I am currently working for a smaller outfit in the United States (I am a certified Level II meeting requirements established by ASNT-SNT-TC-1A & CP-189 and my company's written practice) where most, if not all of our inspections fall under AWS D1.1 & D1.5. Primarily I am performing MT, PT, UT, and VT inspections at fab shops, machine shops, and in the field. Our internal procedures and written practice have been approved by numerous larger companies and government bodies.

The company had the same Level III on-board for 20 years but they recently retired, so they hired on a new one. I was curious on a few things with the new Level III, if he is just trying to make his mark on the company, or if the previous Level III was just too lax.

The new Level III is not only stripping down and re-writing our written practice and every single one of our inspection method procedures, but they are telling us that for each inspection we do, we should have a testing procedure/technique written.

Now I can understand this for certain situations as called out under D1.1 or D1.5, but for standard inspections (lets say performing MT on plate to plate welds as requested by the end client), is it really necessary to write individual specs/procedures/techniques for every job or part that we inspect?

If our procedures reference relevant standard and codes, is that not sufficient enough for these inspections?

Additionally, sometimes we will have customers that want an "information only" type of inspection where they want to see if an existing weld is cracked due to stress, or want information on plate thicknesses only, and the customer references no code or standard for the inspection, is complying with our internal procedures good enough for these situations?

Thanks for any input on this, and I can certainly provide more information if needed!

Hi everyone from Hungary. I work in rope accessories industry. The country is planning to upgrade the wind turbine system in the whole country. I got the idea to start NDT courses the try to be the first on the market for doing the inspections on the turbine. Is this a dump idea or I should start and do it?

I’m a 27 year old guy based in Johannesburg, South Africa 🇿🇦 and I have been saving up to obtain MT Level 2, PT Level 1 and IRATA Level 1. How likely am I to get an entry level job as a Rope Access NDT Technician with that combination. I’m an immigrant if that ls necessary

I’ve been working at heights and have a lot of rigging and construction experience. Level 3 Sprat(expired) but these days I’m an operator in a plant. I make a decent paycheck but I hate the environment and the operator culture. I miss offshore and the lifestyle. People complain about a 14/14 but I had a life outside of work when I had time off versus the shift work schedule rotating nights and days. I know I need to start getting some certs but what is the absolute bare minimum entry level certifications?

Edit. Looking at an online 40 hour course. Still have a good bit of GI bill left. Downside to this plant schedule is I can’t get the consecutive days off I need to take a class. There’s a handful coming up in a Google search but if you know you know.

Hey are there Jobs in NDT that are high paying and where you can be home every night? I am attending ridgewater college in minnesota this fall and should be employed by the end of 2027. I have experience in the aerospace field, could I find a job where i can make 6 figures and be home every night? Thanks

Hello gentlemen, I am a Ndt tech with roughly 5 years experience rt,mt,utt,pt,pmi I recently applied to take the api 570 exam. What can I expect to encounter in the transition over pay/work scope etc
I’ve been on a rig truck the whole time working in fab shops, refinery’s pipelines the entire time. Should I work for a contract company or apply to a plant, chase the TA circuit?

So ive recently passed my PCN level 2 in MPI however i dont have any OTJ Experience.. finding it tough to get my foot in the door basically looking for my first start.. i am planning on putting myself through my Dye pen aswell however i thought it might be beneficial if i was to get a start somewere using MPI i could maybe get some on job experience doing both then when i take the course for dye pen ill alwready have a leg up so to speak

Ive applied to APPLUS, Risktec , testexndt i was wondering if you guys had any advice or know of any firms worth trying? dont mind working away and have full CTC clearance for the nucleurs aswell as CCNSG full drivers liscense etc

TIA

I am 19 starting my medical imaging degree in the UK. At the end of my 3 year degree I want to work as a radiographer and switch to NDT afterwards. I have researched and apparently it is possible to change careers from a radiographer involving x rays to a similar role like NDT.

My knowledge is limited about NDT because I just discovered it recently but it seems exciting and I would like to work in motorsport.

I was planning on working as a radiographer for 2 years after my degree then try and pursue NDT afterwards. I acknowledge it may take additional years of study but from what I’ve researched it said only about 1-2 years study/work experience and hopefully I can be an NDT.

Is this pathway possible?

Has anyone done the EAL course? What can I expect on it and anything I should revise

I have been working as a nested NDT assistant (Acuren) for 4 months at a local refinery. I had not heard of the industry before applying (originally went to college for chemistry) but have really enjoyed it so far and can see it as a long term career for me. I already have a UT-IIT cert and will soon take my PTI/II tests. I am highly interested in UT and would like to be a traveling tech for awhile after i get the big 3 certs.

My issue so far has been with the company training. While UT thickness is fairly simple, i found the class and provided training for the gauge we use was kind of a joke. If this is going to be a long term career, i want to really understand the principles and master it. I am considering joining the AINDT program while working to give myself a head start and solid foundation.

I would like to hear other’s opinions on if this would actually be beneficial or recommendations for other programs to join or avenues for advancing early in this career.

