Industry Sector Qualification

Exam Specifications for Ultrasonic Testing: Shear Wave Pressure Equipment Weld Examination (UTSW)

A hands-on practical examination will be used to assess the candidate's ability to perform ultrasonic testing (UT) on a minimum number of specimens and product forms per the shear wave pressure equipment weld ISQ exam. The specimens and areas of interest contain actual or artificially-induced discontinuities representing those discontinuities found in the product type and industry sector for which qualification is sought. Candidates must locate, interpret, and evaluate discontinuities, and properly document test results. Candidates are required to pass a weld defect plot drawing examination in addition to a sample scanning and defect detection examination. Additional details may be found in the UTSW Protocol document O&G-UTSW-4 and the exam instructions O&G-UTSW-5.1 & O&G-UTSW-5.2.

Qualifications for Examination

Candidates must:

• have at least certification equal to a Level II ultrasonics certification per the guidelines in ASNT Recommended Practice No. SNT-TC-1A: Personnel Qualification and Certification in Nondestructive Testing (latest edition);
• have successfully passed the ASNT O&G UTT qualification (one-time requirement);
• provide their own equipment, and understand the protocol, instructions, and report form; and
• agree to the Code of Ethics and ASNT terms and conditions.

Required Equipment

• Ultrasonic instrument
• Reference standard(s) (some reference standards may be available from the AEC — contact before the exam)
• Transducer(s)
• Safety toe shoes

Identification

Candidates must present two forms of original (no photo copies), valid (unexpired) IDs; one form as a primary ID (government issued with name, recent recognizable photo, and signature) and one form as a secondary ID (with at least a name and signature, or name and recent recognizable photo).

For the ISQ Shear Wave exam session, candidates cannot leave for lunch, but are encouraged to bring a sack lunch to eat in the exam room. This is a seven-hour exam session.

Protocol, Instructions, and Report

• O&G-UTSW-4 Ultrasonic Shear Wave Pressure Equipment Weld Examination Protocol (PDF)
• O&G-UTSW-5.1 Exam Flaw Plotting Instructions (PDF)
• O&G-UTSW-5.2 Exam Sample Scanning Instructions (PDF)
• O&G-UTSW-6.1 UTSW Dbl V 1 Inch Plate Exam Report Form (PDF)
• O&G-UTSW-6.2 UTSW Sgl V .5 Inch Plate Exam Report Form (PDF)
• O&G-UTSW-6.3 UTSW Sgl V 8 Inch Pipe Exam Report Form (PDF)
• O&G-UTSW-6.4 UTSW Sgl V 12 Inch Half Pipe Exam Report Form (PDF)
• O&G-UT-PTP8 Manual Ultrasonic Shear Wave ASME Weld Quality Examination (PDF)

Re-examination Policy

Candidates who fail the exam shall meet the following conditions to apply and retake the examination:

First Failure

• Immediate application and retake are permitted.

Second Failure

• 30-day waiting period required before additional application and examination are permitted. 
• Additional method training is encouraged.

Third Failure

• 90-day waiting period required before additional application and examination are permitted. 
• Additional method training is encouraged.

Fourth Failure and All Subsequent Failures

• 180-day waiting period required before additional application and examination are permitted. 
• Additional method training is encouraged.

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