) leak testing (hydraulic pressure tests excluded); d) magnetic testing; e) penetrant testing; f) radiographic testing; g) strain gauge testing; h) thermographic testing; i) ultrasonic testing; j) visual testing (direct unaided visual tests and visual tests carried out during the application of another NDT method are excluded). The system specified in this document is also applicable to other NDT methods or to NDT techniques within an established NDT method, provided a comprehensive scheme of certification exists and the NDT method or NDT technique is covered by international, regional or national standards or the NDT method or the NDT technique has been demonstrated to be effective to the satisfaction of the certification body. NOTE 1 The term "industrial" implies the exclusion of applications in the field of medicine. NOTE 2 CEN/TR 14748 provides guidance on the methodology for qualification of non-destructive tests. NOTE 3 This document specifies requirements for what are, in effect, third party conformity assessment schemes. These requirements do not directly apply to conformity assessment by second or first parties, but relevant parts of this document can be referred to in such arrangements. NOTE 4 The term “direct unaided visual testing” implies where there is an uninterrupted optical path from the observer’s eye to the test area and the observer uses no tools or devices (e.g. mirror, endoscope, fibre optic). NOTE 5 Calculations of strain based on other NDT methods are excluded.

This document gives requirements and recommendations for non-destructive testing (NDT) training syllabuses, with the intention of harmonizing and maintaining the general standard of training of NDT personnel for industrial needs. It also establishes the minimum requirements for effective structured training of NDT personnel to ensure eligibility for qualification examinations leading to third-party certification according to recognized standards. In addition to non-destructive testing in general, its guidelines for syllabuses cover acoustic emission testing, eddy current testing, leak testing, magnetic testing, penetrant testing, radiographic testing, ultrasonic testing, visual testing, thermographic testing, and strain gauge testing. ISO/TS 25108 gives requirements and recommendations for NDT training organizations.

This document gives requirements and recommendations for non-destructive testing (NDT) training organizations, with the intention of harmonizing and maintaining the general standard of training of NDT personnel for industrial needs. It also establishes the minimum requirements for effective structured training of NDT personnel to ensure eligibility for qualification examinations leading to third-party certification according to recognized standards. NOTE ISO/TS 25107 gives requirements and recommendations for NDT training syllabuses intended for training.

ISO 18490:2015 specifies the form of the optotype, the quality requirements for the chart, the test procedure, and the acceptance level for near vision acuity of NDT personnel. It also addresses the qualification requirements for personnel permitted to carry out the test. ISO 18490:2015 only addresses near vision acuity under defined conditions similar to those encountered during routine NDT inspection. It does not address an individual's overall visual acuity and users are advised to consider the need for a general eye examination by specialist medical personnel to ensure general vision acuity is appropriate for job function. ISO 18490:2015 does not address colour vision requirements.

ISO/TS 11774:2011 provides a method for qualification of non-destructive testing (NDT) personnel, procedures, and equipment for specific non-destructive tests conducted in accordance with documented procedures established within a performance-based qualification programme. Implementation of ISO/TS 11774:2011 requires cooperation between applicable industry sector committees (ISCs) and qualification bodies to ensure that specific performance expectations are addressed. The qualification methodology described in ISO/TS 11774:2011 is based upon the ability of a candidate 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. It is possible that second party (employer-based) qualification and approval (e.g. in accordance with ANSI/ASNT CP-189) or qualification and third party certification (e.g. in accordance with ISO 9712 or EN 473), followed by on-the-job training does not provide the required degree of confidence for safety critical inspections, and ISO/TS 11774:2011 provides criteria to assist in preparing an individual for performance-based qualification examinations. Qualification to ISO/TS 11774:2011 is limited to the specific applications, using the specific documented procedure in the performance-based qualification programme.

ISO/TS 22809:2007 has been established to consider and define types of discontinuities to be exhibited in test specimens for use in non-destructive testing examinations.

ISO 20807:2004 establishes a system for the qualification of personnel who perform NDT applications of a limited, repetitive or automated nature, such as: eddy current and electromagnetic sorting of materials; eddy current and electromagnetic testing of tubular products during manufacture; normal beam ultrasonic testing of plate materials during manufacture; ultrasonic thickness testing.

This International Standard specifies requirements for principles for the qualification and certification of personnel who perform industrial non-destructive testing (NDT). The system specified in this International Standard can also apply to other NDT methods or to new techniques within an established NDT method, provided a comprehensive scheme of certification exists and the method or technique is covered by International, regional or national standards or the new NDT method or technique has been demonstrated to be effective to the satisfaction of the certification body. The certification covers proficiency in one or more of the following methods: a) acoustic emission testing; b) eddy current testing; c) infrared thermographic testing; d) leak testing (hydraulic pressure tests excluded); e) magnetic testing; f) penetrant testing; g) radiographic testing; h) strain gauge testing; i) ultrasonic testing; j) visual testing (direct unaided visual tests and visual tests carried out during the application of another NDT method are excluded).

ISO 9712:2005 specifies the qualification and certification of personnel involved in non-destructive testing (NDT). It is applicable to proficiency in one or more of the following methods: acoustic emission testing; eddy current testing; infrared thermographic testing; leak testing (hydraulic pressure tests excluded); magnetic particle testing; penetrant testing; radiographic testing; strain testing; ultrasonic testing; visual testing (direct unaided visual tests and visual tests carried out during the application of another NDT method are excluded).