Get ready for ISQ with detailed exam topics, resources for study, and guidance for scheduling your exams.
To receive ISQ, you must pass the examination in one hands-on practical examination.
These exams are designed to provide a comprehensive evaluation of your knowledge and your ability to apply that knowledge in ultrasonic testing techniques within the oil and gas industry.
Start by getting familiar with the topics and depth of knowledge you’ll need for each of your exams.
Number of Items: 10
Time for Completion: 4 hours
Discontinuity types possible on samples:
Wall loss
Mid-wall
No damage
Flaw Plotting Exam
Number of Test Samples: 4
Time for Completion: 1 hour
Scanning Exam
Number of Items: 4
Time for Completion: 6 hours
Total Time for Exams: 7 hours
Discontinuity types possible on samples:
Weld toe crack (outside diameter or inside diameter)
Root crack on inside diameter
Heat-affected zone crack
Transverse crack
Embedded centerline crack
Lack of sidewall fusion
Sidewall crack
Lack of root fusion
Incomplete penetration
Slag inclusion
Porosity
Base material wall loss from general corrosion, pitting, or erosion
Base material mid-wall laminations or inclusions
Number of Items: 4 (2 encoded, 2 non-encoded/freehand)
Time for Completion: 8 hours
Discontinuity types possible on samples:
Weld toe crack (outside diameter or inside diameter)
Root crack on inside diameter
Heat-affected zone crack
Transverse Crack
Embedded centerline crack
Lack of sidewall fusion
Sidewall crack
Lack of root fusion
Incomplete penetration
Slag inclusion
Porosity
Base material wall loss from general corrosion, pitting, or erosion.
Base material mid-wall laminations or inclusions.
To help you build knowledge and confidence, review the protocol, instructions, and report documents or participate in an ISQ prep course for the exam you are taking. You can use self-study materials from ASNT and other industry sources—or take a combined approach.*
Designed for ISQ practitioners and taught by experienced, Level III nondestructive testing experts, these courses are offered in both online and in-person formats.
Register for ISQ Prep
These documents are essential resources for candidates applying for the ISQ exam. They collectively provide comprehensive guidance and necessary information to ensure candidates are well-prepared for the exam.
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For ISQ, ASNT offers in-person, hands-on practical testing at our Houston facility or any of our ISQ exam partners.
You must schedule and complete all the examinations you’ve applied for within one year of our Letter of Approval.
Be sure you understand the rules for rescheduling or canceling your qualification examinations.
Read ASNT Cancellation/Refund Policy
When it’s time to take your ISQ exams, gather the following required identification and equipment to bring to the exam location.
You must bring two valid forms of identification to the exam center.
A primary government-issued ID with name and signature.
A secondary ID with a name and signature/photo.
Both identifications must be current and original, and the name on your identification must match the name on your qualification application and in your MyASNT record.
A valid photo identification can be your current:
passport
driver’s license
state or government-issued identification card
Other acceptable identification forms are:
work ID with your name and signature that matches primary ID
Candidates for all exams must bring:
Ultrasonic instrument
Transducer(s)
Reference standards (some may be available from the AEC — contact before the exam)
Safety shoes
Candidates for UTPA exams must additionally bring:
Ultrasonic phased array instrument(s).* Laptops are not allowed.
Semiautomated encoded scanner
*All phased array (PAUT) instruments will be cleared of all setup files, data files, screenshots, and reports. Proctors will verify they are cleared before and after the examination.
Arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled exam time.
If taking the UTSW or UTPA exams, plan to stay all day for the test. Candidates for these exams cannot leave for lunch, so are encouraged to bring their own.
Bring your two forms of ID.
After you pass the exams and all requirements are met, your results will be processed and your MyASNT record will be updated to show that you are qualified.
You or your employer can verify your qualification by searching the certificate holder directory in MyCert.
You can expect to receive a digital badge via email in one to two weeks.
Learn More and Claim Your Digital BadgeIf you don’t pass an exam, you can choose to reapply immediately and retest following the retake waiting period.
There is a waiting period for each retest attempt. After that period, for each retake, you must submit a new application, submit payment, and receive a new approval letter before you can schedule and retake your exam.
After failing an ISQ exam:
You are not permitted to sit for any examination more than three times in a two-year period
Submit a Retake Application in MyCertISQ credentials must be updated every three years, and you must submit your requalification application, payment, and pass your exam before the expiration date on your digital badge.
Learn About Renewing ISQ Qualification