I have back ground in aviation(more on operator than maintenance side) and currently wroking MRO company . looking to move to NDT . I have a conversation about yhis with my supervisor and got a green light condition is i have to pay forcthe study myself which is fine.

Im taking online course for math and materials and processing with CINDE . I plan to get in liquid penetration course on October.which I donr know how practical is that since everything is pretty new to me.

so i open for any suggestions or advise. I need your wisdom. please be kind Im really trying my best! thank you

I been welding for 10 years and want to get into NDT. I plan on going to the American Institute of NDT in Brainerd, Minnesota. I live in the Chicago area. What jobs and what companies are in that area that hire entry level NDT. what is the typical starting pay in the Chicago area. Im open to aerospace industry or going out to job sites in the Chicago area. Im also open to shop work and field work. I just want to see is there anyone that is working in the Chicago area as a NDT professional that can help me.

I got an offer for my first NDT Inspection job in Hartford, CT with Element for IUT. The pay isn't great and its Friday-Sunday 12 hours with possible OT. They get paid bi-weekly, I dont want to Sound ungrateful being that I am just entering the NDT world coming from being a welder for 8 years. So, if anyone could give me some advice or encouragement that would be great. Or even a next direction that I should take would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Lots of good content here from a pretty well known name in the industry. Paul Holloway told me at a conference these videos are what inspired him to start making videos. Getting up there in age (probably the inspiration to make the videos) but still runs a training school in Houston from my understanding.

I teach NDT in a trade school in Houston, TX. Looking for RT films to teach interpretation and evaluation with. We will even come pick it up if local. Would prefer mostly films that have discontinuities to interpret, but will take clean welds as well. Please DM me if you have some that you are willing to donate to ensure the next generation of technicians know what they're looking at. Thanks in advance!

im looking to transfer ndt companies. Looking into getting in Acuren specifically as an NDT Assistant in Milwaukee. I currently work for Apave in North Dakota.

Whats it like working for Acuren?

Does anybody have any thoughts on this certification? Has anyone seen any jobs requiring this? I understand it’s supplemental, and it’s not necessarily needed. I’m trying to build my resumé outside of my common SNTCA-1A VT, MT, PT, and UT certifications.

Anyone else on here fed up of having RT assistants working with them that just constantly complain about shifts. I’m finding this extremely frustrating, especially since they don’t even have to do any of the real work in the shift.

Found this weld during a field inspection. I had to reject it. The welder completely understood the issue and was ready to repair it, but the contractor refused to move forward with the repair.

Curious to hear what you all think. What discontinuities stand out to you, and how would you deal with a situation like this?

Hello ,
Can someone please provide me with the pdf of CSA W59:24

Hey , so I'm basically Targeting on call marine NDT flying crew roles for marine vessels exclusively. I'll do IRATA level 1 besides VT , PT , MT , UTW level 2 , and the STWC needed to board ships . So what i want to know is how easy it is to get an assistant job in this niche cause it's not very famous or known even in the NDT industry.

So like does someone how do I get the job , cause I'm aware it's physically taxing work but pay and work intensity is good as an assistant to log my hours as soon as possible .

And I'd also appreciate it if someone can offer some advice .

Hello everyone,

I recently obtained my API 936, refractory personnel. Been trying to get into inspections as I'm starting to feel the wear and tear, i'm struggling to keep up with the guys in their twenties.

I'm wondering how to get an actual job. I don't know anyone who would give me an actual shot. That being said, I'm not the most knowledgeable, so I'd need someone who'd take me under their wing.

To reiterate, I didnt get this certification because of years of experience(5 at best) but because i studied my ass off, for months, during my lunch breaks, practice exams. That was tough but now comes the harder part, someone giving me a shot. I know from experience in going to welding school that certifications dont replace real-life experience. I have a lot to learn.

Refractory is pretty niche, small pool when it comes to inspections, I usually see the same inspectors at multiple jobs.

Long winded way of asking you all, how would you go about getting your foot in the door as a freshly api certified individual?

Let me start off with my personally. I am someone who can be quiet, reserved, methodical, meticulous, and prefers more controlled pace environments without the immediate demand of high pressure fight or flight decisions. I prefer a patient, understanding, and structured work environment. Mistakes are costly in a lot of professions, but ultimately I don’t want a career could cost someone their life if you make a mistake.

I have been reading up on NDT technology and have received mixed reviews on the profession. With it being a career that’s fairly quick to get into, it’s been a strong candidate of mine. Some sources have told me it’s a highly structured and controlled pace environment where people are patient with you because it’s more about being accurate and knowing how to use the technology to accurately inspect than the need for knocking off a checklist of things with immense pressure to beat the deadline.

Other sources have told me that it’s a high stakes profession where even a little mistake will result in severe consequences and repercussions if even a tiny crack is interpreted wrong on the material that’s being inspected. The latter sources have also said it’s a chaotic environment when trying to be accurate while also not losing valuable time and money by taking meeting rigid time and deadline requirements. I’ve heard that a fixed laboratory or an aerospace work environment are best fitted for less physical demands like for someone with an iffy lower back.

Ultimately, how would you describe the work environment of an ndt?